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Horticultural Update – April 2018

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

April 2018

Photo: Hannepin County Master Gardener

What’s the truth behind 6 gardening myths? (Kym Pokorny, OSU) http://bit.ly/2ImsOOO

“In glyphosate review, WHO cancer agency edited out ‘non-carcinogenic’findings.  The World Health Organization’s cancer agency dismissed and edited findings from a draft of its review of the weedkiller glyphosate that were at odds with its final conclusion that the chemical probably causes cancer.” ( Kate KIelland, Reauters)http://reut.rs/2FyT5LG

What do you do when twenty six thousand stinkbugs invade your home.  “These uniquely versatile bugs are decimating crops and infiltrating houses all across the country.”  The author explores, will we ever be able to get rid of them? (Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker) http://bit.ly/2FLlZYg

“The best tool to fight crime may be a lawnmower. That’s the conclusion of a new study, which shows that sprucing up vacant lots by doing as little as picking up trash and cutting the grass curbed gun violence in poor neighborhoods in a major U.S. metropolis by nearly 30%.” (Roni Dengler, ScienceMag.org) http://bit.ly/2FytLlL

What does a mosquito brain look like?  Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute have mapped the neuroanatomical regions of the brain of a female mosquito (Aedes aegypti). (The Scientist Staff, mobilethesicentist.com)
http://bit.ly/2tFqYoP

If you’ve enjoyed some spicy food lately, you might have a bird to thank. New research, at Iowa State University, illustrates how birds help to produce rare wild chili peppers (Iowa State University) http://bit.ly/2p5ailJ

Curious Wasp Specimen Leads Entomologist to Find a First for North America. (Entomology Today) http://bit.ly/2GkPAG6

Want an instant hedge? “Millennial gardening is not like 20th-century gardening. Patiently waiting for a seed to grow into a flower or tree is out. Instead, instant gratification is in. Everyone wants results … and yesterday is not soon enough!(Laidbackgardener.blog) http://bit.ly/2tFrUJR

Photo: OSU

No room for vegetables?  Pot up your plants! Learn how from an OSU expert. (Kym Pokorny, OSU) http://bit.ly/2Io34Bp

Are you a garden photographer? Check out this beautiful botanical photographs from the international garden photographers of the year awards. http://bit.ly/2DkrBnl

Jigsaw puzzle configuration helps plant epidermal cells withstand high pressure. “Plant cells are under tremendous pressure. To prevent themselves from bursting, plants had to come up with something unique: According to scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research in Cologne, epidermal cells with an irregular shape can withstand their internal pressure better than round and other  uniformly shaped cells.” (Max Planck Society, Physorg) http://bit.ly/2Il5u3P

Researchers study flower that catapults pollen. “Flowers are just about the last thing in nature you’d list as fast, but the mountain laurels’ filaments are an exception.” (Harvard, Physorg) http://bit.ly/2InLpda

Are we loving Monarch Butterflies to death? “…the efforts of a well-meaning public to bring monarch eggs and larvae indoors to raise to maturity, or to purchase large numbers of farmed monarchs for release into the wild, may be making life even more difficult for the beleaguered butterfly.” (Susan Brackney, Discover Magazine) http://bit.ly/2p8CHXn

More on Monarchs-Plan to save Monarchs’ backfires?  A new paper shows that well-meaning gardeners might actually be endangering the butterflies’ iconic migration to Mexico. That’s because people have been planting the wrong species of milkweed, thereby increasing the odds of monarchs becoming infected with a crippling parasite. (Lizzie Wade, Science Magazine) http://bit.ly/24LtENr

As pollinating insects, bees get all the credit – but they don’t do all the work. A researcher from WSU, discovered that “about a third of the insects visiting and potentially helping pollinate these crops’ flowers were non-bee species, primarily flies. Of those, most were syrphid flies, also known as hover flies, many of which are bee mimics and do more than pollinate plants.” (Western IPM Center) http://bit.ly/2tIVpKK

Photo: Lynn Ketchum, OSU

Got weeds? Roll up your sleeves: Invasive weeds need persistence to control.  Learn more from an OSU weed expert. (Kym Pokorny, OSU) http://bit.ly/2tJFR9A

Pictures Capture the Invisible Glow of Flowers. Ultraviolet light reveals alien-like colors and fairy sparkles in seemingly normal plants.(Austa Somvichian-Clausen, NationalGeographic.com) http://on.natgeo.com/2GVIOWk

Winter Gardening Activities for Children. “Indoor gardening activities can help children learn basic plant science while having fun.” (Pamela T. Hubbard, Master Gardener, Penn State University Extension) http://bit.ly/2HuLjiL

Hairy potatoes, a trait found in a wild potato, may make growing garden potatoes a lot easier. (Laidback gardener blog) http://bit.ly/2tHaa0E

Got mosquitoes? A new study conducted near Tucson, AZ, reports that, in particular, flower pots and saucers underneath them hosted disproportionately more larval mosquitoes than other types of containers. (John P. Roche, Entomology.today.org) http://bit.ly/2HsfRl1 

