une & July 1994 What do you want for Christmas? You Want Someone Who is Responsive to Your Needs At Sibgo Tree Company we offer a wide variety of high quality Christmas Trees. Other tree companies can say that too. But, since we aho have a retai Christmas Tree business, we know what retailers want What sets us apart is our understanding of your needs. We know what )W/ want from a supplier. You Want to Keep It Simple. You are looking for trees, that are ready to go. Our trees arrive individually wrapped. All you have to do is remove the wrappers and set the trees out. No broken branches. And since our trees are basal pruned, you and your customers will not have to hassle with any additional trimming to fit the tree to the stand. You Want Quality. We offer heavily needled trees that have been pruned to achieve a traditional, yet natural form. The sturdy branches and carefully shaped profile offer room and support for your customers' valued Christmas ornaments. You Want Freshness. The later a tree is cut, the better it is able to retain water. (Did you know that if a tree loses 40% of its moisture it will never recover.?) Since our trees are grown in New Hampshire and Vermont, they are not shipped long distances. This means that the trees can be cut later in the season. In addition, after cutting, we do everything we can to minimize loss of moisture. For example, we interlock the tops of the trees after cutting to prevent dr\'ing. You Want Variety. We grow blue balsam, known for its lovely color, fragrance, and good needle retention. Fraser, another favorite at our plantation, also has good needle retention. And this year we will be offering something new: fralsam, a fraser- balsam cross. White, scotch, and red pine, and white spruce are also a\'ailable. You Want On-time Delivery. We guarantee on time delivery — on the day foa have scheduled to receive your order, not the day before or the day after. You Want the Number of Trees That's Right for You. \()W can order either 25 trees or a trailer load. Have We Missed Anything? Call 800/694-8722 and ask for Mike Godzyk. He would love to talk to you. And, while you're on the phone, schedule an appoint- ment to visit us and inspect our trees. This summer... or anytime. Or if you don't have time in your busy schedule to visit us, we'd be happy to visit you. Sibgo Tree Company Wf ftiiPH' whai ijou waul jor Clinslmas\ CALL US AT 800/694-8722 FAX 603/237-8439 COLEBROOK, NH CALENDAR ONTENTS JUNE 21 Maine Landscape & Nursery Association Twilight Meeting (North), The Growing Concern, Orono; for information: Claire Ackroyd at (207) 866-3448. JUNE 23 UMflss Turfgrass Field Day, South Deerfield Farm; Rich Cooper at (413) 545-2353. JUNE 24-25 Sixth Annual Pocket Gardens of Portsmouth Tour, Portsmouth, NH; information: (603) 743-5260. JUNE 25 New Hampshire Rose Society Annual Show. Barton Hall, UNH, Durham, NH; for information: Bill Prince at (603) 868-9610. JUNE 26 FTD Dis(nV( 1-C Meeting, Rye, NH; information: Ray Savage at (603) 352-1155. JUNE 26 New Hampshire Landscape Association-sponsored Tour of Tower Hill Botanical Garden. Boylston, MA; con- tact Guy Hodgdon (1-800-639-5601) before July 1. ]uly JULY 9-13 \nternational Floriculture Industry Short Course, Cincinnati, Ohio; for more: (614) 487-1117. JULY 12-15 AAN Convention, Balti- more, MD; (202) 789-2900. JULY 14-16 MANTS, Baltimore, MD; (301) 256-6474. JULY 26-28 PANTS, King of Prussia, PA; (717) 238-1673. JULY 13-14 New England Ag Expo, Tunbridge Fairgrounds, Tunbridge VT; for information: 1-800-653-2700. JULY 20 Connecticut Nurserymen's Association Summer Meeting, co-spon- sored by Young's Nursery and Planter's Choice Nursery, Newtown, CN; for information: (203) 872-2095. August AUGUST 4 Massachusetts Nurserymen's Association Summer Meeting, hosted by Bigelow Nurseries, Boylston, MA; information: (508) 534-1775. AUGUST 5-7 Professional Plant Growers Association's Geranium Special Interest Group Seminar/Tour, Seattle, WA; information: 1-800-647-PPGA. AUGUST 10 Third Annual Athletic Turf Management Field Day, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA; information: Mary Owen at (508) 892-0382. AUGUST 10 NENA Summer Meet- ing, Aqua Turf, Southington, CT; for information: (617) 431-1595. r^ AUGUST 17 NHPGA Summer ^ Meeting, Ledgewood Farm, Moulton-boro, NH; co-hosted by Spider Web Gardens, Center Tuftonboro; for information: Chris Robarge at (603) 862-1074. AUGUST 17 Rhode Island Nursery- men's Association Summer Meeting, Blithewood, Bristol, RI; for information: (508) 761-9260. AUGUST 20 Plant Sale, Hay Estate, Route 103-A, Newbury, NH; information: Ann Loeffler at (603) 526-4153. AUGUST 24 Vermont Plant Growers' Summer Meeting, Stowe, VT; infor- mation: Tina Nyce at (802) 899- 3361. AUGUST 26-SEPTEMBER 3 Professiona/ Plant Growers Association (PPGA) Technical Tour of Denmark, for information: 1-800-647-PPGA. September r^ SEPTEMBER 14 NHPGA ^ Twilight Meeting, 5:30-7:30, Gateway Gardens, 430 Loudon Road, Concord, NH; for informa- tion: Kirl< Weyant and Sue Englund at (603) 229-0655. SEPTEMBER 16-OCTOBER 1 Eastern Slates' Big '£,' West Springfield, MA. SEPTEMBER 17 Florel Garden Mum "Workshop, Konjoian's Greenhouses, Andover, MA: information: Peter Konjoian at (508) 683-0692. SEPTEMBER 22-27 llth Interna- tional PPGA Conference and Trade Show, Buffalo, NY; for more: 1-800-647-PPGA. October OCTOBER 17-19 New England Greenhouse Conference, Sheraton Sturbridge Inn, Sturbridge, MA; for information: Henry Huntington at (603) 435-8361. November NOVEMBER 12 Rhode Island Nurserymen's Association 75th Birthday Celebration, Doubletree Inn, Newport, RI; for information: (508) 761-9260. DEPARTMENTS FORDM 3 NH NEWS 6 ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS 8 MEMBER PROFILE ETdgewater Farm 21 1 FEATURES Summer Meeting 11 Floriculture's Fountain of Youth Dr. Peter S. Konjoian 12 The General Principles of Biological Pest Control Michael S. Cherim 13 Poinsettia Pest Management Alan T. Eaton 17 Herbs in the Landscape Tanya ]ackson 27 1 COLUMNS PPGA HIGHLIGHTS 9 DIAGNOSTIC UPDATE Dr. Cheryl Smith 15 Z-NOTES ]im Zablocki 20 TIPS FROM THE GRIFFIN GURU 24 About Our Cover "Regular plant examinations help..." {Photo of Ginny Hast by Alan Eaton. The Plantsman is published in early February, April, June, August, October, and December with copy deadlines being the first of each prior month. While camera-ready ads are pre- ferred, set-up assistance is available at a nomi- nal fee. Free classified advertising is offered as a member service. We will carry a short message (no artwork or logos) for one or two issues of The Plantsman. AD SIZE 6x Ix 3 3/8"w X 2 l/4"h $120 $30 3 3/8"w X 4 V4"h $160 $40 7"w X 2 1/4-h $160 $40 7"w X 4 5/8"h $250 $50 7"w X 9 l/2-h $400 $100 For further information, please contact the editor Robert Parker at the UNH Research Greenhouses, Durham, NH 03824, (603) 862- 206 1 ; or PC Box 5, Newfields, NH 03856, (603) 778-8353. JUNE /JULY 1994 8"Jumbo Annuals PS. COLE Growersiia Your Doubte Intpatiens Source 240 North Village Road, Loudon, NH 03301 (603) 783-9561 Fax (603) 783-9562 LAN NURSERIES, 259 College Street, Magog JIX 2K4 will deliver during all summer Dogwood Hydrangea Potentilla Rugosa Rose Spirea CaU or fax us at (819) 843-5071 h. No taxes - No duties No freight charges Let Rough Brothers' expertise turn your greenhouse into a powerhouse — ^for profits. Call the experts at Rough Brothers for information and technical assistance on these quality products. Manufacturers of: • WhiteHouse • The International • Harvest House • The "2100" gutter-connected house • Free-standing poly arch houses • Techlite glazing • Ro-Flo benches • Ebb & Flo benches Distributors of • Alcoa Aluminum Fin Heating • Heating and ventilating equipment • Maintenance supplies, glass, parts Rough Brothers P.O. Box 16010, Cincinnati, Ohio 45216 ROUGH BROTHERS I I 1-800/543-7351 CD OWNERS! Are You Earning 8.30"|% G^.r I^^^J For One Year? No Annual Feesl Guaranteed Retiun of Principal! Multiple Income Features! CaU Now For More Information On Tax-deferred Annuities MICHAEL BARNEA Wageman Ins. Inc.