Lead Editor: Curtis Young

Contributing Authors: Pam Bennett, Joe Boggs, Cindy Meyer, Jim Chatfield, Erik DraperDave Dyke, Gary Gao, Tim Malinich, Bridget Meiring, Amy Stone and Curtis Young

Buckeye Yard and Garden onLine provides timely information about Ohio growing conditions, pest, disease, and cultural problems. Updated weekly between April andOctober, this information is useful for those who are managing a commercial nursery, garden center, or landscape business or someone who just wants to keep their yard

looking good all summer.

BYGL April 14, 2011Thursday, 14 April 2011 15:51

This is the 2nd 2011 edition of the Buckeye Yard and Garden Line (BYGL). BYGL is developed from a Tuesday morning conference call of Extension Educators,Specialists, and other contributors in Ohio.

In This Issue:

1. PLANTS OF THE WEEK: Annual (Pansies); Perennial (Candytuft); Woody (Eastern Redbud); Vegetable (Onion); and Weed (Poison Hemlock).2. HORT SHORTS: Growing Degree Days (GDD); Tracking Growing Degree Days for Turfgrass; Early Season Fruit Sprays are Very Critical for Effective Disease

Control; Crabapples in Outer Space!; and My Ash Tree is Dead - Now What?3. BUG BYTES: Diagnostic Faux Pas - Almost; European Pine Sawfly Eggs Hatch; Eastern Tent Follow-Up (Eastern Tent Caterpillar); Monitor for Spruce Spider Mites'

Arise; Tick Time!; and Timing of Treatments Important when Battling the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).4. DISEASE DIGEST: Clinic Clips; and Why Infectious Plant Diseases are Difficult to Control.5. TURF TIPS: Update on Nimblewill; and Mandatory Mower Maintenance.6. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS: Gray Mold Grows; Beware of Phytophthora in Your Irrigation Water; and Downy Mildew on Roses.7. WEATHERWATCH.8. COMING ATTRACTIONS: Landscaping for Wildlife.9. BYGLOSOPHY.

APPENDIX - ADDITIONAL WEBSITE RESOURCES

1. PLANTS OF THE WEEK.

*ANNUAL - PANSIES (Viola x wittrockiana).

These annuals (that sometimes act as perennials) are a sure sign that spring has arrived in Ohio. Flatsand containers of them are available at area garden centers and make wonderful gifts! The fragrantflowers have colorful "faces" of purple, maroon, burgundy, rose, yellow, apricot, and white; they bloomthroughout spring and sometimes into early June. The flowers are edible, and many like to put them insalads or decorate cakes and cupcakes with them!

Home BYGL 2011 Text Only Contacts Search Site Map ENLT Presentations

Pansies don't like summer heat and decline as temperatures rise; however, cut them back to renewgrowth. As temperatures cool in the fall, they'll show off again, lasting sometimes until a hard freeze.Many varieties do well throughout the winter months and come back again the next season. Plantpansies in full sun to partial shade or put them in containers for the spring season. Then take thepansies out of the container when they decline and transfer them into the ground; plant the containerswith warm season annuals.

For more information, see:

Missouri Botanical Garden Kemper Center for Home Gardening pansy informationColorado State University factsheet on pansies

*PERENNIAL - CANDYTUFT (Iberis sempervirens).Candytuft, a spring blooming plant, is a great addition to the perennial garden that requires full sun and well-drained soils. Candytuft at maturity can reach heights of 8-12" tall and spreads approximately 12-18" wide. This slow-growing groundcover forms dense mounds of fine-leaved foliage that stays evergreen through the winter. Thisplant has nice white flowers that appear from April-May. After candytuft blooms the plants should be lightly sheered to eliminate leggy growth. Common cultivars include'Purity' and 'Snowflake'. There are a few cultivars that bloom in the fall including 'Autumn Beauty' and 'September Snow'.

For more information, see:

University of Illinois Extension

*WOODY - EASTERN REDBUD (Cercis canadensis).Redbuds are in bloom in southern Ohio with a wonderful display of lavender color seen on hillsides and in landscapes alike. The flowers of redbud are prolific and occurin clusters on the branches and trunks of trees. Redbud tolerates moist soils but not saturated soils. They can reach 30' tall but most often are much shorter. They areplants which do well in full sun or partial shade. The tree can get wide if left to grow natural, but pruning keeps the tree balanced. If purchasing a redbud tree for thelandscape, be sure to site the tree correctly in the landscape. Eastern redbud is susceptible to Botryosphaeria canker that can cause death of many stems; Verticilliumwilt and leaf spots also affect redbud.

For more information, see:

University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service

*VEGETABLE - ONION (Allium cepa).The common onion is tolerant of early season cold weather and frost. Onions can be grown for storage as dry bulbs orharvested young for use as scallions (green onions). Onions are generally sold as sets, transplants or seedlings. Sets are smallonions that have been harvested and stored. These small bulbs then grow to a larger size in the garden. Onion sets are usuallysold by the pound. Transplants, on the other hand, are sold in bundles. They were started early in the year, usually in Southernstates, then dug up and shipped to local stores. They may look ragged in the garden center but perk up quickly when planted.Seedlings are just what their name suggests, very young plants grown from seed. Sold in pots or packs, they are carefullyseparated and planted in the garden.

