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

January 2018

8 tips to gear up garden for cold weather.
(Kym Pokorny, OSU)
http://bit.ly/2ClGiax

The International Space Station had a bright pop of orange, thanks to Astronaut commander Scott Kelly’s green thumb. “Last year, Kelly had to fight off mold that threatened to kill all the flowers in the space station’s mini-greenhouse.”
(Marcia Dunn, Associated Press, Seattle Times)
http://bit.ly/2j1y9Q2

Honey bees fill ‘saddlebags’ with pollen. Read how they keep them gripped tight.
(Katherine Kornei, Sciencemag.org)
http://bit.ly/2o7WB7C

“A Systematic Approach to Diagnosing Plant Damage”.  While this was written almost 30 years ago, it is still used as the standard for diagnosing plant problems.
(James L. Green & Joe Capizzi, OSU, Otis Maloy, WSU)
http://bit.ly/2zdBYuj

Don’t miss this webinar: 2018 All Bugs Good and Bad Webinar Series: Misidentified Pests in the Landscape.  Mark your calendars for March 2!
(Learn.extension.org)
http://bit.ly/2jUQlvA

How to store pesticides over winter.
(NPIC, National Pesticide Information Center)
http://bit.ly/29Wxv5i

Watch as a man dismantles a giant wasps’ nest while they swarm around him!  This yellow jacket nest was so large it had multiple queens.  Scary!(Grace Lisa Scott, Inverse; via Business Insider)
http://read.bi/2CjIv6a

Caterpillar attacks allow aphids to sneak up on plants.  A new study indicates that plants prioritize the protection of flowers over leaves and that simultaneous attack by aphids, caterpillars and bacteria leaves plants vulnerable to aphids but more protected from caterpillars.
(Wiley, via Science Daily News)
http://bit.ly/2yuTbvE

Watch this informative video from OSU experts that demonstrates how to identify and eliminate moss from your lawn. It is a companion to OSU Extension publication EM 9175, “Managing Moss in Lawns in Western Oregon”.  See next entry for link to pdf.
(Brooke Edmunds, Alec Kowalewski, OSU, Youtube)
http://bit.ly/2Arz6bd

NEW PUBLICATION: “Managing Moss in Lawns in Western Oregon”.
(Brooke Edmunds, Alec Kowalewski, OSU, EM9175)
http://bit.ly/2j7oU0t

Revered, then reviled: Tracking the rise and fall of ivy.
(Adrian Higgins, Washington Post)
http://wapo.st/2kt8Eaw

Take a listen! A group of professional nature recordists from around the globe have collaborated to develop Nature Soundmap, an enjoyable and interactive way of exploring the natural sounds of our planet. Combining high-quality field recordings with the latest satellite imagery, the project brings together some of nature’s most beautiful, interesting and inspiring.
(Naturesoundmap.com)
http://bit.ly/1aH67iZ

What’s the largest terrestrial organism?  It’s not what you think!
(Jesse Morrison, Mississippi State University, Soils Matter, Word Press)
http://bit.ly/2B1dDY3

In the Pacific Northwest, many new potential threats to natural landscapes and forests have emerged. Read about recent detections, including new species of whiteflies, lace bugs, sawflies, beetles, and earthworms.
(Robin Rosetta, OSU via RNGR.net, USDA Forest Service)
http://bit.ly/2ksGtIX

Are Traders and Traffickers Winning the Orchid Battle? “Orchids are wanted for everything from decoration to food and medicine, but illegal collectors could be wiping out species before we even know they exist.”
(Rachael Bale, Wildlife Watch, via National Geographic)
http://bit.ly/2ClnrfD

Poison ivy an unlikely hero in warding off exotic invaders?
(Pensoft team, Pensoft Blog)
http://bit.ly/2AZmvNN

Horticultural Updates

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

December 2017

NEW PUBLICATION: Lady Beetles: Should we buy them for our gardens?
(Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott, Home Garden Series FS268E)
http://bit.ly/2Alv8Vj

