By Margaret Bayne, OSU Extension Staff-retired, OSU Master Gardener
December 2018
Photo: OSU
Just say ‘no’ to bad gardening practices. Learn what ‘not to do’ from OSU experts. (Kym Pokorny, OSU) https://bit.ly/2Dij9IQ
Are plants conscious? “We tend to think of plants as passive organisms, the backdrop for looking at more interesting animals roaming around in the foreground. But the world of plants is by no means docile, it is simply working on a separate time scale and in a different medium, and we’re only just starting to decipher it.” (Josh Davis, iflscience.com) https://bit.ly/2pQZjwr
Red meat allergy associated with tick bites could also be passed on by tiny mites. “After a series of strange medical cases, researchers discovered that bites from the lone star tick can induce a severe and persistent allergy to red meat. In the six or so years since this was identified, it has been determined that bites from multiple other tick species can also cause it. Now, evidence indicates that bites from another type of small, parasitic arachnid known as a “chigger” may do the same.”(iflscience.com) https://bit.ly/2zLQokc
New Ohio State app helps users identify, prevent and control Bed Bugs. (Ohio State U) https://bit.ly/2DhsHUi
Freeze versus frost: A primer on how cold affects plants. (Beth Botts, Chicagotribune.com) https://trib.in/2DnkbmG
Interpreting soil testing analysis of compost. While this publication is written for commercial growers, it has great general information on soil tests. (EM 9217, Dan M. Sullivan, Andy I. Bary, Robert O. Miller, and Linda J. Brewer, OSU) https://bit.ly/2JZYlat
Study finds fungi, not plant matter, responsible for most carbon sequestration in northern forests. (Bob Yirka, phys.org) https://bit.ly/2qJnzB7
Insecticidal soap vs dish detergents. (Note: MGs do not recommend home remedies) (Matt Borden, Facebook.com) https://bit.ly/2PUiB2E
Native vs. nonnative – can’t we all just get along? Probably the most contentious gardening topic dealt with online is the native vs. nonnative plant debate. Here is an expert’s take on the topic. (Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott, WSU) https://bit.ly/2K255EP
The myth of curative Kelp:“Seaweed extracts reduce disease, improve production, and increase stress resistance in landscape plants.” Learn the true facts. (Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott, WSU) https://bit.ly/2Tb9Rnm
Photo: T. Smith, University of Mass. Amhearst
Bagged potting mixes and garden soils for home gardeners-what’s in them? “There are many types of bagged potting mixes and garden soils available. Some are intended to be used in the ground to supplement or fill areas for gardens. Other products are intended for plants growing in containers and pots. It is important to read the label before purchasing to learn the intended use for the product.” (Tina Smith and Dr. Douglas Cox, UMassAmherst) https://bit.ly/2qHiCso
Become familiar with the pests in your area. Don’t let pests surprise you! Become educated. Become prepared. (NPIC, OSU) https://bit.ly/2QDL4qv
The butterflies that hear with their wings. “A petite group called the satyrines uses swollen veins to channel sound into tiny ears.” (Ed Yong, Theatlantic.com) https://bit.ly/2ECJ9kh
What are short day and long day plants? (Ann Marie VanDerZanden, OSU) https://bit.ly/2z37vP9
Test tube trees’: An insurance policy against extinction? (Helen Briggs, BBC News) https://bbc.in/2B31aEy
New, detailed snapshots capture photosynthesis at room temperature- Scientists use SLAC’s X-ray laser to watch water-splitting reaction-. Watch the video! (Stanford University) https://stanford.io/2OFsnRn
Negative gravitropism demonstration showing how mustard shoots react to change in pot position. “Gravitropism is growth or movement response to gravity, observed in plants and fungus.” Watch the video. (Gphase, Youtube.com) https://bit.ly/2PUiPa0
Plants find ways to survive no matter the terrain. (Royal Holloway U) https://bit.ly/2OF5L3D
Cacao analysis dates domesticated chocolate trees back 3,600 years. (Eric Sorensen, WSU) https://bit.ly/2DkZrMp
By Margaret Bayne, OSU Extension Staff-retired, OSU Master Gardener
November 2018
Keep Monarchs Wild! Why captive rearing isn’t the way to help monarchs. (Emma Pelton, xerces.org) https://bit.ly/2CeQnIL
Giant spider web stretches 1,000 feet across lagoon: They’re having a party!” (Jennifer Earl, Foxnews.com) https://fxn.ws/2OkoLJa
Fall is spider season and some may come inside-Citizen science project reveals where spiders prefer to hang out in your house. (Iflscience.com) https://bit.ly/2NaI0Er
Argiope aurantia Yellow garden spider (with zigzag stabilimentum) Fayetteville 5 July 2001 J. K. Barnes
More spiders: Common Spiders of Washington. Great publication! (Michael R. Bush et al, WSU) https://bit.ly/2RLN0Or
Oregon Department of Agriculture website has great spider info too! https://bit.ly/2PDuxSI
More people are turning to entomologists to identify parasites they believe are crawling on their bodies, but which turn out not to be real.NOTE: While Master Gardener DON’T ever give out recommendations to someone with possible Delusionary Parasitosis, this is an interesting read…”Delusions of infestation aren’t as rare as you’d think.” (Erika Engelhaupt, Nationalgeographic.com) https://bit.ly/2RLNown
Hydrangeas play a pretty role in the garden. Learn more from an OSU expert about these great plants! (Kym Pokorny, OSU, Heather Stoven, OSU; Oregon State news) https://bit.ly/2CE9NaI
These incredible videos reveal how plants send distress signals when under attack. (Iflscience.com) https://bit.ly/2RIwsqK
Freshwater insects contaminated by microplastics in rivers. (Cardiff University, via laboratoryequipment.com) https://bit.ly/2NDZMLK
Pruning may not solve shrub placement problems. Check out this informative video. (Beth Bolles, U of Florida) https://bit.ly/2IScS7m
Roots, shoots and leaves: how plants keep symbionts in check. (Aarhus University via plantsarechemists.blogspot.com) https://bit.ly/2Ef1qnx
Check out these old, but beautiful photographs from botanical literature. “The Biodiversity Heritage Library improves research methodology by collaboratively making biodiversity literature openly available to the world as part of a global biodiversity community.” https://bit.ly/2a3BIjv
