Ken's musings:

Welcome to September! Every year SNA kicks off my educational season which continues until the Gulf States Trade Show the 3rd weekend in January. The SNA experience was great this year and we had an opportunity to have our first Auburn booth at the show. It was a lot of work but it was nice to have Auburn on display along with the Alabama Nurserymen's Association.

Of course, once you start something, it quickly becomes tradition and you can expect to see us every year in the future. After SNA, it always seems like a constant blur of educational opportunities to learn new things, make contacts and step back from your business for a few days to reflect on your business and personal plans.

How are you doing? What do you need to change or improve? Who are the employees and other people who are making an impact on your life that you need to thank? You have received help along the way. What do you have that you can share with others that will help them and the industry? Take some time to evaluate your year and see what educational opportunities you can attend that will help you and your employees in your planning.

I was able to be a part of the Alabama Christmas Tree Association annual meeting in August at the Thornhill Farm near Scottsboro, AL. Historically, the Christmas Tree Industry was a Forestry crop but it has evolved into a highly cultivated manicured crop which is the definition of Horticulture. Christmas trees are now grown in containers as well as in the field and they also market to the landscape industry.

These Christmas Tree/Nursery producers have developed pruning and propagating skills that could be adapted for other nursery crops. From the propagation phase, growers select healthy single stem shoots and do not prune for branching. This allows for training good central leader plants that landscape designers and architects pay premium dollars for. Many growers use SAJE® SHEARING MACHINES http://www.sheerlund.com/products/shearing/saje.htm to help with shaping their trees.

Nursery producers may find this useful as well. Look at the trees pictured below (leylands, Arizona cypress, white pines, and others) and see if you think a landscape designer would like the quality of these trees.

We can learn from each other.

We have included in this issue a highlight of some of the educational opportunities that are coming your way. Auburn Horticulture and the Alabama Nurserymen's Association are sponsoring a Fall Landscape School as a kick-off to our new Certified Landscape Professional Program. See the program for the AU Fall Landscape School below.

We have been planning to provide a program of continuing education and a measure and recognition of excellence for our landscape industry professionals for many years. Next summer at SNA will be the first opportunity for you to take the certification test and promote your proven status as a Landscape Professional. Be a part of history and the first class to be certified in Alabama.

The Southern Plant Conference was started as a collaborative effort between Alabama and Georgia and is now held every other year. It is the industry showcase of the newest and most exciting plant releases. If it is in your business plan to be on the cutting edge of potential and proven winners, this is the place to be.

Alabama Nurserymen's Association will also be sponsoring The Landscape Design Short Course - Emphasis on Fine Gardening (see details below). Learn about the difference between landscaping and gardening, establishment and management of a fine garden as well as garden design ideas.

I enjoy getting Dr. Winn Dunwell's newsletter (HortMemo) from Kentucky. Winn is a plant nut and stays very close to the plant innovators in our industry. Below is a description of some of the plants he saw at SNA and a few that will be unveiled at the Plant Conference.

From Winn Dunwell: http://www.ca.uky.edu/HLA/Dunwell/HortMemo.html
Plants, plants, plants and more plants. While at SNA 2003... The World's Showcase of Horticulture®...I learned of several plants that have or will be entering the market. I have not evaluated any at this point. One of unknown hardiness that might fill a vacancy in Kentucky is Briggs Nurseries™ yellow Rhododendron 'Capistrano'; a hardy cultivar bred by David Leach. A Tom Ranney introduction Calycanthus 'Venus' was seen in a publication at Don Shadow's booth. The awesome large white magnolia-like flower is stunning if the photo does it any justice (see at http://www.goldenleaf.org/Venusflyer.pdf ), and here I was all excited about relatively large burgundy blooms of the Raulston allspice x Sinocalycalycanthus raulstonii 'Hartlage Wine' that are puny compared to 'Venus'. We have both plants in evaluation at the UK Nursery Crops Development Center, Princeton, KY. Another Tom Ranney plant that you may be aware of is Betulus 'Summer Cascade', a vigorous easily trained birch for which Tom has prepared production protocols, http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/specialty_crops/pubs/ranney.html and while in Don Shadows booth I saw Chionanthus retusus 'China Snow' (good name for a plant I really like). Don collected it years ago and his Japanese nurserymen friends really like it. It is a southern form with good glossy foliage. And how about the awesome foliage of Hydrangea macrophylla 'Lady in Red' on display in Mark Griffith's Propagation Nursery booth. I have been infatuated with the late summer-fall foliage of 'Pink Beauty' but 'Lady in Red' seems to have a nice lacecap bloom and better colored fall foliage. While we're discussing the Michael Dirr hydrangea breeding program we had better mention Hydrangea macrophylla 'Endless Summer' and the 'Penny-Mac' hydrangea from the Atlanta garden of Penny McHenry. And from the US National Arboretum, Prunus 'First Lady' a cross of Prunus okame x P. Campanulata.

Every year I comment that if you are in the nursery business and not an active member of IPPS (International Plant Propagators Society), you are traveling through life blind when the light of opportunity and knowledge is being humbly and freely offered to you. The motto of the Society is "to seek and share". Come to this meeting and test it out. Ask your questions, voice your concerns. There will be 400 nursery producers and propagators there that have seen it all over the years and are anxious to help you. Look at the program and dates below. You do not want to miss this program in San Antonio.