“As cities get bigger, gardens get smaller and large trees no longer make the cut. No worries. The plant world teems with appropriately sized trees”
(Kym Pokorny, OSU; source Chris Rusch, OSU MG, OSU Gardening Tips.) http://bit.ly/2AkgTA8

Eleven new and exciting AAS winners, including a Canna, Tomato, Peppers and more have been selected by All-America Selections (AAS), the 85-year-young non-profit plant trialing organization.  Each of the varieties was trialed throughout North America by professional, independent, volunteer judges who grew them next to comparisons that are considered best-in-class. (All American Selections) http://bit.ly/2mOVlWh

Your house is a gigantic bug habitat, and there’s nothing you can do about it! In a recent study, each home sampled had an average of 100 species living in it, regardless of how often the residents cleaned or how many pets they had! (Sarah Kaplan, Washington Post) http://wapo.st/2jOQIL2

Nutritional Symbionts: Why some Insects Don’t Have to Eat Their Vegetables- “While many animals, like humans, consume a varied diet to get these nutritional components, some insects have learned how to cheat the system and can extract nourishment from a nutritionally poor food source through symbioses with bacteria. A symbiosis is a long-term interaction between two different species.” (Laura Kraft, North Carolina University for Entomology Today.) http://bit.ly/2jwr6Ci

Learn the benefits and drawback of using ‘rubber mulch” in the home landscape.  (Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott, WSU, Home Garden Series FS163E) http://bit.ly/21ll8h0

What are the garden designs trending for 2018? Each year these designers highlight topics of growing importance in the gardening realm. They emphasize the concept of providing pleasure to people in their gardens—whether it’s growing new foods, providing a refuge for wildlife, or creating a relaxing place to share a meal with loved ones. Fun read! (Garden Design Magazine) http://bit.ly/2zou41X

Wisteria care: Get out your clippers twice a year and go to town. (Kym Pokorny, OSU; source Neil Bell, OSU)  http://bit.ly/2A1k5xs

“Native trees provide more food — caterpillars — for birds than their non-native counterparts, according to a new study with Carolina chickadees in the Washington, DC, metro area. (Adam Thomas, mphys.org) http://bit.ly/2B3kRcu

Tired of Poinsettias? A new take on the Holiday plant! “Whether you’re looking for a host/hostess gift that’s a little bit different or you want to add some living cheer to your holiday decorations, check out these houseplants.” (Meghan Shinn, Horticulture Magazine) http://bit.ly/2gEauVz

The nibble of a green leafhopper is the secret to the sweet flavor and honeyed aroma of an oolong tea known as Oriental Beauty. The bug’s bite sparks a chemical response in the plant, enhancing flavors that delight tea drinkers. “..Getting precisely the right balance of beneficial insects can be tricky. Changes in pests—too many, too few, too early, too late, the wrong ones—is just one of the areas being studied…” (Clare Leschin-Hoar, Tufts University) http://bit.ly/2eiWbnA

The Efficacy of Horticultural Oil and Insecticidal Soap against Selected Armored and Soft Scales study- “Overall, horticultural oil killed a greater percentage of armored scales than soft scales, whereas insecticidal soap gave greater control against soft scales. They suggest that differences were driven by chemical properties of both insect integuments and insecticides.” (Carlos R. Quesada, Clifford S. Sadof, Hort Technology) http://bit.ly/2zW542a

A new set of fossil discoveries show that the evolutionary arms race that are forests started with plants that literally had to rip themselves apart in their battle for the canopy. (Indefenseofplants) http://bit.ly/2hIxJxj

It’s veggie harvest time on the International Space Station. (Linda Herridge and Amanda Griffin,NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center) https://go.nasa.gov/2mQkRug

Plant colors are not all about pigment. (Paula Rudall, Kew Science) http://bit.ly/2zjSqtO

Houseplants for Low Light Conditions. (Debra Ricigliano, Maryland Grow, U of MD) http://bit.ly/2BaMvFB