All of the onions can, and should, be planted now. Early-planted onions will put on more growth prior to flowering, resulting in alarger bulb. When ordering onions from out-of-state sources, be sure to pick varieties that perform well in Ohio; select long-dayvarieties for northern Ohio and intermediate or long-day varieties for the southern portion of the state. Also, pay attention towhich varieties are better suited for harvest as scallions, fresh eating, or long-term storage onions.

*WEED - POISON HEMLOCK (Conium maculatum)

Joe Boggs reported that poison hemlock plants are now becoming very evident in southern Ohio andare ripe for control. This non-native invasive weed is one of the most toxic plants in North America.The plant contains highly-toxic piperidine alkaloid compounds, including coniine and gamma-coniceine, which cause respiratory failure and death when ingested by mammals. The roots are moretoxic than the leaves and stems; however, all parts of the plant including the seeds should beconsidered dangerous.

Poison hemlock is a biennial weed and spends the first year as a basal rosette, and the second yearas an erect, towering flowering plant that can measure 6-10' tall. It is a member of the carrot family, soit shares many characteristics with other weeds found in Ohio, including plants such as QUEENANNE'S LACE (Daucus carota) and other notorious non-natives such as WILD PARSNIP (Pastinacasativa). All stages of the plant have bluish-green leaves that are 3-4 times pinnately compound, andthe deeply cut parsley-like leaflets have sharp points. Flowering plants have hairless, light-green tobluish-green stems that are covered with obvious purplish blotches. Clusters of tiny white flowers areborne on structures called umbels that look like upside-down umbrellas.

Poison hemlock can be controlled by mowing, tilling, or by using selective or non-selective post-emergent herbicides including glyphosate (e.g. Roundup) or herbicide mixtures containing 2,4-D, 2,4-DP and MCPP or 2,4-D, dicamba and MCPP (e.g. Trimec). Applications of herbicides made nowcontrols both the first season rosette stage and the second season flowering stage, before seeds areproduced.

For more information, see:

Virginia Tech Weed Identification Fact SheetUSDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Profile

2. HORT SHORTS.A. GROWING DEGREE DAYS (GDD).

GDD is a measure of the daily maximum and minimum temperature and directly relates to growth and development of plantsand insects. The GDD of any zip code location in Ohio is estimated using the GDD of ten OARDC weather stations and availableon the web at: http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/gdd/ .

The range of GDD accumulations in Ohio from north to south is 26 to 208. Following is a report of GDD for several locationsaround Ohio as of April 13, 2011: Painesville, 26; Cleveland, 44; Toledo, 59; Canfield, 56; Findlay, 63; Van Wert, 69; Wooster, 78;Coshocton, 116; Columbus, 151; Springfield, 141; Dayton, 146; Cincinnati, 189; Ironton, 206; Portsmouth, 208; and Piketon, 204.

To put these GDD accumulations into perspective, the following is an abbreviated listing of plant and insect species with theirrespective phenological event and average GDD accumulations at which these events occur. Due to variations in weather,temperature, humidity, etc., these events may occur a few days earlier or later than predicted by the average GDD. By looking

at a city, town, or village nearby on the above list, or visiting the above website, one can see what is taking place in the landscape.

Red maple, full bloom, 75; star magnolia, first bloom, 83; border forsythia, first bloom, 86; eastern tent caterpillar, egg hatch, 92; Manchu cherry, first bloom, 93;northern lights forsythia, full bloom, 94; Norway maple, first bloom, 116; border forsythia, full bloom, 116; chanticleer callery pear, first bloom, 123; sargent cherry, firstbloom, 127; larch casebearer, egg hatch, 128; Japanese pieris, full bloom, 129; saucer magnolia, first bloom, 133; common flowering quince, first bloom, 137; Bradfordcallery pear, first bloom, 142; European pine sawfly, egg hatch, 144; weeping Higan cherry, first bloom, 145; P.J.M. rhododendron, first bloom, 147; chanticleer callerypear, full bloom, 149; Norway maple, full bloom, 149; inkberry leafminer, adult emergence, 150; sargent cherry, full bloom, 151; star magnolia, full bloom, 151;Allegheny serviceberry, first bloom, 153; Manchu cherry, full bloom, 155; spring snow crabapple, first bloom, 155; apple serviceberry, first bloom, 159; spruce spidermite, egg hatch, 162; Bradford callery pear, full bloom, 164; Allegheny serviceberry, full bloom, 169; saucer magnolia, full bloom, 174; P.J.M. rhododendron, full bloom,178; boxwood psyllid, egg hatch, 179; weeping Higan cherry, full bloom, 179; Koreanspice viburnum, first bloom, 185; regent serviceberry, first bloom, 186; Japaneseflowering crabapple, first bloom, 189; eastern redbud, first bloom, 191; gypsy moth, egg hatch, 192; Koreanspice viburnum, full bloom, 205; azalea lace bug, egghatch, 206; 'Spring Snow' crabapple, full bloom, 209; common flowering quince, full bloom, 214; birch leafminer, adult emergence, 215; 'Coralburst' crabapple, firstbloom, 217; elm leafminer, adult emergence, 219; and common chokecherry, full bloom, 221.

