- Author: Chris M. Webb
UC ANR’s Environmental Horticulture Research & Info Center is a great source for a wide variety of research-based information related to:
- turf
- landscape
- urban horticulture
- floriculture
- nursery
The goal of the center is “to assist industry, government agencies, and the general public with environmental horticulture problems.”
At the site the majority of the information is separated for professionals and home growers. Newsletters, beautiful photos and links for further information are available to all.
Nursery production. Photo by Linda Dodge,
Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis.
Cereus. Photo by Linda Dodge,
Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis.
Tree fern. Photo by Linda Dodge,
Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
UC ANR has an updated, free publication on the topic of sudden oak death. From the publication abstract:
"Sudden oak death is the name given to an epidemic, first detected in 1995, that affects three true oak species—coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), California black oak (Q. kelloggii), and Shreve oak (Q. parvula var. shrevei)—and tanbark oak (Lithocarpus densiflorus). A previously undescribed pathogen, Phytophthora ramorum, has been identified as the infectious agent. Note that this updated publication replaces Sudden Oak Death in California."
At this time, sudden oak death does not occur in Southern California. Phytophthora ramorum, the plant pathogen that causes the disease, can be spread by moving infested soil and plant materials; therefore, a quarantine is in effect for infested counties. Currently this disease is mostly a concern in forests and in the wildland-urban interface.
Other plants are also susceptible to P. ramorum; however, species other than oaks typically do not die from the pathogen. Suggestions for preventing the spread of disease to new plants and areas include:
- Inspecting nursery plants before making a purchase
- Evaluating removal of infected oaks
- Evaluating the removal of non-oak host plants
- Disposing of plant debris
- Sanitation measures to minimize pathogen spread
- Replanting after removing an infected tree
- Preventative phosphonate treatments.
To find out more about this disease and how to minimize its spread, please view Sudden Oak Death: Pest Notes for Home and Landscape. This resource is available as a downloadable PDF, or access as an HTML web page.
Characteristics of infection by Phytophthora ramorum.
Photo by Jack Kelly Clark
- Author: Chris M. Webb
The California Poison Control System (CPCS) is in place to provide free, professional, emergency poison control information. This service is provided to the general public, health professionals, educators, businesses, public agencies and others within California.
Their emergency information number is 1-800-222-1222. This number will connect you to trained health care professionals with experience handling poison cases 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Poison cases handled by CPCS can include:
- Swallowing poison
- Eye or skin irritation from toxic substances
- Inhalation of noxious fumes or vapors
- Animal, insect, snake and spider bites
- Food or mushroom poisoning
- Drug reactions
- Attempted suicides or drug overdoses
- Pet poisoning exposures
They have a 24-hour interpreter service, allowing them to provide this important service in over 100 languages 24 hours per day. Free downloadable materials and bulk hard copies (also free) are available in a wide variety of languages.
An important section of the CPCS covers information related to plant poisoning. From their site:
“Indoor and outdoor plants are responsible for a rising number of accidental poisonings. Plant ingestions are among the top five causes of accidental poisonings in children younger than 5 years. Pets are also frequent victims of plant poisonings.”
Take some time today to learn how to minimize or eliminate the potential for poisoning at home, at play, and in the workplace.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Today, Ventura County Cooperative Extension's Maren Mochizuki shares with us about
a local research project.
Preliminary results on the synergistic effect of soil amendments and elemental sulfur to reduce soil pH were presented on Aug. 3 at the ASHS annual conference in Palm Desert, CA. To view the presentation abstract, please click here.
For more information on this project, please see this previous post:
Ground lemon waste, pine needles, peat moss, and coffee grounds applied to soil to ascertain impact on soil pH. Amendments were incorporated using a rototiller.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Today, Ventura County Cooperative Extension's Maren Mochizuki shares with us about
a local research project.
Do plastic nursery pots with aeration holes improve plant growth compared to standard containers? UCCE Los Angeles Farm Advisor Don Hodel, UCCE Ventura Farm Advisor Jim Downer, and UCCE Ventura Staff Research Associate Maren Mochizuki have recently completed a 3 year study on the effect of four pot types over time on kentia and king palms (number of new leaves, stem caliper size, aesthetic quality, and root dry weight).
Preliminary results were presented on Aug. 3 at the ASHS annual conference in Palm Desert, CA. To view the presentation abstract, please visit http://ashs.confex.com/ashs/2010/webprogram/Paper4301.html.
Aeration holes study. Photo by Jim Downer.