Old pest makes a return to Northwest fruit, nut trees. Pacific Flatheaded Borers can kill young trees that are stressed or damaged. (Eric Mortenson, Capital Press) http://bit.ly/2iCzjl8

Monet the Gardener: Life, and art, grow at Giverny. (Susan Stanberg, NPR) http://n.pr/2hSMmBR

The hidden world of seeds. (Adrian Higgins, May-Ying Lam, Washington Post) http://wapo.st/2AkOmdE

Some plants grow bigger – and meaner – when clipped. (Diana Yates, U of Illinois) http://bit.ly/2BaCKax

VIDEO: Overwintering Plants in Containers. (U of Illinois Extension, Youtube) http://bit.ly/2hKEnDl

The century long quest to save the American Chestnut may soon be over. (Nick Malawskey, PennLive, Penn State College) http://bit.ly/2A0QOmB

Simple Bacteria Offer Clues to the Origins of Photosynthesis.  Studies of the energy-harvesting proteins in primitive cells suggest that key features of photosynthesis might have evolved a billion years earlier than scientists thought. (Jordana Cepeleqicz, Quantamagazine) http://bit.ly/2gCYN4b

Cultivating American Gardens. “ American garden-making has evolved over time, shaped by history, social attitudes, the environment and new ideas.” Take this special visual tour. (Smithsonian Libraries) http://s.si.edu/2BbSny8

Why is it so hard to swat a fly? (Rory Galloway, BBC News) http://bbc.in/2z8SN7h

Why Insects Make Great Ambassadors for Science Education: “…Sensory experience gets visitors in learning mode and piques their curiosity about science.” (Entomology Today) http://bit.ly/2gFH0WV

Horticultural Updates

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

November 2017

What does that mean?  Experts take on gardening jargon. (Gardening Tips, Kym Pokorny, OSU) http://bit.ly/2kU9JvA

A Hormonal tug-of-war helps plant roots navigate their journey through the soil.  A sophisticated mechanism that allows plant roots to quickly respond to changes in soil conditions has been identified by an international research team. (John Innes Centre via Science Daily) http://bit.ly/2hL7aH9

Podcast: How Plants Work.  Learn about the relationship of roots and fungi, ways plants defend themselves, the ‘Wiggle Test”, mulch volcanoes and more. (Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott, WSU, via the Joe Gardener Show) http://bit.ly/2x0alRN

Get expert advice on control of sneaky root weevils with beneficial nematodes. (Gardening Tips, Kym Pokorny & Robin Rosetta, OSU) http://bit.ly/2gnGTlZ

An interesting report of a DNA study, “Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities exposed with new DNA sequencing approach.”  (Botanical Society of America via Eurekalert!) http://bit.ly/2kUfQzS

Reducing Lyme risks from Ticks. A long-term study, in Connecticut, of managing Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) shows that clearing the invasive shrub from a wooded area once can lead to a significant reduction in abundance of blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) for as long as six years. (Environmental Entomology) http://bit.ly/2igwCIC

Every child belongs in the garden!  As the saying goes, more than a seed is planted in a garden. Children can learn not just about how natural systems work in a garden—what critters and plants live where and what do they need to survive, but also about themselves.  (University of New Hampshire Extension) http://bit.ly/2wz33Es

Get this printable online publication, Bee Basics, and Introduction to our Native Bees, (USDA Forest Service and Pollinator Partnership Publication) http://bit.ly/2lPqxja

Why do trees change color in the fall?  (John Fech, U of Nebraska via Gro Big Red) http://bit.ly/2gnlY2q

Can you identify a tree by its bark? (Karen Russ, HGIF, Clemson Extension) http://bit.ly/2gf9CFG

Delayed greening- “By delaying the development of chlorophyll until the leaf is fully expanded and a bit tougher, some plants are maximizing the chances of successfully increasing their photosynthetic capacity over time.” (In Defense of Plants) http://bit.ly/2fAH7Wo