Land plants arose earlier than thought—and may have had a bigger impact on the evolution of animals. (Elizabeth Pennisi, Sciencemag.org) http://bit.ly/2oA6Ezi

GMOs in the news: According to a study looking at 21 years of data on genetically modified crops (GMOs) in the US has found that not only can they increase crop yields, but they can also be good for you. (Iflscience.com) http://bit.ly/2p3c3zY

Are algae plants? (Indefenseofplants.com) http://bit.ly/2EIzCbb

Are you interested in planting natives?  Here is an informative read (Becca Rodomsky-Bish, Yardmap.org) http://bit.ly/2p5Er4B

Plants are given a new family tree- “A new genealogy of plant evolution, led by researchers at the University of Bristol, shows that the first plants to conquer land were a complex species, challenging long-held assumptions about plant evolution.”(University of Bristol, Phys.org) http://bit.ly/2FD6LBH

Do you like caterpillars?  Check out these great photos and videos of caterpillars up-close and personal! (Samuel Jaffe, Biographic.com) http://bit.ly/2E0TGRk

EPA settles with Amazon for distributions of illegal pesticides. (Hortidaily.com) http://bit.ly/2FzNXTO

Scientists suggest way to predict the behavior of invasive weeds. “Is it possible to predict which nonnative plant species will become invasive weeds and when? According to research featured in the journal Invasive Plant Science and Management, the answer is “hopefully yes.” And those predictions can lead to more effective and cost-efficient weed management.” (Cambridge University Press, Sciencedaily.com) http://bit.ly/2BYnvow

Starting Seeds with Success: Best Practices. (John.com) http://bit.ly/2p4ZdBd

The Not-So-Puzzling History of the Monkey Puzzle Tree (The treeographer.com) http://bit.ly/2IkUfID

Have you found bugs in your paprika? (Kristen Alken, Huffingtonpost.com) http://bit.ly/2IjKN8k

Where have all the entomologists gone? Fewer Scientists Are Studying Insects. Learn how this will impact you. (Alexandria Sifferlin, Timinc.net) http://bit.ly/2p9pOwf

Watch this interesting broadcast about the Oregon Silverspot Butterlfy and the Western Bog Lilly.  The Lloyd brothers have spent the last 70 years exploring the overlooked giant of the Washington Cascades-the Oregon Silverspot.   Also learn about their search for a rare, but beautiful Western Bog Lily in the bogs of southern Oregon. (OPB.org)
http://bit.ly/2FAiu3J

Learn about the status of Spring! The USA-NPN is tracking the start of the spring season across the country using models called the Spring Leaf and Bloom Indices. (National Phenology Network) http://bit.ly/199srno

Did you ever wonder how ‘Air plants’ drink? (Indefenseofplants.com) http://bit.ly/2tK63kC

When Hummingbirds visit, this flower pops open like a Jack-in-the-Box. (Elizabeth Preston, DIscovermagazine.com) http://bit.ly/2FM0836

March 2018

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Sights of Spring!Cherry blossoms

Crocus are blooming, daffodils are bursting out, cherry blossoms are unfurling and Metro-area Master Gardeners are in gear expanding their garden knowledge and sharing that knowledge with the gardening public.

The sights of spring herald new activity and volunteer opportunities for Master Gardeners. It’s time to reach out and engage in the myriad of clinics, projects and special events.  Look for opportunities on CERVIS and in upcoming newsletters and emails.

Welcome 2018 Master Gardener Trainees!

We are thrilled you are joining our team of committed garden educators.  You are over halfway through your training and soon you will be out in the community actively practicing and sharing your newfound knowledge.

Possibilities will abound with a wide-range of volunteer opportunities.  You will hear about the many OSU approved offerings during week #6 of class.  We hope you will dig in, have fun, and share your passion for gardening with fellow MGs and the gardening public.  This is an opportunity to further your garden education and to gain confidence in teaching others how to sustainably and successfully garden.

Key points for 2017 MG Interns:

  • Complete the quizzes for the three required training modules by March 31, 2018.
  • Complete the online final exam by March 31, 2018. The exam will be available starting the evening of March 9th. Please, allocate three to five hours to complete this online learning experience.  You can stop and start the exam, you can complete the exam in multiple sessions (be sure to save your work).  A score of 70 percent or more is required on the test in order to start volunteering at Master Gardener clinic activities (answering the public’s garden questions). You will receive a grade on the exam upon submission via Canvas.
  • For best selection, be sure to sign-up for your required Workshop before March 9. On that date, the Workshop schedule will open to all Master Gardeners and it will quickly fill.
  • Hear about the many volunteer opportunities during Week #6. This will be your opportunity to meet the volunteer coordinators, sign up for volunteer activities/events, and learn how to use our online volunteer system.

Special message to Veteran Master Gardeners
Vets, please join-in welcoming and guiding our new class of eager Master Gardener trainees by signing up for shifts at the Master Gardener phone clinics, area farmers markets, and other remote clinics.  We hope to have one Veteran per shift scheduled before March 9th – so when trainees sign-up for shifts at the MG training Resource Fair they will have a perennial MG to ease them into their new role as a garden educator.