Plant Pathologists are heroes. Understanding an imaginary virus could have real consequences. (Alun Salt, Botanyone) https://bit.ly/2NB58aN
How fruits got their eye-catching colors. “Fruits owe their rainbow of colors to the various animals that eat them, study shows.” (Robin A. Smith, Duketoday.) https://bit.ly/2OXkU4n
11 fun-gi facts: Fungi are frankly fantastic. “From your daily bread to saving lives, they play a pivotal role in the world. Here are a few facts you didn’t know about our fungal friends.” (Meryl Westlake,kew.org) https://bit.ly/2PvOtqO
Welcome to the hidden half of plants. Plant roots are highly versatile structures with key functions that enable the plant to survive in the natural environment. (U of Nottingham) https://bit.ly/2NDJId9
How a hormone helps plants build leaves’ ventilation system. (Standford U, via sciencedaily.com) https://bit.ly/2RL7VBl
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Photo: OSU
Could insecticide netting help manage Brown Marmorated stink bug infestations in homes? (John P. Roche, PhD, entomologytoday.org) https://bit.ly/2CF2XSt
The UK Heatwave Has Revealed a Secret Garden at Chatsworth House. Very cool! (India Irving, theculturetrip.com) https://bit.ly/2pPLuOP
Beetle adapts chemical mimicry to parasitize different bee species. (University of California, Davis; via eurekalert.org) https://bit.ly/2Cag3G6
Just for fun-A beautiful hand cut paper zoetrope that shows the full metamorphosis of a caterpillar to butterfly. (Lori Dorn, laughingsquid.com) https://bit.ly/2NIHUQ8
How two entomologists landed on TV with Bill Nye. (Laura Kraft, Entomologytoday.org) https://bit.ly/2ORp0Lv
By Margaret Bayne, OSU Extension Staff-retired, OSU Master Gardener
October 2018
Photo credit: OSU
Find the identity of a mystery tree! Try your hand at identifying a tree genus using a dichotomous key. Great practice! (Common Trees of the Pacific Northwest, OSU) https://bit.ly/2p1ogVe
Chemicals found in vegetables prevent colon cancer in mice. “Chemicals produced by vegetables such as kale, cabbage and broccoli could help to maintain a healthy gut and prevent colon cancer, a new study shows.” (The Francis Crick Institute via sciencedaily.com) https://bit.ly/2QnsVNV
The chemistry of aubergine (eggplant) colour, bitterness and browning. (Compoundchem.com) https://bit.ly/2ol9OXY
When the seed becomes a plant, it has 48 hours to survive. “When a seed germinates, it only has two days to turn into a seedling capable of photosynthesis, before having exhausted its reserves. In a new study, researchers reveal the underlying mechanism of this process.” (University of Geneva via sciencedaily.com) https://bit.ly/2oXrCZo
The rewards of chasing nectar. “We know that flowers entice pollinators with nectar, but how much and what causes a flower to produce as much or as little nectar as it does.” (Amy Parachnowitsch, Jessamyn Manson & Nina Sletvold via Botanyone) https://bit.ly/2x7B1Bw
The Polish entomologist who invented puppet animation films. (Jacek Borowski, thefirstnews.com) https://bit.ly/2QkMlmB
Rex begonia. Photo credit: Purdue Extension
Bringing houseplants back indoors. “Many houseplants thrive during the long, bright summer days, especially when properly moved outdoors. But these plants may have some trouble adjusting back to indoor conditions when colder weather strikes.” (Rosie Lerner, Purdue Extension) https://bit.ly/2x7s5gd
Ladybug, where have you gone? Aphid fighters tend to roam. (Dean Fosdick, phys.org) https://bit.ly/2x5xQLf
The Poison Gardens of Alnwick Garden– behind a locked gate, there’s the Poison Garden: it contains only poisonous plants. Watch the video tour. (Tom Scott, youtube.com) https://bit.ly/2QnMsh3
Rhododendron? Hydrangea? America Doesn’t Know Anymore. “The country has a growing case of ‘plant blindness’—a term used by botanists to describe the inability to identify basic plants. Even biologists struggle.”(Douglas Belkin, wsj.com) https://on.wsj.com/2nLv1u3
Photo credit: University of Minnesota
Save your vegetable seeds for next years’ planting. “You can save vegetable seeds from your garden produce to plant next year. Seed saving involves selecting suitable plants from which to save seed, harvesting seeds at the right time and storing them properly over the winter.” (University of Minnesota Extension) https://bit.ly/2N58ash
Bees love blue fluorescent light, and not just any wavelength will do. (OSU via sciencedaily.com) https://bit.ly/2QjysoR
How eggplants became Asian: Genomes and elephants tell the story. “The evolutionary context of the eggplant was until recently very poorly known. Historical documents and genetic data have shown that the eggplant was first domesticated in Asia, but most of its wild relatives are from Africa.”(University of Helsinki, via sciencedaily.com) https://bit.ly/2QkszYm
New process in root development discovered. Scientists uncover communication at the root tip. “As the plant root grows, a root cap protects its fragile tip. Every few hours, the old cap is lost and a new one replaces it. Researchers have now, for the first time, observed regular cycles of root tip loss and regrowth in real time. In doing so, they uncovered the signal and receptor that coordinate this process.” (Institute of Science and Technology, via sciencedaily.com) https://bit.ly/2xbw8ID
A dangerous parasitic illness spread by bugs that bite people’s faces at night is spreading in the US, doctors warn. (iflscience.com) https://bit.ly/2QmNhHe
Why Victorian gardeners loathed magenta. “For decades, British and American gardeners avoided magenta flowers. The color had associations with the unnatural and the poisonous.” (Allison Meier, Sciencedaily.com) https://bit.ly/2MUmQdC
The bark side of the force “-What forces enable trees to stand upright? To grow straight, plants need a motor system that controls their posture by generating forces to offset gravity. Scientists have long thought that this motor force was controlled only by the internal forces induced in wood. In a new study, scientists show that bark is also involved in the generation of mechanical stresses in several tree species.” (CNRS, via sciencedaily.com) https://bit.ly/2ASZsaT
When roots crack and worms crunch. “Roots can be “listened to” while growing – and worms when burrowing. Researchers … present a new method for soil analysis.” (Michael Walther, ETH Zurich, via phys.org) https://bit.ly/2MixFkI
