3/8/2013. A day in the life. Of an OSU Master Gardener. Diagnosing Home Gardener problems and making recommendations. Requests are either

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1 A day in the life Of an OSU Master Gardener Diagnosing Home Gardener problems and making recommendations The Desk: Homeowner Home and Garden advice MG program began as a way to meet demand for this information Restricted to calls from non-commercial sources Provide diagnosis and advice within the office or by phone A few weeks training Then off to the front lines! Two big advantages Requests are either Phone calls (or ) 1. It s free! 2. Talk to an actual person Visits to the office 1

2 Requests for information are usually: 1. Plant identification Ornamentals Weeds Apple/pear/plum variety 2. Insect Identification 3. Pests in the home ants (carpenter, sugar) termites pests of stored products spiders! 4. Critter problems Deer control voles moles gophers 5. Requests for cultural information Tree fruit Lawns Small fruit Pruning Ornamentals propagation 6. Plant problems (including lawns) Cultural Disease Insect pest Herbicide damage The resources we use are Books Difficulties: Web-based 1. Client may only tell you so much 2. You cannot visit You don t have to do it all by yourself! So if you are in doubt MG volunteer Community Horticulturist Crop Specialist Leave it for me! 2

3 We also can use other faculty and clinics Insects (and spiders): Insect ID clinic (currently through ODA) No charge per sample Inquiries to avoid: 1. Commercial operations Size of operation Is product being sold? Plant Disease: Plant Disease Clinic-Melodie Putnam $40 charge per sample Also: Distance Diagnostics Refer these to commercial agents! Plant ID: OSU Herbarium-Dr. Richard Halse No charge per sample Others 2. Human health issues Poisonous plants Miscellaneous others 3. Legal disputes What kind of information do we give out? Verbal: Information just over the phone Things we do not do Photocopies of book chapters Soil or water tests house calls OSU publications Printed from the web Hard copies from office files EM 8677: Laboratories serving Oregon EC 628: Soil sampling for home gardens and small acreages 3

4 Plant Identification Most of samples brought in are from gardens People with new gardens Seedling plants that appear Weed samples-how to eliminate! ID not possible? Leave for me! OSU plant ID website: You should have: More than one leaf! Lonicera pileata Flowers or fruit best! Some samples are more common than others Catalpa Paulownia 4

5 Weed identification Mushroom ID-a special case Same sample required Announcements in paper Of noxious weeds bring enquiries Japanese knotweed Most people want to know: Is the mushroom edible/poisonous How to eradicate from lawn/garden Rake mushrooms up Slime mold (Fuligo sp.) Aleria aurantia Leave ID questions for me I take digital pics to campus Willamette Valley Mushroom Society Oregon mycological society Moss and lichen 5

6 Moss and Lichens are not pathogenic Living with mosses Moss in the lawn Insect and Spider ID FS 55: Controlling moss in lawns Scholars Archive Scale insects on Wisteria Household pests Human health: Cockroaches Fleas Structural: Termites Carpenter ants Stored products: Moths Carpet beetles Nuisance: Lady beetles Sugar ants Box elder beetles Samples of the insect and plant (if applicable) are essential for proper ID You ll usually need adults Larvae are very difficult OSU Urban Entomology Ken Gray Images: 6

7 Health pests Structural pests American cockroach Fleas Carpenter ant German cockroach Cockroaches: Often associated with apartments Require referral to PCO: Pest in yellow pages Termites Pests of stored products Nuisance insects Indian meal moth Lady beetle Carpet beetles Box Elder bug Household insect references of choice Take a Closer Look! Common Sense Pest Control 7

8 Garden insect problems Information to get: Where was sample found? (on plant, soil or ) When was it noticed? What is damage (if any)? Any control measures used? Insect intake form at desk Rose aphids Aphids on Plum Borers Some borers are fairly ubiquitous Sequoia pitch moth Longhorned beetle larva (roundheaded wood borer) 8

9 There are several species of native and non-native insects that bore into trees European Shothole borer (Xyleborus dispar) Can be a problem on some plants California prionus Rain beetle Bronze Birch Borer Dealing with borer enquiries: Keep plants healthy! Ensure cultural conditions are appropriate for the plant Sprays are generally ineffective except as protectants Remove affected parts, or, affected plants NWREC Nursery Pest Site: Spotted-wing drosophila Spiders in the home 9

