January 29, 2023

2x Nursery Sessions in Atlantic City Next Tuesday – 2023 New Jersey Agricultural Convention (ACTS) & Trade Show

I am happy to remind that Tim Waller (Cumberland) and Bill Errickson (Monmouth) will be holding two Nursery Sessions next Tuesday (Feb 7th) at the 2023 New Jersey Agricultural Convention & Trade Show (ACTS) hosted by the Vegetable Growers Association (VGA). The meeting is held at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City.

This is a relatively new session for the nursery and green industries that Tim and Bill really pushed for, so PLEASE join us at this important agricultural event alongside many of the other commodities in NJ. Urge your friends and other growers to join as well so we can continue to bring in great speakers for this event.

Specifics:

  • Click here to register and for more information
  • February 7th (Tuesday)
  • Harrah’s Atlantic City
  • 2 Sessions with Pesticide CEU’s in 1A, PP2, 10
  • Cost: $75 for 1-day pass (1 person), $120 for 3-day (2 people ($60 each)) + additional guest in your group $25 (cheaper option for multiple folks = grab a friend to come with).

Speaker highlight – View full schedule here get the full schedule here

Adam J. Kantrovich – Clemson (Extension Associate Professor of Agribusiness)

Dr. Kantrovich is an Associate Professor and Extension Economist with Clemson University and is located at the Sandhill Research and Education Center in Columbia, SC. Major responsibilities are programming activities in the areas of farm financials, ACA compliance for agribusiness, agribusiness succession and transition planning and agricultural and timber taxation management. Dr. Kantrovich conducts programs around the state and nationally to various agricultural groups and organizations. Click here for Dr. Kantrovich bio

  • Speaking on: “What’s the Political, Policy, and Economic Landscape” (1-h afternoon session)
  • Followed by a NRCS and FSA panel to speak about federal monies available to implement some of these ideas

Other speakers: 

  • Bill Errickson (RCE Monmouth Agent) – Native Trees for Low Input Landscapes
  • Raul Cabrera (Nursery Extension Specialist) – Irrigation Management of Nursery Crops
  • Steve Rettke (Nursery IPM) – Backyard Beneficials: Inviting Insects into the Landscape
  • Lauren Errickson (Director of Rutgers Gardens) – Women in Horticulture Panel
  • Aly Dyson and Stephanie Bouchelle (FSA), Fran Deficcio (NRCS) – Available NRCS and FSA Programs for Nurseries
  • Tim Waller (RCE Cumberland Agent) – Management of Oomycete Root Diseases (with treatment regime handouts!)

 

Upcoming Events:

  • Rutgers Speakers (and Educational Committee Planning) – TotalPro Expo (NJNLA)(Jan. 31st – Feb 1st)
  • Rutgers Speakers (and Educational Committee Planning) – Landscape New Jersey (NJLCA) (March 1st)
  • Tim Waller will be speaking about Phytophthora at Chesapeake Green 2023 (February 15 – 16th)
  • Many more to come including Nursery IPM Training Sessions
Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf Tagged With: , , ,
January 26, 2023

Nostoc in Nurseries: Herbicides to Control the Slippery Slime Threat

 

Nostoc is a cyanobacterium and is one of the oldest organisms on earth (over 3.5 billion years). It is a primitive growth, like algae, moss, and liverwort. Many years ago, it was incorrectly identified as blue-green algae. Nostoc has no roots, no vascular tissues & is not a plant but it is photosynthetic. It can be found growing within gravel, stones, limestone chips, granite, saturated soils & on-ground cloth within container nurseries. It can tolerate long periods of desiccation but requires plentiful amounts of water for establishment. This cyanobacterium growth can become common & persistent at certain nursery/greenhouse sites where long-term overhead irrigation is done.

Nostdoc growing in front of container

Nostoc growing in front of container bay opening. The opening allowed the overhead irrigation to saturate the soil/gravel at entrance. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

Nostdoc on ground

Nostoc growing on ground cloth within a nursery container bay. Creates a serious slipping hazard for nursery personnel. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

Nostoc is not toxic & does not directly compete with nursery/greenhouse crops or landscape plants, but it can harbor fungus gnats & snails. Nostoc first became a growing concern in nurseries approximately 30 years ago. Slipping hazards are the primary threat this organism poses to nursery & greenhouse personnel. It forms gelatinous masses composed of filaments linked together by protective jelly-like coverings. This creates a surface as slick as wet ice. Nostoc can occasionally be found growing within turf or landscape settings but is not common.