| 1-800-439-2451 Golden Rule Insurance Company. Rated •A+' (Superior) by A.M. Best. TTiis rating indicates financial strength and stability. * This annuity includes a 3% first-year bonus. Rate as of 1-3-94, subject to change. 221A-1093 FormGRI-AN-10 FORUM Greenhouse Energy Audits VJarren W. Leary The New Hampshire Governor's Of- fice of Energy and Community Ser- vices, with the help of UNH Coop- erative Extension, has begun to de- velop an Agricultural Energy Pro- gram to help various agricultural in- terests in the state. As everyone knows, energy is a costly segment for any business — but this doesn't always need to be the case. Through proper maintenance of equipment, use of new technolo- gies, and good old Yankee ingenu- ity, we can help hold energy costs down. This not only means more profit for farmers and growers, but a healthier environment for every- one. One of the intentions of this program will be to help green- house growers manage energy us- age more efficiently through green- house energy audits. On-site au- dits will examine energy type and usage, equipment, building design and integrity, and such variables as temperature and humidity. This data will then be analyzed by a computer program that suggests and evaluates energy-saving mea- sures that are cost-effective for the grower. This same program was successful in Georgia, where grow- ers showed savings of as much as 25% after having implemented the recommended conservation mea- sures. The program here is still in its development stages, but we hope to be performing the first audits by the end of luly. Right now we are interested in receiving input from growers concerning aspects of the growing process that should be looked into or added to our pro- gram. We would also like to hear from any greenhouse suppliers. In- put from all aspects of the industry would be of great help to us as we develop a program that would genuinely assist New Hampshire growers in becoming more energy- efficient and profitable. WORKER PROTECTION STANDARD UPDATE May 3, 1994 Murray L. McKay ^Implementation of the general provisions of the worker protec- tion standard, originally scheduled for April 15, 1994, has been put off until lanuary I, 1995. Not all aspects of the standard, how- ever, have been delayed, and pesticide applicators will still have re- sponsibilities under the Standard during 1994. The breakdown is as follows: "During 1994, applicators must comply with any worker-protection requirements that are spelled out on the pesticide label. These In- clude label requirements for personal protective equipment, re- stricted entry Interval restrictions, and certain posting and other no- tifications for notifying workers of pesticide use. Certain restrictions for ^early entry' workers, agricultural emergencies, and protective equipment options for irrigation work are also In effect this year. "Most of the provisions, however, that are referenced' on the la- bel through the worker protection reference statement, will not be enforced until January 1, 1995. These Include requirements for pes- ticide safety training, decontamination, notification of workers about pesticide applications (where notification Is not specified), display of safety poster and specific application Information, and emergency assistance. "If you have already trained your workers and handlers, you will not have to retrain them in 1995 so long as you have documented the training and It was conducted by a qualified pesticide safety trainer. Agricultural employees, therefore, are encouraged to con- tinue to conduct training and to comply with all aspects of the Stan- dard during 1994, so that you will be that much further ahead next lanuary. "The delay in implementation has not affected the New Hampshire certification requirements: all private applicators and commercial ap- plicators who are certified under agricultural or forestry categories must now pass a worker protection test as part of the core examina- tion requirements. Certified applicators who have not yet taken a worker protection exam will have to do so prior to renewing their li- censes In 1995. All such applicators are urged to contact the Divi- sion of Cooperative Extension to schedule an exam. "If you have any questions as to your responsibilities under the Standard during 1994 please contact the ^ Division of Pesticide Control at (603) 271-3550.- Please free to contact me, War- ren Leary, at (603) 271-2611 or write to: Governor's Office of En- ergy and Community Services, 57 Regional Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Twilight Meeting On the evening of April 28, mem- bers and friends came to Northern Nurseries in Barrington for a chance to get together and see what Bob Averell, Northern's man- ager, calls a "meat-and-potatoes nursery operation." Northern is one of six wholesale distribution centers operating un- der that name as a division of Rob- ert Baker Companies. Bob has been here since it began in March, 1988, and as he gave a tour of the seven-acre facility and told about lUNE/lULY 1994 Northern Grown Trees Evergreens Shrubs Mon-Sac 7:00 -5:30 Sun: 9:00 - 5:00 O'DONAL'S Loated at junction of routes 22 & 114 Gorham, Maine 04038 Phone (207) 839-4262 or 839-6364 Fax 207-839-2290 We specialize in growing ^cimen plant materials. Perennial Display i Most of our 450 varieties are displayed in our gardens. Come wander. QUAiinr New England's Leading Full Line Seed House • Packet Seeds • Lawn Seed • Fertilizer • Grounds Maintenance Chemicals 1 (800) 326-HART FAST, COURTEOUS SERVICE The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. P.O. BOX 9169 WETHERSFIELD. CT 061 29-01 69 1 (800) 326-HART PRODUCTS COMPANY Lawn & Garden Limestone Decorative Landscape Stone White Plays and Bagged Bark Mulch Robert F. Myers 28 Horseshoe Drive, Scarborough, ME 04074 («00) 541-9127 FORUM how its design evolved, he tallied about such things as hardgoods of- fered (the "Mulch Monster"), the ir- rigation system (two pumps, a 100- gallon per minute well, a million- gallon pond, a 24,000 gallon above- ground storage tank), and buying trends ("People want larger mate- rial"). Afterwards the conversation con- tinued over refreshments (meatball subs) in the office. The NHPGA thanks Bob Averell and staff for their time and hospi- tality and wish them a successful 1994 season. ^ Welcome Members forever Green 178A Buffalo Road Rumney. NH 03266 Barbara ]udkins PO Box 267 Atkinson. NH 03811 Ken Francoeur 8 Maple Avenue tiewton. NH 03858 BOARD HIGHLIGHTS April 5, 1994 Bob, Chris, Henry, Roger, and Tammy met at Pleasant View; the meeting opened at 7:10. Chris reminded Board members that the ERNA Show at the Con- cord distributes all money beyond expenses to state organizations In proportion to the attendance from each state. The NHPGA received $465, which Isn't a lot, but Is worth our continued support. Forty members had not renewed and the list of their names was divided up among the Board. These people will be called and asked personally to renew. If they choose not to, hopefully the Board will receive suggestions on how to Improve the organization and Its relevance to members. A proposal by Andl Axman (Wordworker and marketing specialist) to organize a membership campaign (the Idea being that Increased membership would Increase The Plantsman circulation, which In turn would Increase interest In advertising) was looked