10 Maybe spiders have earned a bad rep for some reason? Most clientele want to know if it is venomous Only two venomous spiders in Oregon: Black Widow Hobo (Aggressive House Spider) Black Widow Aggressive House (Hobo) Most spiders brought in are neither species General information on spiders, management: The important facts are: Spiders with few exceptions are non-toxic beneficials Sanitation and structural modifications work best Spider ID not always easy if it can be readily ID d, do so if it cannot be, do not! ODA WSU Jumping Zebra Spider Vertebrate pests Climbing and burrowing pests Mole Tree squirrel Gopher 10

11 Voles Diagnosing plant problems Two factors that affect ability to diagnose problems: 2. Their ability to describe the problem accurately 1. The perception of the caller of the problem 11

12 An accurate diagnosis depends on good information Better, much better Bring in a sample Photos give you an even better picture! Sometimes, a diagnosis is elusive Encourage clients to bring in pictures Site visit required Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara) Steps in diagnosing plant problems What is the identity of the affected plant? Keep assessments of damage in proportion Euonymus spp. Powdery mildew Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) 12

13 1. Determine that a real problem exists What are the characteristics of the plant? How does it display them through the year? Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica ) with Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) Pinus contorta Chief Joseph Western redcedar (Thuja occidentalis): foliar browning White Pine (Pinus sp.) Drought stress Pinus sp. 13

14 Crape myrtle Lagerstroemia sp. Grape-pith color Double file Viburnum (Viburnum tomentosum) Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) 2. What is the population of the plants? The population refers to the number of plants of the species of interes that are present Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) Wheat (Triticum aestivum) 14

15 Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens), with Hebe (Hebe sp.) Highbush blueberry: Vaccinium corymbosum 3. And how many of the plants are affected? Hebe species and cultivars Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphjylos uva-ursi) 15

16 4. What is the pattern of damage within the population? Bentgrass (Agrostis sp): Fairy ring Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens) Uniform pattern=abiotic factors (non-living) 1. Entire population uniformly affected Normal Abnormal Uniform pattern Usually the result of non-living, environmental causes Occurs over the entire population of plants, or discrete groups Uniform pattern=abiotic factors (non-living) 2. Same part of entire population affected Abnormal Periwinkle (Vinca minor) 16

17 Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) Foliar browning on Pinus, Rhododendron and Euonymus Uniform pattern=abiotic factors (non-living) Abnormal Random pattern=biotic factors (diseases/pests) Random pattern Occurs because of progressive spread of a living organism Abnormal Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis): Berckmann s Blight 17

18 Turf: Cranefly (Tipula sp.) damage Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis): spider mites Don t overanalyze uniform versus random Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) and oxalis (Oxalis sp.) weeds in flower bed Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) near La Grande, OR Petunia (Petunia x hybrida) Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) 18

19 Uniform or non-uniform? 5. What part or parts of the plant are affected? Japanese Zelkova (Zelkova serrata) 19

20 Just leaves? Manzanita (Arctostaphylos Arroyo Cascade ): Leaf gall aphid (Tamalia cowenii) Red Maple (Acer rubrum): Anthracnose (Kabatiella sp.) Leaves and fruit? Leaves, fruit and shoots? Apple (Malus sp): Scab (Venturia inaequalis) Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum): Mummyberry (Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi) Stem-tip dieback? Cherry (Prunus avium), Coryneum blight (Wilsonomyces carpophilus)) Atlas Blue Cedar (Cedrus atlantica ): Needle Blight (Sirococcus conigenus) 20

21 Individual stems dying back entirely? Cherry (Prunus sp.) Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum): Verticillium wilt (Verticullium dahliae) The whole plant? English Walnut (Juglans regia) Red Maple (Acer rubrum): Phytophthora Canker (Phytophthora sp.) Birch: Betula utilis Silk Tree (Albizia julibrissin) Nectria canker 21