This blog will show with photographic images how Nostoc can be identified & will also review available control options.      

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Nursery, Plant Diagnostic Lab
October 12, 2022

Autumn Pest Review: Soft Scales, Leafminers, Aphids, Mites & Adelgids

AUTUMN PEST REVIEW: Although the season is beginning to wind-down, there are still a number of insect & mite pests that require scouting during the fall weeks. The pests discussed in this blog include soft scale nymphs, boxwood leafminers, white pine aphids, spruce spider mites, southern red spider mites, hemlock rust mites, eastern spruce gall adelgids & hemlock woolly adelgids. The use of low %-rates of horticultural oils this fall can be especially valuable against controlling many of these pests.

SOFT SCALE NYMPH MIGRATIONS: Most soft scale species (exceptions include magnolia, tuliptree, and globose) have 1st instar nymphs that spend July and August feeding along veins on the undersides of leaves of their deciduous host (the use of a hand lens may be needed). During the weeks of late summer and early fall, these nymphs migrate off the leaves onto woody stem tissue and molt into the overwintering 2nd instar stage. The size of the nymphs increases 3-times after molting and their presence is usually observable even without magnification (they can be as large as lenticels). Typically, overwintering soft-scale nymphs have a dark coloration, to help absorb sunlight and maintain body warmth.

European elm 1st-instar nymphs settled along the main vein underneath elm leaf. During the early weeks of fall they migrate from leaves onto the bark to overwinter. (Photo Credit: Cornell University)

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Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Plant Diagnostic Lab
October 5, 2022

Virtual Pesticide Recertification Credit Series – Horticulture 3x Sessions

Sessions hosted by Tim Waller and Bill Errickson – through RCE of Cumberland County

Individual Sessions – October 13th (Th), 20th (Th), 26th (W) 6-7:00pm (Login @ 5:30pm)

Please join us as we discuss topics applicable to all horticulture applicators – the classes of chemistries we use, which to use under various circumstances, and safe handling thereof. These sessions are valuable to our general understanding of IPM tactics via a deeper understanding of the tools available to us.

NOTE: These free virtual sessions (on Zoom) will count as “in-person”, meaning all attendees will receive offered CEUs if they: have a live video feed (and are visible) and upload a government issued photo ID + NJ Pesticide license prior via a secure Rutgers Connect folder (follow directions below, only the agents will have access to information for verification). This approach avoids the 25% online credit restrictions previously in place for those with licenses NOT expiring 10/31/2022.

Government issued photo ID and NJ Pesticide License upload:

  • Click here to upload BOTH your government issued Photo ID and Pesticide License prior to the meeting
  • Upload directions: If you click on the photo ID upload link using a smart phone/tablet you will have the option of simply taking a photo of your ID and uploading it directly into the system. Otherwise, you can scan a copy of your photo ID into a computer and follow the directions at the upload link. If you are unable to upload documentation prior to the meeting, please contact Tim Waller for assistance (twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu).
  • Please upload files of your photo ID and applicator license to the link above as; “Last name_ First_ Photo ID” AND “Last name_ First_ Pesticide License”

Sessions: (You must register for each session individually, but only need to upload ID material one time)

Date:   10/13/2022 (Thursday)

  • Click here to register for 10/13 (TH)
  • How Chemicals Work and Which to Use (Tim Waller, Ph.D. RCE – Cumberland Co.)
  • Tim Waller will be discussing the various types of chemistries and classes thereof that are available for use in comestible agriculture to horticulture to right-of-way to green industries when treating some form of pest (diseases, insects, weeds, etc.). He will explain how these materials behave in or on plants, their effects on pests, when to use which materials, proper handling and safety considerations, and concepts of pesticide resistance that will ultimately lead to better chemical stewardship.
  • CEUs: CORE-2, 1A-2, 3A-2, 3B-2, 6B-2, 8C-2, 10-2, PP2-2

Date:   10/20/2022 (Thursday)

  • Click here to register for 10/20 (TH)
  • Science and Application of Horticultural Sanitation Techniques (Bill Errickson / Tim Waller – RCE – Monmouth / Cumberland Co.)
  • Bill Errickson and Tim Waller will be discussing sanitation techniques that are broadly applicable to horticulture. Sanitation basics, chemical types, and locations where to best utilize sanitation approaches, will be covered. Sanitizing chemistries and pesticides will be highlighted throughout this presentation and will focus on proper handling and safety as many of these compounds are potentially dangerous. Throughout the presentation pest or plant life cycles will be discussed to demonstrate implementation of sanitation techniques.
  • CEUs: CORE-2, 3A-2, 10-2, PP2-2