Insectivorous birds consume annually as much energy as the city of New York! (University of Basel, phys.org) https://bit.ly/2Ms8hcs
A conversation between plants’ daily and aging clocks. “Scientists have found out how the two clocks talk to each other genetically…”(Institute for Basic Science via sciencedaily.com) https://bit.ly/2N47IdK
Control Freaks-Scientists spent years on a plan to import this wasp to kill stinkbugs. Then it showed up on its own in New Jersey. (Kelly Servick, Sciencemag.org) https://bit.ly/2p1oNXe
New invasive ‘aggressive biter’ tick spreads across multiple US states, sparks concern. (Whew! It’s not in Oregon yet!) (James Rogers, Foxnews.com) https://fxn.ws/2Megapv
Genomic study ties insect evolution to the ability to detect airborne odors. (U of Illinois via Eurekalert.org) https://bit.ly/2AXc9BF
Fossils shine light on the history of gall-making wasps (Indefenseofplants) https://bit.ly/2OYGgM7
30 Oregon plant species at risk of extinction. (Kale Williams, oregonlive.com) https://bit.ly/2KFzeZc
Step inside 12 of England’s most beautiful gardens. (Alex Schechter, smithsonianmag.com) https://bit.ly/2vSiM2s
The horticulture industry’s age problem is bigger than you think. “There’s an age gap in commercial horticulture, a drastic and obvious lack of people under the age of 40.” (Adrian Higgins, washingtonpost.com) https://wapo.st/2OV8BTp
Tiny paragliding beetle that lived with dinosaurs discovered in amber. (Eurekalert.org) https://bit.ly/2vXLoaC
What is growing in my landscape mulch? Possibly Mushrooms, Slime Molds, Bird’s Nest Fungus, or Artillery Fungus. (Elizabeth A. Brantley, Donald D. David and Larry J. Kuhns; Penn State U) https://bit.ly/2OnVgli
Spinach. Photo: Alex Stone, OSU
The chemistry of spinach: the iron myth and ‘spinach teeth.’(Compoundchem.com) https://bit.ly/2MyOgla
More discussion and research on barerooting/rootwashing plants– shrubs, woody perennials, and herbaceous perennials. Learn what WSU’s Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott has to say. (Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott, gardenprofessors.com) https://bit.ly/2AVks0F
Conventional and organic product overview for home vegetable gardeners in Tennessee. While specific to Tennessee this pdf has a lot of helpful info on different pesticides.
NOTE: Master Gardeners only use OSU references for pesticide recommendations, and only refer brand names if included in such references.)
(Natalie Bumgarner, Zachariah Hansen & Karen Vail; University of Tennessee Extension) https://bit.ly/2vSj35u
Nature really doesn’t like Hard Rock music (but Folk is OK.) (iflscience.com) https://bit.ly/2MyGIyI
With a sniff and a signal, these dogs hunt down threats to bees. “In Maryland, a state employee is training dogs to inspect hives for harmful bacteria — a crucial job as honeybees are sent around the country to pollinate crops.” (Tejal Rao, New York Times) https://nyti.ms/2KMQ6Oj
Fierce weapon: New wasp species with giant stinger discovered in Amazon region. Ouch! (Bret Mollina, USAtoday.com) https://usat.ly/2KIdaxb
The botanical artist who translates plant science into beautiful art. The Smithsonian’s first and only botanical illustrator brings her subjects to life in all their scientific glory. (Leila McNeill, Smithsonianmag.com) https://bit.ly/2OQPCtb
After 17 years and 1,800 tests, researchers find Cat flea pesticide remains effective. (Ed Ricciuti, Entomologytoday.org) https://bit.ly/2AXXB4H
Are there plants that produce nectar that is poisonous to either honey bees or humans? (John Skinner, University of Tennessee; extension.org) https://bit.ly/2tuYgoc
Insect Identification: Experts and guides to ID that bug you found. Great list of resources! (Entomologytoday.org) https://bit.ly/2M7Ypcw
Host plants tell insects when to grow longer wings and migrate (Laura Lavine & Scott Weybright, WSU; new.wsu.edu) https://bit.ly/2MzqGF1
Insect invaders: Perils of global trade– Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Spotted Wing Drosophila and more. (David Eddy. Growing produce.com) https://bit.ly/2M7MM5k
Want to know why your plant is not setting fruit? Sex and the Single Squash: A study in plant sex, sexuality, reproduction, and seed saving. (John Porter, gardenprofessors.com) https://bit.ly/2nw7UUd
Tropical forests suffered near-record tree losses in 2017. (Brad Plumer, nytimes.com) https://nyti.ms/2MdZ4sa
Beyond dead dirt: healthy soil is alive. “Most people would probably be surprised to know that bacterial cells out number human cells in our bodies by 10-to-1 and that just one teaspoon of healthy soil contains more than 1 billion bacteria and fungi (microbes for short). Yuck, right? Well, not exactly.” (Sara Via, U of MD; Marylandgrows.umd) https://bit.ly/2M4vMwG
How do you name an insect? Bry the Fly Guy explains. (Lish Fejer, abc.net) https://ab.co/2AXYvy7
Drought damage. Photo: Dave Shaw, OSU
Another rough year for Willamette Valley trees, Part 1. (Brad Withrow-Robinson, OSU Extension; blogs.oregonstate.edu) https://bit.ly/2nqqoFv
What do Earwigs do with those pincers anyway? (Josh Cassidy, Kqed.org) https://bit.ly/2KjWWuB
Pesticides, People, and Pollinators: Answers to tricky pesticide questions for Master Gardeners. (Alicia Leytem & April Strid, NIPC; youtube.com) https://bit.ly/2OUikt4
How spiders use silk to fly-VIDEO. James Gorman & Christopher Whitworth, nytimes.com) https://nyti.ms/2no647F
Don’t touch! a scientist’s advice for spotting poison ivy before it ruins your summer. (Blake Farmer, npr.org) https://n.pr/2noPhkQ
New research showcases the best and brightest fathers of the insect world! (Adrienne Antonsen, Entomologytoday.org) https://bit.ly/2tl7cLI
A host of Hostas. Hostas are a go-to plant for almost any gardener dealing with shade to part-shade in the garden (Carol Papas, Master Gardener; Penn State University) https://bit.ly/2MyPjl6
How many ant species are there on Earth? About 20,000 (myrmecologicalnews.org) https://bit.ly/2OTkJUK
Mans’, and now, plants’ best friend: Dogs can detect agricultural diseases early. Study shows dogs can sniff out laurel wilt-infected avocado trees well in advance. (Sciencedaily.com) https://bit.ly/2sV4jRD
Aloe or Agave? “Convergent evolution is the process by which unrelated organisms evolve similar traits in response to similar environmental constraints. One amazing example of convergent evolution has occurred among the Aloe and Agave.” (Indefenseofplants.com) https://bit.ly/2M7ZPnm