over by the Board. However, several new businesses have chosen to place ads recently and no action was taken on Andl's proposal. It was decided to sponsor a trophy to be given for the best cut flower arrangement at the New Hampshire Orchid Society Show. Most aspects of the Summer Meeting seem to be in place. The Board discussed several possibilities for door prize and felt that a weekend away from work — something the person wouldn't arrange on their own — would be most appropriate. A questionnaire will be given to members at the Summer Meeting. It will be brief and concerned basically with what sort of plant mate- rial members would like to see promoted at next year's Farm & For- est. Not many filers were taken at this year's booth there, but the Board feels the concept Is solid, and that If next year's booth Is manned and fliers actively given out. It would successfully promote the NHPGA and the products of Its members. Roger will be writing the questionnaire and next year's fliers. The Board began discussing locations for I995's Summer Meeting. Wholesale Gold Star Wholesale Nursery is a family owned business. Since 195: have been offering the finest wholesale planting matenals to landscape contractors throughout the N.E. area along with the one element that tmly sets us apan from the competition... service. Gold Star welcomes your comments and suggestions. Make us your one-stop for the best in wholesale landscape supplie: wwmf taam IBi xit 18, 1-93, 1/2 mile ■ Tel: 800-287-4716 lUNE/JULY 1994 NEW H A M P HIRE NEWS 1994 New Hampshire Fairs JULY 28-31 North Haverhill fair, Fred C. Lee Memorial Field, N. Haverhill; for information: David Keith at 787-6696. JULY 29-31 Stratham fair, Route 101, Stratham; information: David Noyes at 431 -GAME. AUGUST 2-7 Cheshire Fair, Route 12, N. Swanzey; lohn Thurber at 357-4740. AUGUST 16-21 Lancaster Fair, Route U.S. 3, Lancaster; Bonnie Knapp at 636-2845. AUGUST 19-21 Cornish Fair, Town Hall Road, Cornish; Bob Bladen at 542-4622. AUGUST 20-21 Belknap County 4-H Fair, Mile Hill Road, Bel- mont; Tom Corbin at 524-5125. AUGUST 24-28 Plymouth State Fair (Take Exit 26 off 1-93); Fran Wendelboe at 536-2305. SEPTEMBER 1-5 Hopfcinton State Fair, Contoocook Fair Grounds, Contoocook; Alan Hardy at 746-4191. SEPTEMBER 9-1 1 Hillsboro County Agricultural Fair, Rte 13, New Boston; John Robertson at 588-6500 or Marge Rowe at 673-2510. SEPTEMBER 15-25 Rochester Fair, 72 Lafayette St., Roches- ter; Jeffrey Taylor at 332-6585. SEPTEMBER 29-OCTOBER 2 Deerfield Fair, Route 43, Deerfield; Robert Stevens at 463-7421. OCTOBER 8-10 Sandwich Fair, Center Sandwich; Earle Peaslee at 284-7062. All telephone area codes are 603. Welcome, New Board Member In March, Tammy Hathaway agreed to serve on the NHPGA Board. (We now have a full board.) Tammy's involved in several as- pects of the business — having worked at Michaud's in Exeter for eight years, she is now at Rolling Green in Greenland. She will con- tinue doing there what she has al- ways done — growing, gardening, sales.... She and her husband have also begun a cut-your-own flowers busi- ness (with an unusual assortment to pick from) at their own home. After a successful first year, they're expanding — this year, it's a wider assortment, larger bed, and an 8x10 shed at the end of the driveway. She's also an enthusiastic member of the Specialty Cut-Flower Asso- ciation and hopes to share with NHPGA members some of the in- formation she receives from them. Tammy's at 61 Squamscott Road, Stratham, NH 03885; she can be reached at 603-778-3912. New Product Back in )uly, 1993, the Rochester, New Hampshire, Organic Waste Composting Facility opened and began accepting leaves, brush, wood chips, and stumps. Sludge and wood ash were accepted be- ginning in the late fall. Towns throughout the area bring their organic wastes to the facility; nurserymen, landscapers, and homeowners bring small quantities as well. Each load is weighed and the party bringing it charged $10.00 a ton. The material is put into one of the 15 bays of the 44,000-square foot facility. For 21 days, it's turned daily and air hot enough to kill weed seeds and pathogens is driven through it. Then it's cured outdoors for a month. The product from all this is a compost called AllGro. And inter- national Process Systems, Inc. (a Wheelabrator Clean Water Com- pany) began marketing it on April 15. A lot of research and testing (some of it ongoing) has gone into the development of this compost; it's seen as an excellent soil condi- tioner and top soil substitute, use- ful in a wide range of applications. Advantages listed in a promotional brochure include increased soil aeration, nutrient and water reten- tion, and cation exchange capacity. AllGro is delivered directly in 50-to-60-yard truckloads to nurser- ies, garden centers, and landscap- ers (it's not yet available in smaller quantities). There's a two-tier price structure — one for users, a slightly lower one for distributors ("In this way, we protect our distributors," leff LeBlanc, Director of Marketing, says.) Accommodating and aggres- sively searching for new markets, leff is at 1-800-662-2440. Allgro is in Rochester at the Waste Management Landfill off Route 125 on Rochester Neck Road. NHPGA Scholarships Awarded The success of the auction at last year's Summer Meeting allowed the NHPGA to give two $750 scholar- ships this spring. As is traditional, one went to a student in the Department of Plant Biology, one to a student in the Thompson School. Scott Ridlon, Thompson School student, currently owns a small lawn care business in Milton Mills, New Hampshire. He's married, with two young sons, and owns his own home. He went back to school be- cause he felt "an education in the horticultural technology field would help me and my business become more marketable." After graduation, plans include "starting a small greenhouse for plant production, helping to reclaim an old farm and making it profitable and productive again, and making my own busi- ness financially stable and large enough to hire employees." Tracy Weber, student in the The Plantsman NEW HAMPSHIRE NEWS Plant Biology Department, decided to major in horticulture because "creating and maintaining gardens brought me an immense amount of satisfaction." After graduation, she'd like to study in Great Britain and, eventually, work in a public garden. Right now though, she's "open to any job opportunity in horticulture." Congratulations to both recipients. NHPGA Trophy Presented Nine AOS awards were given at the New Hampshire Orchid Society's (NHOS) lively and successful show at Bedford Mall on April 30 through May first. Four of these went to Darrin Norton and Chuck Ander- sen's Mountain Orchids (specializ- ing in miniatures) of Ludlow, Ver- mont, and included the AOS trophy for the Most Outstanding Exhibit. Cheryl Keim of Hampstead re- ceived a CCM (Certificate of Cul- tural Merit) for a Laelio Cattleya (37 blossoms) she grew on a win- dow sill. (That was the small one — she couldn't get the big one out of the house.) The NHA'T Teleflora Unit received the Best Cut Flower Arrangement Trophy, presented by the New Hampshire Plant Growers' Association. The trophy was a Pepi Hermann (a New Hampshire artisan specializing in hand-blown glass) vase with the NHOS symbol etched into it. Attendance was good (according to Joanna Eckstrom, the show's co- ordinator, over 3000 people at- tended and vendor sales were high as well). A show next year is al- ready being talked about, so re- serve the last weekend next April for a visit to 1995s bigger-and-bet- ter-than-ever. Summer Events There are summer events that, al- though not industry-related, are plant-related. Go yourself — for your own pleasure or, more