22 6. What is the pattern of damage within the plant Uniform pattern=abiotic factors (non-living) Normal Abnormal Uniform pattern=abiotic factors (non-living) Abnormal Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca Conica ): sunburn Random pattern=biotic factors (diseases/pests) Abnormal Rockrose (Halimium sp.): early-season tip chlorosis 22

23 Noble Fir (Abies nobilis) Rhododendron: Root Rot (Phytophthora sp.)? 7. What is the pattern on the plant part? Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata): Leaf spot (Diplocarpon mespili) Normal Uniform pattern=abiotic factors (non-living) Abnormal 23

24 Hosta: drought stress Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum): blossom-end rot Random pattern=biotic factors (diseases/pests) Abnormal Rhododendron (Rhododendron sp.): Powdery mildew (Eriysiphe azaleae) Beets (Beta vulgaris ): Leafminer (Pegomya sp.) Maple (Acer sp.): Bladdergall mite (Vasates quadripedes) 24

25 Normal Grape (Vitis sp.): Powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator) Uniform pattern=abiotic factors (non-living) Abnormal Weeping baldcypress (Taxodium distichum Cascade Falls ) Grand Fir (Abies grandis), Phenoxy herbicide damage Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis): Phenoxy herbicide damage 25

26 Random pattern=biotic factors (diseases/pests) Abnormal Douglasfir (Pseudotsuga menziesii): Needle cast (Rhabdocline spp.) 8. When did the symptoms appear? Hemlock (Tsuga sp.): Hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) Peach (Prunus persica): Leaf Curl (Taphrina deformans) 26

27 Symptoms appear early in the year? Chaparral Currant (Ribes malvaceum) Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): cold injury Symptoms appear later in the year Ash (Fraxinus sp.)-anthracnose (Gnomoniella fraxini) Viburnum tinus-sunburn Symptoms appear after specific event 9. Are the symptoms spreading, improving or constant? Wheat (Triticum aestivum): spray damage

28 Port Orford Cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana): Phytophthora root rot (Phytophthora spp.) Aspen (Populus tremuloides) Leaf scorch Symptoms stay the same Rosa Berries N Cream Rhododendron (Rhododendron sp.) 10. Are any signs of a pest present? Damage from non-living factors will induce symptom development, but there will be no signs of a pest Rhododendron (Rhododendron sp.): Sunburn Symptoms: Physical characteristics of a problem expressed by the plant. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus): wilt Include: wilting leaf discoloration leaf spots leaf distortion defoliation galls cankers rots/dieback plant decline 28

29 Holly (Ilex sp.): leaf discoloration Western Spicebush (Calycanthus occidentalis): leaf spots Redbud (Cercis canadensis): Leaf distortion due to phenoxy herbicide European Pear (Pyrus communis): Fruit distortion due to true bug feeding damage Fraser Photinia (Photinia x fraseri): defoliation by Leaf Spot (Diplocarpon mespili) Oak (Quercus sp.): mite galls Birch (Betula sp.): gall 29

30 Apple (Malus domestica): cankers caused by Anthracnose Peach (Prunus persica): dieback and canker Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum): rot caused by Late Blight (Lycopersicon esculentum) Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) Plant decline Signs: evidence of the actual causal agent Diseases: fungal fruiting bodies fungal mycelia bacterial slime (more later ) Insects: the insect itself boring holes or tunnels sawdust frass Other rodent mounds/holes slug trails Goldenchain tree (Laburnum x watereri): aphids Apple (Malus domestica): Crane fly (Tipula sp.) 30

31 Sunflower (Helianthus annuus): Sclerotinia wilt (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) Apple (Malus domestica): Rust (Gymnosporangium sp.) Incense-cedar (Calocedrus decurrens): Broom rust (Gymnosporangium libocedri) Big-leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum): Tar spots (Rhytisma punctatum) Cherry (Prunus sp.): possible Bacterial canker damage (Pseudomonas syringae) Apple (Malus domestica): Leaf roller (species undetermined) 31

32 California lilac (Ceanothus sp.): Whitefly Hebe (Hebe sp.): Meadow spittle bugs (Philaenus spumarius) Viburnum davidii: leaf notching due to root weevils Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens): White Pine weevil (Pissodes strobi) Raywood Ash (Fraxinus oxycarpa Raywood ): frass of the Lace bug (species unknown ) Slug trails 32