To sign up for phone, farmer’s markets, and remote clinic shifts go to CERVIS or contact the coordinator.  Note CERVIS will be closed March 10th through March 19th to prepare for the Intern Resource Fair.  Be sure to read the article below about important changes in CERVIS.

Changes to CERVIS Volunteer Registration Service
This year when you sign-up for volunteer events in CERVIS, our online volunteer registration system, you may notice a few changes.

First off, visually it is a bit different in layout, color, and fonts.  This system wide change should make navigating the site easier.

We have added shift slots that are specific to 3 different categories of volunteers.

  • Veteran Only
  • Interns Only
  • Veteran or Intern

When registering on CERVIS please sign-up for the appropriate slot.

This change will assist coordinators in adequately filling shifts for their events. This change also will make it clearer and easier for Interns to serve on shifts with Veteran MGs.

All ‘current’ certified 2018 Veteran Master Gardeners have access to CERVIS.  If you are unable to access CERVIS, please contact Jordis Yost or Marcia McIntyre.  2018 Trainees, you will have access to CERVIS on March 19th.


2018 MG Training Kicks Off!

Our annual Master Gardener training kicked-off last month with over 140 eager trainees, our knowledgeable instructors, and a committed team of Veteran MG volunteer coordinators.

Photos courtesy of Beven Peters and Eddie Rosen

Itching to get going in the garden? Check out some great garden tasks to satisfy!

Our Garden Checklist videos are brought to you in partnership with The Oregonian.

 

 

Rhodies and Peonies, oh my!

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Open Garden Days at Cecil and Molly Smith Garden

The Cecil and Molly Smith Garden, world renowned for its collection of species and hybrid rhododendrons, will be open during the blooming season, Saturdays and Sundays, April 7—May 20, 2018, 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

This three-acre natural woodland setting also features choice trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and bulbs, including Cyclamen, Trillium, Erythronium and Narcissus, which complement the over 600 rhododendrons and azaleas.

Established in the early 1950’s, the garden contains many rare species grown by Cecil Smith from seeds imported from China and cuttings from England, as well as hybrids he developed. The Portland Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society purchased the garden in 1983 and, along with the Willamette and Tualatin Valley Chapters, now manages and maintains it.

A selection of plants featured in the garden are available for purchase. There is a modest admission fee of $3.00 for the general public. Admission is free for ARS members. Due to the sloping site the garden is not considered handicap accessible.

The garden is located at 5055 Raybell Road, St. Paul, Oregon, 97137 which is 7/10ths of a mile west of Highway 219 between St. Paul and Newberg. Turn west on Champoeg Road and continue straight on to Raybell Road to the garden. For more information, call Dick or Karen Cavender at 503-625-6331 or see http://smithgarden.org

This spring, don’t miss this hidden gem which has been featured in Horticulture magazine and several television programs.

Guided group tours of 10 or more people can be scheduled. Details are on the Garden’s web site. http://smithgarden.org

American Peony Society 2018 Convention and Flower Show

Experience the beauty and fragrance of hundreds of peony flowers on display when the American Peony Society convenes for their 2018 Annual Convention and Flower Show May 23 – 27 at the University Place Hotel and Conference Center, 310 SW Lincoln Street, Portland, Oregon.

Scott Parker, APS President, said the convention is unique because it features the finest peonies in North America, all in one place at the same time. Typically, the blooms would have to been seen over the course of seven weeks in growers’ gardens.

“The smell is intoxicating and the colors are stunning,” Parker said. “That’s the neat thing about it.”

The theme of this year’s Convention, “Portland Peony Prelude,” is designed to highlight the beauty and diversity of peonies, and to remind denizens of the City of Roses, that there’s no need to wait for the roses to bloom, when peonies rival roses in terms of both their beauty and fragrance, making them the ideal  floral “prelude.”

The Flower Show is a free event, and the public is invited to attend from 1:00 to 5:00 pm on Saturday, May 26, and from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Sunday, May 27.

A series of educational seminars will be conducted by peony experts and are also open to public at no cost on Saturday and Sunday May 26 – 27. A seminar schedule will be posted on the American Peony Society website prior to the Convention.

Attendees are invited to visit the APS book and peony seed sale which will be open throughout the Flower Show.

The American Peony Society was established in 1903 to promote the development and improvement of the genus Paeonia and to foster studies and public interest in cultivated peonies as a garden plant. Membership is $25 per year, and is available during the Flower Show or by visiting the American Peony Society website at www.americanpeonysociety.org.

For more information, visit the APS web site at www.americanpeonysociety.org.