More Information:

Growing Degree Days and Phenology for OhioUnderstanding and Using Degree-Days

B. TRACKING GROWING DEGREE DAYS FOR TURFGRASS.

Michigan State University (MSU) has put together a new site to trackGrowing Degree Days (GDD) for turfgrass management purposes(http://www.gddtracker.net). The website was set up to for turfgrassmanagers and golf course personnel to help make decisions onwhen to apply multiple types of products such as pre- and post-emergent herbicides, growth regulators, and insecticides. This toolcan also be useful to homeowners, lawncare professionals andlandscapers in Ohio as well. As avid BYGL readers know, OhioAgricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) also hasan online GDD website which includes plant phenology and insectemergence for tracking ornamental plant pests(http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/gdd), which is listed in early-season BYGL Newsletters.

Both sites are very useful and excellent resources. The importantthing for users to remember, and take note of, is that the OARDCGDD and Phenology website and the MSU GDD Tracker 4.0 have 2major differences when tracking GDD. The MSU website starts

at multiple base temperatures of 22, 32, and 50F and begins onMarch 1st. The OARDC website has a base temperature of 50Fand a startdate of January 1st. This means that depending on sitechecked, and the organism tracked, the GDD can differ greatly.There are many factors that can account for start dates and basetemperatures used for a given organism, such as, area rainfalland air or soil temperature. OARDC uses 50F because this is anacceptable base temperature to track both plant and insects inOhio. MSU uses 22F for annual bluegrass lifecycle treatmenttimes, 32F for certain herbicide applications, and 50F to trackweeds and certain turf disease treatment times. Years of researchhave made both of these websites possible, so use them incontext with the plant management program. They helpthroughout the growing season year after year!

C. EARLY SEASON FRUIT SPRAYS ARE VERY CRITICAL FOR EFFECTIVE DISEASE CONTROL.

Gary Gao received one phone call from a home gardener about disease control in peaches. He notedthat the apple trees at Ohio State University's Waterman Farm were at tight cluster stage, whichmeans that the spur leaves have folded back exposing the flower cluster inside the bud. Garyreminded BYGLers that early sprays are very critical for the successful control of many common fruitdiseases, such as apple scab in apples, black rot in grapes and brown rot in peaches. Gardenersshould refer to OSUE Bulletin 780, "Controlling Diseases and Insects in Home Fruit Plantings" forsprays schedules and recommended spray materials.

For more information, see:

OSU Extension Bulletin 780Apple Growth Stages from MSU

D. CRABAPPLES IN OUTER SPACE!

Secrest Arboretum and OARDC crabapple seeds (from trees notblown away by the September 16 tornado) will be making theirway into outer space (and not due to those tornadic 130 mphwinds)! These crabapples will be in one of the experimentalmodules on the last space shuttle mission and are the result of aBroward County Florida middle school. The school won one ofthe 16 slots for the shuttle with their experiment to compareapple seed germination on Earth compared to seeds exposedto space.

At almost the last minute, actually several hours before thedeadline, NASA and the school realized that apple seeds weretoo big for the experimental module. Thinking fast, they intuitedthat crabapples, which are defined as apples with mature fruitsless than two inches in diameter, might have smaller seeds aswell. They contacted OSU, and crabonauts Cheryl Fischnichand Vicki Myers rushed out into Crablandia at SecrestArboretum, collected seeds that did indeed fit the less than 3mm in diameter criteria, and the rest is about to become history.

Originally the last voyage of the Space Shuttle Endeavour (to bepiloted by Mark Kelley, husband of Gabrielle Giffords) was scheduledfor April 19, but is now due to launch on Friday, April 29. This isappropriate for the mini-apples as it is Arbor Day. The OSUE WhyTrees Matter Signature Program and the OSUE North East RegionOffice, OARDC, and Secrest Arboretum are now listed as partnerinstitutions in the Student Spaceflight Experiments Website:http://ssep.ncesse.org/communities/community-directory/ .

And in the words of NASA's Dr. Jeff Goldstein to Cheryl and Vicki:"Please pass on to everyone that you guys SAVED this experiment. Itis because of you that this student group is flying an experiment onthe Shuttle. The school received your seeds, FedExed them to the labconducting the fluid/sample compatibility test, the seeds were placedwith their nutrient solution in the mini-lab, and it was sealed for 14days to mirror the experiment on the shuttle. The seals on the mini-labwere unaffected after 14 days, and the experiment passed the test.And we just learned that the experiment has now passed the overallNASA flight safety review. THANK YOU THANK YOU!"

E. MY ASH TREE IS DEAD - NOW WHAT?

Millions of ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees have already become victimsof the emerald ash borer (EAB). As the devastation caused by thisinvasive species continues to spread, so will the number of treesimpacted in Ohio and across North America. Municipalities, parks,and residents have an opportunity to take a bad situation, andmake it better. Ash trees that have been destroyed by EAB, can beturned into items that include hardwood floors, cabinets, furniture,baseball bats, baskets, wooden bowls, tool handles, chainsawcarvings, railroad ties, firewood, or mulch.

Anyone with an ash utilization story to share should contact AmyStone at [ stone.91@cfaes.osu.edu ].