pragmati- cally, to see what material is being used. If you can't attend, tell your customers about them. (Inspired customers produce sales.) POCKET GARDEN TOOR The Sixth Annual Unitarian-Univer- salist Portsmouth Pocket Garden Tour takes place June 24-25 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. A dozen or so gardens will be in- cluded. A wide of range of styles — formal, cottage, "ingenious" — are used. All should be interesting to see. A new feature will be the Friday night (5-8 pm) viewing. Music and refreshments will enhance the twi- light. On Saturday, the hours are from 9 to 3. Admission is $10 ei- ther day; tickets will be on sale at the Unitarian-Universalist Church, 292 State Street (a garden shop will be in the churchyard on Satur- day). For information, call (603) 743-5260. HAY ESTATE PLANT SALE The Historic Landscape Committee of the John Hay National Wildlife Refuge will hold its annual plant sale on Saturday, August 20, from 9 am until 1 pm at the Hay Estate on Route 103-A in Newbury, New Hampshire. Events include a rare plant auction at 11:30 and garden tours. Choice alpines, shrubs, and perennials will be offered for sale from specialty nurseries, in addi- tion to material from the Hay Es- tate and other local gardens. Park- ing and admission are free. Working under the guidance of the Garden Conservancy, the His- toric Landscape Committee and its director. Bill Noble, are developing long-range plans for the restoration of the Hay Estate gardens to their appearance during their peak de- velopment in the i930s and the creation of a horticultural center for northern New England. Proceeds from the sale will benefit these ef- forts. (Directions: From Concord, take 1-89 N to Exit 9 (Route 103) toward Newbury; in Newbury, take 103-A north 2.2 miles — the estate will be on your left. From Hanover, take 1-89 S to Exit 12 (Route 1 1 W); Route 1 1 intersects immediately with 103-A; go south on Route 103- A for 5.5 miles — the estate will be on your right.) lUNE/IULY 1994 ELSEWHERE NEWS Manual Available A new manual— 1994 New England Management Recommendations for In- sects. Diseases and "Weeds of Shade Trees and "Woody Ornamentals — offers latest information on virtually all insects, diseases, and weeds of woody plants in New England. It includes the current and legal listings of chemical compounds labeled for the management of these pests, as well as integrated pest manage- ment considerations for most of them. Information about fertiliza- tion of woody plants, a listing of low-maintenance trees and shrubs, and growing degree day informa- tion for most of the insect pests in included. This manual was created by Ex- tension professionals and by for- esters from all six New England states, the US Forest Service, and the UMASS Urban Forestry Diag- nostic Lab. To order, send a check for $20. (payable to the University of Mas- sachusetts) to Bulletin Center, Cot- tage A, Thatcher Way, UMASS, Amherst, MA 01003. For informa- tion, contact Kathleen Carroll at (413) 545-0995. Composting & Recycling Resource Book Available The Pennsylvania Nurserymen's As- sociation (PNA) has announced the availability of a new publication on composting and other resource conservation practices. The publi- cation, Recycling and Resource Conser- vation, a Reference Guide for Nursery and Landscape Industries, is available through the PNA office. "The publication is a practical reference manual of technical infor- mation and proven practices which addresses composting landscape debris, recycling plastics, reducing and recycling water in greenhouses as well as container and nursery in- dustries, and more efficient use of fertilizers and other chemicals in nursery crop production and land- scaping. While many resources ex- LABYRINTH IN POITIERS CATHEDRAL. Reprinted from Mazes and Labyrinths by W.H. Matthews ist for any one of these topics, there was no one source for simple and practical information until this publication was introduced." For information or to request an order form, write the PNA. 1924 North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102, or call (717) 238-1673. Asian Gypsy Moth Emergency Declared from AAN Update, April 4 On March 9, Secretary of Agricul- ture Mike Espy declared an emer- gency due to an infestation of Asian Gypsy Moth in eastern North Carolina. As a result, $8.7 million in federal funding has been made available to conduct an eradication program on roughly 130,000 acres near Wilmington. A similar eradica- tion program was conducted — ap- parently successfully — in the Pacific Northwest in 1992. Introducing... •CHRISTINE- (from Nursery Retailer, March/April, 1994) The FloraStar Board of Directors has announced 'Christine' as the winning garden mum from Yoder Brothers' Prophets series. (Flora- Star is a subsidiary of the PPGA; its trialing program selects new variet- ies of potted plants for promotion in industry-wide marketing efforts.) ■Christine' has bronze vibrant color with a good keeping quality and was described by the judges as displaying "excellent, non-fading color, with lasting blooms and post-harvest keeping." For more, FloraStar at (708) 963-7001 •TOOLITTLE' from Greenhouse Manager, April 1994 A mutant sport of Ficus henjamina discovered by Parrish Tropicals manager )im Atchison in 1988 is taking the bonsai market by storm. But the tiny ficus, named 'Toolittle' for its minuscule internodes and dainty curved leaves, also shows promise for topiaries, small "stan- dard" trees and miniature bushes. Parrish Tropicals has been sell- ing 'Toolittle' for just about one year and has applied for a plant patent on it. The cultivar is such a dwarf that the original plant has grown to just four feet in five years. It's currently available only in 2-, 4-, and 6-inch pots. "It is so petite and 'tight' in general that it looks like a small tree," Atchison said. "It makes a great starter bonsai. A true bonsai it is not." For more: Parrish Tropicals, Inc., 16320 Carter Road, Delray Beach, FL 33446; (407) 498-4558; fax (407) 498-0134. AND COT VIBURNUM from Nursery Retailer, March/April 1994 Viburnum production in Holland has grown more than 10% annually in the last few years to meet con- sumer demand. Popularly known in North America as a 'snowball,' Viburnum was "rediscovered" a few years ago for the exclusivity of its stalks and the current trends to- ward round shapes and "back to nature" themes. Wiburnum opulus Roseum' is the only variety grown, but it is found in widely varying forms. There are short stocks with one or two flower heads, particulariy suited for small hand-tied bouquets; others with long stalks and four clusters are suitable for decorative binding and arranging. Consumers are attracted to the beautiful change in color; the buds, which are still green during the trading phase, slowly change during flowering until they attain their fi- nal white. The Viburnum has a vase life of about 14 days. Stalks should be wrapped in bunches of ten and traded in water. Retailers are ad- vised to use shrubbery nutrient to \combat the growth of bacteria, and the consumer should also be sup- plied with a sachet of shrubbery nutrient. This will improve water intake and development of flower clusters. (Its important to recog- nize that shrubbery nutrient is only suitable for bouquets in which only shrubbery is used. When used in combination with other types of cut flowers, use a general cut flower nutrient.) Viburnum is available at Dutch auctions from February through May. ^ PPGA HIGHLIGHTS Professional Plant Growers Association is developing special interest groups (SIGs) to meet the needs of the various segments of the PPGA membership. The Geranium SIG has been In operation for more than a year — now a Retail