Horticultural Update – March 2018

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

March 2018

Photo: Mason Bee, Ramesh Sagili, OSU

Start thinking bee–mason bee! Watch Brooke Edmunds, OSU, share a little about the amazing native pollinators and how we can help them from early spring to early summer. (KATU-On Your Side) http://bit.ly/2Cd7hnf

More on Mason Bees-(Kym Porkorny, OSU; Brooke Edmunds, OSU) http://bit.ly/2Ez4cmI

The active ingredient in Roundup does not cause cancer, according to scientists at the National Cancer Institute. Researchers followed over 50,000 people who used pesticides to see if the ones who used Roundup developed any kind of cancer. The results were published Thursday in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. (Kate Sheridan, Newsweek) http://bit.ly/2hns0R3

Meet the butterflies from 200 million years ago– Newly discovered fossils show that moths and butterflies have been on the planet for at least 200 million years. (Heidi Ledford, Nature)
http://go.nature.com/2ndFE8N

Garden myths busted-Part 3 with Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott, WSU. Check out this informative podcast about Biochar, Corn Gluten, worms, ‘starter’ fertilizers, street lights, copper, red mulch with tomatoes and much, much more. (The Joe Gardener Show) http://bit.ly/2Er7S7p

How trees conspire to make us rake leaves year-round. (Howard Garrett, Dallas news) http://bit.ly/2G7ukSD

See how scientists use high-speed videography to investigate and learn from the clumsy flight of the bumblebee. (Spine Films, California Academy of Sciences) http://bit.ly/2mjINRS

Do Chestnut, lemon or peppermint scents repel spiders?  (Entomology Today) http://bit.ly/2siYn7S

The lost art of looking at plants- Advances in genomics and imaging are reviving a fading discipline. (Heidi Ledford, Nature) http://go.nature.com/2ndFE8N

What is the state of agricultural education? “Once wellsprings of chemical innovation, our nation’s colleges and universities are finally rising to meet student demand for a more sustainable future.” (Brian Barth, Modern Farmer) http://bit.ly/2E843UM

Being around natural greenery may cheer up even adolescents- Exposure to trees and other greenery has been shown to stave off depression in adults, and a new U.S. study finds the same may be true for teenagers. (Mary Gillis, Reuters) http://reut.rs/2EB2IbI

While honeybees help Farmers, some believe they don’t help the environment. (Dan Charles, NPR) http://n.pr/2DUCb8I

Photo: OSU, EESC Photo Archive

Soil Management in Home Gardens and Landscapes– an informative publication that explores the interrelationship of a plant and the soil in which it is rooted. (Jim Sellmer, J. Robert Nuss, Penn State Extension) http://bit.ly/2o2Guoq

The crucial role of microbes-“Just as the micro-organisms in our gut are increasingly recognized as important players in human health and behavior, micro-organisms are critical to the growth and health of plants, a new study by a University of Toronto researcher has found.” (U of Toronto News) http://bit.ly/2H8c2SM

First-Ever Evidence That Mosquitoes Can Be Trained-´”Disease-carrying mosquitoes can learn to associate near-death experiences with scent and will stay away after an attempted swat.”(Michelle Donahue, National Geographic) http://bit.ly/2DMhZTh

Beekeepers are blamed for fueling the decline of wild bees by breeding insects purely for honey and reducing easy access to pollen.(Victoria Allen, Daily Mail) http://dailym.ai/2BUzqE1

Beautiful Pollination and Pollinators poster. (University of Wisconsin-Madison) http://bit.ly/2G4x2s9

A chance discovery could tackle the honeybee’s worst enemy: Varroa mite-German scientists from the University of Hohenheim have stumbled on a new method of wiping out this parasitic pest without harming the bees. (IFLScience) http://bit.ly/2nfHTrm

Root discovery may lead to crops that need less fertilizer. (Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State News) http://bit.ly/2EYvyjK

USDA Plant Hardiness Map. http://bit.ly/1kzrtob

Translating the Language of Seed Packets: Hybrid, Heirloom, non-GMO, and more. (Garden Professors.com) http://bit.ly/2G5ZWIA

This Isn’t Even My Final Form! A Pothos Story–(In Defense of Plants) http://bit.ly/2nSdvV4

Plants’ Bacterial zoos- The key to healthy plants is healthy microbiomes. (Anthony King, Chemistryworld) http://bit.ly/2soI8X8

Photo: Black Eyed Susan, Stephen Ward, OSU

Don’t pass up perennials when starting seeds in spring.  “When perusing spring seed catalogs, don’t pass on perennials. These long-lived plants require a bit more commitment than annuals, but provide pleasure year after year.” (Kym Pokorny (OSU) http://bit.ly/1yM9e5l

Horticultural Update – February 2018

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

February 2018

Gail Langellotto OSU Pollinator Health Website

Got pollinators? Listen to this podcast with Dr. Gail Langellotto, OSU, to learn about ground nesting bees, the potential problems of plant lists, and how to maximize the benefits of urban landscapes for pollinators.(PollilNation podcasts, OSU) http://bit.ly/2DeWHOy

Are Poinsettias poisonous? This question comes up every year, and unfortunately it is often answered by MGs incorrectly.  Here is the scoop: Poinsettias are not poisonous! For nearly eight decades, this rumor has continued to circulate because of one unfounded story in 1919.  Learn what the science says about this myth and also how to care for your Poinsettia. (University of Illinois Extension) http://bit.ly/2CKluck