There are other specialty crop programs like the Native Plant Conference in Birmingham which is scheduled for 2004. We will publish information as we get closer to that meeting. Pull out your calendar and begin to plan for the educational season. I will be doing the same. I can not go to them all either but I hope to see you at some of these programs. You are always welcome at Auburn.

If you missed the SNA Research Conference, a few of the articles that were presented by Auburn faculty and students are printed below. Remember your fall herbicide application for those winter weeds.

Ken

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The following articles are featured in this month's Something to Grow On:

AU FALL LANDSCAPE SCHOOL - DON'T MISS IT

IPPS SOUTHERN REGION OF NORTH AMERICA CONFERENCE

LANDSCAPE DESIGN SHORT COURSE - EMPHASIS ON FINE GARDENING

SOUTHERN PLANT CONFERENCE

AUBURN UNIVERSITY HORTICULTURE STUDENTS EXCEL AT SNA RESEARCH CONFERENCE

CAN ROUNDUP PRO BE USED ON WOODY LANDSCAPE GROUNDCOVERS

BUTTERFLY FEEDING PREFERENCES

BA-INDUCED SHOOT FORMATION IN INDIAN HAWTHORN>

MORE NITROGEN - MORE BUTTERFLIES

EFFECTS OF CHILLING DURATION ON GROWTH OF Hosta plantaginea

CONTROLLED-RELEASE FERTILIZER ON 'BONANZA' DAYLILY

PLANT PATHOLOGY REPORT

UPCOMING EVENTS

DISCLAIMER: Please remember that all information presented is a summary of research and not an endorsement of any product or a recommendation of chemicals. The official labels from the manufacturing companies offer the legal and proper use and handling information for all products.

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AU FALL LANDSCAPE SCHOOL - DON'T MISS IT

Wednesday, November 5, 2003

Join us for our inaugural AU Fall Landscape School on the AU campus . We plan to offer a wide range of learning opportunities from hands-on workshops to expert seminars and will launch the Alabama Certified Landscape Program.

General Session: INTRODUCING THE ALABAMA CERTIFIED LANDSCAPE PROGRAM
Dr. Kim Powell of North Carolina State University will share his experience as an architect and Extension Landscape Specialist serving the highly successful North Carolina Certified Landscape Technician training program and demonstrating how that program strengthens the middle management labor force.

ADAPTING TO CONSUMER DEMAND: DO YOU KNOW YOUR CAPABILITIES?
Dr. Kim Powell provides instruction at the first installment of the Alabama Certified Landscape Program Training. He will discuss how the landscape industry has changed over the years and offer suggestions on how successful businesses have changed their professional services to meet current landscape demands in urban markets.

Session A – Pest Management
The emphasis of this session is on pest management strategies and the latest materials available for use by landscape professionals. General pesticide safety will also be covered. Pesticide Certification Points are awarded for attendance at this session. Sessions will be:

• LANDSCAPE DISEASE MANAGEMENT
• BASIC INSECT IDENTIFICATION AND WHAT’S WORKING TO CONTROL THEM
• WEED CONTROL BASICS
• PESTICIDE SAFETY.

Session B – Landscape Seminars
A wide range of seminar topics is offered to provide a broad spectrum of learning opportunities. Sessions will be:

• AGELESS BEAUTY: THE STORY OF THE WHITE OAKS
• MANAGING EXCESS WATER IN THE LANDSCAPE
• LANDSCAPE WATER FEATURES
• AVOIDING DESIGN FEATURES THAT CREATE MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS.

Session C – An Auburn Experience
Maybe you just want to get away from work and drink deeply from the well of Auburn spirit. Join us on a tour of Auburn icons. Session includes tours of

• Jordan-Hare Stadium
• Lovelace Museum
• The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Art

Session D-Irrigation Workshop
Paterson Greenhouse Facility. Dr. Baier will guide you through the science and technology of constructing a landscape irrigation system. This is a hands-on workshop that will allow you to learn basic irrigation assembly intended for those who have limited experience with irrigation systems.

Session F – Flooding the Night with Light: Landscape Lighting Workshop
At the Ham Wilson Livestock Arena
Through practical demonstration and hands-on application learn the “what” and “how-to” of night lighting. This could be a profitable addition to your landscape services.

Special Session: Build a Pondless Waterfall

Sponsored by CaSSco, Inc. and presented by Aquascape Designs, Inc.
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Paterson Greenhouse Facility. Lunch provided. The Pondless Waterfall is the hottest thing going in water gardening. Its application in the market is almost unlimited. Much less maintenance and less liability, especially for commercial applications, are just two of its many benefits. CaSSco, the ProPond Dealer for the State of Alabama, is sponsoring this workshop by Aquascape Design, Inc.

