~Hudson Valley Horticulture~
Cornell Cooperative Extension of the Hudson Valley
~~~~~~~Commercial Horticulture Electronic Newsletter~~~~~~~

Volume 6, Issue 12
December 13, 2006

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Participating Counties: Dutchess * Orange * Putnam * Rockland * Sullivan * Ulster * Westchester *
Editor: Teresa Rusinek
http://www.cce.cornell.edu

 

2006
January
February
March
April

May
June
July

August
September
October

November


School for Commercial Greenhouse, Nursery & Landscape Professionals Offered
The 2007 Hudson Valley Nursery and Greenhouse Growers School, presented by Cornell Cooperative Extension of the Hudson Valley on Monday, January 8, 2007 at the BOCES Conference Center in New Paltz features a full day of educational classes for commercial greenhouse growers, landscapers and others in the commercial horticulture industry. The program covers growing and pest control methods for a wide variety of ornamental crops including perennials; shrubs and bedding plants; and greenhouse and high tunnel vegetable production. Teri Smith, of Smiths Acres in Connecticut, will address business and marketing issues by sharing how she is bucking the national trend and attracting younger people to gardening. She promises to share her secrets to keeping existing customers happy too. Elizabeth Lamb, New York State IPM Ornamentals Coordinator, will help growers understand the I in Integrated Pest Management, and there will be sessions covering worker protection standards, licensing, inspection and quarantine procedures. The program is from 8:30 am to 4:15 pm. The fee is $45 if registered by Jan. 2nd and includes a continental breakfast, lunch, all conference material; $55 after or at the door subject to availability. 4.75 NYS DEC pesticide in Categories 1a, 3a, 10, 24, 25, 23 and 2.0 credits available in category 3c.

To register or to receive more information, please contact Teresa Rusinek, Commercial Horticulture Extension Educator, at 845-340-3990 or visit http://cce.cornell.edu/ulster .

Written by Lisa Berger, Marketing and Public Relations Assistant, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County

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Cornell Golf Pest Management Short Course
January 24-26, 2007, located at the ILR Conference Center, Cornell campus in Ithaca, New York. Instructors include specialists from
Cornell University, Frank Rossi, Dan Peck, Dave Hicks, Jennifer Grant; the University of Massachusetts, Pat Vittum; Cook College, Rutgers, Bruce Clarke and Rich Buckley and the USGA, Dave Oatis. Continuing education credits will be offered including NYS Pesticide Recertification Credits and GCSAA credits.

Course Schedule:
   Day 1: Introduction and Managing Turf Insects
   Day 2: Managing Turf Weeds, Dealing with Annual Bluegrass and Turf Pest Diagnostics
   Day 3: Managing Turf Diseases and Special Pest Management Topics

More specific details can be found on our web site: http://www.hort.cornell.edu/instruction/short/courses2006.html
Questions? Contact Joann Gruttadaurio, at 607-255-1792, or jg17@cornell.edu

Submitted by Teresa Rusinek, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County

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Salt Damage to Landscape Plants
It’s that time of year again when the weather turns cold and with that cold weather comes snow and ice and thus the application of de-icing materials to maintain safe roads, sidewalks and driveways. De-icing materials can be deposited by plowing, melt-water runoff, splash and spray. When some of these materials land on ornamental plants damage can eventually occur. This may be in the form of scorch, tip dieback on conifers, branch dieback, stunted growth and/or overall lack of vigor. Oftentimes this damage does not show up until summer and/or hot dry weather occurs.

On deciduous plants salt damage can create a cluster of small branches, or witches-broom effect. These witches-brooms are easily recognized in the winter as you drive on major highways. Salt damages plants by absorbing moisture even there may be adequate moisture present. This is referred to as “physiological” drought. The two most common de-icing materials are sodium chloride (rock salt) and calcium chloride. Though calcium chloride is more effective at melting snow and ice, sodium chloride is used more often because it is less expensive than calcium chloride. Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) is an alternative de-icing material that is less damaging to plants.

