October 11, 2019
Plant Pathology Sessions- Master Gardener Training Fall 2019
This year, we trained around 240 new Master gardeners. They came to campus to use the concepts learned in the introduction to plant pathology webcast to practice.
The main goal of the session is to sharpen the participants' observational skills and look at plant problems with an analytical mind. Participants rotate through 10 stations. The stations feature plant parts with symptoms and (with or without) signs.
Strange and Spooky Plants for Halloween
There are many plants associated with Halloween. All sorts of pumpkins and gourds have been staples for Halloween decorations for decades. Black plants, thorny plants, or carnivorous plants are also used in Halloween decorations. But there are many other plants that could also be considered for the outdoor or indoor landscape, or simply used as décor for spooky celebrations.
Forcing Spring-Flowering Bulbs
Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and crocuses are a welcome sight in spring. Gardeners can also these enjoy spring-flowering bulbs during the winter months by forcing them indoors.
To enjoy spring-flowering bulbs in winter, gardeners must begin the forcing process in late summer/early fall. Gardeners need good quality bulbs, a well-drained potting mix, and containers with drainage holes in the bottom.
It is Accidental Invader Season Again
Accidental invaders are insects that inadvertently enter homes and buildings from the surrounding landscape. Many species are troublesome during late summer and fall as they move to protected locations to spend the winter.
Accidental invaders are generally harmless to people and property. They do not feed on people, pets, houseplants, stored products, or furnishings. They cannot sting and they do not carry disease. Accidental invaders cannot reproduce indoors. They are nuisances just by their presence, especially when they occur in large numbers.