September 14, 2023

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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Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, pesticide credits, Turf Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
June 14, 2023 , and

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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May 24, 2023

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.

Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,
May 14, 2023 , and

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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Filed Under: Christmas Trees Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
May 14, 2023 , and

Nursery Pest and Disease Update 5/15/2023

In this edition:

  • Insects:
    • Scale crawler emergence
    • Borer insects
    • Upcoming problem pests / Redheaded flea beetle / SLF / Pest Scouting Guides
  • Diseases:
    • Leaf spot / foliage disease management
    • Fire blight on Rosaceous hosts
    • Canker fungi
    • Boxwood blight
    • Oomycete root diseases (Phytophthora, Pythium, Phytopythium)
  • Plant Spotlight:
    • NJ native azalea species

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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Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
April 27, 2023

Nursery Pest Update 4/25 – 5/5/2023

Please note: The Rutgers Nursery and Green Industry Working Group is working to deliver regular pest and disease updates throughout the season. These will be in addition to important alerts, critical topics, and pesticide credit opportunities. This tool is made for you, the commercial agriculture business, so please let us know if there are particular topics you would like to see included in the regular update.

Email:  twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu Phone: 856-451-2800 Ext. 1.

Insect Pests

Projected GDD50 accumulation as of 4/25/2023 (these change throughout the season!)
Region Location 25-Apr 1-May 1-Jun 1-Jul 1-Aug
Southern Upper Deerfield (NJ50) 251 281 682 1370 2218
Central Howell / Freehold (NJ10) 188 207 537 1160 1957
Northern High Point (NJ59) 142 143 371 864 1507
Forecast: 7-month NMME based seasonal climate forecast (USPEST.ORG)

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) 

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.

Please continue reading for much more detailed and important information!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,