SIG has been established. It's designed to help small garden centers build their businesses, growers diversify into retailing, and larger retailers train their staffs. The Retail SIG is developing ways to help its members succeed. Seminars present the principles of merchandising and display in a prac- tical, hands-on manner. Tours of successful retail businesses show re- tailing principles in action and give participants ideas to take back to their home stores. Four newsletters go to members each year — two of- fering retailing ideas and information for store managers — and two that can be used as consumer newsletters to be sent to customers. Barbara Falls of Michigan State University has been appointed coordi- nator and organizer of Retail SIG activities, seminars, newsletters, and services. Fails is an Associate Professor at IV1SU with a Ph.D in floricul- ture from Virginia Tech. She's taught retail floriculture for 13 years and has created and manages an on-campus retail flower and plant store where she trains students In retail floriculture. For commercial floral re- tailers, Fail developed a retailing short-course she teaches each sum- mer— and a retail greenhouse evaluation program to help improve mer- chandising. Retail SIG membership dues are $16? a year. This includes the newslet- ters and reduced rates on all Retail SIG events. Seminar/tour combina- tions are scheduled during PPGA's 1994 conference in Buffalo, NY, in September — and again in |une, 1995. For Information, contact PPGA, PO Box 27517, Lansing, MI 48909- 0517; the phone number there Is 1 -800-64 7-PPGA. ^ Newton Greenhouse 32 Amesbury Road, Newton, NH 03858 603-382-5289 Quality Plants green and flowering from 3" to 10" pots Holiday, bedding plants, & dish gardens year round cut snaps, cut tulips and iris in season, gloxinias and African violets Licensed propagator of Mikkelsen & Ecke New Guinea Impatiens Cabpentedc^ "The Qeranium Specialists" Wholesale Growers 2 1/2" Geraniums (year round) 4" Pre-finished Geraniums 2 1/2" Ivy Geraniums & Fuchsia Martha Washington Geraniums Spring Hanging Baskets, Lilies/Bulbs Azaleas, Cyclamen, Poinsettias, Foliage JOHN B. CARPENTER, President ROBERT J. CARPENTER, Generai Manager 603/659-3391 220 SOUTH MAIN STREET NEWMARKET, NH 03857 lUNE/IULY 1994 HARRY STOLLER & CO., Inc. 109-113 Essex St., Haverhill, Mass. 01830, (508) 373-6838, (800) 322-0332 We cater to the small and medium size nursery in any quantity desired: 1. New heavy grade domestic burlap sqs. untreated & no-rot-treated 2. Open burlap bags 3. New windbreak burlap 4. Balling bags 5. Wire baskets 6. Flat-folded burlap basket liners 7. Truck covers 8. Sisal twine & poly twine 9. Woven polypropylene sqs. Laughlon's C^iarilen Center Inc. Cat Laughion, Florist Ml irior-o\/ o-r^/^i^ ammi.aio CHARLES LAUGHTON • PRESIDENT NURSERY STOCK • ANNUALS dave polygreen - nursery sales PERENNIALS FERTILIZERS • INSECTICIDES LAUGHTONS Distributors of Sentinel Foam Overwinter Blankets WHOLESALE AND RETAIL NURSERY Tel. 1-800-633-0159 155-165 Princeton Blvd. No. Chelmsford, MA 01863 CALL FOR QUALITY SOD AND SERVICE (^monHf ROUTE 3A LITCHFIELD. NH 1-800-556-6985 ^ » Big Rolls with Roll-out Service » Convenient Farm Pick-up » Prompt Delivery Service WE SUPPORl Fair is for MICHAUD Nurseries & Greenhouses, Inc. %^c ,]| Route 85 — PO Box 334 — Exeter, MH 03833 ' (603) 772-3698 Wholesale & Retail Nursery y_'>^ Annuals, Perennials. Murserv Stock. Landscape Supplies SUMMER MEETING continued from back cover But this is only part of the story. Quality plant material and innovative retailing is another For these, visitors will go by bus to Bill Stock- man's Spider Web Gardens a few miles away Begun in the 30s by Bills grand- father, Spider Web has become one of the Lakes Regions better known es- tablishments— a place well worth a visit. Bill will lead tours. Or the visitor can stay and look around himself and take a later bus back. There will be jumbo annuals and perennials and combination pots, as well as a half acre of cut-your-own flowers (glads, cosmos, zinnias, asters). One of the main themes will be how to expand sales when selling out of a small (1,000 square foot) shop. One way is to use a tent; an- other is to create sales islands in the parking lot. Other innovative techniques include the creation of the "Spider Web Garden Club." Members get a card on which the amounts they've spent are re- corded. When a cer- tain total is reached, the person can get $5. of merchandise free. This encourages return visits and keeps the mailing list updated as well. Along with visiting these two places, there will be an opportunity to talk with vendors at the tailgate trade show (the list is growing....) In the af- ternoon, the main event is the auc- tion to support our scholarship fund. Peter Callioras from The Auction Pro- fessionals will again contribute his ser- vices as auctioneer (and entertainer). Perillos of Manchester is catering lunch (one of his fine all-you-can-eat barbecues — chicken, hot dogs, ham- burgers, sausages, a choice of salads, corn-on-the-cob....) ...and for those who want a very full day, Castle-in-the-Clouds is just up the road from Ed's (his barn was built to house the workers who built it) and open until 5:30. Preregistration is $25 ($30 at the door); there is a door prize, as yet unannounced. See you on the 17th. ^ SUPPORT THESE FINE PEOPLE; THEY SUPPORT THE NHPGA. Exhibitors include. AllGro Bailey Nurseries B.E. Supply Blue Star Peat Moss Britton Greenhouses Cavicchio Greenhouses Charter Oak Landscape & Nursery Conard-Pyle Company Conrad Fafard D.A. Posocco D.S. Cole Growers IV Seasons Marketing Gloekner Company Gold Star Wholesale Nurseries Griffin Greenhouse Supplies Jolly Farmer Knoxland Equipment LAN Nurseries Mlllane Nurseries New England Nursery Sales Northeast Nursery Northern Nurseries Orchard Equipment & Supply Plerson Nurseries Plants International Pot Specialists Quansett Nurseries The Robert W. Baker Company Spence Farm Sharon Sales Syracuse Pottery Tuckahoe Turf Farms W.H. Minkowski Western Maine Nurseries Yankee Gardener Greenhouses & Nursery Bvduceheamierlaum, gafdem,treesand^nibs uMMGnf^'ampost ■ Increase nutrient and water retention m Provide natural fertilization for long term growth. ■ Increase organic matter to redur" compaction and erosioti m Provide slow release of CI i nitrogen and trace minerals '~ m Prevent turf diseases from forming. ■ Improve soil aeration and consistant root development. u Be assured that it is a weed free product. m Save money over using topsoiis. peattnoss and manures. . The Compost Company AUGro Inc., Liberty Lane, Hampton, NH 03842 800.662.2440 Richard C. Zoerb 600 Mamaroneck Ave. Harrison, NY 10528 72 Hawkstead Hollow Nashua, NH 03063 603 886-8665 STEENBURG & CALLIORAS THE AUCTION PROFESSIONALS, INC. ™ AUCTIONEERS: Archie Steenburgh 603/989-5690 Route 10, Haverhill, NH 03765 Peter Callioras, C.A.I. 603/868-1070 Calef Highway (Lee), Dover, NH 03820 jUNE/JULY ]994 Floriculture's Fountain 0/ Youth Dr. Peter S. Konjoian For centuries, man has been searching for the elusive 'Fountain of Youth'. We have experi- mented with all kinds of compounds, practices, and beliefs that would successfully extend life by maintaining one's juvenility. Have we succeeded? Have we made progress? Each of us may answer these questions differently; however, one thing can be stated with certainty. Although we are living longer, it does not appear that we are living longer younger. I would like to discuss the topic of juvenil- ity as it pertains to plants in this article. There are times when understanding plant growth helps us to explain aspects of animal physiology. Plants seem to be simpler and easier to understand. For ten years now, I have been researching the ef- fects of ethylene on floricultural crops. During my days in graduate school at Ohio State University in the late seventies, 1 learned a lot about how bad this hormone can be to floricultural crops once they've been harvested. A whole discipline evolved called post-harvest physiology, with its practical counterpart for growers being post-harvest care and handling. 