Basic registration fee of $100 includes admission to the General Session and one break-out session. Each additional break out session will cost $50. The Special Session fee is $129. Additional regular sessions are $50 each. Registration is due by October 15, 2003. For more information contact Dr. Dave Williams at 334-844-3032 or jdwillia@acesag.auburn.edu

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IPPS SOUTHERN REGION OF NORTH AMERICA CONFERENCE

The Twenty-eighth Annual Meeting of the International Plant Propagators’ Society, Inc., Southern Region of North America, will occur on October 5-8, 2003 at the Menger Hotel in San Antonio, TX . There is a full slate of lectures and nursery/greenhouse tours (Peterson Brothers Nursery, Buell's Nursery, Mortellaro's Nursery, Klepac Greenhouses, Color Spot Nursery - Lone Star Facility) as well as tours to the following: San Antonio Botanic Gardens, Historic Missions, Institute for Texan Cultures, and the Alamo.

Lecture topics are as follows:

• Up With Pots! (Solutions For Heat, Cold, and Blow-Over Problems) - DR. CARL WHITCOMB
• New Plants For Southern Landscapes - DR. DAVID CREECH
• Taiwan Flowering Cherry Propagation: Seedlings or Cuttings? - CHRISTINE MCCOY
• Attacking Hard-to-Root Plants at Mobjack Nursery - GEORGE MACHEN
• Characterizing Invasive Ornamental Species of Florida - DR. SANDRA WILSON
• The St. Louis Declaration on Invasive Plants, Codes of Conduct and What They Mean to Propagators - HUGH GRAMBLING
• Propagation Problems and Solutions for Texas Superstar Plants - DR. JERRY PARSONS
• Propagation Research From Mississippi State University - DR. PATRICIA KNIGHT
• New Variety Evaluation and Propagation Processes - TOM MEADOWS, JR.
• Growing Plants for NASA – Challenges in Lunar and Martian Agriculture - DR. FRED DAVIES
• Propagation of Plants Without Drinking Problems: The Propagation and Growing of Plants Adapted to an Arid Landscape - GEORGE HULL
• Improving Productivity and Morale Through Mechanization - MARK RAINEY
• Propagation of Hardy Water Lily and Lotus - DR. STEVEN GARTON
• Propagation Innovations at Lancaster Farms - HOYT MARCH
• The Benefits of Buying Unrooted Cuttings to the Propagator - ROBERT GROVE
• Dynamics of Oak Production from Seed - DR. CECIL POUNDERS

For registration and other information, write or call:
Dr. David L. Morgan – Secretary-Treasurer,
IPPS Southern Region of North America
332 Warbler Drive, Bedford, TX 76021
(817) 577-9272 phone/fax
e-mail DavidLMorgan@sbcglobal.net

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LANDSCAPE DESIGN SHORT COURSE
EMPHASIS ON FINE GARDENING

The Landscape Design Short Course - Emphasis on Fine Gardening will be held on November 4 at the Houston County Farm Center (in the Extension Auditorium), at 1699 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan AL. Following are the topics that will be featured in this short course taught by Dr. Kim Powell. For more information please contact Linda VanDyke at the Alabama Nurserymen's Association. Phone: 334-821-5148 or fax: 334-821-9111.

Question: What's the difference in landscaping and gardening?
Answer: $30,000
Powell will explain the design philosophy,concepts, and mental attitide of being a landscape gardener. He will discuss customer satisfaction and define who makes a good gardening client. He will also outline the 'professionalism' requirements for a successful career and discuss the public's expectation of a gardener.

Establishment and management of a fine garden
Powell will discuss the importance of selecting the best plants for a site, and what is required to manage those plants for a long term garden. He will explain the best way to implement design changes as a garden matures. He will discuss many cultural and management techniques which are required for a fine garden, including problems such as deer and drought.

Garden Design Ideas: Lessons from the Past, Applications for the Future
Powell will share many ideas that have been successful over his 30 + years as a landscape gardener. He will talk about how to incorporate design themes into every plan and turn a typical landscape into a signature project.

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SOUTHERN PLANT CONFERENCE

The Southern Plant Conference scheduled for September 11 - 13, 2003 at the Charleston Convention Center in North Charleston, South Carolina will feature many interesting and informative sessions presented by nationally known experts. For more information you can reach their voicemail at 770-953-3311 or email at mall@mail.sna.org

Following are the topics and presenters:

• Marketing new Plants: Strategies for Success by DR. MICHAEL DIRR
• Outstanding Performers by JOHN ELSLEY
• Unique Bamboos for the Landscape by ADAM TURTLE
• New Ornamentals Right Under Our Noses by ROBERT MCCARTNEY
• New Perennials from Around the World...or How New Plants are Found by DAN HEIMS
• Bad Genes? Good Plants by ROBERT HEAD
• Use the Right Crapemyrtle by MARC BYERS
• Exciting New Perennials for Deep South Gardens by TED STEPHENS
• Potential Herbaceous Plants Useful to Commerce by DR. ALLAN ARMITTAGE
• In Search of the Holy Grail by CHRIS HANSEN
• Bringing on the Newest of the New - Travels Abroad and at Home to Find Great New Plants by TODD LASSEIGNE
• A Trip Across Argentinian Landscapes by DR. ALFREDO GRAU
• New and Under Used Woody Plants (Kalmia? Of course!) by RICHARD JAYMES
• Unique Acer Palmatum Cultivars and Bonsai Care by MYRON PORTO and SAEKO BRUNDAGE
• Keeping the Ball Rolling: The Hunt for New Plants Is On by H. WILLIAM BARNES
• Unique Broadleaf Evergreens for the Garden by SEAN HOGAN
• Flora Wonder - Plants from the Best Corners of the World by TALON BUCCHOLZ
• Plant Hunting in China: The Internet, Undaunted Stares and the Horns of Plenty by ALLEN BURR