Ants as pollinators? (In Defense of Plants) http://bit.ly/2kT05cG

This alert from PNW Plant Disease Management-White Rust: 

“We are into mum season and so we want to have an eye out for white rust. This quarantined disease has been found and eradicated in several nurseries in the greater Portland, OR area off and on since 1995 and in British Columbia since 2001. Usually it is found in nurseries that ‘hold-over’ chrysanthemums from the previous growing season. “(Jay Pscheidt, Facebook)
http://bit.ly/2gfx31L

Horticultural Updates

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

October 2017

 “A Gardener’s Primer to Mycorrhizae: Understanding How They Work and Learning How to Protect Them,” a great new publication from WSU’s

Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott.  “Mycorrhizae are symbiotic associations between many plants and the beneficial fungi that colonize their roots. Gardeners are often unaware of these relationships and may inadvertently injure or kill the beneficial fungi through common gardening activities. This publication will help home gardeners understand the benefits of mycorrhizae and explain how to enhance their presence in landscapes and gardens.”(Linda Chalker-Scott, Publication FS269E, WSU) http://bit.ly/2ephLqh

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“Physiological Effects of Smoke Exposure on Deciduous and Conifer Tree Species.” There is not a lot of information on how the smoke from the recent fires will affect our plants, but here is an interesting study discussing how smoke affects forest trees. (W. John Calder, Greg Lifferth, Max A. Moritz, and Samuel B. St. Clair; International Journal of Forestry Research) http://bit.ly/2wzGuDA

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Tell little girls that it is never too early to learn about bugs! “An 8-Year-Old Bullied For Her Love of Bugs Just Got Her First Scientific Publication.” (Signe Dean, Sciencealert.com) http://bit.ly/2fpi8C9

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Clematis put on a special show in the garden as they climb up trellises and trees unfurling large, lusciously colored flowers! These garden favorites need a little special handling at the start but once established clematis grow and flower year after year. (Kym Pokorny, OSU)
http://bit.ly/2wIaxnN

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Did you know the first space travelers were seeds? Learn what scientists are up to now. (Gina Riggio, U of Arkansas; Theconversation.com)
http://bit.ly/2hgRG1f

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24 Ways to Kill a Tree! (What you shouldn’t do) and 24 ways to NOT kill a tree (what you should do). “Few residential trees die of “old age.” Mechanical damage and improper tree care kill more trees than any insects or diseases.” (Bonnie Appleton, Publication 430-210, Virginia Cooperative Extension) http://bit.ly/2wmEQjP

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Watch the five finalist videos in the 2017 “YouTube Your Entomology” contest:  (Entomologytoday.org) http://bit.ly/2w8EePC

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Can You Pick the Bees Out of an Insect Lineup?  Take the quiz and learn more! (Joanna Klein, NYtimes.com) http://nyti.ms/2gZ8Ht5

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“Tolkien’s Plant Passion Moves Botanist to Create Guide to Middle Earth…the retired botany professor spent years cataloging every plant that appeared in his writing, eventually compiling a list of 141 different species. He teamed up with his son, Graham, a professional illustrator. And together, they embarked on quest to transform that list into a botanical guide to Middle Earth.” (David Fuchs, NPR.org) http://n.pr/2xj1iwv

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Did you know that referring to our North American representatives as ‘asters’ is no longer taxonomically accurate? Learn why from the article,

“How North America Lost its Asters.” (Indefenseofplants.com) http://bit.ly/2jMr3BV

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“Insects have much better vision and can see in far greater detail than previously thought, a new study from the University of Sheffield has revealed.” (Eurekalert.org, University of Sheffield) http://bit.ly/2wAfvrG

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“These Five “Witness Trees” Were Present at Key Moments in America’s History. These still standing trees are a living testament to our country’s tragic past.” (Mike Yessis, Smithonian.com) http://bit.ly/2fC6JPe

Horticultural Updates

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

September 2017

Scientists uncover how bees choose to pollinate. A team of researchers at the University of Arizona have figured out how bees decide what method of pollination they use. They also captured some great high speed footage of the bees. http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/watch-bees-pollinate-flowers-in-super-slowmo/