For more information on salt injury to landscape plants go to:
http://www.caes.state.ct.us/FactSheetFiles/PlantPathology/fspp014f.htm

For more information on ornamental plant tolerance to salt injury go to:
http://www.hort.cornell.edu/department/faculty/bassuk/uhi/outreach/recurbtree/pdfs/11salttol.pdf
http://www.hort.cornell.edu/department/faculty/bassuk/uhi/outreach/recurbtree/pdfs/12saltsens.pdf
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/HO-142.pdf

Written by Stephanie D. Mallozzi, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County

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New York Farm Viability Institute Projects
Tis the Season; for NYFVI press releases on holiday-related grant projects, several from the HudsonValley http://nyfarmviability.org/press.htm . One was on fungus gnat IPM for poinsettias and bedding plants, focusing on the use of biological controls. Though the grower featured in the release was from central NY, two growers from the Hudson Valley also participated. The second was the development of a Christmas Tree IPM manual by Hudson Valley extension educator, Stephanie Mallozzi which will be an important resource for growers. For more information, you can email Stephanie at sdm10@cornell.edu or call 845 677-8223 ext. 104. Lastly was a project that tested several alternative products for control of Rhabdocline needlecast on Douglas firs. Rhabdocline has been a major scourge in the region. For further information on this project or the fungus gnat project contact Gary Couch (gjc15@cornell.edu) 845 344-1234.

Submitted by Gary Couch, NYSIPM

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New England Greenhouse Program and Expo A Success
The New England Greenhouse Conference and Expo was held this year from November 1 thru November 3rd at the DCU Centre (formerly the Centrum Center) in Worcester, MA and was attended by over 1600 growers, retailers, and industry representatives from the New England States, Pennsylvania, New York and Canada . The conference is held every other year and is coordinated by Extension faculty and staff from the New England State Universities and Cornell University. Leaders of the grower associations from the six New England states and New York also participate in the planning process.

The first day, November 1st, featured six pre-conference workshops and short courses on plant growth regulators, disease diagnostics, greenhouse pest management, perennial production, plant nutrition and retail garden center marketing. The trade show kicked off on the second day with over 150 exhibitors of exciting new plants and hard goods.

The second and third days featured several consecutive tracks of educational programs and a trade show. On Thursday, educational sessions focused on greenhouse production, pest management, retail garden centers and business management, and energy. Marketing was a hot topic at this year’s conference, whether it was the panel “Marketing to the Next Generation of Gardeners” or “Successful Marketing Despite Rainy Weather”, garden centers learned tips to increase their bottom line. “We enjoy the panel discussions and idea exchanges to learn what others are doing”. Thursday wrapped up with the popular “Garden Center Idea Exchange” in the evening which was enthusiastically moderated by Bill Calkins, Managing Editor of “Green Profit” magazine. Greenhouse management, pest management, alternative crops (including cut flower production and organic greenhouse production), marketing, and perennials were featured on the final day. Growers were a buzz listening to Eliot Coleman share his experience on “Winter Greenhouse Production of Salads and Root Crops without Heat” and Stephanie Cohen kept the crowd until the very end of the conference with “Hot Powered Perennials” and a final book-signing. There were over 40 educational workshops from which to choose over the three day conference.

Missed a session, or want to hear a session again? CDs are available for sale ranging from $11 for individual sessions to $199 for the entire conference (53 CDs). For more information on ordering CDs contact, Resourceful Recordings, Inc. Phone: 802-276-3464, email: sales@resrec.com or see the web site: www.resrec.com

Submitted by Teresa Rusinek, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County of Ulster County

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Selecta Klemm, partner to develop transgenic ornamentals
Selecta Klemm, a breeder and propagator of vegetative plants based in Stuttgart, Germany, formed a joint venture with Mendel Biotechnology, a functional genomics company in Hayward, Calif., to develop and market transgenic ornamentals. The new entity, Ornamental BioResource, combines Mendel's expertise in drought, cold/freeze tolerance, disease resistance and flower stability traits with Selecta's experience in plant transformation technology and marketing. Ornamental BioResource is working on Selecta crops, including petunias, poinsettias, New Guinea impatiens and geraniums. Selecta cooperated in developing a blue carnation with Florigene of Australia.

