For those of you who grow vegetables and always wonder which are the best varieties, there is a free resource on the web that can help. It is a searchable data base (updated fall '02) which includes all vegetables grown in Alabama. The data base was compiled from variety trial information generated from Auburn's annual vegetable variety trial program and available seed catalogues. The data base is searchable by type of vegetables, performance in the trials, disease tolerance/resistance claims, and source of seeds (primary suppliers).

(from "Stem and Leaf Hardiness of 12 Abelia Taxa" by S.M. Scheiber, Carol D. Robacker, and Orville M. Lindstrom, published in J. Environ. Hort.,, December 2002).

Feather reedgrass produced a salable plant faster from fall divisions, and two warm season grasses, redflame miscanthus and little bluestem, also grew well and were salable the spring following fall division. Two warm season grasses, prairie dropseed and variegated Japanese silvergrass grew faster from spring divisions and were slow to grow when propagated in the fall. Spring divisions survived over-wintering all of the time regardless of species. It does not seem that grasses can be categorized into spring or fall division based only on their cool or warm season growth patterns.

The five grasses in the study (little bluestem, prairie dropseed, feather reedgrass, redflame miscanthus and variegated Japanese silvergrass) were propagated in fall and spring by plugs or field divisions into 4 inch round, #1 or #2 nursery containers. Plants were evaluated for finish date and winter survival. Three fall handled species (little bluestem, feather reedgrass, and redflame miscanthus) consistently finished as salable plants within one year. Prairie dropseed and variegated Japanese silvergrass grew faster and finished with signifcantly higher survival rates from spring divisions. Spring planted plugs of prairie dropseed and little bluestem finished within 9 weeks. The two smaller container sizes finished significantly ahead of the larger sizes.

Scientific names:
little bluestem - Schizachyrium scoparium 'Nash'
prairie dropseed - Sporobolus heterolepsis 'A. Gray'
feather reedgrass - Calamagrostis xacutiflora 'Karl Foerster'
redflame miscanthus - Miscanthus 'Purpurascens'
variegated Japanese silvergrass - Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus'

(from "Propagation Time Affects Winter Survival and Finishing Date for Ornamental Grasses" by Bruce A. Cunliffe and Mary Hockenberry Meyer, published in J. Environ. Hort., December 2002).

This research focused on the use of a novel phosphorus fertilizer (A1-P) that maintains constant, low levels of phosphorus in the root zone and reduces phosphorus leaching while maintaining vigorous plant growth. Rhododendron plants grown with A1-P wilted more slowly during drought and had better root development; forsythia plants grew more quickly with or without drought. More rhododendron plants produced flowers in the first year when grown with A1-P than with conventional fertilizers.

(from "Buffered Phosphorus Fertilizer Improves Growth and Drought Tolerance of Woody Landscape Plants" by Yuan-Ji Zhang, Larry Kuhns, Jonathan P. Lynch, and Kathleeen M. Brown, published in J. Environ. Hort., December 2002).

November was, for the most part, seasonably warm with temperatures ranging from the 70s (days) to the 40s-50s (nights). Rainfall was adequate to sparse in different state areas. Our plant sample numbers for November were higher than usual with 88 samples received.

Turfgrass Rhizoctonia brown patch and ring nematode problems were seen in November in several locations. Phytophthora crown and root decay of several woody landscape shrubs was commonly seen.

Cercospora leaf spot, Colletotrichum leaf spot, and black rot (Xanthomonas) were noted on collards and turnips in November and early December.

Centipede, St. Augustine, and zoysia turf samples were diagnosed with brown patch. The samples were in varying stages of decline with leaf blight and crown rot present. Rhizoctonia hyphae were seen when the samples were examined microscopically. Protective fungicide treatments were recommended as long as the grass was actively growing and temperatures were moderate.

Ring nematode damage was diagnosed on centipede and zoysia samples in central and southern areas of the state. Disease control of nematode problems is difficult. See ANR-523 for more information.

Phytophthora crown and root rots were diagnosed on arbor-vitae, boxwood, juniper, Leyland cypress, wax myrtle, windmill palm, rose, and strawberry. Phytophthora is only a problem when areas remain excessively wet for a prolonged period of time. Infection causes tissues to initially become wet, brown, and water-soaked. As tissues die, they become dried. Control requires (1) sanitation (removal of plants), (2) improved soil drainage, (3) protective fungicide drenches in certain situations of greenhouses, nurseries, and large landscape plantings.

Turnips, collards, and other crucifers are especially susceptible to Cercospora and Colletotrichum leaf spots and Xanthomonas black rot in the fall when temperatures are moderate. The Cercospora leaf spot disease appears as pale brown or cream-colored irregular or round shaped leaf spots. Colletotrichum leaf spots may be confused with Cercospora. Colletotrichum leaf spots may appear water-soaked while Cercospora spots are usually dryer in appearance. Black rot begins with V-shaped yellow lesions at leaf edges. The edge spots will become black and veins leading out of the area will become black. The black coloration of the veins is due to the presence of bacteria. Gradually the black veins (and bacteria) will spread downward from the leaf edges to the main stem. Eventually the infected plants will collapse when the stem tissues become totally rotted. See the Alabama Pest Management Handbook and fact sheet ANR-1189 for more information on these diseases and their control.

Pythium crown and root rot seedling disease was diagnosed on oats, ryegrass, and wheat. Seedling foliage was stunted and wilted. Roots were decayed and water-soaked. The usual disease control recommendation is to replant when conditions are less wet.

Bipolaris leaf spot and sheath blight were also observed on oats. Leaf spots are usually small and elongated. With severe disease, spots will coalesce. Disease control measures are usually not necessary or practical. Mild seasonal temperatures and moisture favor this disease.

We received 37 samples for the month of November. Weather conditions were near normal for the month. Brown patch continued to be a very common problem especially on St. Augustinegrass. Daylily rust was found at two more locations last month. Remember to remove and destroy infected foliage this fall to reduce the risk of rust surviving the winter. Other diseases of interest included suspect aster yellows on coneflower, black root rot on pansy, rust on tall fescue, and powdery mildew on tomato.

Aster yellows causes a general yellowing and stunting of the plant similar to viral diseases. However, aster yellows is caused by a phytoplasma not a virus. Often there are other symptoms on older plants such as witches brooming, and malformed flowers with petals that are frequently abnormally green colored. This disease is spread in the field by the aster leafhopper. As with viral diseases, there is no cure for infected plants. Remove infected plants as soon as they are diagnosed to prevent spread of the disease to healthy plants. (Aster yellows is difficult disease to confirm; usually confirmation requires molecular methods of PCR.)