High Potential for Boxwood Blight in Southern NJ – beginning Tuesday (4/2)

Boxwood Blight Risk Assessment as of 3/31/2024
Region Location CODE 31-Mar 1-Apr 2-Apr 3-Apr 4-Apr 5-Apr
Southern Upper Deerfield NJ50 Low Low Minor Risk Minor Risk Very Low  Very Low 
Southern Bridgeton D4116 Low Low Minor Risk High Risk Very Low  Very Low 
Southern Millville Airport KMIV Low Low Minor Risk High Risk Very Low  Very Low 
Southern Greenwich NJ05 Low Low Minor Risk High Risk Very Low  Very Low 
Central Howell / Freehold NJ10 Very Low  Very Low  Low  Low  Low  Low 
Northern High Point NJ59 Very Low  Very Low  Very Low  Very Low  Very Low  Very Low 
Su M Tu W Th F
 Please check YOUR LOCAL risk (click here)

There is a potential for boxwood blight infections this TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY  throughout much of  SOUTHERN NJ – especially Bridgeton/Upper Deerfield areas. Incoming rains, coupled with consistent temperatures may initiate boxwood blight infections this week.

The rain SHOULD temporarily subside Monday EVENING – with enough time to get a spray on commercial nursery crops. 

  • It is time to begin protective fungicide applications in high value areas if you have not already done so.

  • If BWB is important to your business Use the USPEST – PUSH Alerts – (click here) – to setup weekly email alerts. Create an account, watch the tutorial, and then set up your subscriptions. You select which locations (as many as you like), days you want to receive emails (pick Sunday/Monday), and what you would like to receive alerts about (BWB and a variety of other pests and diseases). Rutgers is not directly affiliated, however this is an incredible tool. 

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Southern NJ Commercial Nursery Growers IPM Roundtable (Tu) 2/27/24

SOUTHERN NJ – COMMERCIAL NURSERY GROWERS – ONLY in Cumberland and surrounding counties.
  • Southern NJ Nursery IPM Roundtable – Tuesday 2/27/24 6-8pm.
  • The event is free but please RSVP by calling 856-451-2800 ext. 1 and mention this meeting.
  • In response to many conversations, nursery visits, and phone calls I have had with folks over the last few years, this type of meeting is long overdue, especially since we all face the same pests, diseases, weeds, and seasonal problems.
  • Please consider joining this face-to-face discussion centered around Nursery IPM.
Topics on deck:
  • What pests are important to you – and what questions do we need answered
  • Pest Scouting approaches – RU Pest Scouting Guides – Rutgers Plant and Pest Advisory
  • Pesticide Regimes, New Vs ‘Old’ materials – what works, what doesn’t
  • Invasive Pests and New Diseases – what to be looking for
  • Worker safety and leveraging REIs
  • Cultural practices and irrigation system modifications
Please consider joining, and please RSVP to the Cumberland County office at 856-451-2800 ext. 1.
NOTE: If you are outside Southern NJ, we will be planning similar events in the near future, near you, and I ask that you wait until that time as space is limited. 

September Horticulture Plant Health Educational Series – Plant Pathology 101, Entomology 101

September sessions- 

In preparation for 2024 Nursery IPM training we invite ALL growers (nursery, greenhouse, Christmas tree, vegetable, row crops, landscape professionals) to attend the following educational sessions surrounding overall plant health and pest management principals.

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 the entire time), 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), and participate in poll questions.

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 for this series)

Date: 9/20/2023 –    (Next Wednesday!) – Plant Pathology 101 – Tim Waller, Cumberland County RCE

  • Click here to register for Plant Pathology 101
  • Time: 6:00 – 7:00pm (5:30-6:00pm sign-in)
  • NJ Pesticide CEU’s: 1A (2) – 3A (2) – 3B (2) – 3C (2) – 10 (2) – PP2 (2)
  • Tim Waller will be discussing the basics of plant pathology and disease management as it applies across horticulture. We will discuss how cultural practices and pesticide applications play into the ever present disease triangle.

Date:   9/27/2023 (W) – Entomology 101 – Tim Waller, Cumberland County RCE 

  • Click here to register for Entomology 101
  • Time: 6:00 – 7:00pm (5:30-6:00pm sign-in)
  • NJ Pesticide CEU’s: 1A (2) – 3A (2) – 3B (2) – 3C (2) – 10 (2) – PP2 (2)
  • Tim Waller will be discussing the basics of insect biology (entomology) as it relates to horticulture. Developing a baseline understanding of which are troublesome pests and which are beneficial will aid in pesticide management decision making approaches across horticulture.

