Happy Labor Day, which was yesterday of course, but I had the day off and hope you did too, and were out in your garden enjoying the diseased and insect riddled plants.
Alcea rosea flowers and seedpods. Photo: Stan Sheds, Spring Preserve Gardens
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August 25, 2013 Richard Buckley
Wave That Flag
… summertime gonna come and go by and by. As the weather changes from the dog days of summer to a more “fall-like” pattern, I am feeling pretty good; but so is the fungus that causes dollar spot.
Dollar spot on bluegrass surround. Photo: Matt Roderick, Oakley Country Club
August 19, 2013 Steven K. Rettke
Oak Lace Bug Symptoms Have Bark, But They Have Little Bite
During the weeks of summer, the symptoms caused by Oak Lace Bugs (Corythucha arcuata) can be a concern to some landscapers & nurserymen. Often times, the infestations are most pronounced on white oaks. From a distance, the stippling of leaves from this piecing-sucking insect can produce symptoms that are similar to those from oak spider mites or classic leaf scorch. Closer inspection determines the identity of the pest.
Oak Lace Bug Severe Symptoms in Late August. Photo by Steven Rettke of RCE
August 15, 2013 Richard Buckley
‘Tis the Season
Bacterial leaf scorch (BLS) season is officially upon us. Over the last 7 to- 10 days, I have been seeing increasing numbers of red oaks in central New Jersey exhibit the tell-tale symptoms of the disease.
Irregular leaf scorch due to Xylella infection. Photo: Richard Buckley, Rutgers PDL
August 5, 2013 Richard Buckley
Touch of Gray
Everybody keeps asking me “any gray leaf spot yet?” And I answer, “why yes, but not where you think.” Gray leaf spot was diagnosed last week on samples of Hakonechloa that were submitted from a central New Jersey nursery grower.
Gray leaf spot on Japanese Hakone grass. Photo: Sabrina Tirpak, Rutgers PDL
August 2, 2013 Administrator
Battling Green and False Kyllinga in New Jersey Turfs
By Jim Murphy
We are seeing and hearing about increasing problems with green and false kyllinga; both are very troublesome invasive weed species that have moved northward into New Jersey. Green kyllinga and false green kyllinga are very similar in appearance, and both are referred to as green kyllinga. Green kyllinga is very difficult to control once large mats form.
These weeds thrive under mowing and are prolific in areas that are poorly drained or frequently wet. If you do not have control over irrigation, encourage property owners to reduce irrigation when you find that the turf is frequently wet during dry weather; excess irrigation makes the problem worse.
Unfortunately for us, there are fewer herbicide options in the cool-season turfgrass market than in warm-season turfgrass market to our south. [Read more…]