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AUBURN UNIVERSITY HORTICULTURE STUDENTS EXCEL
AT SNA RESEARCH CONFERENCE

The Research Conference at the Southern Nursery Association annual meeting at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta (July 2003) was a great place to showcase the research projects of our undergraduate and graduate students. Their papers and presentations were the culmination of many months and sometimes years of research. We are very proud of their efforts and their accomplishments. Some of our students placed very well in the research competition.

• Suzanne Knight Earnest placed 3rd in the undergraduate competition
• Adam Newby placed 1st in the undergraduate competition
• Cary Simpson was 3rd in the masters level graduate competition
• Ray Willet and Jane Hoehaver, both seniors, received the prestigious $2,500 Sidney B. Meadow Scholarships.

We have included a number of student papers in this edition of our newsletter.

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CAN ROUNDUP PRO BE USED ON
WOODY LANDSCAPE GROUNDCOVERS

Groundcover plants are used extensively in the landscape to fill in beds and prevent erosion. Weed control among groundcovers in nursery production and landscape maintenance is challenging. Nursery growers often use preemergence herbicides, but these are not 100% effective. Often, landscape professionals are called upon to remove weeds from groundcover beds in which hand weeding is the only option. Because of rising labor costs and decreasing availability, hand weeding is costly and time consuming. While there are grass-selective postemergence herbicides labeled for use in groundcovers, there are no non-selective postemergence herbicides labeled.

The objective of this study was to determine the tolerance of six landscape groundcovers to post emergence herbicides Roundup Pro (glyphosate) and Finale (glufosinate-ammonium): Asiatic jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum), wintercreeper euonymus (Euonymus fortunei coloratus), variegated liriope (Liriope muscari 'Variegata'), English ivy (Hedera helix), mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus), and shore juniper (Juniperus conferta 'Blue Pacific'). Plants were grown in full sun and irrigated overhead.

Conclusions are that Roundup Pro and Finale can be used at specified rates to control many weeds and cause no significant long term injury to selected groundcovers. Low rates of Roundup have potential for use on Asiatic jasmine, euonymus, liriope, mondo grass, and juniper. Low Finale rates have potential use for liriope, English ivy, and juniper. Additional trials will be conducted to determine the effect of application timing on plant tolerance.

(from "Roundup Pro: Can It Be Used on Woody Landscape Groundcovers?" by A. Newby, C. Gilliam, J. Altland, C. Simpson, G. Wehtje, presented at the SNA Research Conference in Atlanta, July 2003).

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BUTTTERFLY FEEDING PREFERENCES

Butterfly gardening is a popular niche market in horticulture. Many plants are marketed as butterfly attractants but some are much more attractive to certain species of butterfly. Lantana camara is a popular nectar source for butterflies. There are, however, many cultivars of Lantana camara and research has shown that butterflies can be highly selective in their choice of nectar plants. They appear to choose plants based on flower color preference, nectar guides, and nectar composition. The objective of this study was to evaluate feeding preferences of native butterfly species among a group of Lantana camara cultivars. Investigated characteristics were flower color characteristics, light and plant form.

The significance to the industry of this study is that it has identified two cultivars, which were visited much more frequently and for longer periods than other Lantana camara cultivars: ‘New Gold’ and ‘Radiation’. Hybridization of Lantana camara specifically for butterfly attraction should target flowers with higher lightness and chroma values and greater percentages of yellow flowers.

(from “Butterfly Feeding Preferences among Cultivars of Lantana camara in the Landscape, a Commonly Recommended Nectar Source” by L.L. Bruner, D.J. Eakes, G.J. Keever, J.W. Baier, C.Stuart-Whitman, P.R. Knight, and J.E. Altland, presented at the SNA Research Conference in Atlanta, July 2003).

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BA-INDUCED SHOOT FORMATION IN INDIAN HAWTHORN

Indian hawthorn are dense, mound forming evergreen shrubs that grow 3-6 ft. tall and are widely utilized for textural effect in containers, groupings or mass plantings. Plants display very little natural branching during commercial production and without pruning they are sparsely branched, misshapen and unmarketable.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of multiple weekly applications of different concentrations of a synthetic cytokinin, benzyladenine (BA) on the Indian hawthorn cultivar ‘Olivia’. Controls formed no new shoots, while plants treated with 2500 and 5000 ppm produced 6.8 and 5.4 new shoots, respectively. Vegetative growth in Indian hawthorn is most pronounced in early spring, prior to flowering and subsequent fruit development, and is greatly reduced thereafter. Pruning to remove fruit and stimulate new growth is labor intensive and time consuming but considered necessary to produce marketable plants of Indian hawthorn as efficiently as possible.

Cytokinins are naturally occuring and synthetic plant growth regulators that promote lateral shoot initiation and cell division. Different application regimes were tried and the response to the BA appeared to be species dependent.

