Backyard Gardener

A P R I L 2 0 1 5 U F / I F A S E X T E N S I O N , V O L U S I A C O U N T Y IN THIS

ISSUE

What’s Killng the

Bay Trees??...Pg 1

Disease Alert Up-

date: Mosaic Dis-

ease of St.

Augustine Grass

Confirmed in

Clay

County...Page 3

Can You Garden

As Well As A 4th

Grader?...Pg 4

Observations of a

Newbie...Page 5

Plants To Know

and Love...Page 6

Catnip and

Silvervine...Pg 7

Calendar...Page 8

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educa-tional information, and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to

race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions, or affiliations.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A&M University Coopera-tive Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

(IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services only to

individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions, or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative

Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County

The Master Gardeners get several calls each month from folks who say their bay trees (Persea bobonia and P. palustrus) are dying. The trees turn brown suddenly and the leaves remain on them. This is a result of the Red Bay Ambrosia Beetle (Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff) and the fungus that it carries. There is no effective treatment at this time and red bays are perishing at an alarming rate.

In addition to redbay trees, the beetle and the fungus it carries is also killing avocado trees (P. americana) and is a major threat to the avo-cado industry in south Florida. In addition to redbay and avocado, other members of the Laurel family that grow in various parts of Flor-ida are sassafras (Sassafras albidum), a native and camphor (Cinnamomum camphorum) an exotic invasive species.

Distribution The beetle was presumably introduced in wood crates and pallets, and its rapid spread has killed 6,000 avocado trees in Florida, or about 1 percent of the 655,000 commercial trees in Florida. The beetle was first discovered in South Florida in 2010. It transmits the causal pathogen of laurel wilt disease among plants in the Laurel family (Lauraceae), which is caused by one of its fungal sym-bionts, Raffaelea lauricol, is native to India, Japan, Myanmar, and Taiwan. In the U.S., the beetle was first detected near Port Wentworth, Georgia, in 2002. In Florida, it was first detected in 2005 at the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Pre-serve in northern Duval County. Currently, the redbay ambrosia beetle is an eco-

What’s Killing The Bay Trees?? Joe Sewards

UF/IFAS Extension, Volusia County Urban Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator

Continued on Page 2

Dead Redbay tree

2

nomically important pest in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina and has also been detected in Mississippi, Alabama and North Carolina (R. Trickel). The pest continues to expand rapidly to new areas posing a threat to redbay and avocado trees in the U.S. and in the countries of Central and South America. It is estimated that the beetle is spreading west and south, through Florida, at a rate between 15 and 34 miles per year. Description If you are going out to look for these beetles, forget it; they are tiny! They are about the size of Lincoln’s nose, on the penny. The only way you will know whether or not they have infested your redbay(s) or avocado(s) is when you see the pitch tubes they produce from their boring activity.

The redbay ambrosia beetle bores into host trees (e.g., avocado and redbay and others) and forms galleries in which to reproduce. These galleries protect the immature beetles and breeding adults from predators. The developmental time inside the galleries of the host trees from egg to adult is seven weeks to three months, depending upon temperatures. Knowing all that, it is important to remember, the beetle doesn’t kill the tree di-rectly; it is the blue stain fungus that they carry on their bodies. The larvae start to tunnel inside the tree and the fungus multiples quickly in the vascular tissue, plug-ging it up essentially. The tree will die suddenly and the leaves will turn brown and remain on the dead tree.

What Can Homeowners Do? Currently, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recommends the following for dead redbay and avocado trees: Currently, we recommend that homeowners: 1. Report any suspicious redbay, sassafras, and avocado trees to the Division of Plant Industry at 1-888-397

-1517. These trees are all in the Laurel family. As far as is cur-rently known, the redbay ambrosia beetle does not attack trees in other families like oaks, maples, mangoes, sapodilla, and cit-rus, nor are these species susceptible to the fungus that causes laurel wilt.

2. Redbay and other host woody forest species should not be moved or sold as firewood, tree trimmings, BBQ smoke-wood, mulch, or wood-turning material.

3. Extreme caution should be used in moving live host trees (e.g., redbay, avocado) and wood products into counties where the pest is not yet found. Insect- and disease-free containerized host trees should only be purchased from registered nurseries, and trees showing any signs of wilt or dieback should be destroyed immediately.

