New Mite to Look For

For those of you growing or using Wax Myrtle, be on the lookout for a new mite. This news just in from Dr. Stephen B. Bambara, NCSU- Extension Entomologist

New Mite on Wax Myrtle,
A sample of wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) arrived in the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic at North Carolina State University this week. Dave Stephan identified an eriophyid mite (Calepitrimerus ceriferaphagus) in the sample that we have not previously seen in North Carolina. It has been reported on wax myrtle in Florida for several years. These microscopic mites cause blistering and puckering of the leaves and an almost mosaic appearance that might be more virus-like. It is presumed that any of the standard miticides would be effective while mites are active.

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

July-August Commercial Hort News- Now available!

The July- August Edition of the Commercial Hort News is now available on line!
Visit the website and Click on "Commercial Hort News"
http://buncombe.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=site
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Slug-like Sawfly Larvae

Caliroa is a genus of sawfly slug caterpillars that usually feed as a skeletonizer on the lower surface of the leaf. The pear slug belongs to this group. There was a regional outbreak of these slug caterpillars on oak last year. The females have a saw-like ovipositor with which they pierce leaves to lay their eggs inside. Sawfly slug caterpillars are slimy and usually smallish caterpillars (about 0.5 inch in length). When there are large numbers, sawfly slug caterpillars may cause large portions of their host trees to “brown out.” Sawfly slug caterpillars overwinter in the soil in a small cavity that is lined with the secretions of the larva. The larvae pupate the following year and the new adults emerge to mate and lay eggs. The adult of this caterpillar is an insect that more closely resembles a fly than a wasp. If there are enough of these insects present to cause alarm, Sevin insecticide should give more than adequate control. If it is a small shrub, you could wipe them off.
From Dr. Stephen Bambara.

For more information call your local Cooperative Extension Agent.

Agricultural Assistance Act of 2007

This in from FSA: The Agricultural Assistance Act of 2007 has been signed into law. However, read through this act closely and you will find that nursery growers will not be eligible for assistance. However, growers with multiple commodities may have eligible crops. They have included a requirement that growers had to have
insurance or NAP coverage in order to be eligible for assistance. Also the act is very specific in that producers must have lost 35% or greater of their crop to be eligible. It is currently, unclear as to how or when the actual program sign-up will occur. Growers with concerns about this act should address those concerns to their elected officials as neither FSA nor Cooperative Extension Agents have any control over the final outcomes of legislation such as this. Read the act at this site: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=diap&topic=landing

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Landscape Design Workshop Reminder

Just a friendly reminder regarding the upcoming landscape design workshop, it this is something you wish to attend please follow the link below and register to attend. Space is limited so don't hesitate. If you are landscaping and interested in improving your design skills you will find this class to be a very rewarding experience!!!
Landscape Design Workshop


For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Springtails

Springtails (collembola) are among the smallest insects in the home landscape. They are flea-like and barely visible. Springtails possess a forked structure folded under the body that when flicked, allows it to catapult around quite well. Springtails may differ in size, shape and color. They are slightly smaller than a flea and do not bite. Springtails prefer moist environments and feed on decaying plant material, fungi, etc. and are most often seen in mulch. Sometimes they may annoy people if they occur by the millions in a yard and show up on the foundation, the driveway or in the swimming pool. If they are very prolific, they may be found indoors on floors. If found in houseplant pots, change the bark mulch and reduce the watering frequency.
Control is not very effective. If desired, they can be hosed off of hard outdoor surfaces with or without a little soap added. Infestations are short lived and rarely justify the expense of control. Determined homeowners may use one of the available lawn products containing a pyrethroid insecticide such as permethrin, bifenthrin or cypermethrin. Ornamental and Turf Insect Note No. 123 contains more information on springtails.


For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Green Industry Newsletters Now Available

The July edition of Green Tips Newsletter is now available. Please follow this link:
Green Tips
Please respond to the Needs Assessment Tool attached to the newsletter.

The July edition of Commercial Hort News is also now available. Please follow this link: Commercial Hort News

For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.

Improving Your Landscape Design Skills

Dates: July 27, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and July
28, 2007 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center, Fletcher, NC.

This intensive, dynamic, day and a half workshop for landscape designers combines professionally-guided instruction with immediate hands-on practice. Landscape design instructors from NC State University will provide materials, lecture, and demonstration to the participants. Participants will refine their techniques though drawing exercises, discussion and field critiques. Last year's participants said "they were completely unaware of a formal landscape design process" and that it "helped them tremendously to understand and practice the concepts that unite a site with the buildings and the plant material." "The instruction and practice gave them a foundation of design skills to strengthen their existing plant knowledge." After two days, most thought it too short to cover all the material effectively. As per the post workshop evaluations, the format and content was modified slightly to create a more cohesive theme over the two days. As always, the content is targeted toward the level of professional skill of those attending. This is possible because of the low number attending (40) and the high number of instructors and teacher's assistants providing one on one feedback during the two-day workshop. This is a unique chance to improve both your landscape design and professional skills.

Here is a link to the program on the MHCR&EC website.
Improving Your Landscape Design Skills





For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.