If the topic of wood utilization is of interest, learn more at thefollowing sites:

*Cincinnati's Urban Timber Project

*Care Caskets

*Holden Arboretum Hosts "Rising From the Ashes"

For more information, see:

Ash Utilization

3. BUG BYTES.

A. DIAGNOSTIC FAUX PAS - ALMOST.

Curtis Young reported almost allowing himself to erroneouslyjump to a conclusion by not looking at a sample to the full extentthat it required. The sample was sent to Curtis from anotherOSUE office. The specimens had been collected from the interiorof a house and had been showing up in the house over the lasttwo years. At first glance, the preserved specimens in the jar ofalcohol looked like the larvae of DERMESTID BEETLES; theywere small, hairy, cigar-butt shaped larvae with tufts of densehairs protruding from the posterior end of the critters. With thatsnap judgment of "I've seen that before and know what it is,"Curtis ALMOST brushed off the identification without any furtherinvestigation. Fortunately before disposing of the specimens,Curtis put them under the scope to look at them a little moreclosely and found that the initial identification was completely inerror. At first when placed under the scope, it still appeared tobe a routine ID; that is until it was turned over! The real surprisewas revealed; there were multiple pairs of legs and more thanjust three pairs of legs characteristic of an insect. It also had apair of antennae. This was no insect at all! It was a HAIRYMILLIPEDE (Polyxenes spp).

With the help of Joe Boggs and Dave Shetlar, Curtis was able toverify that the critter was indeed a hairy millipede (typical millipedesare hairless). According to Dave, these millipedes are common inforested areas where they feed on fungi, lichens and decaying plantmatter. Why they were commonly found in the client's home isprobably the result of an abundant source of food for them to eatsuch as mold growing on wet lumber in walls or mold or algaegrowing on siding. For more information on these look-a-likes, see"Colorado Insects of Interest - Dermestids" by Whitney Cranshaw athttp://wiki.bugwood.org/HPIPM:Dermestids.

Ultimately, the morale of the story is look before one leaps to faultyconclusions. What one thinks they see at first glance may not be thecorrect identification. Take the time to thoroughly examine allspecimens.

For more information, see:

Colorado Insects of InterestDuff Millipedes

B. EUROPEAN PINE SAWFLY EGGS HATCH.

Joe Boggs reported that overwintered EUROPEAN PINE SAWFLY (Neodiprion sertifer) eggs havehatched in southwest Ohio. The tiny 1st instar larvae measure a little over 1/16" long. They are grayish-green with bulbous shiny black head capsules; their color and small size make the difficult to see asthey feed on the needles. However, rows of yellowish-brown egg scars created last season when thefemale sawflies used their saw-like ovipositors to insert eggs into the needles remain very evident andshould signal a closer inspection for sawfly larvae.

The larvae typically feed in groups of 3-4; however, they are too small to consume entire needles.They feed in groups of 3-5 along the edges of needles producing clusters of curled, wiry, straw-colored needles. Later instars develop faint grayish-white longitudinal stripes and are large enough toconsume entire needles. Preferred hosts include Scotch, mugo, red, jack, Table mountain, and Swissmountain pines. White and Austrian pines are occasional hosts. While most insecticides labeled foruse on the conifer host will control the larvae, it's easy to dispatch the early instars by simply smashingthe little buggers; gloves are optional.

For more information, see:

University of Kentucky Entomology Fact Sheet

Penn State University Entomology Fact Sheet

C. EASTERN TENT FOLLOW-UP.It was reported in last week's BYGL (BYGL 2011-01) that the overwintered eggs of the EASTERN TENT CATERPILLAR(Malacosoma americanum) moth had hatched in southern Ohio. The caterpillars are accomplished and prolific tent-makers andwill eventually produce highly visible silk nests in the forks of branches. Currently, the nests measure only 1-2" across and theyprimarily encase the spent egg mass. However, both the size of the caterpillars and their nests will rapidly increase over the nextcouple of weeks accompanied by accelerating defoliation of their host trees.

The caterpillars prefer to feed on trees in the family Rosaceae, particularly those in the genus Prunus, such as cherries. Theyalso occasionally feed on ash, birch, maple, and oaks. The caterpillars are covered in short, grayish-white hairs and they have adistinct, unbroken white stripe down their backs.

Joe Boggs reported that the populations appear very sporadic in southwest Ohio. However, Jim Chatfield noted that numeroussmall tents are easy to see in the central and southeastern parts of the state. Small nests can be eliminated digitally using five-

fingered "smash and/or smear" techniques. Less hands-on methods include applications of the naturally occurring bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), applied to early

instar stages, as well as standard insecticides labeled for general caterpillars.

For more information, see:

University of Kentucky Entomology Fact Sheet

D. MONITOR FOR SPRUCE SPIDER MITES' ARISE.Dave Dyke and Joe Boggs reported that full bloom of Bradford Callery pears has peaked in southwest Ohio. This is a goodphenological indicator that the overwintered eggs of spruce spider mites (Oligonychus ununguis) are hatching. The mite spendswinter and summer months in the egg stage. As temperatures warm in the spring, or cool in the fall, the eggs hatch, making thisa "cool-season" mite. Typically, fall generations are more damaging than the spring generations owing to a more extendedfeeding period. However, fall feeding symptoms do not become evident until the following season, so damage that is observednow most likely occurred last fall.