Multiple applications of BA stimulated new shoot formation in Indian hawthorn. Plant size was either not affected or increased with BA application. Plants treated with BA were visibly more dense and compact than control plants, which were sparsely branched and open in appearance. Increased concentrations of BA resulted in new foliage that was more cupped and twisted, and foliar color that was mottled. Necrosis was evident at the highest concentration.

BA applications should be avoided when plants are flushing to minimize injury. BA can be used to stimulate new growth and branching of dormant buds in Indian hawthorn ‘Olivia’ during the growing season without the loss associated with manual pruning.

(from “BA-Induced Shoot Formation in Indian Hawthorn” by J. Oates and G. Keever, presented at the SNA Research Conference in Atlanta, July 2003).

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MORE NITROGEN - MORE BUTTERFLIES

Research has shown that butterflies can be highly selective in their choice of nectar plants. They seem to select relative to color, nectar guides and nectar volume and quality. Fertilizer concentrations have been shown to affect nectar secretion and nectar composition. This study evaluated the feeding preferences of two native Lepidoptera species on Lantana camara ‘New Gold’. Increasing nitrogen fertilizer concentrations was studied relative to how that impacted flower shapes, volume and days to first flower.

Duration and frequency of visits to the fertilized plants increased with increasing nitrogen fertilizer concentrations which impacted upon nectar characteristics such as nectar volume and/or quality.

(from “Increasing Nitrogen Fertilizer Concentrations on Lantana camara ‘New Gold’ Increase Feeding of Two Native Lepidoptera Species, Danaus plexipus and Agraulis vanillae” by E.S. Earnest, D.J. Eakes, and L.L. Bruner, presented at the SNA Research Conference in Atlanta, July 2003).

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EFFECTS OF CHILLING DURATION ON GROWTH OF
Hosta plantaginea

Hosta plantaginea has long been a favorite landscape plant in southeastern gardens because of its ability to withstand warm, humid climates. While it is known that Hosta plantaginea performs well in the mid to lower South, the performance of cultivars with Hosta plantaginea parentage is not known. The objective of this study was to determine how chilling duration affected growth and vigor of Hosta plantaginea and 11 related taxa.

Chilling of Hosta plantaginea and its progeny has been found to be beneficial, but not required. Benefits of increased plant vigor, as characterized by increased rate of new leaf formation, varied tremendously among the 12 hosta species and cultivars in response to chilling. While vigor was clearly enhanced with increased chilling, all plants survived and grew well, even without chilling which suggests that Hosta plantaginea and its cultivars are viable options for growers and consumers in areas where natural chilling is minimal.

(from "Effects of Chilling Duration on Growth of Hosta plantaginea and 11 Related Taxa" by J. Warr, G. Keever, R. Kessler and D. Findley, presented at SNA Research Conference in Atlanta, July 2003).

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CONTROLLED-RELEASE FERTILIZER ON 'BONANZA' DAYLILY

Various application methods and rates of controlled-release fertilizers (CRF) have been shown to affect the nutrient levels in leachate as well as plant growth of most container-grown plant species. Little information is available on nutrient losses in landscape settings. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a CRF application method and rate on leachate loss and on growth and nutrient uptake of a herbaceous perennial in the landscape.

Daylily plant growth is more encouraged through increased CRF in sandy loam soil. Plant growth is also encouraged when the CRF is placed close to the root zone through dibbling. Increased CRF in this study produced nitate levels that are equivalent to those produced at a manufacturer's recommended rate. Landscape professionals should approach the use of CRFs with caution as each landscape situation is somewhat unique. Fertilizer products, soils, and cultural factors could influence the environmental impact that the CRF makes.

(from "Evaluation of a Controlled-release Fertilizer on Leachate Quality and Growth of 'Bonanza' Daylily in the Landscape" by T.L. Harbuck, D.J. Eakes, J.L. Sibley, and C.H. Gilliam, presented at the SNA Research Conference, July 2003).

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PLANT PATHOLOGY REPORT

AUBURN PLANT DISEASE REPORT - JULY
Jackie Mullen
Extension Plant Pathology Specialist

July was warm with slightly lower daytime temperatures than normal for July. Rains were abundant. Conditions were ideal for many fungal and bacterial foliage diseases. Also, the wet soil conditions were favorable for many fungal root rot pathogens, especially Phytophthora and Pythium. Our plant sample numbers at the Auburn Lab in July were about normal at 172.

Many landscape plant samples were received as foliage samples. For many of these samples, the diagnostic response was "Suspect Root or Trunk Problem".

Numbers of field crop samples and garden samples were low. This may be due to the fact that many fields/gardens in the state have been wet for much of the summer, and many crops are in various conditions of stress and decline.

Several fungal foliage disease agents were present on a variety of ornamental plants including Colletotrichum, Bipolaris, Cristutariella, Drechslera, Rhizoctonia, Cercospora, and Mycosphaerella. Rusts were also a common problem. Botryosphaeria and Phomopsis were seen as branch cankers. Sclerotium rolfsii, Pythium, and Phytophthora crown and root rots were common problems due to the wet soil conditions and high humidity.