Huge, hollow Baobab trees are actually multiple fused stems. “Young trees, the researchers note, are usually single-stemmed. But as the trees grow, they produce new stems from roots or fallen stems. And over time, those stems grow and fuse with the older ones, producing the mammoth trees now found across Africa.” https://bit.ly/2AXLkND
Camouflaged plants use the same tricks as animals. (University of Exeter, United Kingdom; Exeter.ac.uk/news) https://bit.ly/2AXZ9f1
Popular OSU publication REVISED for 2018: Vegetable Variety Trials-2017, EM 8777-10 (Brooke Edmunds, Shinji Kawai, Jim Myers, OSU) https://bit.ly/2IWEYgR
How to remove a tick (More tick info at link also). “If you find a tick attached to your skin, there’s no need to panic—the key is to remove the tick as soon as possible. There are several tick removal devices on the market, but a plain set of fine-tipped tweezers work very well.” (cdc.gov) https://bit.ly/2nSlO3S
Avoid wearing this color if you hate spiders. (Rosie McCalll, Iflscience.com) https://bit.ly/2nm2meG
Trees in the rainforest make their own rain. (Wochitnews, via Youtube) https://bit.ly/2vXO2NA
Six years ago, about four of these butterflies existed. This is how science saved them. (David Goodhue, miamiherald.com) https://hrld.us/2OWBLkU
Beautiful plant species newly discovered in India; Brachystelma ananthapuramense. (novataxablogspot.com) https://bit.ly/2MxGw2W
By Margaret Bayne, OSU Extension Staff-retired, OSU Master Gardener
July/August 2018
Should I tie or braid the daffodil leaves after the daffodils are done blooming?The answer is…NO! Not only is it a waste of time, it isn’t good for next year’s flowers. Learn more about daffodil care. (Richard Jauron, Willy Klein, Iowa State Extension) https://bit.ly/2LEr6c2
Moms are the best(in the insect world)! “Insects are exceptionally skilled at developing adaptations to increase their evolutionary success. One way to promote a species’ survival is through effective parenting, and in some standout insect species mothers go the extra mile for their young.” (Adrienne Antonsen, Entomologytoday.org) https://bit.ly/2s6Dv1g
Home and garden use of treated wood.” Selecting the correct type of treated wood can reduce risks to people and the environment. Some preservatives can leach into soil or water and be taken up by plants. Touching treated wood may also leave residues on the skin. Consider that some treated wood may protect against both mold and insects, and some may only protect against molds.” (npic.orst.edu) https://bit.ly/2zmUGOG
Travel deep inside of a leaf in this cool video! Life Science Academy via Garden Professors/Facebook https://bit.ly/2JqBR5q
Pollution is changing the mycorrhizal fungi that provide mineral nutrients to the roots of European trees. This could explain malnutrition trends in Europe’s trees. (Imperial College London via sciencedaily.com) https://bit.ly/2JqCfko
Aphid. Photo: OSU
How do insects, like aphids survive on a high sugary diet? “There’s a reason parents tell their kids to lay off the sugar: too much isn’t good for you. But small sap-sucking insects called aphids can survive quite nicely on a largely sugar-based diet, despite their inability to make important nutrients from scratch. The key to their success is symbiotic bacteria, which live inside aphid cells and make amino acids, the building blocks of proteins needed for growth.” (University of California, Riverside via lab.manager.com) https://bit.ly/2MgkWjs
Is that bug really a bug? Learn about True Bugs. (Michelle Ross, indianaublicmedia.org) https://bit.ly/2sJFZmG
How does Rose of Jericho survive in the harsh climate of the desert? “To survive in a desert, plants must eek out an existence in specific microclimates that provide conditions that are only slightly better than the surrounding landscape. Such is the case for the Rose of Jericho (Anastatica hierochuntica). This tenacious little mustard is found throughout arid regions of the Middle East and the Saharan Desert and it has been made famous the world over for its “resurrection” abilities (Indefenseofplants.com) https://bit.ly/2JturOV
Promising Yellow-jacket bait. Researchers are studying an “…experimental synthetic alternative bait that, to paraphrase an old saying, looks like meat, tastes like meat, and, as far as western yellowjackets (Vespula pensylvanica) are concerned, must be meat. So, they feed on it and bring it back to their nest, along with the pesticide it contains.” (Ed Ricciuiti, Entomologytoday.org) https://bit.ly/2xXpTe7
Galls, Galls, Galls! Learn more about these natural beauties. (Indefenseofplants.com) https://bit.ly/2kXIWeN
Ants provide clues to why biodiversity is higher in the tropics. New global data of invertebrate distributions suggests time holds key to species diversity. (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University via sciencedaily.com) https://bit.ly/2HyuzGJ
Desert bees have a secret: how to survive a decade of drought. “Bees are most diverse in arid places. Will their strategies hold up in a changing climate — and can we learn enough about them before it’s too late?” (Sara Van Note, Undark.org) https://bit.ly/2sbolXS
Ladybugs, Aphids and the toxic combat that might be happening in your garden. “Aphids are a familiar sight in the garden, sucking the juices out of your rose bushes. Luckily, so are ladybugs, which prey on aphids and keep them in check. But the relationship between predator and prey is more complex than you might think. Aphids may be important to the survival of some ladybug species we have come to know and love by warding off another predator that has been moving in and feasting on them.” (Veronique Greenwood, nytimes.com) https://nyti.ms/2kZ1M5j
Vintage photos of insects and spiders in vivid detail. “In 1913, National Geographic magazine published a series of microscopic images revealing the “monsters in our own backyards.” (Christine Dell’Amore, Nationalgeographic.com) https://bit.ly/2JGNOmz
Stick insects expand territory after being eaten by birds. (Kobe University via phys.org) https://bit.ly/2Jv9vTj
Honey Crisp apple podcast…”This is the story of that miracle apple and the innovation that made the business of better apples sustainable — all while hastening the downfall of the Red Delicious.” (NPR.org) https://n.pr/2IQwigg