Spruce spider mites may be found on a wide range coniferous hosts including: spruce, arborvitae, juniper, hemlock, pine,Douglas-fir, and true firs. The mites feed by rupturing individual cells of the host's foliage, producing characteristic tiny yellowspots, or "stippling." As the stippling coalesces, foliage becomes bleached and eventually bronze-colored. Inner foliage isgenerally affected first.

A "beating tray" is the most effective tool for discovering and assessing spruce spider mite populations. This tool can be a purchased piece of equipment, or simply astick and an 8.5 x 11" tablet of white paper which was the "high-end" equipment used by the BYGLive! participants! Hold the white target beneath the conifer foliage andstrike the foliage several times with a stick or rod causing the mites to drop onto the target. Next, tilt and lightly tap the collection paper or tray to allow plant debris to falloff. Look closely for small, slow-moving dots, not much bigger than the period at the end of this sentence; these are the spider mites. The faster moving dots are likely tobe predaceous mites; the good guys that feed on the spider mites. A finger can be used to "mash and smear" the mites to further distinguish the good mites from thebad. Greenish-brown streaks are "pate de spruce spider mite."

Effective management efforts include washing (syringing) mites from the foliage using a heavy stream of water, applications of soaps and oils, or applications oftraditional miticides. Syringing conserves predaceous mites, but may be difficult on large trees or large numbers of trees. Soaps and oils are also kind to predators, butoils wash away the blue color on Colorado blue spruce. Certain miticides such as spiromesifen (e.g. Judo), hexythiazox (e.g. Hexygon, Savey), and bifenzate (e.g.Floramite), as well as a few others, have a low impact on the beneficial mites.

For more information, see:

Ohio State University Extension, "Bug Doc" Fact SheetUniversity of Kentucky Entomology Fact Sheet

E. TICK TIME!

Pam Bennett and Joe Boggs reported that they have received calls concerning ticks in southwestOhio. There are twelve species of ticks known to occur in Ohio; however, the AMERICAN DOG TICK(Dermacenter variabilis) is the species most commonly plucked from the trouser legs of hikers and theskin of pets. The BROWN DOG TICK (Rhipcephalus sanguineus) may occasionally be encounteredand it is the only tick in the state that can establish infestations in homes and kennels. The LONESTAR TICK (Amblyomma americanus) has become more common in Ohio in recent years, particularlyin the southern part of the state. Thus far, the BLACKLEGGED TICK (Ixodes scapularis), which is theprincipal vector of Lyme disease, remains rare in Ohio.

The American dog tick is most often encountered while walking in fields and woods. While this tickshould not be feared, it should be treated with some respect; although rare, this tick can vector RockyMountain spotted fever. If an engorged (swollen) tick is found attached to a person, they shouldidentify the tick and keep it alive in a small bottle with a damp tissue for several weeks. If a fever orrash occurs, the victim should take the live tick to a doctor to send to the Ohio Department of Health(ODH) for testing. Another option is to send the live tick to the C. Wayne Ellett Plant and PestDiagnostic Clinic (CWEPPDC) for identification. The Clinic will send the tick, if requested, to the ODH.

The brown dog tick likes the warm, dry conditions found indoors. An engorged brown dog tick femalewill drop-off pets inside homes to lay tiny brown eggs in cracks and crevices. Once the eggs hatch,the "seed ticks" or larvae, attach themselves to any warm body that passes. Initially, they are found ingroups, but as they look for a host, tick larvae migrate throughout the building. The larvae can betreated before they disperse if they are discovered early enough. Two generations usually occuroutdoors in Ohio. Brown dog ticks are pests in kennels and areas where pets sleep.

To avoid picking up ticks outdoors, keep the lawn mowed and stay on paths when walking in wild areas. Tuck pants inside socks and/or boots and keepshirts tucked in as well, because ticks crawl upward. Apply a tick repellent product that contains DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) (e.g. Deep Woods Off!,Repel Sportsman Max, Backwoods Cutter, etc.) to pant legs when working in woodsy places, and treat dogs with appropriate repellents labeled for their size.

Removing an engorged tick attached to a person should be done with considerable care; squeezing the tick's body can inject harmful bacteria into the woundand leaving a part of the tick's mouthparts in the wound can lead to a serious infection. Forceps should be used to grasp the body of the tick as near to theperson's skin as possible. The tick should then be gently pulled slowly and steadily so that the mouthparts are removed instead of being broken off under theskin. Wash the area with soap and water immediately after removing it. If one must remove the tick by hand, make sure to wash hands and the area wherethe tick was attached.

For more information, see:

OSU Extension Fact Sheet

F. TIMING OF TREATMENTS IMPORTANT WHEN BATTLING THE EMERALD ASH BORER(EAB).

Extensive testing of insecticides for the control of EAB has beenconducted by researchers at MSU and OSU. Timing ofapplications was included in various research projects.

Optimal timing for imidacloprid soil injections and drenches is mid-April to mid-May in Ohio. Applicators should allow 4-6 weeks foruptake and distribution of the insecticide within the tree. Insouthern Ohio, the application should be made by mid-April; innorthern Ohio, the product should be applied by early to mid-May. When treating larger trees (e.g., with trunks larger than 12" indiameter), the timing should be on the earlier side. Larger treesrequire more time for uptake and translocation of the insecticidethan do smaller trees.