4. Fungicide treatment with Alamo® (propiconazole) for redbay has been successfully tested and protected mature trees up to 18 months (Mayfield et al, 2008). However, the time to retreat trees is not well defined yet. High value trees may be protected from laurel wilt

What’s Killing the Bay Trees?? - Continued from Page 1

The tiny beetle

Pitch tubes from Ambrosia Beetle boring activity

Continued on Page 3

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though mass infusion. Homeowners with an interest in protecting high value trees may want to obtain assistance in applying Alamo® through contracting with a certified arborist that is insured and has their pesticide operator's license. There are no approved fungicide treatments for avocado trees at this time. This is an expensive and problematic treatment though.

5. The issue of dead or dying tree disposal is complicated by numerous state, county, and local regula-tions. Current recommendations for urban and rural residents with redbay or avocado trees that are confirmed to be positive for the laurel wilt disease will vary, but these trees should be destroyed be-cause of their potential as beetle habitat and the dan-ger that they will increase the beetle population and further spread the disease. Potential options for tree disposal will vary by county and local regulations and may include: cutting the tree down and placing the wood into the urban debris stream (i.e., the wood is taken to the local landfill and destroyed or buried) or composting the tree by cutting it to ground, placing all wood (or chips) on top of the stump, and covering with a tarp all the way to the ground. However, com-posting is not allowed in some urban areas, so please contact your local county government for guidance. Burning is not recommended because of the necessity to obtain state, county, and/or municipal burn permits and the danger of uncontrolled burning by residents.

Are There Any Long-Term Solutions? University of Florida scientists are currently working on some biological controls for the beetle that are showing some promise. These are intended, primarily, to protect avocado trees and the avocado industry in Florida Conclusion It is unfortunate that we face the likelihood of losing most of our native redbays to this exotic, invasive pest and the disease it carries. If you have a dead redbay or avocado on your property, you can cut the tree down and have it chipped. Cover the chips with a tarp for a week to slow the spread of the beetle. The chips can be used as mulch since the blue stain fungus does not survive in the chips.

Disease Alert Update: Mosaic Disease of St. Augustine Grass Confirmed in Clay County

St. Augustine Mosaic Virus was confirmed last month by UF’s plant pathologist, Dr. Phil Harmon. At this time, the disease most greatly affects ‘Floratam’ St. Augustine, but does infect other cultivars and turf spe-cies. The disease causes yellow streaking on the blades, followed by necrotic spots and finally death. To learn more about the disease, follow the UF Plant Diagnostic Center Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PlantDiagnosticCenter or refer to UF’s publication, Mosaic Disease of St. Augustine-grass Caused by Sugarcane Mosaic Virus, #PP313, at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp313. If you think you might have a lawn positive for this disease, please contact your Extension Office.

What’s Killing the Bay Trees?? - Continued from Page 2

4

For the second year, Master Gardeners in Volusia County had the opportunity to partner with the county school nutritionists in elementary schools.

Funding comes from a state grant to educate students in Title 1 schools about how food gets to the table. At Read-Patillo Elementary School in New Smyrna Beach the three 4th grade classes dug in for the season.

In the inaugural year, we put in raised beds, hydro-ponic beds, and planted tomatoes, peppers, cilantro and oregano to make a pizza and salsa garden. Let-tuce flourished in the hydroponic beds, and pota-toes grew in straw bales. The teachers (self-described non-gardeners) were skeptical at first. But as the weekly lessons evolved they began to incor-porate the math activities (spacing of plants, meas-uring fertilizer proportions), science (dissecting lima beans, ripening tomatoes on the bush vs on the windowsill vs in a paper bag), and communication (keeping a weekly garden journal), and with county nutritionist Lisa Valentine sampled the produce from the garden. We were hampered that year by getting a late start, and by having to put the beds under mighty live oaks (shade, a struggle for veggies). And be-cause teachers have so much they are required to cover, we were limited to 20 minute ses-sions per class per week. Fortunately there was a parent who was committed to helping and somehow we made it work.

This year students from New Smyrna Beach High School planted vegetables in the fall. The extension center nursery has been generous with plants for the beds. In January we were able to resume the Master Gardener component. This year we have three half-hour sessions back to back on Wednesday mornings, one for each class. What a difference those extra 10 minutes make. A dad from this year’s class has pitched in. The teach-ers asked that the bean dissection lesson be re-peated in early March as they began the botany part of the curriculum. And Winnie Cockrell, the school’s cafeteria manager, took the kohlrabi that the students harvested, roasted it and had us all taste the results. (see photos) Karen Stauderman contributed a huge box of strawberries for Lisa’s lesson on fruits early this year. We opted to use small Styro-foam coolers for the hydropon-ics this year and are pleased with the outcome. The school custodian stops by while we have sessions and she’s trying the cooler method at home. Before I leave for Maryland in mid-April, each stu-dent will plant a pineapple to take home. Pineapple tops are courtesy of Indian River Fruit at the Satur-day farmers’ market in New Smyrna Beach and Lind-ley’s Nursery is donating the gallon pots. The enthusiasm of the students is as boundless as their energy. They are not future gardeners, they are gardeners right now! We hope to move the beds to a sunnier location in the fall. Come join us in the fun.