Watering newly planted trees and shrubs. Great information! (Kathy Zuzek, University of Minnesota Extension) https://bit.ly/2ifzS27
Bumblebees are confused by iridescent colors. (University of Bristol, via phys.org) https://bit.ly/2LFd6z5
The conclusion of a report from Newcastle University about the removal of neonicotinoid for use in seed treatment of oilseed rape… “Insecticidal control of CSFB in the past has relied on a combination of seed treatment and foliar sprays. The absence of neonicotinoid seed treatments is making CSFB control more challenging for farmers with significant losses of crop identified in the autumn of 2014. The estimated 33,957 kg of a.s. used in the autumn to combat the threat of CSFB represents a 2.5 fold increase in the use of autumn insecticides to WOSR in England and is likely to be a direct result of the ban on neonicotinoid seed dressings. The increased use and reliance on pyrethroids for CSFB control has significant future implications since resistance has now been identified in the UK. The loss of neonicotinoid seed treatments poses a significant challenge to growers at a time when significant price reductions have occurred in the value of this crop, together with an increased threat from the fungal pathogen light leaf spot raising the question for many farmers as to the true value of oilseed rape in the crop rotation.” Read the study: https://bit.ly/2JwanHz
15 Stunning Photos That Prove You Have No Clue How Food Is Grown! (D.G. Sciortino, sweetandsavory.co) https://bit.ly/2GOwNTJ
Container gardening: The rules to know, and the rules to break. (Adrian Higgins, Washingtonpost.com) https://wapo.st/2Jq5nbd
Extrafloral Nectaries and Ants. “Most of us learned in school that flowers produce nectar, which is then collected by bees, butterflies, bats and/or moths. Extrafloral nectaries are structures on a plant that produce nectar, but they are not inside flowers. They may be located on petioles, leaves, sepals, or stems.” (Roberta, blog.wildaboutants.com) https://bit.ly/2l0YcYq
How to tell how much wasp stings will hurt. Short stinging organs tend to carry more-toxic venom — but inflict less pain — than long ones. (Peerj, Toxicology, via nature.com) https://go.nature.com/2LFDCZc
New insights into the evolution of the fig. (Tina, nordicjbotany.org) https://bit.ly/2xTVoWm
Testing shows dry, red sticky traps improve Spotted-Wing Drosophila monitoring. (John P. Roche, Ph.D, entomologytoday.org) https://bit.ly/2JwWZD1
Coddling Moth. Photo: Ken Gray, OSU
Guide to Codling Moth damage identification from WSU. Great info and photos. (Tree Fruit & Extension Center, WSU) https://bit.ly/2JqCGv2
International research team finds ‘staggering’ number of fly species in small patch of tropical forest. (Mark Lowey, University of Calgary, via phys.org) https://bit.ly/2kYIU6z
It’s all about location, location, location. The location of your garden, environment, and even the microclimate in your yard is important to know when selecting plants. (Gardenprofessors.com) https://bit.ly/2Js3aw8
More than a living syringe: Mosquito saliva alone triggers unexpected immune response. (Baylor College of Medicine via Eurekalert.org) https://bit.ly/2sLyuvn
How to protect your local pollinators in ten easy ways. (Ryan P. Smith, smithsonianmag.com) https://bit.ly/2IvhLWW
Battling bubbles: How plants protect themselves from killer fungus. UCR researchers show how plants fight against infections by delivering protective molecules into fungi using bubble-like exosomes. (University of California, Riverside) https://bit.ly/2HBi8tJ
The costs and benefits of pre-plant root manipulation. (gardenprofessors.com) https://bit.ly/2HAZhis
What to do with ornamental grasses in spring. (Mary Hockenberry Meyer, Gail Hudson, University of Minnesota Extension) https://bit.ly/2l0fqp1
By Margaret Bayne, OSU Extension Staff-retired, OSU Master Gardener
June 2018
Photo credit: Chris Branam OSU
Grow your own strawberries to sweet perfection. (Kym Pokorny, OSU) https://bit.ly/2stKRes
Gut microbes can help insects beat pesticides. “Probiotic products now line store shelves, promising to improve human health by replenishing the gut microbiome, or the collection of bacteria and other microbes that live in the digestive system. Insects have a gut microbiome too, and it not only benefits their general well-being but may also help them adapt to and overcome pesticides.” (Leslie Mertz, Ph.D., Entomology Today) https://bit.ly/2GS8rvy
Moss that removes arsenic from contaminated water so it’s safe to drink discovered. “From plastic-eating bacteria to oil-devouring bacterium, it seems Mother Nature keeps surprising us with new ways to protect the environment. Now, scientists have discovered a type of moss capable of purifying water contaminated with arsenic, making it once again safe for human consumption.” (Iflscience.com) https://bit.ly/2Ifk6Bi
5 things that make you attractive to mosquitoes. “Although there is lots of anecdotal evidence from people about what influences the little critters to bite, from eating garlic to having “sweet” blood, there are some aspects that have been proven by science to genuinely increase your chances.” (Josh Davis, Iflscience) https://bit.ly/29YjSBk
What is it about snowdrops that earns them such a devoted following? Do you have Galanthomania too? (Andy Biefield, The Guardian) https://bit.ly/2jR7dD6
The secret of a long life–“Usually the rule in the animal kingdom is: a lot of progeny means a short life – if you are less fertile, you live longer. However, it seems that social insects – that is, insects that live in societies – can escape this fate.” (Daniel Elsner/Karen Meusemann/Judith Korb UNIVERSITY OF FREIBURG, via eurekalert.org) https://bit.ly/2rC7Tja
Plants get a brace to precisely shed flowers and leaves. “Biologists … have just reported …how plants regulate the detachment process and protect themselves. As shedding is closely associated with a plants’ life cycle, this is a topic of substantial interest to improve crop and fruit production. (Institute for Basic Science, phys.org) https://bit.ly/2KS842u
So you think you have bark beetles. While it is from Florida, it is a very informative video. (Jiri Hulcr, Youtube) https://bit.ly/2KgpGnA