Several systemic insecticide products can be injected directlyinto the trunk of the tree. An advantage of trunk injections is thatthey can be used on sites where soil treatments may not bepractical or effective, including trees growing on excessively wet,compacted or restricted soil environments. However, trunkinjections wound the trunk, which may cause long-term damage,especially if treatments are applied annually. Products applied astrunk injections are typically absorbed and transported within thetree more quickly than soil applications. Applicators should allow3-4 weeks for most trunk injected products to move through thetree. Optimal timing of trunk injections occurs after trees haveleafed out in spring, but before EAB eggs have hatched, generallybetween mid-May and mid-June. Uptake of trunk-injectedinsecticides will be most efficient when trees are activelytranspiring. Best results are usually obtained by injecting trees inthe morning when soil is moist but not saturated. Uptake will beslowed by hot afternoon temperatures and dry soil conditions.

Dinotefuran is labeled for application as a noninvasive, systemicbark spray for EAB control. It belongs to the same chemical classas imidacloprid (neonicotinoids), but is much more soluble. Theformulated insecticide is sprayed on the lower 5-6' of the trunkusing a common garden sprayer. Research has shown that theinsecticide penetrates the bark and moves systemicallythroughout the rest of the tree.

Dinotefuran can be mixed with surfactants that may facilitate itsmovement into the tree, particularly on large trees with thick bark.However, in field trials, adding a surfactant did not consistentlyincrease the amount of insecticide recovered from the leaves oftreated trees.

Insecticides can be sprayed on the trunk, branches and(depending on the label) foliage to kill adult EAB beetles as theyfeed on ash leaves, and newly hatched larvae as they chewthrough the bark. Thorough coverage is essential for best results.Products that have been evaluated as cover sprays for control ofEAB include some specific formulations of permethrin, bifenthrin,cyfluthrin and carbaryl. Protective cover sprays are designed toprevent EAB from entering the tree and have no effect on larvaefeeding under the bark. Cover sprays should be timed to occurwhen most adult beetles are feeding and beginning to lay eggs.Adult activity can be difficult to monitor because there are noeffective pheromone traps for EAB. However, first emergence ofEAB adults generally occurs between 450-550 degree days(starting date of January 1, base temperature of 50F), whichcorresponds closely with full bloom of black locust (Robiniapseudoacacia). For best results, consider two applications, one at500 DD50 as black locust approaches full bloom and a secondspray 4 weeks later.

Bulletins and FactSheets on insecticide treatments and relatedtopics can be found on the OSU EAB websitehttp://ashalert.osu.edu and the regional EAB websitehttp://emeraldashborer.info .

For more information, see:

Insecticide Options BulletinFAQ Regarding Effects of Systemic Insecticides Used toControl EABCoalition for Urban Ash Tree Conservation

4. DISEASE DIGEST.

A. CLINIC CLIPS.

The clinic has been very busy already this spring. From thelandscape, the clinic has diagnosed: arborvitae with Cytosporacanker; multiple pines with Dothistroma needle blight (Dothistromapini) and Diplodia tip blight (Diplodia pinea); blue spruce withDiplodia tip blight and Phomopsis tip blight (Phomopsis sp.);multiple spruces with Rhizosphaera needle cast (Rhizosphaerakalkhoffi); Douglas-fir with Swiss needle

cast (Phaeocryptopus gaeumanni); Kentucky coffeetree with a bluemold (Penicillium sp.); and Inonotus dryadeus a wood rotting fungalconk from a willow oak.

The clinicians have also seen environmental/winter injury onarborvitae, blue spruce, eastern hemlock, eastern white pine,falsecypress, and Norway spruces from across the state.

B. WHY INFECTIOUS PLANT DISEASES ARE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL.

Over the years, in BYGL the point has been made that infectiousdiseases, a type of plant problem, are particularly difficult tocontrol. There are many reasons for this, including these facts:inoculum is microscopic; inoculation, infection, and symptomsare separated in time; disease control is largely preventative, notreactive; weather is unpredictable; pathogens mutate, change,and evolve over time; and with ornamentals, there are

so many host plants with their own unique diseases. For a fullerdiscussion of this, check out the article "Infectious Tree Diseases," byJim Chatfield, Denise Ellsworth and Joe Boggs, published in theFebruary, 2011 issue of "American Nurseryman" (to see this article,go to http://woostercenter.osu.edu/folder.2006-10-06.5482136814/jim/american-nurseryman-articles .

5. TURF TIPS.

A. UPDATE ON NIMBLEWILL.

In the April 7, 2011-1 BYGL issue, nimblewill was discussed, alongwith the control options of using glyphosate and hand-digging.Randy Tischer, of Green Velvet Sod Farms sent an email to PamBennett providing information on another chemical option foreliminating nimblewill (and other weeds). The product Tenacity(active ingredient - mesotrione) has been on the market and is

used by professionals to not only kill nimblewill but is used as a pre-and post-emergent for control of crabgrass, clover, goosegrass,yellow nutsedge and more. Thanks for the heads-up on this Randy!BYGLers also want to remind everyone to follow labelrecommendations and application rates on all chemical applications.