Submitted by Anna Snider, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County

Peat Society reports adequate peat supplies
The general conclusion at a symposium last month in Amsterdam, Netherlands, sponsored by International Peat Society, is that there is sufficient peat that can be harvested worldwide in the next decade without harming nature or mankind. The society reported that legislation and wise use make it possible to use the huge amount of peat reserves available. The society said this should be a relief to growers who depend on peat as a component of growing media and also for people who are involved in the peat industry. However, Canadian peat producers suffered this year from the wet weather in eastern Canada. This could lead to a shortage of Canadian peat moss next spring.

Submitted by Anna Snider, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County

U.S. experiences record summer warmth
The January to August period has been the warmest such year-to-date period on record, according to the National Climatic Data Center. The nationally averaged year-to-date temperature was 57.6F. The previous record was 57.2F in 1934. This year's January to August was the 26th driest period in the 112 years that records have been kept. This summer (June through August) was the 2nd hottest on record with an average temperature of 74.5F.

Submitted by Anna Snider, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County

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Worms may help disperse weed seed
Researchers at Ohio State Univ. are studying the role earthworms play in the collection and dispersal of weed seed. One weed in particular, giant ragweed, may benefit from the behavior of earthworms and explain why the weed has been labeled one of the most difficult to control. OSU weed scientist Emilie Regnier found that earthworms were collecting seed around their burrows. Although earthworms will collect other weed seeds, giant ragweed seed seems to be a favorite. Regnier said about two-thirds of ragweed seeds buried by earthworms are capable of producing viable seedlings. Earthworms previously have been known to disperse small weed seeds by ingesting them and then ejecting the seeds in their casts.

Submitted by Anna Snider, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County

Pesticide Applicator Training Manuals
The Pesticide Management Education Program has three (3) brand new Pesticide Applicator Training Manuals available and ready for distribution in the following Categories:

Category 6: Right-Of-Way. List Price: $30.00 (shipping INCLUDED). Category 7a: Structural and Rodent. List Price: $30.00 (shipping INCLUDED). Category 7f: Food Processing. List Price: $30.00 (shipping INCLUDED). Oder them from
PMEP (Pesticide Management Education Program), Educational Resources.
Cornell University
95 Brown Road, Rm 223
Box 1043
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-255-7282 (Phone
)

Submitted by Diane Olsen, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County

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EPA Revising Aquatic Pesticide Regulations
EPA is revising the NPDES permit program regulations to add a paragraph to the list of discharges in 40 CFR 122.3 that are excluded from NPDES permit requirements. Specifically, the regulation excludes applications of pesticides to waters of the United States consistent with all relevant requirements under FIFRA in two specific circumstances as follows:

(1) The application of pesticides directly to waters of the United States in order to control pests. Examples of such applications include applications to control mosquito larvae, aquatic weeds, or other pests that are present in waters of the United States.
(2) The application of pesticides to control pests that are present over waters of the United States, including near such waters, where a portion of the pesticides will unavoidably be deposited to waters of the United States in order to target the pests effectively; for example, when insecticides are aerially applied to a forest canopy where waters of the United States may be present below the canopy or when pesticides are applied over or near water for control of adult mosquitoes or other pests. Pesticides applied under these circumstances are not pollutants and
therefore are not subject to NPDES permitting requirements.
For additional information, contact
Jeremy Arling, Water Permits Division, Office of Wastewater Management, (4203M), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202-564-2218. Email address: arling.jeremy@epa.gov

Submitted by Diane Olsen, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County

Renewable energy and energy efficiency database
The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) provides information on renewable energy and energy efficiency incentives and regulatory policies administered by federal and state agencies, utilities, and local organizations. The database is searchable by state, incentive type, technology, implementing sector, and eligible sector. Check it out at www.dsireusa.org/

Submitted by Teresa Rusinek, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cornell Cooperative Extension
2006-2007 Horticulture Programs for Professionals
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cornell Cooperative Extension of the Hudson Valley provides educational programs that can help you improve your skills in horticulture, pest management and business management. Updated brochures with specific information about each program will be mailed to you beforehand only if you are on your county's Cooperative Extension mailing list. If you wish to be added to that list, have questions or need further information about these programs, contact your local Cooperative Extension office listed below. Pesticide Recertification Credits will be awarded at programs marked * pending NYS DEC approval. All dates subject to change.