Plant story – 200 year old seeds spring to life. “Against all expectations, seed scientists from Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst, germinated 200 year old seeds discovered in The National Archives. Some of these have now grown into healthy plants.” (Kew.org) https://bit.ly/2wxfW6p
Blue flowers! “Cool blue hues can help your garden become a calming and tranquil place. Of course, there aren’t many “true blue” flowering plants to be found, but we’ve come up with a few that could help you bring on the blue.” (Gardening Solutions, University of Florida,) https://bit.ly/2HXFOtA
Best practices for container gardening. Andrea Laine, EMGV, Durham Extension Master Gardener) https://bit.ly/2jPJOSn
Photo credit: Joan – Flickr – CC
Grow Kiwi! “If you have a good strong trellis, are a bit of a gambler and have a love of kiwifruit, there’s no reason not to grow your own crop.” (Kym Pokorny, OSU) https://bit.ly/2J6Fwks
10 Ideas to steal from the world’s biggest botanical garden. (Clare Coulson, gardenista.com) https://bit.ly/2rDHiC4
Butterfly wings inspire light-manipulating surface for medical implants. (Vinayak Narasimhan et al, California Institute of Technology, via phs.org) https://bit.ly/2wyJocf
Scientist rediscovers insect lost for 105 years. (Sarah Nightingale, ucrtoday, University of California, Riverside) https://bit.ly/2KgqJE2
Learn how to keep cats out of your garden. (Brooke Edmunds, OSU, via Katu.com) https://bit.ly/2G9BXHV
The gelatinous looking tongues on the seeds of “Dicentra cucullaria, Dutchman’s Breeches, … are the elaiosomes. “They are rich in fatty lipids and proteins and meant for ants. Ants carry the seeds off into the ground, eat the fatty package and then leave the seed planted and ready to sprout when the time comes. This relationship is called myrmecochory. myrmeco=ant, chory=dispersal. Fun fact: Anthropochory is human dispersal of seeds, like when seeds stick to your pant leg. Many different plants, including Wild Ginger, trilliums and other Dicentra species like the more common Bleeding Heart, Dicentra formosa, have this relationship and produce elaiosomes. Ants are gardeners too.” (Humblerootsnursery, Instagram) https://bit.ly/2Kg82Ao
Grassland plants react unexpectedly to high levels of carbon dioxide. (University of Minnesota) https://bit.ly/2wyMey2
Watch the informative video—“Illnesses on the rise from Mosquito, Tick and Flea Bits. Disease from Mosquitoes, Tick and Flea bites have more than tripled in the US from 2004 to 2016.”(Centers for Disease Control.gov) https://bit.ly/2jPTXNC
Ants navigate with the sixth sense. “Researchers…have now made the surprising discovery that the desert ant uses the Earth’s magnetic field as orientation cue during these calibration trips. This ability had been previously unknown for desert ants.” (University of Wurzburg, via eurekalert.org) https://bit.ly/2rAXK6O
A new Spider family tree tries to untangle the Evolution of Webs. “Scientists have fiercely debated the origins of the orb-style web. A new study challenges the idea that all spiders who make this web had a common ancestor.” (Veronique Greenwood, New York Times) https://trib.al/pOrql6Q
Fruit DNA in invasive Flies’ (SWD) guts could help track their dispersal. (Laura Kraft, Entomologytoday.org) https://bit.ly/2rzDd2Q
New apple disease spoils even pasteurized foods. (Krishna Ramanujan, Cornell University) https://bit.ly/2KW5vML
Learn how to make your own Codling Moth traps, from an OSU expert: “You can make your own apple, pear and Asian pear codling moth pheromone traps. Get a 2 liter pop bottle. 3/4 inch up from the base, cut a 2×2 inch square. Add a good jam, like strawberry; mixed with water so it is sticky and place in the bottom of the pop bottle. Place the pop bottle in the upper 1/3 of the fruit tree. Check each night. They tend to be most active in the evening.” (Ross Penhalagen. OSU farm forum, Facebook)
With more than 4,000 cultivars, Hostas are emperors of the shade. (Linda Geist, University of Missouri Extension) https://bit.ly/2IaU3PR
Can Dirt Save the Earth? “Agriculture could pull carbon out of the air and into the soil — but it would mean a whole new way of thinking about how to tend the land.” (Moises Velasquez-Manof, Nytimes.com) https://nyti.ms/2EVBFnF
A passion for purple foliage plants. (Cindy Haynes, Iowa State University Extension) https://bit.ly/2wxtzCx
A Chinese factory is using AI to breed 6 billion cockroaches each year. (Iflscience.com) https://bit.ly/2IyDQmH
Science and Twitter join forces to uncover a globally imperiled plant species of Heuchera. (Schuette S, Folk RA, Cantley JT, Martine CT, via Pensoft Publishers, eurekalert.org) https://bit.ly/2KW895q
Menu/recipe themed gardens. Specialists have made it easy for you! Check out the different types of gardens, from Pizza, Salsa, Tea, French Fries and more! “Juicy, plump red tomatoes. Crisp onions. Aromatic green basil. Fresh-cut lettuce. These sound enticing on the pages of seed catalogs, but many people may feel intimidated by the idea of their own garden and the tilling, weeding and work that comes with it. The key ingredient to a menu/recipe garden? Plant the most-used produce and herbs from your most-used recipes. (Insights, Ohio State University) https://bit.ly/2I9SIJ6
Photo credit: OSU EESC photo archive
THIS MYTH BUSTED!“Sometimes concepts that are spread via social media and web pages that are just too juicy to pass by such as this “Easy at Home Soil Test”: “… Soil, Plant Pest Center tested several acidic soils and several alkaline soils submitted to the center and testing was complete. They followed the directions for this test using vinegar (weak acetic acid) or baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). Each soil was mixed with either vinegar or baking soda + water.
The results were as follows: 1. None of the acidic soils bubbled when baking soda + water was added; 2. Most of the neutral to alkaline soils did not bubble when vinegar was added. There were a few exceptions. Debbie pulled two soils with pH readings of over 8.1. One bubbled vigorously when vinegar was added; the other, also with an 8.1 pH did not bubble. In general, the test did not work as advertised. To be honest, if it had worked, it still would have yielded very little information. If it had worked, it would not have given the degree of alkalinity or acidity.