JULY 2003 Plant Diseases Seen In The Auburn Plant Diagnostic Lab
PLANT	PROBLEM	COUNTY
Ajuga	Sclerotium rolfsii Crown Rot	Montgomery
Bahia	Take-All Patch (Gaeumannomyces)	Covington
Bermuda	Bipolaris Leaf Spot	Chilton
Bermuda	Dollar Spot (Sclerotinia)	Elmore
Bermuda	Pythium Blight	Elmore
Bermuda, Coastal	Drechslera Leaf Spot	Covington
Centipede	Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia)	Cullman, Montgomery
Centipede	Take-All Patch (Gaeumannomyces)	Montgomery
Crape Myrtle	Cercospora Leaf Spot	Montgomery
Cryptomeria	Cercosporella Blight	Dallas
Dogwood	Colletotrichum Leaf Spot	Montgomery
Holly, Compacta	Colletotrichum Leaf Spot	Cullman
Holly, Helleri	Phytophthora Root Rot	Cullman
Iris	Heterosporium Leaf Spot	Lee
Juniper	Phomopsis Blight	Limestone
Leyland Cypress	Phytophthora Root Rot	Covington
Lime Tree	Anthracnose (Colletotrichum)	Lauderdale
Magnolia, Japanese	Bacterial Leaf Spot	*
Maple, Red	Cristulariella Leaf Spot	Monroe
Maple, Red	Phyllosticta Leaf Spot	Cleburne
Oak	Oak Leaf Blister (Taphrina)	Franklin, Russell
Oak, Southern Red	Anthracnose (Colletotrichum)	Calhoun
Oak, Southern Red	Oak Leaf Blister (Taphrina)	Lee
Oak, Live	Oak Leaf Blister (Taphrina)	Lee
Periwinkle	Phytophthora Stem Blight	Montgomery
Periwinkle	Pythium Root Rot	Talladega
Phlox	Sclerotium rolfsii Crown Rot	Talladega
Red Bud	Cercospora Leaf Spot	Clay
Rose	Fungal Canker	Houston
St. Augustine	Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia)	Choctaw
St. Augustine	Take-All Patch (Gaeumannomyces)	Choctaw
Strobilanthus	Phytophthora nicotiana	Lee
Violet	Rust (Puccinia)	Lee
Yaupon	Fusarium Crown & Root Rot	Houston

*Counties are not reported for greenhouse and nursery samples.

BIRMINGHAM PLANT DISEASE REPORT - JULY
J. Jacobi
Extension Plant Pathology Specialist

The lab received 154 samples during the month of July. Some of the problems seen last month included: bitter rot on apple, aster yellows on purple coneflower, anthracnose on miscanthis, and zonate leaf spot on maple. The wet weather this year has been near optimum for many fungal and bacterial diseases. Birmingham rainfall is 18.07 inches above normal for the year.

Southern blight (Sclerotium rolfsii) was found on pratia (low ground cover with white flowers that resemble lobelia). To our knowledge this disease has been reported on pratia. See ANR-1157 Southern Blight on Flowers, Shrubs, and Trees http://www.aces.edu/department/extcomm/publications/anr/anr-1157/anr-1157.html for more information.

Downy mildew (Plasmopara cercidis) was found on giant redbud (Cercis giganteta), which is another disease we have not seen in the lab before. The disease causes angular spots or lesions that are often bordered by leaf veins. Grayish-white fungal growth was observed on the underside of lesions. Very little information has been reported on this disease.