Date:   10/26/2022 (Wednesday)

  • Click here to register for 10/26 (W)
  • Horticulture Pesticide Safety and Regulation Updates (George Hamilton, Ph.D. – Rutgers Extension Specialist – Pest Management; NJ Pesticide Safety)
  • Dr. George Hamilton will be discussing the reasons for wearing protective equipment (PPE) and the proper types of equipment to use. He will also cover regulations related to recording keeping and application exclusions as well as other pesticide safety related topics.
  • CEUs: CORE-2

Contact RCE of Cumberland County – 856-451-2800 ext.1 with any questions.

ALSO – Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Gloucester County (254 County House Rd, Clarksboro, NJ 08020) is holding an in-person, half-day event, on Tuesday, October 18th from 9:00AM to 12:00PM at their office. Please click here for additional information. CEUs offered at that meeting: CORE-3, 1A-3, 3A-3, 3B-3, PP2-3 

Instructions for Virtual Sessions:

  • Register for each session individually at the above links
  • Include your pesticide license number and date of birth if you would like recertification credits
  • After registration you will receive a confirmation email with a link to the actual twilight meeting.
  • Upload a copy of your government issued photo ID and pesticide license at the link above
  • Day-of – 5:30pm: follow confirmation email link to the session (you may need to copy-paste it)
  • Day-of: Have your video on if you wish to obtain credits

Required to be eligible to receive pesticide applicator recertification credits for these virtual programs:

1.   Attend the entire meeting with live VIDEO feed on, seated in the center of the frame. Those without a webcam or  phone attendees without a live video feed are not eligible to receive credits. Call-ins (audio only) are not eligible for pesticide recertification credits as of now; you need a computer/phone/tablet with *live* video capability. If you choose to access via your smartphone, it is recommended that it is fully charged or plugged in; and that any background applications are not running.

2.   Attendees must participate throughout the entire session, staying to the end. Individuals are not eligible for credits if they arrive after the start of the first training topic or leave before the end of the last topic. Polls will be randomly scheduled, and attendance will be visually monitored to verify attendance.

Rutgers is dedicated to protecting your privacy and keeping your personal information safe.  Upon upload, your files will be encrypted and stored to Rutgers Connect. Your information will be kept strictly confidential; used solely to meet NJDEP ID verification protocol for recertification credit; and will not be used for any other purpose. Your files will be deleted within 60 days after the training event.

 

Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, pesticide credits, Turf Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
October 3, 2022

Spruce Spider Mites: A Key Cool Season Mite Pest

Spruce spider mite species (Oligonychus ununguis) are found in Christmas tree farms as well as landscapes & nurseries in the New Jersey region. The late weeks of September & early weeks of October are transition periods for this cool season mite. With the arrival of autumn & cooler temperatures, the spruce spider mites begin to “wake up” from their summer dormancy & will be observed feeding & laying eggs. Observations this past week in Christmas tree farms have shown increased activities of the spruce spider mites. This spider mite species will feed exclusively on various conifers including spruce, fir, Douglas-fir, hemlock, Cryptomeria, arborvitae, false-cypress, pine, & juniper.

Christmas tree farm

This Christmas tree farm is an ideal site for potential spruce spider mite infestations. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

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Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Plant Diagnostic Lab
September 23, 2022

Douglas-fir Needle Midge: The Twisted Menace

The Douglas-fir Needle Midge (Contarinia pseudotsugae) is host specific to only Douglas-firs. The insect infests needles & symptoms create a twisted distortion having yellow banding discolorations with swollen areas. Inside the swollen areas of the needle are fly larvae (maggots) of the Douglas-fir needle midge (DFNM). Typically scouting observations for needle infestations can begin to be easily observed during mid-summer. At maturity, the swollen areas turn brown or purple. The maggot is less than 5.0 mm in size & later in the season, the larvae can be exposed by opening the necrotic swollen area using a sewing needle. Symptoms can mimic those caused by Cooley spruce gall adelgids. The needle cast diseases (Swiss or Rhabdocline) can also sometimes mimic the symptoms if the infestation is serious enough to cause thinning from excessive needle drop.

Infected douglas-fir stem

Late season symptoms from a severe infestation of the Douglas-fir Needle Midge. The resulting needle distortion & twisting can sometimes become extreme. (Photo Credit: Steven K. Rettke, Rutgers Coop. Ext.)

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Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Plant Diagnostic Lab