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Nursery Pest and Disease Update 6/15/2023

In this edition:

  • Insects:
    • MORE Scale crawlers emerging
    • Borers
    • Beetles
  • Diseases:
    • Oomycete root diseases (Phytophthora, Pythium, Phytopythium)
    • Leaf spots / foliage diseases
    • Boxwood Blight – reminder
    • Virus observations
  • Nutrient Management 
    • Managing Soluble Salts by monitoring EC
    • Plant Tissue analysis
  • Plant Spotlight:
    • American Holly (Ilex opaca)
  • Cumberland Nursery / NJNLA – Twilight: tonight (6/15) for NURSERYMEN ONLY (contact twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu or 856-451-2800 Ext. 1. for details)

Please click “read more” below to get updates on pests, diseases, and other important resources for the week of 6/15/2023.

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Get ready for bagworms…NOW

Days old bagworm size

Days-old bagworm = critical management target – T. Waller – RCE

Bagworms should begin hatching NOW through – 4 weeks in NJ, beginning in the southern regions. Now is an optimal time to get this pest on your radar and prepare materials or approaches to attack first/second instar caterpillars. The control window for this pest is typically between 600-900 GDD50  when they begin to hatch and become airborne, i.e. the “ballooning” phase. It is important to check for egg-hatch prior to applications for greatest chemical efficacy, and to continue scouting as they often hatch and develop at asynchronous rates.

It is critical to target these insects EARLY!

Bagworm management – mechanical: If eggs have not hatched: hand-remove sacs/bags. Typically female/egg filled sacs are higher in the canopy so keep that in mind while scouting. This removes the problem from the field or landscape.

Treatment options for Lepidoptera (caterpillars) to have at the ready – containing: B.t. (Bacillus thuringiensis), spinosad , bifenthrin ), cyfluthrin, carbaryl, chlorantraniliprole, cyclaniliprole, cyclaniliprole + flonicamid, Lambda-cyhalothrin, cyantraniliprole, Indoxacarb.  NOTE – Lethal pesticide doses are important, as sub-lethal doses can trigger early pupation, making the pest all but invincible to chemical or biological treatments. Follow label exactly.

IT IS CRITICAL TO ROTATE MATERIALS (Rotate between IRAC groups) 

DISCLAIMER: The label is the law, always refer to it for allowable host crops, use-restrictions, application rates, reapplication intervals, re-entry intervals (REI), and mix compatibility information. Production and pesticide information on this site are for private/commercial pesticide applicators and landscape professionals only, and are NOT for home gardener use. Provided materials represent examples and do not cover all possible control scenarios. Please contact your local agent or chemical sales representative for more information or to discuss additional pest management options.

BAGWORMS (600-900 GDD) (Bagworm hatch prediction as of 5/24/23)
Crop type Common Name Scientific Name GDD Min (50F) GDD Max (95F) Reference Developmental / Target Stage
Conifer mostly, many minor hosts Bagworm Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis 600 900 RU Larvae (early instars) – ONLY CONTROL WINDOW
Region Location Station Date (600 GDD) Date (900 GDD) *Treatment window  *Bagworm Hatch – Predictions only, SCOUTING is critical! Treat as soon as larvae detected. 
South Upper Deerfield NJ50 31-May 14-Jun 14 days
Central Howell / Freehold NJ10 9-Jun 23-Jun 14 days
North High Point NJ59 15-Jun 2-July 17 days 

Please download and print the Rutgers Nursery and Landscape Pest Scouting Guide  or  Conifer and Christmas Tree Pest Scouting Guide and refer to this post “Obtaining your local growing degree-days (GDD)” for additional information.  (See pest scouting guides for complete list of references – cited within lists below) 

Please SHARE what you SEE!! If you see a pest, disease, otherwise interesting or troublesome issue please report it to the Working Group by following the QR Code on the front of the Pest Scouting Guides or by filling out this reporting form.

Conifer Pest and Disease Update 5/15/2023

In this edition:

  • Insects – Pest Scouting with growing degree-days (250-600 GDD50)
    • Scales
    • Mites
  • Diseases
    • Needle casts (Rhabdocline and Swiss needlecasts – Douglas fir, & Rhizosphaera – spruces)
    • Phytophthora
  • Soil fertility – resources

Please click “read more” below to get updates on pests, diseases, and other important resources for the week of 5/15/2023.

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