JULY 2003 Plant Diseases Seen In The Birmingham Plant Diagnostic Lab
PLANT	PROBLEM	COUNTY
Azalea	Lacebugs	Jefferson
Bentgrass	Anthracnose	*
Bentgrass	Pythium Root Rot	*
Bermudagrass	Bipolaris Leaf Spot	Jefferson, Chilton
Bermudagrass	Dollar Spot	Shelby
Bermudagrass	Poor Drainage/Algae	*
Birch, River	Dusky Birch Sawfly	Jefferson
Boxwood, Common	Boxwood Psyllids	Jefferson
Boxwood, Common	Macrophoma Leaf Spot	Jefferson
Boxwood, Common	Phytophthora Root Rot	Jefferson
Boxwood, Common	Volutella Blight	Jefferson
Centipede	Brown Patch	Jefferson
Cherry, Black	Coccomyces Leaf Spot (Blumeriella)	Jefferson
Chrysanthemum	Pythium Root Rot	Chilton
Coneflower, Purple	Aster Yellows	Jefferson
Crape Myrtle	Asian Ambrosia Beetle	Jefferson
Creeping Jenny	Southern Blight (Sclerotium)	Jefferson
Cypress, Leyland	Cercospora Leaf Blight (Cercosporella)	Jefferson
Dogwood	Club Gall	Jefferson
Dogwood	Powdery Mildew	Jefferson(2), Shelby
Dogwood	Spot Anthracnose	Shelby, Jefferson
Fern, Sensitive	Leaf Rust (Urediniopsis)	Jefferson
Fescue, Tall	Brown Patch	Jefferson, Cullman
Fescue, Tall	Pythium Blight	Cullman
Fig	Phomopsis Dieback	Jefferson
Helleborus	Pythium Root Rot	Jefferson
Hickory	Scab (Cladosporium)	Jefferson
Holly, Fosters	Two-lined Spittlebug	Jefferson
Hornbean, European	Phyllosticta Leaf Spot	Jefferson
Hydrangea, Bigleaf	Cercospora Leaf Spot	Jefferson
Hydrangea, Bigleaf	Two-Spotted Spider Mites	Jefferson
Ivy, Boston	Spider Mites	Jefferson
Ivy, English	Bacterial Leaf Spot (Xanthomonas)	Jefferson(2)
Magnolia, Southern	Bacterial Leaf Spot (Pseudomonas)	Jefferson
Magnolia, Sweet Bay	Algal Leaf Spot	Jefferson
Maple, Japanese	Phomopsis Canker	Jefferson
Maple, Red	Zonate Leaf Spot (Cristulariella)	Jefferson(4)
Maple, Sugar	Zonate Leaf Spot (Cristulariella)	Jefferson
Miscanthus	Anthracnose (Colletotrichum)	Jefferson(2)
Oak, Red	Tubakia Leaf Spot	Jefferson(2)
Oak, Southern Red	Monochaetia Leaf Blotch	Tuscaloosa
Oleander	Oleander Caterpillar	Baldwin
Pear, Callary	Hail Damage	*
Photinia	Entomosporium Leaf Spot	Jefferson
Pratia	Southern Blight (Sclerotium)	Jefferson
Redbud, Giant	Downy Mildew (Plasmopara)	Jefferson
Rose	Two Spotted Spider Mites	Jefferson
St. Augustine	Dollar Spot	Jefferson
St. Augustine	Gray Leaf Spot (Pyricularia)	Jefferson
Sugarberry	Asian Woolly Hackberry Aphids	Jefferson
Sugarberry	Hackberry Psyllid	Jefferson
Willow, Weeping	Septoria Leaf Spot	Jefferson
Yucca	Yucca Plant Bug	Jefferson
Zoysia	Bipolaris Leaf Spot	Shelby
Zoysia	Dollar Spot	Jefferson
Zoysia	Leaf Rust (Puccinia)	Jefferson
Zoysia	White Grubs	Jefferson

*Counties are not reported for greenhouse and nursery samples.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

September 9-10, 2003:
BWIBuyers Market Trade Show and Seminars.
Gulf Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, MS.
Contact: Debbie Brower at 800.442.8443

September 11-13, 2003:
The Southern Plant Conference.
Charleston, SC.
Contact Danny Summers at SNA, 770-953-3311; Fax 770-953-4411; SNA Infoline, 770-953-4636; e-mail, danny@mail.sna.org;
URL: http://www.sna.org

September 30 - October 4, 2003:
American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Meeting and 100th Anniversary.
Providence, RI.
Contact ASHS at 703-836-4606, Fax: 703-836-2024, E-mail: ashs@ashs.org
URL: http://www.ashs.org

October 3-4, 2003:
Middle Tennessee Nursery Association Horticultural Trade Show.
McMinnville Civic Center, McMinnville, TN
For more information contact Ann Halcomb, MTNA Exec. Secr., P.O. Box 822, McMinnville, TN 37111-0822; phone: 931-668-7322; fax: 931-668-9601; e-mail: mtna@blomand.net,
http://www.mtna.com/ or http://www.southeasternnursery.com/mtna/

October 5-8, 2003:
IPPS Southern Region NA.
San Antonio, TX.
Contact: Dr. David L. Morgan, 332 Warbler Drive, Bedford, TX 76021; phone 817-428-2296; e-mail, DavidLMorgan@sbcglobal.net; URL: http://www.ipps.org/SouthernNA

October 8-11, 2003:
IPPS Western Region 44rd Annual Conference. Portland, OR.
Contact: Jim McConnell, Bailey Nurseries, Inc., 9855 NW Pike Road, Yamhill, OR 97148; 503-662-3244; e-mail, jim.mcconnell@baileynursery.com
URL: http://www.ipps.org/WesternNA

October 22 - 25, 2003:
IPPS Eastern Region.
Portland, ME. Contact M. Bridgen, Margot Bridgen, IPPS Executive Secretary/Treasurer, 1700 North Parish Dr., Southold, NY 11971; 631.765.9638; Fax 631.765.9648; e-mail ippser@earthlink.net

October 30-November 3, 2003:
AmericanSociety of Landscape Architects.
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
Contact: ASLA 636 Eye Street, NW Washington, DC 20001-3736; 202.898.2444; Fax: 202.898.1185; URL: http://www.asla.org

November 4, 2003:
The Landscape Design Short Course - Emphasis on Fine Gardening.
Houston County Farm Center (in the Extension Auditorium), 1699 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan AL.
For more information please contact Linda VanDyke at the Alabama Nurserymen's Association. Phone: 334-821-5148 or fax: 334-821-9111.

November 5, 2003:
Fall Landscape School.
Presented by the Auburn University Department of Horticulture on the Auburn University campus.
For information contact Dr. Dave Williams, jdwillia@acesag.auburn.edu or 334-844-3032.