Houseplant problems? “Improper watering, sudden changes in environment, cold drafts, lack of fertilizer, insect or disease attack may cause problems for houseplants.”  Learn more about problems with and the care of houseplants from University of Illinois Extension. (U of Illinois Extension) http://bit.ly/2m16waD

Winter is the perfect time to reflect on the successes and disappointments of last year’s garden. Learn how to evaluate what worked and what didn’t work. (Pamela T. Harden, MG, Penn State U) http://bit.ly/2mkhJ7t

Sometimes extremely cold weather can be a good thing! “The brutally cold temperatures take a toll on an invasive insect in the Smokies that has killed millions of hemlock trees in the United States.” (Jim Matheny, WBIR) http://on.wbir.com/2mc8V2s

What happens to bugs in a forest fire? With the recent fires in Oregon and California in the news, here are some answers. (Polistes fuscatus-Administrator of the blog, Askanentomoligist.com) http://bit.ly/2lPgM6J

Why nature loves hexagons! From Insect eyes to bee hives and more. Watch this Informative video. (Infinite Series, OPB) http://to.pbs.org/2CKj4uZ

Blueberries, Lynn Ketchum, OSU

Blueberries! “Organic blueberry growers can go toe-to-toe with commercial growers if they plant in raised beds, use a weed mat mulch and low amounts of nitrogen, according to a 10-uear study from OSU.” (Kym Pokory) http://bit.ly/2AIwLZ4

Are you a teacher, or just want to learn more while having some fun? Check out these inquiry based labs to explore the twelve principles of plant biology.  (American Society of Plant Biologists) http://bit.ly/2CXxvOQ

Fascinating video- Life in the compost bin.  “Watch this one minute video which spans two weeks in a typical vermicompost bin: two compost earthworm species (Eisenia fetida and Dendrobaena veneta) in a base of aged vermicompost with plenty of fresh organic kitchen waste (used coffee grounds, carrot and potato peels, celery and carrot leaves, egg shells, etc.) on top.” (Wim van Egmond, Vimeo) http://bit.ly/2CMiY5h

Beautiful bugs!  “We typically think of insects as pests or pestilences, carrying disease or gnawing their way through our gardens before we can get a bite. But they are also gorgeous creatures, as photographer Levon Biss explores in his latest book, Microsculpture: Portraits of Insects. The book is a continuation of his Microsculpture exhibit at Oxford’s Museum of Natural History, which displayed bugs from the collection in a larger-than-life way.”  Enjoy! (Mary Beth Griggs, Popular Science) http://bit.ly/2g3ocA6

What happens to plants during an eclipse? “Researchers tested plant rhythms during the recent solar eclipse. The varied results have left the researchers with interesting questions.” (Science Daily)
http://bit.ly/2mhQFpl

Great insect die-off? “Scientists have identified 2 million species of living things. No one knows how many more are out there, and tens of thousands may be vanishing before we have even had a chance to encounter them in the ‘great insect die-off’. (Jacob Mikanowski, The Guardian) http://bit.ly/2AXzSy1

Mahonia ‘Charity’ is a beauty in the garden. Neil Bell, OSU

Winter interest in the Garden. “One of the coolest things about gardening in the Pacific Northwest is winter gardens,” said Neil Bell, a horticulturist with Oregon State University’s Extension Service.”  Learn more about these plants from an OSU expert. (Kym Pokorny, OSU) http://bit.ly/2CYwmrp

Ants

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Natter’s Notes

Ants

Jean R. Natter, OSU Master Gardener

Odorous house ant, Tapinoma sessile; lateral view.
Fig 1. Odorous house ant, Tapinoma sessile; lateral view. The small petiolar node is hidden by the abdomen. (From www.antweb.org. Accessed 11 January 2018; https://www.antweb.org/specimenImages.do?code=casent0005329)

Ants! They’re likely major players in perhaps one of the oldest good-news-bad-news stories ever.

The good news is that ants are valued for their beneficial activities. They add large quantities of spent plant and animal remains into the soil surrounding their colonies as they cultivate and aerate the soil. They also create channels for water and roots. They’re predators, too, and are members of nature’s clean-up crew, carting away debris that includes stray crumbs indoors and dead insects outdoors.

The bad news is that, outdoors, ants sometimes get carried away. If they aerate the soil in and around a rootball excessively, water passes through the ground too rapidly to soak in, the plant wilts, and may die. Then, too, people take a dismal view of their uninvited excursions indoors when they trail across the floor, headed for the pet’s dish or wayward crumbs.

Overall, it’s safe to say that most people detest the little buggers. People don’t want to control them. They want to eradicate them. Forever!.

Well, the cold, hard truth is this: That’s not possible; ants are here to stay.

Everyone, clients and Master Gardeners alike, must discard their dreams to eradicate ants. The more accurate strategy, although far less comforting, is to hope to manage ants.

