By Margaret Bayne, OSU Extension Staff-retired, OSU Master Gardener

July/August 2019

WSU scientists unmask the humble earwig as an apple-protecting predator. (Seth Truscott,, WSU) https://bit.ly/2KA1CiS

Native forest plants rebound when invasive shrubs are removed.  While this relates to the east coast, it is very informative. (Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State U) https://bit.ly/2F50n7K

Watering space plants is hard, but NASA has a plan. (Ellen Airhart, msn.com) https://bit.ly/2WrH4LO

Decoding the mathematical secrets of plants’ stunning leaf patterns.  “A Japanese shrub’s unique foliage arrangement leads botanists to rethink plant growth models.” (Maddie Burakoff, Smithonianmag.com) https://bit.ly/2Iuhtgu

Twice as many plants have gone extinct than birds, mammals, and amphibians combined (Erik Stokstad, sciencemag.org) https://bit.ly/2F3JWJ0

Find out what causes the little white spheres on spinach leaves? (Becky Sideman, U of New Hampshire) https://bit.ly/2X3zjjA

Learn what can be a cause of misshapen strawberries. (Fruitgrowersnews.com) https://bit.ly/2KJJZNU

How to tell the difference between bees, wasps, & flies…watch the video! (Dr. Gail Langellotto-Rhodaback, OSU via youtube) https://bit.ly/2MERSGJ

How are hydrangea flower colors determined? (Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott, FS309E, WSU) https://bit.ly/2F4c6Dz

Photosynthesis at work…cool video! (BBC via youtube) https://bit.ly/2wQTTEU

Why calcium deficiency is not the cause of blossom-end rot in tomato and pepper fruit – a reappraisal. (Max C. Saure, sciencedirect.com) https://bit.ly/2IyKcRh

Flowers can hear buzzing bees—and it makes their nectar sweeter. (Michelle Z. Donahu, Nationalgeographic.com) https://on.natgeo.com/2Mi6LLl

‘X’ marks the spot: The possible benefits of nectar guides to bees and plants. (Anne S. Leonard  & Daniel R. Papaj, British Ecological Society) https://bit.ly/2wKdmqY

Learn about natural insecticides. (Todd Murray: & Catherine Daniels; WSU, OSU, U of ID, PNW publication 649) https://bit.ly/2I8UCb0

Learn from an expert about managing wildlife conflicts in your home and garden. (Dana Sanchez, OSU, PNW 719) https://bit.ly/2R7BnSg

Paper wasps capable of behavior that resembles logical reasoning.  “A new study provides the first evidence of transitive inference, the ability to use known relationships to infer unknown relationships, in a nonvertebrate animal: the lowly paper wasp.” (U of Michigan, via sciencedaily.com) https://bit.ly/2YeG92z