November 5 - 8, 2003:
TheGreen Industry Expo (GIE).
Cervantes Convention Center, St. Louis, MO.
Contact: Green Industry Expo, 1000 Johnson Ferry Road, NE, Suite C-135, Marietta, GA 30068; 888.303.3685; Fax, 770.579.3835; e-mail, info@gieonline.com ; URL: http://gieonline.com/home/

November 6, 2003:
First Annual Henry P. Orr Memorial Golf Classic.
FarmLinks Golf Club, Fayetteville, Alabama
Deadline registration is October 23, 2003. For information contact Linda Van Dyke at 334-821-5148 or at alna@prodigy.net

January 29 - 31, 2004:
Gulf States Horticultural Expo
Mobile Convention Center, Mobile, AL
Educational program: January 29; Trade Show: January 30 - 31. For more information go to http://www.gshe.org; fax 334-502-7711; phone 334-502-7777.

July 29 - 31, 2004:
SNA 2004 - Southern Nursery Association Researcher’s Conference and Trade Show.
Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA.
Contact: SNA 770-953-3311; Fax 770-953-4411; SNA Infoline, 770-953-4636
URL: http://www.sna.org

August 26-28, 2004:
The Farwest Show. Portland, Oregon, Oregon Convention Center.
Contact Aimee Schendel, Oregon Association of Nurserymen, 29751 SW Town Center Loop West, Wilsonville, OR 97070; 800-342-6401; 503-682-5089 x 2006; Fax, 503-682-5099; e-mail, info@farwestshow.com;
URL: http://www.farwestshow.com

October 1-2, 2004:
Middle Tennessee Nursery Association Horticultural Trade Show.
McMinnville Civic Center, McMinnville, TN
Contact Ann Halcomb, MTNA Exec. Secr., P.O. Box 822, McMinnville, TN 37111-0822; phone: 931-668-7322; fax: 931-668-9601; e-mail: mtna@blomand.net,
http://www.mtna.com/ or http://www.southeasternnursery.com/mtna/

October 3-6, 2004:
IPPS Southern Region NA
Greenville/Spartanburg, S.C.
Contact: Dr. David L. Morgan, 332 Warbler Drive, Bedford, TX 76021; phone 817-577-9272; e-mail, dleemorgan@msn.com

August 25-27, 2005:
The Farwest Show.
Portland, Oregon, Oregon Convention Center.
Contact Aimee Schendel, Oregon Association of Nurserymen, 29751 SW Town Center Loop West, Wilsonville, OR 97070; 800-342-6401; 503-682-5089 x 2006; Fax, 503-682-5099; e-mail, info@farwestshow.com
URL: http://www.farwestshow.com

September TBA, 2005:
The Southern Plant Conference.
Louisville, Kentucky.
Contact: Matt Gardiner, KY Coordinator, 502-245-0238: e-mail, matthew624@aol.com; or Betsie Taylor, KNLA Exec. Dir., 350 Village Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601; 502-848-0055 or 800-735-9791, Fax 502-848-0032 e-mail knla@mis.net
URL: http://www.knla.org
or Danny Summers at SNA, 770-953-3311; Fax 770-953-4411; SNA Infoline, 770-953-4636; e-mail, danny@mail.sna.org;
URL: http://www.sna.org

September 30 - October 1, 2005:
Middle Tennessee Nursery Association Horticultural Trade Show.
McMinnville Civic Center, McMinnville, TN
For more information contact Ann Halcomb by: phone: 931-668-7322; fax: 931-668-9601; e-mail: mtna@blomand.net,
http://www.mtna.com/ or http://www.southeasternnursery.com/mtna/

August 24-26, 2006:
The Farwest Show.
Portland, Oregon, Oregon Convention Center.
Contact Aimee Schendel, Oregon Association of Nurserymen, 29751 SW Town Center Loop West, Wilsonville, OR 97070; 800-342-6401; 503-682-5089 x 2006; Fax, 503-682-5099; e-mail, info@farwestshow.com
URL: http://www.farwestshow.com

October 6-7, 2006:
Middle Tennessee Nursery Association Horticultural Trade Show.
McMinnville Civic Center, McMinnville, TN
For more information contact Ann Halcomb by: phone: 931-668-7322; fax: 931-668-9601; e-mail: mtna@blomand.net,
http://www.mtna.com/ or http://www.southeasternnursery.com/mtna/

August 23-25, 2007:
The Farwest Show.
Portland, Oregon, Oregon Convention Center.
Contact Aimee Schendel, Oregon Association of Nurserymen, 29751 SW Town Center Loop West, Wilsonville, OR 97070; 800-342-6401, 503-682-5089 x 2006; Fax, 503.682.5099; e-mail, info@farwestshow.com
URL: http://www.farwestshow.com

October 5-6, 2007:
Middle Tennessee Nursery Association Horticultural Trade Show.
McMinnville Civic Center, McMinnville, TN
For more information contact Ann Halcomb by: phone: 931-668-7322; fax: 931-668-9601; e-mail: mtna@blomand.net,
http://www.mtna.com/ or http://www.southeasternnursery.com/mtna/

Send horticultural questions and comments to ktilt@acesag.auburn.edu.

Send questions and comments to bfischma@acesag.auburn.edu.

Letters to Bernice Fischman - 101 Funchess Hall - Auburn University, AL 36849.