'We devoted so much time and energy to this new discipline of horticulture that, in my opin- ion, we created a monster. Don't get me wrong — I'm not saying that our understanding of post-harvest physiology is incorrect. But i am saying that we've become so preoccupied with thinking of ethylene as the bad boy on the block that we've almost missed how very beneficial it can be during the production (or pre-harvest) stage of crop development. As I became fascinated with this hormone's story, my research gained momentum. With each experi- ment, I am finding that this simplest of plant hor- mones, the only one that occurs naturally as a gas, was not put into plants to contribute only to aging and senescence and death. Later in a plant's life, all these things are true. But early in a crop cycle, while the plant is growing and building itself, ethylene has quite the opposite effects. It prevents flowering and stimulates branching, resulting in more juvenile and active plant growth. Because ethylene occurs naturally as an odorless, tasteless gas, it is difficult to apply accurately enough even in controlled settings to yield consis- tent results. To date, ethylene gas is used routinely in supermarket warehouses, in sealed rooms, to trig- ger the ripening process in bananas and tomatoes. However, in a commercial greenhouse, you can quickly see that using etylene gas would be ex- tremely uncontrollable. Think of how important it is to have furnaces burning cleanly and efficiently. If they are not, ethylene is a common by-product of in- complete combustion. And, once it is released in a tightly sealed New England greenhouse and circu- lated with either a fan jet or horizontal air flow sys- tem, it does not take long for a crop to be exposed. The solution to this problem was to somehow lock the ethylene up in a solution and apply it to the plant in a liquid form. Almost 30 years ago, this was accomplished by chemists. The liquid compound was named ethephone and it was given the trade name "Florel". Since then, if one considers agriculture on a global scale, ethephon is considered to be the most widely-used chemical growth regulator. In the United States, about 90% of the ethephon used is for cotton, to open the bolls uniformly. If you have any farming your background — vegetable, to be exact, you may have used a product named "EthreT'.to accelerate ripening of tomatoes. This is just a different formula- tion of ethephon. The beauty of ethephon (or Florel as we know it in our business) is that the application is completely localized. That is to say, if I have two geranium plants side-by-side and spray one with Florel, the untreated plant will not be affected at all. The plants can be inches apart, but as long as there is no spray drift carrying material to the untreated plant, it will show absolutely no effects. Notice that I mention drift. This is very important: spray drift will have an effect on plants, and care and planning must there- fore be practiced when treating crops. As I mentioned earlier, Florel's effect on floricul- tural crops are numerous. It prevents flower initiation and aborts already initiated flower buds. These ef- fects are desirable on stock plants because all of the plants photosynthates are channeled into vegetative growth. This effect is also beneficial for rooted cut- tings and recently transplanted finished crops be- cause premature flowering can be eliminated. During each of these production stages, hand labor is saved because flowers and flower buds do not have to be removed. Florel also stimulates lateral branching on all stages of crop development from stock plants to rooted cuttings to finished plants. Labor savings once again are substantial. Florel also acts as a 'typi- cal' growth regulator in inhibiting internode elonga- tion, thereby controlling stem stretch. ^ If you are interested in learning more about Florel's "Fountain of \outfi" potential and how to harness the fascinating effects of this plant hormone, please contact me. I hold workshops at my kndover, Massachusetts, greenhouse range, have an entire notebook available that contains all of my Florel writings, and publish a regular newsletter on the effects of Florel on floricultural crops. I can be reached at 508-683-0692. 12 The General Principals of Biological Pest Control Michael S. Cherim STARTING OUT In any biological pest control (BPC) program, there exists a dramatic learning curve. And, as in all new ventures, time should be given to learning and understanding the concepts and idiosyncracies surrounding it. As a rule, if you're new to BPC, never make the transition, committing your entire operation, all at once. It's best to make a dedicated transition of one section at a time (5-25% of your op- eration perhaps, depending on its size, the crop be- ing raised, and of course, your own tolerance). When you feel comfortable with the control obtained in that section and with the knowledge you've gained, move on to another, and so on, until the entire op- eration is converted. When this happens, you'll not only have bettered the environment — you'll be sav- ing some money. THE TOOLS When using predators and parasites, it is best not to use chemical pesti- cides. This doesn't mean that your hands are tied, though. After all, you have several non-chemica weapons, which work well with the various organisms, at your disposal. Such weapons include, but are not limited to, traps (including "trap"- or- "catch-crops" and items such as sticky traps), lures (for both good and bad bugs), barriers (environmental, cultural and physical), bacteria, microbes, pathogens, insecticidal soap and horticultural oil (if carefully applied), vacu- uming (good for whitefly adults), and even hand- picking (while not practical on the large scale, can be accomplished on the small scale when monitoring or scouting. After all, any pest you kill is a pest which will cause no further damage or bear young). ANOTHER TOOL.. .BEING IN THE KNOW You should become familiar with the identification of bugs, good as well as bad. This is necessary when monitoring. Getting a good hand lens, a IOx-30x, is also highly recommended. You should also become familiar with the life cycles of the bugs. The more knowledge you have of your friends and foes, the better able you'll be to cope with your situation. A detailed identification guide — especially one that covers BPC agents (beneficial insects) in great detail — is highly recommended. Your local university library or BPC agent supplier should be able to help you locate such a publication. LETTING NATURE HELP As there are a lot more beneficial species of indig- enous organisms than there are of pest species, pest exclusion is not always recommended. It is, in many cases, to your advantage to get rid of the screens isolating your greenhouse from the rest of the worid. As you know, the pests still get inside anyway, but the good bugs usually don't. The beneficial species, of which there are hundreds indigenous to your area, usually have plenty of food sources outside, so it is there that they stay. Natural control of pests is the most effective there is, and when you have a green- house which is open, as well as one with a less toxic microenvironment, the good bugs will be eager to come in and lend a hand. Additionally, the intro- duced BPC agents will stay longer, work