Breeding disease-resistant Port Orford cedar for reforestation and the horticulture industry By Ryan Contreras and Richard Sniezko Port Orford cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) is a long-lived conifer native to northwestern California and southwestern Oregon. It spans an elevational range from sea level to 5,000 feet or more. In forestry, the tree has both economic and ecological […]
Call it ‘herbal distancing’
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Research shows that spacing out boxwood shrubs in production prevents the spread of infectious spores By Mana Ohkura, Lloyd Nackley, Carolyn Scagel and Jerry E. Weiland It’s been a year and a half since the COVID-19 pandemic started. We have been hearing how social distancing prevents the spread of the virus and we see signs […]
A fine, low input turf
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Researchers look into the helpful properties of fine fescue turgrasses By Alec Kowalewski, Emily Braithwaite and Ruying Wang Fine fescue is a group of different cool-season turfgrasses in the Festuca genus with narrow or fine leaves (Image 1). These grasses are generally known for excellent shade and cold tolerance, as well as persistence when maintained […]
Nixing nostoc
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Researchers ‘go to the mats’ to test various control products By Marcelo L Moretti and David King Nostoc are cyanobacteria colonies that can grow where abundant moisture is available. These bacteria form continuous colonies that resemble mats covering gravel, plastic, concrete, or flat surfaces. Nostoc grow during the spring and summer and create a slippery […]
Villains of the greenhouse
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When seedlings fail, Rhizoctonia damping-off, root and stem rot may be the cause There is so much hope for the future when we plant seeds, but that can be dashed when they don’t emerge, or when they fall over soon after popping out of the media. There are many fungi that live and survive in […]
The cold shoulder season
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Nursery growers effectively use cold storage to support sales of deciduous trees Plants in the Pacific Northwest experience a wide range of temperatures, from hot, dry summers to cold, wet winters. Deciduous plants grow when conditions are favorable. They enter dormancy when environmental conditions are too cold, dark, or otherwise unsuitable for growth. Deciduous trees, […]
The battle with Bambi
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Growers have several tools available to defend against plant damage from deer and elk Oregon’s deer and elk are prized by hunters and non-hunters alike, and thus represent an income-generating game and wildlife-viewing species for many communities across the state. But for many nursery operators, these majestic animals are a serious detriment. Deer, elk, and […]
Knowing your cedar pests
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Grower awareness of problems can protect both grower and customer It’s important to be aware of issues in the landscape and forest, as they can become problems in the nursery or for your customers. Cedar trees have a number of pest and problems to be aware of, from abiotic disorders to insects and diseases. Some […]
Silicon: the non-essential beneficial nutrient for plant defense?
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Rhododendrons and azaleas are the backbone of many ornamental landscapes in the Pacific Northwest. Unfortunately, since 2016, a beautiful little insect has been plaguing the genus Rhododendron, causing aesthetic and physiological damage, which may lead to plant death if left unchecked (Figure 1). Preliminary studies suggest that cultivars vary in their tolerance to azalea lace […]
Managing epidemics
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Whether dealing with plant pathogens or COVID-19, common principles apply The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it, threatening human health, causing disruption to our society, and resulting in economic challenges. While impacts of plant pests and diseases may pale in importance compared to COVID-19, they still cause large-scale ecological and economic damage […]