Can You Garden As Well As A 4th Grader? Laura Rocco Master Gardener

UF/IFAS Extension, Volusia County

5

Master Gardener Vision Statement To be the most trusted resource for horticultural education in Florida

Master Gardener Program Mission Statement To assist extension agents in providing research based

horticultural education to Florida residents.

One fact I quickly learned in this new world of horticultural education was that MG stood for Master

Gardener, which was what I could be if I made this commitment. Why was I committing to six weeks

of twice weekly long days, purchasing text books, continuing to volunteer and learn and feel like a

dummy because surely, everyone else will know much more than me?!

Every Master Gardener has his/her own reasons to commit to this program, but mine are fairly simple. I

like a challenge, want to learn more about gardening, and enjoy helping people.

And so far, most of the folks that I have encountered seem to share this outlook.

What I didn’t expect to find was the abiding interest in water and soil conservation, environmentally

sound practices, and profound dedication to education. The whole concept of Florida Friendly Land-

scapingTM seems innovative and far-sighted, though glaringly obvious to the sophisticated gardener!

Having all this new knowledge, through classroom experiences, hands-on labor in the greenhouse or

grounds, is sometimes quite exhilarating – making the 75 hour requirement seem much less onerous. In

fact, I quite look forward to the different ways of spending that much time. Hey, I could be a teacher, a

lecturer, a cultivator, plant propagator, plant clinic whiz or community “green” activist!

As a newbie retiree, I wanted to spend my new “leisure” time doing something that matters. I have had

a lifelong interest in the world of plants and inherited a love of gardening from my mother’s family, but

never made the time to learn more. All the knowledge from my previous working life is stored away

somewhere in my brain, but I am having way too much fun learning about a new subject, to miss my

old working self.

OBSERVATIONS OF A NEWBIE MG Lillian Shelton—Master Gardener (Newbie)

Like us on Facebook… www.facebook.com/UniversityOfFloridaIfasVolusiaCounty Extension

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Brunfelsia grandiflora

This is a typical Brunfelsia growing in Central Florida in the Spring. This plant will grow well in a wide variety of soils and conditions. Op-timal growth is in zones 9B – 11 but can withstand some frost. It grows in a range of soils from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. Be-ware, this shrub is not salt tolerant. Pests and diseases are not an is-sue with this wonderful shrub that blooms from spring into fall. The common name, Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow plant, refers to the flowers that bloom purple, turn light

purple, and then white. The flowers are not noticeably fragrant but make up for that with their unique color change. This plant can be grown from seed but grows slowly so it is best to pur-chase a mature plant. Brunfelsia can be difficult to find in nurseries but is well worth the hunt! Osmanthus fragrans

This is a great plant for Central Florida and the subtle fragrance will make you smile. As Robert Bowden, the director of Leu Gardens, states “this is a great back-ground shrub, not a focal point in the garden.” Its common name is Tea Olive or Sweet Osmanthus. This is not a showy or pretty shrub but perfect for Central Florida conditions. It is hearty in zones 7B – 9. It is slow growing, so purchase as a shrub rather than trying to grow from seed. Osmanthus fragrans needs no pruning and grows in a wide variety of soil condi-tions although it is not salt tolerant. Plant in a sunny location as Osmanthus be-comes thin in the shade. Its flowers form on old growth, directly on the

woody stems. As noted on floridata.com, “Individually the blossoms are small and inconspicuous, but the fragrance is powerful and exquisite.” Southern Living magazine says “this is a classic southern shrub that should be used more often.” The amazingly fragrant flowers that bloom fall through spring more than make up for the bland look of the shrub the rest of the year. The Tea Olive is relatively free of pest and diseases and is well suited as a backdrop in any garden.

Brunfelsia and Osmanthus are underutilized and deserve to be a part of your Central Florida garden.