33 Some signs cannot be seen without magnification Vole burrows Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus): RBDV Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium): possible Bacterial canker (Pseudomonas syringae) Pear (Pyrus communis): Leaf spot-undetermined cause Cultural causes of plant problems Planting practices Rootbound plants Mulch use Root damage Pruning Herbicide injury White-bark birch (Betula jacquemontii) 33

34 Root-bound plants Flowering cherry (Prunus sp.): circling roots Deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara) 34

35 European White Birch (Betula pendula) Western Juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) Mulch use Deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara) Problems caused by pruning Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium coymbosum): sawdust mulch English Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) 35

36 Pesticide injury Rockrose (Cistus x hybridus) and California Lilac (Ceanothus Victoria ) Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis): spray damage by horticultural oil Hebe (Hebe sp.): glyphosate damage 36

37 Raspberry (Rubus idaeus): glyphosate damage Photo: B. Strik Bearded Iris (Iris sp.): glyphosate damage Redbud (Cercis canadensis): phenoxy herbicide damage Oak leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia): phenoxy herbicide damage Birch (Betula sp.): phenoxy herbicide damage Deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara): phenoxy herbicide damage 37

38 Environmental causes of problems Cold Injury Pollination problems Sun (too much or too little) Water (too little or too much) Wind, hail, lightning Cold Injury Cold injury results from: Rare to see winter injury to deciduous shrubs and trees or conifers Winter low temperatures Fall or early spring low temperatures Unexpected frosts Winged Euonymus (Euonymus alatus) Port Orford Cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) Coyote brush (Baccharis pilularis) Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) 38

39 Mexican orange (Choisya ternata) Escallonia Maple (Acer sp.): south-west injury Fall or early Spring freezes English yew (Taxus baccata): snow damage Hebe Andersonii Variegata 39

40 Kiwi fruit (Actinidia deliciosa): frost damage to shoots Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum): Frost injury Photo: B. Strik Frost damage Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) Photos: B. Strik Normay Maple (Acer platanoides) Pollination problems Honeybee (Apis mellifera) on blueberry flowers (Vaccinium corymbosum) Grape (Vitis sp.) 40

41 Impacts of other environmental factors: Too much or too little sun Squash (Cucurbita pepo) Distinguish between excess sun (sunburn) and drought stress Sunburn can occur on leaves, flowers, fruit or stems Sunburn occurs when a plant, or plant part is exposed to too much sun and heat, even if well-supplied with water Drought stress occurs to any plant when soil water becomes limiting Rhododendron: (Rhododendron sp.) 41

42 Sunburn on flowers Sunburn on fruit Mophead Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) Lack of sun can cause problems Flowering dogwood: (Cornus canadensis) Mugo Pine: (Pinus mugo) 42

43 Environmental causes of problems (con t) Drought stress is dependent on: Drought/excess water Wind, hail Inherent drought tolerance of plant Weather conditions (temperature, wind) Site exposure and aspect Soil conditions (moisture, structure etc.) Irrigation (and it s efficacy) Inherent tolerance of drought Weather: Temperature and wind Site exposure 43

44 Site aspect Soil conditions Irrigation can mean many things Drooping foliage Tip burn Brown areas on leaves Loss of older leaves Shoot dieback Hebe sp. Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nuttalli) 44

45 Katsura tree: (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) Rhododendron (Rhododendron sp.) Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) Rhododendron (Rhododendron sp.) Turf: most enquiries in late summer Turf: perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) White-barked birch (Betula jacquemontii) 45

46 Drainage Problems Drainage problems result from: Topography Impervious soil Leyland Cypress: (x Cupresssocyparis leylandii) Boysenberry (Rubus Boysen Impervious soil layers: Soil preparation Raspberry (Rubus idaeus): Phytophthora root rot (Phytophthora spp.) 46

47 Wind Hail Hardy Kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta): scarred fruit Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum): hail damage 47

48 Websites for home garden problems Pesticide recommendations for homeowners Plant Disease Control: PNW Disease Management Handbook Insect Pest Control: PNW Insect Management Handbook Apple (Malus domestica): Hail damage Weed Control: PNW Weed Management Handbook The End! 48