Odorous house ant, Tapinoma sessile; dorsal view.
Fig 2. Odorous house ant, Tapinoma sessile; dorsal view. Notice the small petiolar node hidden by the abdomen. (From www.antweb.org. Accessed 11 January 2018)

Odorous house ants, Tapinoma sessile, are probably the most common house-invading ants across the country. They’re small, dark brown or black ants, 1/16- to 1/8-inch long, with the usual 3 body parts of an insect – head, thorax, and abdomen. The characters which define them as ants are a petiole (a narrow connection between the thorax and abdomen) and a pair of elbowed antennae. The character which differentiates them from other ants is the single node on the petiole; it’s small and hidden by the abdomen. When crushed, these ants emit a rather penetrating odor, likened to rotted coconut.

Colonies are relatively small, to about 10,000 individuals, each with multiple queens. Nests are usually outdoors just below the soil surface, underneath pavers, wood piles, or other debris. But nests may also be indoors, in a wall void or near warmth-emitting sources.

Odorous house ant populations enlarge by one of two methods: mating of reproductives or via budding. Budding may be triggered when a hundred or so workers transport several of the colony’s queens to a new site. With time, a series of closely related, cooperative colonies—a supercolony – forms.

Sweets are a favorite food but they will eat most any people or pet food.

Managing ants requires a multi-pronged approach.

  1. Sanitation (clean up regularly), and store perishable foodstuffs in tight, rigid containers.
  2. Caulk and seal entries such as cracks in the foundation or gaps where utilities enter structures.
  3. Limit honeydew-producing insects: ants, mealybugs, whiteflies, and scale, both soft and cottony scales.
  4. Limit access indoors by trimming foliage away from structures.
  5. Use commercially-formulated ant baits and repeat as needed.
Aluminum cast of ant nest (species not identified) reveals the extent to which some ants will go.
Fig 3. Aluminum cast of ant nest (species not identified) reveals the extent to which some ants will go. (Cast by Walter R. Tschinkel, entomologist and former professor at Florida State University.) http://www.core77.com/posts/23607/walter-tschinkels-aluminum-casts-of-ant-colonies-reveals-insect-architecture-23607

Ant baits are superior to sprays but require more time to be effective, occasionally several weeks. The reason? They are shared with other ants within the colony, including the queens. If a bait is ineffective after a week or more, try a different kind. It can be useful to pre-bait by first setting out a small dab of jam or other food.

Active ingredients in commercial ant baits

  • Avermectin – Derived from soil bacteria; affects the nervous system. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/avermectin
  • Boric acid – An inorganic compound used in ant management for years. Mode of action unknown.
  • Fipronil – Causes hyperexcitation of the central nervous system causing convulsions and death. Very active against ants.
  • Hydramethylnon – Interferes with energy production.
  • Imidacloprid – Useful in baits for ants that prefer sweets.
  • Insect growth regulators (IGRs) – The queen’s reproductive organs degenerate and immatures die before they become adults.
  • Indoxacarb – Activated by enzymes inside the insect.
  • Spinosad – Produced by soil actinomycetes; the insect dies of exhaustion because of continuous activation of motor neurons.
  • Sulfuramid – Potentiated by enzymes inside the insect body; toxic metabolites inhibit energy production.

Resources

(Click the link below for PDF containing the above text and all the images.)

Ants PDF

February 2018

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“Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle … a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud straining to unfurl.  And the anticipation nurtures our dream.”
– Barbara Winkler

Spring is on the verge of emerging and so is a brand, new Master Gardener season.  February is a great month to polish your MG badge and renew your engagement in volunteer activities and continuing education opportunities.

It is also an opportunity for you to help usher in the new class of trainees.  Come sit in on one of the MG training sessions (here’s the schedule).  Introduce yourself to a trainee.  Sign-up for phone clinics and farmers’ markets (via CERVIS,) so new trainees can have the experience of working with someone who can show them the ropes.  Share your passion for gardening and the Master Gardener program with the new trainees.  Note: phone clinic schedules and farmers markets will open at staggered times in the next few weeks.  Please check back on CERVIS if the event you are looking for is not posted.

Display Your 2018 Sticker!

OSU Extension Service Metro Master Gardener badgeAgain this year, we have distributed a new, 2018 MG badge sticker to indicate those Master Gardeners who are up-to-date with their volunteer, continuing education (recertification) hours and have submitted their signed 2018 Conditions of Volunteer Service agreement. You served diligently!  Now display your sticker proudly!

To maintain your certification, the following are the minimum criteria for Veteran MGs in 2018

Start logging your hours on either a 2018 PDF or Excel Volunteer Log Sheet.  Once that log sheet is brimming with your annual requirements, please submit your log to the Metro MG Program office, no later than September 30, 2018.

Expand Your Gardening Know-How – Earn your 2018 Garden-Ed Hours

There are many, varied options for Continuing Garden Education/Recertification in 2018.