B. MANDATORY MOWER MAINTENANCE.

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines! No, this is not a call outto NASCAR drivers, it's a call out to the millions of Ohioans who areabout to engage in that weekly race with the neighbors to see whocan get the home lawn mown and trimmed the nicest, and in themost efficient time. As the BYGL conference call progressed thisweek, one common theme was evident, many are about to startmowing lawns and Dave Goerig suggested to mention a few thingsrelative to proper power equipment start-up and care. The lawnmower and power string trimmer are the two most commonly usedpower tools in the home tool sheds.

Not too many people have a pit crew to maintain these machines,so hopefully last fall when these tools were parked for the winter,they were cleaned and run out of fuel! However, if not, there are afew extra things to do this spring. Before beginning the mowingseason, start with engine. Power equipment is not much differentthan the automobile when it comes to servicing the engine. Changethe engine oil and filter as well as put in a new air cleaner. Followthe manufacturer's recommendations as to

the frequency of these duties. This information is located in theowner's manual. One can also rely on the service departmentwhere the machine was purchased the machine or any reputablesmall engine repair business. A good number of power equipmentengines fail each year because the owners fail to keep oil andfilters.

Finally, inspect the drive belts on the mower deck and tractor;adjust or replace if needed. Grease the wheels and steeringassembly, and check the tires for proper inflation; this gives anedge over the neighbor around the curves of the landscape beds!If needed, sharpen or replace the cutting blades for that clean,razor-sharp cut look. Don't forget to charge the battery beforestarting the engine this year as batteries tend to lose chargeabove 40F when they are not being used. And don't forget -always keep those safety guards in place!

6. INDUSTRY INSIGHTS.

A. GRAY MOLD GROWS.

BOTRYTIS gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) has been showing up ingreenhouses recently. The damp, cold, cloudy weatherexperienced in most areas of the state makes conditions in thegreenhouse conducive to the development of this fungus. Areasunder gutters, around downspouts and in greenhouses withcondensation problems are particularly good growing areas for

that are directly under leaks. Also, check plant spacing; crowdedplants with overlapping foliage are a botrytis buffet. Increase aircirculation in the greenhouse to reduce condensation anddecrease dripping. Pinch off infected leaves and flowers and besure to remove the debris from the greenhouse. Fungus in infected

botrytis. Infected tissue will develop brown spots. As the fungusdevelops it will form masses of gray spores. Constantly wet foliageand senescing flowers are common areas for botrytis infections toget started. Conditions (cool and moist) for growing the fungusindicate the solution to the problem as well. Repair leaks in guttersand downspouts or move plants

tissue left on or under benches and in trash cans will continue todevelop and spread to non-infected plants in the greenhouse.Cultural controls will go a long way to preventing and controllingbotrytis. Fungicides are also available for controlling the fungus ifcultural controls are not sufficient.

B. BEWARE OF PHYTOPHTHORA IN YOUR IRRIGATION WATER.

While watching the seemingly endless rain saturate the landscape during the first BYGLive! at SpringGrove Cemetery, Dave Dyke mentioned that over the last few years, he had been seeing problemscaused by Phytophthora in landscapes and greenhouses that were the result of using water suppliescontaminated with this water mold. The problems included root, crown, and aerial rots of assortedherbaceous perennials and woody plants. Dave's report led to an interesting discussion ofPhytophthora contamination in irrigation ponds. Some participants were not aware that plants could beinfected by this very common and sometimes destructive pathogen through irrigation water.

There are several good publications on this subject that growers should read. These include:

Texas A&M Hort IPM, "Watch for Pythium & Phytophthora Problems"http://hortipm.tamu.edu/publications/Phythium.html; Plant Healthcare FactSheet, "PhytophthoraDiseases 1" http://www.thefera.com/plants/publications/documents/factsheets/phytophthora.pdf; andOregon State University Phytophthora Online Course: Training for Nursery Growershttp://oregonstate.edu/instruct/dce/phytophthora/module2-3d.html.

There are two diagnostic labs that test for Phytophthora in nursery water-supply ponds. These are:Oregon State University Plant Clinic, 1089 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-2903 http://plant-clinic.bpp.oregonstate.edu/content/services-and-fees (located under water assays) and NorthCarolina State University, Plant Disease and Insect Clinic, 1104 Williams Hall, Raleigh, NC 27695-7616http://wiki.bugwood.org/Detection_of_phytophthora_in_water_supplies.

For more information, see:

Texas A&M Hort IPMPlant Healthcare FactSheet, "Phytophthora Diseases 1"Oregon State University Phytophthora Online Course: Training for Nursery GrowersOregon State University Plant ClinicNorth Carolina State University, Plant Disease and Insect Clinic

C. DOWNY MILDEW ON ROSES.

A greenhouse grower called Dave Dyke to request assistance in clearing up a downy mildew problemon HYBRID TEA and FLORIBUNDA ROSES. Only those plants in a very cool corner of the greenhouse,opposite the heater, were infected. It was not surprising that this disease showed up in that particularlocation of the greenhouse, since extended periods of rain, cloudiness, and cool temperaturesexperienced this spring in southwestern Ohio are perfect for the development downy mildew. Downymildew develops during cool (40-75F), wet periods with high relative humidity.

The fungus that causes downy mildew (Peronospora sparsa) is closely related to the Pythium andPhytophthora water molds. In contrast with powdery mildews, downy mildews are more host-specific.A film of water on leaf surfaces is needed for spore germination and infection. Prolonged periods ofleaf wetness promote this disease. Humidity above 90% is needed for sporulation. Fungal spores areeasily spread by wind and splashing water.