If you want reliable information about soils, use a professional soils laboratory that’s certified by meeting industry standards”… (Extension Master Gardener, Facebook) https://bit.ly/2rzDnHu
Rip Van Winkle’ plants hide underground for up to 20 years (University of Sussex, via eurekalert.org) https://bit.ly/2KitioX
While not a local list, here are brief descriptions of many Apple, Crabapple, Pear, Plum and Cherry varieties. (Orangepippin.com) https://bit.ly/2cPpiMr
How a common beetle (Rove Beetle) may offer deep insights into evolution. (James Gorman, nytimes.com) https://nyti.ms/2KfFUNX
What you learn when you put smelly socks in front of Mosquitoes. (Rina Shaikh-Lesko, American University-Washington, via NPR) https://bit.ly/2KdY42j
Why do your teeth feel weird after eating spinach? (Laura Geggel, livescience.com) https://bit.ly/2Iz66pm
Beyond the Honey Bee: How pesticides affect solitary, cavity-nesting Bees (Meredith Swett Walker, Entomologytoday.org) https://bit.ly/2J29JRw
Lizards, mice, bats and other vertebrates are important pollinators too. (Fabrizia Ratto et al, via Ecological Society of America & phys.org) https://bit.ly/2KeSxIN
Variegated Tulips: Beauty from a Virus (Olivia Tracy, Master Gardener, Colorado State University via jeffcogardener.blogspot.com) https://bit.ly/2wBAV8a
5 plants and animals utterly confused by climate change. “Global warming is causing spring to arrive early and autumn to come late in many places, and not all species are adapting at the same rate.” (Livia Albeck-Ripka & Brad Plumer, nytimes.com) https://nyti.ms/2rCsSDc
Need help in finding pollinator attracting plants? Use a search engine: Search by zip code and pollinator type and other characteristics. (Rutgers University, protecting bees, Rutgers University) https://bit.ly/2rAcy4Q
Listen to the sick beats of Rhubarb growing in the dark– snap, crackle, produce! (Eric Grundhauser, atlasobscura.com) https://bit.ly/2IfubOP
Let’s be rational about roots- the myth about root pruning. (Linda Chalker-Scott, WSU via gardenprofessors.com) https://bit.ly/2IuSUSz
Summer flower recommendations. (Chris Rusch, OSU Master Gardener, Douglas Co. Oregon, via New Times Review) https://bit.ly/2rD5e9q
Having one eye better than the other may explain ants’ left bias. (University of Bristol via phys.org) https://bit.ly/2IxAMHD
Colorful moth wings date back to the dinosaur era-New fossils reveal the structure of the ancient insects’ light-scattering scales. (Laurel Hamers, sciencenews.org) https://bit.ly/2KRYAEi
How big spiders use nanoscale physics to fly New study reveals the complex strategies crab spiders use to soar on streamers of silk. (Nala Rogers, Insidescience.org) https://bit.ly/2Icc9g1
Online garden tour-a contemporary English garden offers a reflection of the past. Traditional influences and materials create a garden in harmony with its history. (Anne Balogh, gardendesign.com) (Note : Master Gardeners do not endorse any commercial products. Mention of products in this article does not indicate endorsement.) https://bit.ly/2qrmn5x
By Margaret Bayne, OSU Extension Staff-retired, OSU Master Gardener
May 2018
Residential beekeeping: Best-practice guidelines for nuisance-free beekeeping in Oregon. This publication outlines guidelines for best practices for beekeeping in residential areas. It outlines the steps residential beekeepers can take to operate their bees in nuisance-free manner. (Andony Melathopoulos, Ralph (Mike) Rodia, Jen Holt, & Ramesh R. Sagili, OSU) https://bit.ly/2IIvkOy
Photo credit: Barb Fick
Give the garden a facelift with 6 shrubs sporting dramatic foliage. “It’s easy to grab the pretty flowers staring back at you from the nursery shelves but try straying from the usual and plant vibrant shrubs to spice up the garden.” (Amy Jo Detweiler, OSU; via Kym Pokorny, OSU) https://bit.ly/2qltUmv
Got aphids in your greenhouse? “As a biological control strategy, banker plants offer a novel non-chemical approach to managing commonly encountered pests in the greenhouse.” (Edward Ricciuti, Entomologytoday.org) https://bit.ly/2GNEjgJ
California Bumblebee decline linked to feral honeybees. “…honeybees frequently out-compete native pollinators such as for food and nesting sites.” (Indefenseofplants.com) https://bit.ly/2HpHAEa
Plant a Geiger counter in your garden. “…Tradescantia, also known as Spiderwort…has special sensitivities: the tri-petal flowers open and close based on the weather and light levels; when it is really hot the flowers close, but on an overcast or rainy day, they seem to glow. But the most exciting Tradescantia trick is that it will change flower colors when exposed to low levels of radiation, among other pollutants.” (Lisa Burke, Secretsciencegeek.com) https://bit.ly/2Hpa2Gm
The Gardens of Alcatraz. ”The very name conjures up visions of famous inmates like Al “Scarface” Capone and recalls well-cited facts, such as: “Nobody successfully escaped.” But for all we know about Alcatraz, few people realize that many of its prisoners were also gardeners. (Katie Nanton, nuvomagazine.com) https://bit.ly/2IK5dXJ
In defense of Wasps. “Despite their poor public image, wasps are incredibly important for the world’s economy and ecosystems. Without them, the planet would be pest-ridden to biblical proportions, with much reduced biodiversity”. (Seirian Sumner, iflscience.com) https://bit.ly/2qmbp17
Train yourself to observe tree problems. Download this free informative publication. “A correct diagnosis of the problem is the important first step in trying to manage an unhealthy tree. This publication contains guidelines for identifying tree problems. It will help you examine your tree systematically, collect important background information, and find expert assistance, when necessary.” (Lina Rodriguez Salamanca & Laura Jesse Iles, Plant & Insect Diagnostic Clinic, Iowa State University Extension) https://bit.ly/2IHVCjP
Move over, Beetles: The new champions of diversity are Parasitic Wasps. “Parasitoid wasps that lay eggs in other creatures may represent more species than any other group of animals.” (Nala Rogers, Insidescience.org) https://bit.ly/2Dl0dFO
Photo credit: Tiffany Woods
Stick a thermometer in the soil before planting vegetables. “With a thermometer, no guess work is needed. Soil temperature is the best indicator of when to plant each type of vegetable, no matter what climate zone you live in.” (Jim Meyers, OSU; via Kym Pokorny, OSU) https://bit.ly/2GN5xnP
Brushing plants for height control. “Theoretically, plants release a small amount of the plant hormone ethylene when they are touched or moved (by people, the wind, etc.). With repeated and frequent plant movement, plants release enough ethylene to inhibit elongation.” (Erik Runckle, gpnmag.com) https://bit.ly/2v69kvb