  • 2018 Master Gardener Training – Attend any of the MG training classes offered in February and March at the 3 Metro-area training locations.  Morning sessions and afternoon sessions each count for 3 hours of continuing education.  Attending the training classes is a great way to brush up on the basics.  Here is the 2018 training schedule along with location addresses.
  • Online MG Training Modules – Take and successfully ‘Pass’ any of the online MG training modules. All MG training modules are offered free to current Veteran MGs.  Look for an upcoming email in late February for registration details.  Each module ‘passed’ counts for 2 hours credit.
  • Hands-on education workshops –  Dig in to one of the hands-on workshops being offered as part of the MG training curriculum.  A wide range of workshops will be offered…plant propagation, improving garden soil, fruit tree pruning, vegetable gardening, insect ID, and more! Current, Veteran MGs are allowed to take one of these workshops.  If space allows, a Veteran can get special permission to take an additional workshop.  Veteran MGs will be notified of workshop offerings and registration details via email in March.  Each workshop counts as 5 hours continuing education/recertification hours
  • Watch the OSU Extension Service Advanced training webinars
    A wonderful new addition for MG continuing education.  The webinars keep MGs up on the latest horticultural science developments.  For the upcoming 2018 webinars you must register in advance to watch them ‘live’.  Click on the following links to register for upcoming webinars or to access recordings of past webinars.  Each viewed webinar counts as 1 hour credit

  • Metro-area Chapter Presentations.  The Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Co. Chapters all offer several speakers and classes throughout the year that count as credit.  Find designated speakers and classes announced in the three Chapters’ monthly newsletters – easy to locate in the category tabs above, or on the Metro MG Garden Education Events Calendar. Always look for a designation like “approved for MG garden education credit” or “qualifies for continuing education/recertification hours”.
  • Growing Gardeners Conference Attend classes designated for continuing garden education at the Oregon Master Gardeners Association’s Gardeners Growing Conference (formally known as “Mini-College”).  The 2018 conference is scheduled July 12 through the 14th, at Linfield College in McMinnville. This 3-day conference will offer a wide-ranging slate of garden-focused classes. Any classes designated as continuing garden education/recertification can be counted for 2018 credit.  Details have yet to be posted – so be sure to check-out the OMGA website in the spring.
  • Upcoming education opportunities. Keep your eye out for additional designated continuing education credit opportunities as they surface throughout the year.  Be sure to read this monthly MG program newsletter and occasional email announcements.

February Marks the Beginning of 2018 Training

Photo courtesy of Eddie Rosen

We have a strong line-up of instructors and subjects for our 2018 MG Training classes.  The schedule offers some exciting new changes.  In support of the goals of the state Master Gardener program, instructors of our in-person classes are adding more interactive and hands-on activities to their presentations.

Join us to hear perennial favorite instructors and plus a few new instructors and subjects.  Also, take the time to welcome and introduce yourselves to members of the new class of trainees.

All of the 2018 Training classes will qualify for 2018 MG continuing garden education/recertification credit.

For the detailed 2018 Training schedule, please see the link below.

2018 Metro Master Gardener Training Schedule

Changes to CERVIS Volunteer Registration Service

This year when you sign-up for volunteer events in CERVIS, our online volunteer registration system, you may notice a few changes.

First off, visually it is a bit different in layout, color, and fonts.  This system wide change should make navigating the site easier.

We have added shift slots that are specific to 3 different categories of volunteers.

  • Veteran Only
  • Interns Only
  • Veteran or Intern

When registering on CERVIS please sign-up for the appropriate slot.

This change will assist coordinators in adequately filling shifts for their events. This change also will make it clearer and easier for Interns to serve on shifts with Veteran MGs.

All ‘current’ certified 2018 Master Gardeners have access to CERVIS.  If you are unable to access CERVIS, please contact: Jordis Yost – jordis.yost@oregonstate.edu  or Marcia McIntyre – marcia.mcintyre@oregonstate.edu .

The Good News Gets Even Better!

Last month we posted our Metro Master Gardener Annual Report.  The numbers were stunning and a mere reflection of all the good work being done by YOU!  Well the good news is even better than we reported.  Regarding the number of public contacts Master Gardeners made in 2017, presenting to the community via our Speakers Guild and 10-Minute University we reported 2,820 contacts.  Our numbers actually chime-in at 3,927!  That is remarkable!  Kudos to all who diligently plan, coordinate, prepare, and present engaging, informative, OSU research-based, horticulture research to the gardening public!

Seeking Master Gardener Speakers

Would you like to join in making gardening presentations to community groups through our Speakers Guild?  The Metro MG program receives dozens of requests every year for garden presentations.  We have a small, but mighty, group of MGs who answer the call and present throughout the 3 counties – but requests greatly exceed what these dedicated MGs can handle.  Therefore, we are looking for even more MGs to share their research-based gardening know-how.  We will supply support materials, and those interested can shadow experienced presenters.  Reach out and have fun making a few presentations a year!