Do you want to learn about the zoo beneath your feet? Learn about the “…subterranean community that includes worms, insects, mites, other arthropods you’ve never heard of, amoebas, and fellow protozoa. The dominant organisms are bacteria and fungi. All these players work together, sometimes by eating one another…”(Adrian Higgins, Washington Post).  https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/the-zoo-beneath-our-feet-were-only-beginning-to-understand-soils-hidden-world/2017/08/08/f73e3950-7799-11e7-9eac-d56bd5568db8_story.html?utm_term=.bc2bfdd2997f 

Bees Are the First Insects Found to Understand the Concept Of Zero.  When the insects were encouraged to fly towards a platform carrying fewer shapes than another one, they apparently recognised “no shapes” as a smaller value than “some shapes”, (Sam Wong, New Scientist). http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/bees-are-the-first-insects-found-to-understand-the-concept-of-zero/

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Good news!  The US bee population has increased in 2017- the number of bees disappearing due to colony collapse disorder is significantly smaller than it was in 2016.” (IFLScience). http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/american-honeybees-are-doing-better-in-2017/

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Managing Elm Seed Bugs around Your Home– Recent publication from University of Idaho: http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/edcomm/pdf/CIS/CIS1223.pdf

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Oh my! This plant murders bugs and decorates itself with dead bodies.
(Helen Thompson, Smithsonian.com) http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/plant-murders-bugs-and-decorates-itself-dead-bodies-180956087/

A forgotten treasure at the intersection of Science and Poetry. Long before she wrote her poems, she gathered, grew, classified, and pressed flowers. Harvard has digitized Emily Dickinson’s herbarium in its totality. (Maria Popova, Brainpickings.org) https://www.brainpickings.org/2017/05/23/emily-dickinson-herbarium/

Mow before you spray- and other tips for protecting pollinators in grassy landscapes.  A new guide in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management shows how lawn care and pollinator protection can coexist. (Entomology Today)) https://entomologytoday.org/2017/07/17/mow-before-you-spray-and-other-tips-for-protecting-pollinators-in-grassy-landscapes/

Do you use a rain barrel?  Learn from an expert about potential contaminants.  (Linda Chalker-Scott, WSU Fact Sheet, FS280E; photo by William McCaleb) http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/FS280E/FS280E.pdf

Beetle art: ‘Sweet and curious’ drawing beetle wins hearts online.  A talented beetle named Spike is drawing attention with his mini masterpieces. (BBC news-Asia) http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-40552623

Foliar Diseases of Tomato!  Check out this informative publication.  Note: Only use OSU publications for treatment recommendations. (Steve Bost, U of Tennessee) https://ag.tennessee.edu/EPP/Extension%20Publications/Plant%20Diseases%20Foliar%20Diseases%20of%20Tomato.pdf

Need a soil test?  This publication has finally been updated! https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog/files/project/pdf/em8677_0.pdf

An interesting read on the Neonic controversy: “Do Neonics Hurt Bees? Researchers and the Media Say Yes. The Data Do Not.”  (John Entine, Slate.com) https://www.google.com/amp/amp.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2017/06/the_data_do_not_support_the_idea_that_neonics_hurt_bees.html

Galls, galls and more galls! Learn about the many types of aphid galls.  (WordPress.com) https://simonleather.wordpress.com/2017/06/26/not-all-aphid-galls-are-the-same/?utm_content=buffer6f3bd&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

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There is an App or online tool for almost everything nowadays!  Check out the ITP (Identification Technology Program) pest identification page. ITP is part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) division. They have an ant key, Lepidoptera larva key, aphid ID, bark beetle ID and more.  (Photo by David Cappaert, MSU) http://www.idtools.org/identify.php?keyword=website&category=2

Just for fun! Watch a lovely, short animated film on the Story of Flowers” (AMKK)
http://azumamakoto.com/1669/