*Nursery/Greenhouse Grower's School
Monday, January 8, 2007
Ulster BOCES Conference Center, New Paltz, NY
Contact: Teresa Rusinek (845) 340-3990 or Rosemarie Baglia (845) 344-1234
Nursery/Greenhouse Grower’s School (formerly Bedding Plant School) has been expanded to include a wider variety of ornamental crops including perennials, shrubs and bedding plants. Get the latest information on pest control, cultural control and marketing from industry experts. Spend the day networking with professionals and other growers.

*Urban and Community Forestry Conference
Monday, January 29, 2007
Westchester County Ctr., White Plains, NY
Contact: Stephanie Mallozzi (845) 677-8223 x 104 or Rick Harper (914) 285-2622
This program is designed to give tree care professionals, municipalities and community groups an update on tree planting, care and maintenance in the community and urban landscape. Topics to be covered include CU Soil, invasive pests, tough trees for tough sites, community forestry success stories and new technologies in urban forestry. A special book signing by renowned researcher and author Dr. Nina Bassuk, Director of Cornell Univerisity's Urban Horticulture Institute will take place.

Community Landscapes
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Location: TBA
Contact: Dianne Olsen (845) 278-6738 or Anna Snider (914) 285-4617
An opportunity for landscapers, developers, parks managers and elected officials to learn about conservation streetscaping, public-area turf issues, landscaping for stormwater management and more.

*Arborist Certification Training
February 14, 21, 28, 2007 12:30 - 5 PM
March 07, 2007 from 12:30 - 5 PM
Certification Exam: March 30, 2007 at 8:30 AM
Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County
2715 Route 44, Millbrook, NY 12545
Contact: Rick Harper (914) 285-2622 or Stephanie Mallozzi (845) 677-8223 x104
A training program designed to assist green industry professionals in obtaining the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist designation. Topics will include tree biology, pruning, pest management, and safe work practices. Sessions will also offer ISA Continuing Education Units (CEU's) and NYS DEC Pesticide Recertification credits for certified arborists and licensed pesticide applicators. In addition, the USDA Forest Service is offering scholarships to qualified individuals. Contact Stephanie or Rick to obtain an application.

* Pesticide CORE/Apprentice Training
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Villa Borghese, Wappingers Falls, NY
Contact: Marianna Quartararo (845) 292-6180 x112
This course will introduce the basic CORE concepts and principles necessary for individuals who wish to become NYSDEC Commercial Pesticide Apprentices. Commercial Pesticide Technicians and Applicators may also attend this course for review and NYS DEC Pesticide Applicator Recertification Credits.

Garden Center Employee Training
Date TBA
Contact: Dianne Olsen (845) 278-6738 or Marianna Quartararo (845) 292-6180 x112

*Christmas Tree Twilight Meeting
July, 2007 – TBA
Contact: Stephanie Mallozzi (845) 677-8223 x104 or Teresa Rusinek (845) 340-3990
This is a hands on, in-the-field program focusing on professional Christmas tree production issues

Other Professional Horticulture Programs of Interest


2007 Nursery/Greenhouse Grower’s School

Date: Monday, January 8, 2007 Location: Ulster BOCES Conference Center, New Paltz
For more information, contact: Teresa Rusinek at (845) 340-3990 or tr28@cornell.edu

Growers will be updated on the latest information on a variety of topics including pest management, and cultural practices for bedding plants and other
greenhouse/nursery crops.

***
Posted by Rick Harper, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester County

*39th Annual Professional Turf & Landscape Conference

Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007. Westchester County Ctr., White Plains, NY
(914) 993-9455, www.nystla.com
Sponsored by the NYS Turf & Landscape Assoc. One of the largest conferences for the green industry in New York. 100-booth trade show and 16 classes from which to choose.

*Cornell Golf Pest Management Short Course

January 24-26, 2007. Cornell Campus, Ithaca, NY
Joann Gruttadaurio (607) 255-1792 or jg17@cornell.edu

*NYSTA SE Regional Turf Conference
Wednesday, January 31, 2007. Suffern, NY
NYSTA (800) 873-8873 www.nysta.org--- jillcyr@nysta.org
Sponsored by the NYS Turfgrass Association. There will be a trade show and four program tracks running concurrently, including Building Your Skills, Golf Turf, Lawn/Landscape.