Raising the greenhouse temperature and lowering the humidity often brings this disease under control.Removing the greenhouse cover or moving the plants out of the greenhouse is usually very effectiveas well. This was the course of action taken by the grower in question; he also made an application oftrifloxystrobin (e.g., Compass).

For more information on this disease, refer to UC IPM Guidelines, "Floriculture and OrnamentalNurseries, Downy Mildew" at http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r280101111.html.

For more information, see:

UC Davis - Floriculture Ornamental Nurseries - Downy MildewUniv. of Connecticut - IPM, Downy MildewMS State Downy Mildew

7. WEATHERWATCH.The following weather information summarizes data collected at various Ohio Agricultural Research Development Center (OARDC) Weather Stations spanning the datesfrom April 1-13, 2011, with the exception of the soil temperatures which are readings from Tuesday, April 13, 2011 at 6:05 p.m.

BYGLers from across the state enjoyed Sunday's temperatures in the 80F range. Yes, the official start to spring is just around the corner. Some areas of the BuckeyeState even broke a weather record, with the warmest temperature recorded on April 10.

WeatherStation

Region ofOhio

Ave. HighTemp F

Ave. LowTemp F

TotalPrecip."

NormalPrecip."

Soil Temp F2"/3"

Ashtabula NE 51.4 35.8 2.13 1.6 54.73/54.83

Wooster NE 57.0 38.9 1.68 1.5 53.12/51.68

Hoytville NW 58.8 37.0 1.18 1.4 66.79/62.02

Columbus Central 63.5 42.1 2.4 1.7 53.69/51.49

Piketon South 66.7 41.7 3.46 1.4 65.69/61.88

For a link to the OARDC Weather Stations, visit: http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/centernet/weather.htm

8. COMING ATTRACTIONS.

A. LANDSCAPING FOR WILDLIFE.

The OSU Woodland Stewards Program is offering the session,Landscaping for Wildlife, at Cox Arboretum on Wednesday, April20, 2011 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The cost of the program is $10.00and the registration deadline is April 15, 2011. Wildlife viewing isbecoming one of the top outdoor recreational activities.Attracting wildlife, such as birds and butterflies, to the backyardis easier than one might think. By selecting wildlife-friendly plantsand planting them in the right place, as well as adding a few key

elements, one's backyard could soon be teeming with singing birds,colorful butterflies, and beautiful blooming plants. The session willcover what plants to plant, how to ID visiting butterflies and birds,and ways to protect the landscape from the wildlife that like tomunch on beautiful blooms. To register, or learn more about this orother programs offered through the OSU Woodland Steward'sProgram check out the website at http://woodlandstewards.osu.edu

For more information, see:

Ohio Woodland Stewards Program

9. BYGLOSOPHY."When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant." -Author Unknown

APPENDIX - ADDITIONAL WEBSITE RESOURCES:Ohio State University Department of Horticulture and Crop Science PlantfactsThe C. Wayne Ellett Plant and Pest Diagnostic ClinicBuckeye TurfOhio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer ProgramEmerald Ash Borer Information

Following were the participants in the April 12th conference call: Pam Bennett (Clark); Joe Boggs (Hamilton); Jim Chatfield (OSU Department of Horticulture and CropSciences/Plant Pathology); Erik Draper (Geauga); Dave Dyke (Hamilton); Gary Gao (Delaware); David Goerig (Mahoning); Tim Malinich (Lorain); Bridget Meiring(CWEPPDC); Amy Stone (Lucas); Curtis Young (Van Wert); and Randy Zondag (Lake).

BYGL is available via email, contact Cheryl Fischnich fischnich.1@cfaes.osu.edu to subscribe. Additional fact sheet information on any of these articles may be foundthrough the OSU FactSheet database http://plantfacts.osu.edu/ .

BYGL is a service of OSU Extension and is aided by support from the ONLA (Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association) http://onla.org/ ; http://buckeyegardening.com/to the OSU Extension Nursery, Landscape and Turf Team (ENLTT). Any materials in this newsletter may be reproduced for educational purposes providing the source is

credited.

BYGL is available online at: http://bygl.osu.edu, a website sponsored by the Ohio State University Department of Horticulture and Crop Sciences (HCS) as part of the"Horticulture in Virtual Perspective." The online version of BYGL has images associated with the articles and links to additional information.

Where trade names are used, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Ohio State University Extension is implied. Although every attempt is made toproduce information that is complete, timely, and accurate, the pesticide user bears responsibility of consulting the pesticide label and adhering to those directions.

Ohio State University Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to ensuring that all research and related educational programs are available to clientele on anondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or veteran status. Thisstatement is in accordance with United States Civil Rights Laws and the USDA. Keith L. Smith, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration andDirector, Ohio State University Extension, TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868.

< Prev Next >

Where trade names are used, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Ohio State University Extension is implied. Although every attempt is made to produceinformation that is complete, timely, and accurate, the pesticide user bears responsibility of consulting the pesticide label and adhering to those directions.

OSU Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to ensuring that all educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available toclientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, age, gender identity, or expression, disability, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or veteransstatus. Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Adm. and Director, OSU Extension, TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868.

Website designed by Dr. Tim Rhodus. Direct comments or questions to Webmaster