harder andestablish themselves more readily. This results in fewer introductions of purchased beneficial species, especially in the summer months, thus extending a notable savings. THE HOW TO By far the best way to use BPC agents, as a general rule, is to make repeated introductions of limited quantities rather than hitting the area with massive quantities in a onetime inoculation. Repeated re- leases will result in a generational overlap. In other words, you'll always have beneficials in various life forms, some of which will be the form which is useful to the agribusiness. It is also k[qh\\i recommended to act as soon as possible after pests are noticed, or in many cases, to act preventively. Normally, a BPC agent supplier or insectary will require a certain amount of lead time prior to shipping your order. In most cases, a week's notice is necessary. Confmuerf on wex( paae lUNETlULY 1994 BIOLOGICAL PEST CONTROL Continued from page 13 KNOWING WHAT TO EXPECT Unlike pestiferous species, beneficials do not sit in one spot, sucking plant juices and making a home for them- selves. Beneficials like to roam. Most are nomadic, laying eggs, etc where the pests are. Beneficials will actively seek new prey and hosts This is their job. It is how they survive. Many growers are disappointed by this because they can't readily pinpoint their investment. Most beneficials are very small, and this, in combination with their active behavior, makes them very hard to find. The best way to know that they are there is to look for the re- sults of their activity. Their discreteness has its advan- tages: they won't swarm your employees or, more impor- tantly (in a retail operation), your customers. Though most of your customers will have a basic understanding of beneficials. many do not like to see bugs, period. If they do happen to see some beneficials, negative reactions can usually be countered by hanging a sign stating that "Beneficial Insects" are in use. This sign definitely has a more positive effect than the old skull-and-cross-bones. Most customers will be pleased to know that they might be taking some beneficials home with their purchase. You may also want to retail some popular beneficials yourself. Some popular choices are ladybug beetles, praying mantis egg cases (which have esthetic appeal but aren't very use- ful as BPC agents) and parasitic nematodes. All of these beneficials can be stored in a refrigerator. If this sounds like something you would like to offer your customers, contact your local BPC agent supplier/wholesaler. ^ The doctor is in — Michael S. Cfierim is the owner of The Green Spot. Department of Eio-\ngenuity, 93 Priest Road, Barrington, NH 03825. He offers 39 BPC agent species to retail and commercial clients. He is also a wholesaler. For a free catalog or telephone consultation, call (603) 942- 8925. "Learning today is easier than catching up tomorrow." The More You Qdw, The More You Know. We've been in this business a long ume. We know our A ^ ,^^^nrth PH^t ^iJf^PKV Jtir ustomer's needs and demands. It do^nt make a difference of the C^ ^l"^ Ul lIlf^UAI. iVM./3C;/_y, lUL. :'ve been in this business a long lime. We know our customer's needs and demands. It dosen't make a difference of the , time of year or the size of the project. Northeast Nursery covers it f ^] all. With the widest selection in wholesale plant materials and ^^ landscape supplies in all of New England it's no wonder many consider Northeast Nursery the best One-Stop shopping for all your landscape and green supplies. Supplying Fine Plant Material & Landscape Supplies TiA Newbury Street, Rt. 1 South Peabody, MA 01960 Tel. (508) 535-6550 Fax (508) 535-5247 ^HOLESAU Price List Available PERENNIAL - HERBS - WILDFLOWERS 80 Varieties in 6-cell packs UPS Shipping Available ROUTE 101 P.O. Box 26 Dublin^ N.H. 603-56^-8180 Annuals bedding Plants (6 cell packs) Zonal Geraniums-4^ ' pot Hardy Mums in season SViqt.pan Perenials available in 2qt. - 3qt. - 4qt. and 6qt. pots PRUNERS ■ LADDERS ■ SPRAYERS FORKLIFTS PUMPS ROUTE 116, P.O. BOX 540 CONWAY, MA 01341 413-369-4335 For Friendly, Courteous, Efficent, Technical Service CALL US AT 1-800-634-5557 FOR INFORMATION AND CATALOGS HOSE ■ TANKS ■ REELS ■ MOWERS ■ SAFETY EQUIPMENT AGNOSTIC UPDATE I can usually tell when spring has arrived (or at least is on its way) by the increase in the number of samples arriving the Plant Diagnos- tic Lab, and this year is no excep- tion. The number of samples doubled during April and early May. Although there were numer- ous conifer and broad-leaf ever- green samples, the majority were from greenhouse crops. The prob- lems diagnosed on greenhouse crops were primarily edema on ivy geranium, botrytis pythuim, and three cases of bacterial blight of geraniums. Thanks to the whims of Mother Nature, weather conditions during January-March were very conducive to development of edema. In several cases, the sever- ity of the edema was such that the leaves shriveled and died. BACTE- RIAL BLIGHT in this years gera- nium crop has been confirmed by diagnostic labs throughout most of the northeast. In greenhouses, the most common symptom is wilting of one or more leaves even though the soil is moist. Leaf spotting, al- though less common that wilt, may occur if severely infected plants are present nearby. Leaf spot de- velops when the bacteriums splashed from one plant onto an- other or drips from hanging baskets onto plants below. Leaf spotting is usually accompanied by yellowing, often in a V-shaped pattern. The symptoms on ivy geranium are not as obvious as those on seed and zonal types. On ivy geraniums, the symptoms are easily confused with edema or nutrient imbalances. If bacterial blight is suspected, a laboratory diagnosis is necessary to confirm the presence of the bacte- rium. If confirmed, strict measures are needed to reduce potential crop loss. Plants cannot be cured or protected by pesticide sprays or drenches. Therefore: 1. Infected plants should be destroyed and soil should not be reused 2. Suspicious plants should be isolated 3. Tools, pots, flats, and bench tops, should be sterilized with 10% bleach. Many conifers and broad-leaf ev- ergreens took a beating this winter, particularly hemlocks. Besides the usual damage caused by salt injury to roadside planting, many hem- locks are showing symptoms of desiccation caused by the combi- nation of the extremely cold tem- peratures and dry winds of this past winter. Last summer's drought also stressed many trees that were accustomed to growing in relatively wet sites. Trees less that six feet that have turned completely brown will probably not survive. However, wait a few more weeks to evaluate their condition before you replace or remove them. )une and July are 'big' months for plant diseases. Watch for BROWN PATCH, PYTHIUM BLIGHT, and LEAF SPOTS on turf (water in the morning and avoid excessive nitrogen). Lilac shoots infected with bacterial blight should be pruned during dry conditions. FIRE BLIGHT infected shoots (strikes') on crab apples, hawthorn, cotoneaster, or mountain ash should be pruned during dry conditions (sterilize tools between each cut). Watch for the leaf spots or dieback associ- ated with DOGWOOD ANTHRA- CNOSE and prune any severely in- fected or dying twigs and branches. The severity of LEAF SPOTS and POWDERY MILDEWS can be re- duced through the use of sanitation measures plus cultural techniques that increase air circulation. One interesting 'disease' often shows up on bark mulch at this time of year.. SLIME MOLD (simply rake or shovel them up. or wait and they'll either blow away during dry weather or wash away during the next good rain). Remind your cus- tomers (as well as yourselves) that proper planting (depth and spac- ing) and cultural techniques (sani- tation and mulching) go a long way toward preventing plant problems. If you wish to submit plant material to the PDDL for diagnosis, send sample to-. Dr. Cheryl Smith, Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab, Nesmith Hall, UNH, Durham, NH 03824. Samples should be accompanied by an identification form (available from your county Cooperative Extension office). There is no fee [at this time). Cheryl Smith is the UNH Cooperative Extension Specialist in Plant Health, and can be reached at (603) 862-3841. »» WHOLESALE NURSERY TREES • EVERGREENS • SHRUBS 150 acres of quality plants Write for catalog Member: MNA. NENA Millers Falls Road. Turners Falls. MA 01376 Telephone 413- 863-2510 S tewart^ NURSERY, Inc lUNE/lULY 1994 "Helping You To Grow" B.E. SUPPLY i^- GREENHOUSE SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT Hemlock Rd. - Langdon , .