NYS ReLeaf Conference

July 19-21, 2007, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY
For more information contact: Mary Kramarchyk at 518-402-9412 or email: mckramar@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Join fellow urban and community foresters, municipal officials, community organizations, arborists, and affiliated industry professionals for a conference that offers workshops and tours on urban and community forestry issues.

Certified Landscape Technician Trainin
g
Contact: New York State Turf and Landscape Association, (914) 961-2535, www.nystla.com
An optional national testing program to recognize proficiency of qualified landscape professionals.

Certified Nursery Professional Training Program

Dutchess, Putnam & Westchester: Scott Olivieri (914) 682-4224
Orange, Rockland & Ulster: Mark Masseo (845) 658-9148
By passing this exam you can earn the title Certified Nursery Professional (CNP). Contact your New York State Nursery and Landscape Association representative, listed above, for more details.

Pesticide Certification
If you apply pesticides, including weed-killers, weed and feed products, insecticides, fungicides, or tick control products to customer's properties for hire, you or someone in your company must be a New York State Certified Pesticide Applicator through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and have your business registered. There are now three levels of commercial certification: applicator, technician, and apprentice.

For Commercial Applicators
To be eligible to take the exams to become certified, you must meet one of the following requirements:

* 3 out of the past 5 years of verifiable experience as an apprentice working in the category applicant is seeking certification in; or
* 3 out of the past 5 years as a certified private applicator in a corresponding private category; or
* Certification in another State with which New York has reciprocity; or
* if seeking certification in the Sales Category - At least 3 years experience in the sale of pesticides, or can demonstrate, through applicable training certifications or education degrees, that one possesses appropriate technical background.

Certified Pesticide Technician* be at least 17 years of age.
* 2 years of verifiable experience as an apprentice; or
* completion of a 30-hr. training course, approved by the Department or a baccalaureate or associate degree from an accredited college or university in the area seeking certification. These are offered at the following:

Westchester Community College: (914) 785-6830
Dutchess Community College: (845) 431-8904
Colorado Correspondence Course: (800) 525-4950

Technicians, once certified, desiring full applicator status the following documentation is required: a letter indicating 2 yrs. of experience or 1 yr. of experience plus 12 recertification credits. Experience and recertification credits must be category or sub-category specific.

Pesticide Apprentice
* Must be at least 16 years of age.
* Must receive 40 hours of pesticide use experience under supervision of a certified applicator and a minimum of 8 hours of instruction on topics outlined in Section 325.18 of Part 325 Rules & Regulations relating to the application of pesticides, before being able to apply general use pesticides under the off-site direct supervision of a certified applicator.
* Documentation of the above must be maintained by the certified applicator, and include: name & address of apprentice; date(s) of instruction or observation; content of training and certification category; instructor's name and certification

* Must be at least 17 years old.identification number; and an evaluation of the competency of the apprentice.

For Private Applicators:
* Have at least one year of full-time experience within the last three years in the use of pesticides in the category in which certification is requested – OR
* Has completed a 30-hr. training course, or has received an associate's or higher level college degree in the area of which certification is requested.

For further information on eligibility rules and regulations, and fees, contact the NYSDEC Region 3 Pesticide Staff at (845) 256-3097.

Eligible candidates for certification must attend a training session, and pass two examinations, administered by the NYSDEC and held in conjunction with Cornell Cooperative Extension. Once you determine you are eligible for certification, contact your county's Cornell Cooperative Extension office for information on registering for the training class and exams. Contact your local CCE educator to find out training and exam dates for your county in the Hudson Valley.

**********************************************************
Mention of trade names and commercial products is for educational purposes; no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Cornell Cooperative Extension or Cornell University is implied.

Pesticide recommendations are for informational purposes only and manufacturers' recommendations change. Read the manufacturers' instructions carefully before use. Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell University assume no responsibility for the use of any pesticide or chemicals.

Some of the links provided are not maintained by Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell University. Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell University are not responsible for information on these websites. They are included for information purposes only and no endorsement by Cornell Cooperative Extension or Cornell University is implied.

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Last updated on March 5, 2007

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