Growing unusual veggies encourages kids to garden! Learn about such fun veggies as Bush Hog Cucumber and Mashed Potato Squash. (Melody Parker, wcfcourier.com) https://bit.ly/2HbCsWK
Three great how-to videos: “Apple Tree Pruning Made Easy.” (U of Minnesota Extension, youtube.com)
Part 1: https://bit.ly/2GO5w71
Cockroaches’ DNA reveals why they thrive in filthy places. “By identifying which genes are key to the bugs’ survival, scientists hope to find ways to better control them.” (Ian Sample, theguardian.com) https://bit.ly/2JCvzfh
Crazy plant ladies through the ages: Women Naturalists, Botanists, and Horticulturists who made history (Gardentherapy.ca blog) https://bit.ly/2Ghh4yy
One Orchid…two colors. “It’s inflorescence is made up of a dense cluster of flowers. Unlike what we are used to with most flowering plants, the flowers of the elder-flowered orchid come in two distinct color morphs – purple and yellow. They are so drastically different that one could be excused for thinking they were two different species. What’s more, the different color morphs co-occur throughout the species’ range. What could be causing this dimorphism? The answer lies in the flowers themselves.” (Indefeseofplants.com) https://bit.ly/2qoEb0b
Earwigs take origami to extremes to fold their wings: “The insects’ springy wing joints are inspiring robotics design.”(Laurel Hamers, Sciencenews.org) https://bit.ly/2IF68bN
All-star spring flowers for your garden. The best flowering bulbs and perennials for early- to late-spring color: Hellebores, Snowdrops, Daffodils and Tulips. (Anne Balogh, Gardendesign.com) https://bit.ly/2qpf79g
Bizarre, parasitic ‘Fairy Lantern’ reappears in the rainforest after 151 Years! “A strange plant that needs no sunlight and sucks on underground fungi for nutrients has turned up in Borneo, Malaysia, 151 years after it was first documented.” (Rafi Letzter, livescience.com) https://bit.ly/2IbDI9F
Making the most out of your soil test. What does soil pH mean for your garden? (Rebecca Finneran & Mary Wilson, Michigan State University Extension) https://bit.ly/2JAn9F7
How to divide perennials. (Richard Jauron, & Willy Klein, Iowa State Extension) https://bit.ly/2GjmNBw
Why leaves don’t leave. “Deciduous trees typically lose all of their leaves by late autumn. But a stroll through the Arboretum reveals a scattering of deciduous trees and shrubs that still have leaves (albeit dry and brown) clinging tightly to branches. These plants are exhibiting marcescence, the trait of retaining plant parts after they are dead and dry.” (Nancy Rose, ARBlog, Harvard University) https://bit.ly/2IHWIfr
The world’s largest mining operation is run by fungi. “If you sift the mineral particles from conifer forest soil, wash them, and examine them under a microscope, you will discover a startling detail: tiny tunnels.” (Jennifer Frazer, Scientificamerican.com) https://bit.ly/2IH7OkW
Photo credit: Pam Zaklan
Practice the good neighbor policy in the garden: Try companion planting. (Pam Zaklan, OSU MG; via Kym Pokorny, OSU) https://bit.ly/2H8SWPc
Royal Jelly-pH and viscosity.“Scientists are still learning some basic information about honey bees, Apis mellifera. In a recent paper, the pH of royal jelly was determined to be the deciding factor for keeping the substance viscous. Honey bee larvae develop into queen bees if they are fed large quantities of a food called royal jelly. But royal jelly does more than determine whether a larva becomes a queen. It also keeps her safely anchored to the roof of the queen cell in which she develops.” (Julia Kurtz via The Garden Professors Blog, Facebook)
Tree care workers need better training to handle dangers on the job. “…study calls attention to post-storm hazards posed to tree care workers and provides safety recommendations.” By Patti Verbanas, Rutgerstoday) https://bit.ly/2qjSp3m
Is sex necessary? For Dandelions, apparently not. “In the case of most dandelions (i.e., Taraxacum officinale), the embryo in the seed forms without, meiosis, thus the offspring are genetically identical to the parent.” Note: If an herbicide is ever recommended, MGs only provide OSU recommendations. (Plant Guy, Howplantswork.com) https://bit.ly/2IHsx8b
Flower garden design basics: “…learn the aesthetic consequences of different strategies. Remember that, in most cases, there is more than one way to arrange plants, and that many of the ‘rules’ of garden design were made to be broken.” (Lee Nelson, Cornell University) https://bit.ly/2HcA7KZ
Hardy Plant Society of Oregon’s 30 favorite plants of 2018. (The Pecks, Oregonlive.com) https://bit.ly/2JCcJVs
New butterfly species discovered nearly 60 years after it was first collected. (University of Florida, Eurekalert.org) https://bit.ly/2GNIDNa
Plants, Fungi and Bacteria work together to clean polluted land. “Microbial interactions help fast growing trees breakdown petrochemical pollutants in the soil.Highly complex interactions among roots, fungi and bacteria underlie the ability of some trees to clean polluted land…” (Technologynetworks.com, Original story from McGill University) https://bit.ly/2HccFgU
Wild plants and historic archaeology. With the old homesteads long gone, “…what’s an archaeologist with a camera, pencil, paper, and keen observation skills to do? Read the landscape.” (Carl Feagans, Archaeology Review) https://bit.ly/2HrkQ6O
Researchers identify the cells that trigger flowering. “How do plants ‘know’ it is time to flower? A new study uncovers exactly where a key protein forms before it triggers the flowering process in plants.” (Linda B. Glaser & Krishna Ramanujan, Cornell Chronicle) https://bit.ly/2HrkT2u
These beetles use booze-soaked trees to farm their food. “Ambrosia beetles have a surprising reason for seeking out trees full of ethanol.” (Douglas Main, National Geographic) https://bit.ly/2GTCuiE
Mullerian mimicry and why telling bumble bee species apart by color can be hard. (Briana Ezray with Andony Melathopoulos, OSU; Pollination Podcast, OSU) https://bit.ly/2qmnmTO
Plant salt tolerance: recent research in Biotechnology. (Bioscriptionblog.com) https://bit.ly/2EAoRmr
“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 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
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
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
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
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
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