^ Mailing Address: P.O. Box 0 ■l'^\ \ ■* — Charlestown, New Hampshire 03603 Nu-Form Products • Pre-filled Flats &. Pots Restricted Pesticides -Fertilizers • Kord Products • Distributors for Plasti Form &. Plasti Vac • Distributors for Hyde Park &. Sunshine Soils 603-835-6930 fax: 603-835-2180 Poinsettia Pest Management ALAN T. EATON UNH Cooperative Extension UNH Cooperative Extension ran a pilot poinset- tia IPM program in 1993. Since we were trying it out (and 1 was learning myselfl, we did not offer the program to all interested growers. Instead, we looked for experienced growers who were close to the university, kept good records, and were inter- ested. We decided on two locations. Newton Green- houses included roughly 8000 square feet for poin- settias and produced cuttings on the site. Pleasant View Gardens devoted roughly 26,000 square feet to poinsettias and brought in cuttings. From the time of cutting arrival until December 1, the two sites were visited weekly. We used sticky cards, examined plants, and kept records of pesticide applications. Extension workers performed the scouting and dis- cussed the results and recommendations every week with the managers. By the end of the season, it was clear that NH poinsettia producers could benefit from such a program. As this issue of The Plantsman goes to press, it is unclear what the funding picture will be for fiscal year 1995 (Oct. 1, 1994 to Sept. 30. 1995). If suffi- cient funding is available. Extension will offer a full IPM program for the 1994 crop, patterned after the pilot program. If funds are tight, some alternate method of program delivery will be used, possibly involving grower meetings, scouting demonstrations, identification clinics and/or regular visits to inter- ested managers. Irrespective of the funding situa- tion, some kind of poinsettia IPM program will be of- fered this coming season. Wfiflt follows is an overview of the important points in management of whitefly problems that we learned as a result of the pilot program. By following these steps, you may be able to improve the way you handle whitefly problems, and possibly save money at the same time. Following the program, the growers with whom we worked were able to produce crops that were al- most entirely free of whiteflies at the time of sale. Visits to several other greenhouses convinced us that many New Hampshire growers are far from achieving this. Whiteflies are the most serious of the pest problems poinsettia growers face. Time does not allow for the coverage of all pest problems in this article (and still meet press deadline!), so 1 will concentrate on this one. ■ CLEAN STARTUP/KEEP IT CLEAN. This is the best approach in dealing with whiteflies. It is particularly true with poinsettias because 1) late cleanup of APRIL /MAY 1994 17 -J*- problems is very difficult and 2) the crop becomes very sensitive to pesticide applications after the bracts color up. Spraying after bract coloring might control the pests, but injure the crop and severely re- duce its salability. Never allow the plants to become heavily infested. The idea is to keep them clean. ■ COMPLETELY ELIMINATE UNDER-BENCH WEEDS. Plants that grow under the benches are not hit by pesticide applications, so they serve as refuges for aphids, whiteflies and other insects. From this spot, the insects can keep reinfesting your crop. Out of sight, out of mind! with whom we worked ■ ELIMINATE VEGETATION GROW- ING WITHIN FIVE FEET OF THE GREENHOUSE EXTERIOR. You may wish to use mulch or gravel to keep plants from growing in this area. In- sects that live on them are easily sucked into the greenhouse through vents and doorways If elimination is not appropriate, keeping the veg- etation low may help. Do not mow vegetation near the vents when fans are on and air is being sucked in. were able to produce crops that were almost entirely free of whiteflies T*r Jnspect all plants and cuttings immediately upon arrival. This will allow you to reject those that are in- fested, before they spread. Upon arrival, place them in a "quarantine" area — one removed from your other plants, so they are protected while you examine the new arrivals. Many cuttings arrive with low numbers of whiteflies. A few shipments are badly infested. Probably few shipments are completely clean. Take the time to examine the undersides of leaves, preferably with a magnifying glass or hand lens. An hour or two now could save much time later, and avoid costly problems. If re- jecting the shipment is a difficult option, at least you can treat the incoming material with an appropri- ate pesticide before the problem spreads. the growers at the time of sale. ■ "PET" PLANTS. Plants that stay in the greenhouse year after year (your favorite potted orange tree, for example) may serve as refuges for thrips, whiteflies, aphids, fungus gnats, or other pests. Removing them from the poinsettia house will insure they won't spread pests to your poinsettias. ■ CONSIDER SCREENING ALL VENTS. Data from sticky cards last year strongly demonstrate how many insects are sucked into the greenhouse during ventila- tion. When venting stopped, the number of insects on the cards dropped sharply. This drop also oc- curred after the first good frost. Covering vents with fine screening (400 holes per square inch) will prevent virtually all insects from getting through. You may have to increase your fan size to compensate for re- duced air flow or build frames around the vents to in- crease the screened area. ■ DISCOURAGE WORKERS FROM WEARING YELLOW OR YELLOW-GREEN CLOTHING. Winged stages of aphids and whiteflies are strongly attracted to these colors. Wearing such clothing can cause workers to in- advertently carry insects from one section to another. ■ MONITORING WHITEFLY POPULATIONS IS VALU- ABLE. Regular checking will allow you to maximize the effectiveness of insecticides applied for whitefly. You can tell when and where treatments are needed, determine if sprays have been effective, aiid tell when treatments are not needed. The most effective pro- gram includes both sticky cards and plant inspections. Yellow sticky cards are commercially available and easy to use. We set them on bamboo stakes. As the plants grew, we kept the cards just above the canopy. Yellow sticky cards only tell us where adults are (and therefore where to expect egg laying). We followed (adults!) whiteflies, aphids, shore flies, fungus gnats and thrips with the cards. One card for no more than 1000 square feet of production area is recommended. We checked weekly, but more frequent checking is more helpful. Renters Oiarben (£,m\et Jnc. 656 South Mammoth Road (Rte. 28A) Manchester, Nfl 03109-5049 (603) 625-8298 • Fax (603) 622-4073 Nursery • Greenhouses Craft & Christmas Shop We Support The Plantsman Since 1890 allyourneeds: at^c/u'm P.O. Box 160. King