Master Gardener, Evie Hausman

Presentations are needed on a variety of subjects:

  • Beginning gardening
  • Vegetable gardening
  • Fruit trees
  • Pruning
  • Composting
  • Container Gardening
  • IPM for the Home Gardener
  • Small Fruits
  • Perennials
  • Planting
  • Soil
  • Beneficial insects
  • Pollinator gardens
  • Tomatoes
  • Small space gardening
  • Native plants
  • Seed starting
  • Propagation
  • What’s your garden passion that you are willing to share?

Would you like to be part of this vital community outreach?  If so, contact Marcia McIntyre, marcia.mcintyre@oregonstate.edu

Japanese Beetle Eradication: Update

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Natter’s Notes

Japanese Beetle Eradication: Update

Jean R. Natter, OSU Master Gardener

No Japanese Beetle logo
(Image: Oregon Department of Agriculture)

Japanese beetle eradication: One year down, 4 to go.

Japanese beetles (JB) will remain front and center as important invasive pests in Washington County. The eradication effort began in 2017 and will extend through 2021. The Oregon Department of Agriculture’s (ODA) 2018 plans are progressing well for the continuing effort against these serious invasive pests of agriculture and home landscapes.

Few questions were submitted to the Washington County MG office during 2017 about JBs, so, ODA did an excellent job explaining the project to affected citizens and recruiting their cooperation. (I responded to just 2 client inquiries, both from far outside the quarantine area. One about the dying birch trees on Cooper Mountain where the client was concerned he “saw some of those bugs” and even “dug some out of the trunk.”)

News from ODA

“Using data from our 2017 trap detections and the resulting predicted JB trap catches for 2018, we have expanded our treatment area for next year in Washington County. As was the case in 2017, consent is needed from residents for ODA and our contractors to be able to enter the properties and treat with Acelepryn G. In January, residents within the treatment area will receive notice in the mail with details about the infestation, our plans for eradication, and consent forms to return to us. Consent can also be granted using our online form. Treatment is scheduled for April and May 2018. In addition to the treatments in Washington County, we also plan to treat [a] small area at Portland International Airport and a residential neighborhood in Oakland, OR, [Ed. Note: Douglas County] based on 2017 detections. These infestations are believed to be unrelated to the Washington County populations.”

ID Characteristics of the Japanese Beetle
(Image: Oregon Department of Agriculture)

ODA’s Proposed Response Plan for 2018

ODA’s 2018 Proposed Response Plan for Japanese beetle has been finalized and is now available. As previously announced, all known infested properties will be treated.

ODA’s directives about yard debris

ODA’s “newest alert about the quarantine” describes appropriate handling of potentially contaminated yard debris and contains a brief FAQ. (http://www.oregon.gov/oda/shared/documents/publications/ippm/jbyarddebrisquarantineflyerwinter18.pdf)

Male Japanese beetles captured in a pheromone trap. Image adapted from Oregon Department of Agriculture
Male Japanese beetles captured in a pheromone trap.
(Image adapted from Oregon Department of Agriculture)

Informational Open Houses by ODA

ODA has scheduled two open house events for Cedar Mill and nearby neighborhood residents to have their questions answered about the JB eradication project:

– Tuesday, February 13 at Leedy Grange, 835 Saltzman Rd, 9:30am-12:30pm

– Monday, March 5 at Cedar Mill Community Library, 12505 NW Cornell Rd, 5:15pm-7:15pm

FAQ about the granular Acelepryn G

During 2017, a granular product was applied to turf areas of affected properties using a drop spreader. A detailed FAQ concerning Acelepryn G is at the Oregon Health Authority (http://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HEALTHYENVIRONMENTS/HEALTHYNEIGHBORHOODS/PESTICIDES/Pages/Chlorantraniliprole-and-Your-Health-FAQs.aspx)

What to do if a JB is seen

“If you see the adult Japanese beetle within the treatment area then the Oregon Department of Agriculture advises that you dispose of them in a container of soapy water.

“If beetles are observed outside the treatment area please put the specimen in a container or bag and email or call ODA.”

Resources

– ODA news release 2017-12-14: “ODA makes plans for Japanese beetle battle part 2“ (https://odanews.wpengine.com/oda-makes-plans-for-japanese-beetle-battle-part-2/)

– ODA’s Japanese Beetle website, an overview of the infestation and its management, now with extensive updates. (http://www.japanesebeetlepdx.info/)

– “Japanese Beetle Treatment Map with Trap Placement” outlines the proposed 2018 quarantine area in blue while dots indicate individual traps. (http://geo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=94f352bc881b410a911c252e69ca48f8)

– “Current Suppression and Eradication Projects” contains succinct summaries of the green waste quarantine, the 2017 JB detections, and a list of links to JB resources at ODA. (http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/programs/IPPM/SuppressionEradication/Pages/SuppressionEradication.aspx)

– Oregon Health Authority has an extensive FAQ fact about Acelepryn G, the granular insecticide used against JBs in Washington County.  http://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HEALTHYENVIRONMENTS/HEALTHYNEIGHBORHOODS/PESTICIDES/Pages/Chlorantraniliprole-and-Your-Health-FAQs.aspx

(Click the link below for PDF containing the above text and all the images.)

Japanese Beetle Eradication: Update, PDF