Plants to Know and Love Mary Wright

Master Gardener

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You may think the world has gone to the dogs, but it’s actually the cats who are having the last laugh. This is because cats have catnip to brighten their day and get them revved -- catnip of the Lamiaceae family of plants. The chemical terpenoid nepetalactone is the essen-tial oil found in catnip extracted by stem distillation. This chemical is most likely infused in the plant to help it repel insects like aphids away from it—it’s a natural repellant for cockroaches, termites and mosquitos too. You would do yourself a favor to plant catnip, or catswort, catmint or, “heal all”. Your cat will thank you, and you will

thank yourself. This ornamental perennial takes no inordinate care to grow. To plant it from seed, freeze the seeds overnight, then soak for 24 hours in water as they have a tough coating, but once up and grow-ing, they are happy in full sun and will grow in a variety of soils. They are deer-resistant and drought tol-erant. Plant in either Spring or Fall. You can get more catnip by division too. It has the square stems, characteristic of the Lamiaceae, with toothy leaves and brownish green foliage with whitish blooms. Origi-nally from Asia, China and the Mediterranean, it has now become completely naturalized in North America. Your cat will appreciate catnip because cats are attracted to the ne-petalactone and love to rub their faces in it. It stimulates their brain through the olfactory mechanism in about 70-80 percent of cats, and even though the pleasurable sensation lasts no longer than 5 to 15 minutes, that’s all they could want of pure non-addictive fun (after all, they have their work to do)! As for humans, this heal all plant is used as an herb in cooking or can be brewed as a tea for a soothing, calming effect. Some people even smoke it for the same benefit. You can plainly see that growing catnip in your garden is a win win for both you and your feline friends. Akin to catnip and just as beneficial to both man and feline is Silvervine of the Actinidaceae family of plants. Native to the higher altitudes in Japan and China, Actinidia polygama is in the same family as the

Kiwi, formerly known as the Chinese Gooseberry. It is a fast-growing climbing vine with white flowers and fleshy fruit and twines up to 15-ft. tall. The Chinese have been using the Silvervine plant for hundreds of years, both the leaves and fruits, for a variety of ailments, most specifically for arthritis because of its anti-inflammatory property. It also produces a like effect on cats as catnip (again, not addictive or harmful), an effect which lasts for from 5 to 30 minutes. Silvervine or cat powder is in the order Ericales or rhododendron order with ap-proximately 25 families and at least 346 genera. It is not typically grown in our area, but is worth looking for at a health food store for

yourself or at a pet store for your cat. Both of you will benefit, and thank goodness nature has provided us with heal all plants like these!

Catnip and Silvervine

Rebecca Turner—Master Gardener

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Calendar of Public EventsCalendar of Public EventsCalendar of Public Events Topic Date/Time Location

Ormond Beach Plant Clinic April 6, 10a— 12noon Ormond Beach Library

Garden Tools Selection, Use and Care (1.5 CEUs) April 9, 1-2:30 pm DeBary Hall—Howard Jeffries

Plant Faire Preview April 10, 9-11:30 am Ag Center

Plant Faire April 11, 8a—2:00 pm Ag Center

Port Orange Library Clinic April 14, 2-4 pm Port Orange Library

Sugar Mill Garden Q&A and Workday April 15, 9-11 am Sugar Mill Garden, Port Orange

Creative Garden Art (2 CEUs) April 16, 1-3 pm Ormond Beach Regional Library

Basic Lawn Care (1.5 CEUs) April 18, 10-11:30 am DeBary Hall—Howard Jeffries

Deltona Library Plant Clinic April 18, 10a—12 noon Deltona Library

Proper Planting of Landscape Plants (2 CEUs) April 18, 10a-12 noon Ag Center ($5.00)

New Smyrna Beach Plant Clinic April 21, 1—3 pm New Smyrna Beach Library

Native Plants (1.5 CEUs) April 23, 1—2:30 pm DeBary Hall—Howard Jeffries

FFL—Legally Speaking April 30, 10a—6 pm Villages Sumter County Service Center

Ormond Beach Library Plant Clinic May 4, 10a—12 noon Ormond Beach Library

Bulbs May 7, 1-2:30 pm DeBary Hall—Howard Jeffries

For more details Master Gardeners should check the VMS calendar. The general public may contact the Volusia County Agricultural Center.

Volusia County Agricultural Center 3100 E. New York Ave. (S.R. 44),

Deland, FL 32724 At the Volusia County Fair Grounds

West Volusia… 386-822-5778 Daytona Beach… 386-257-6012 New Smyrna Beach… 386-423-3368

April showers bring May flowers,

That is what they say.

But if all the showers turned to flowers,

We’d have quite a colourful day!

There’d be bluebells and cockleshells,

Tulips red and green,

Daffodils and Chinese squill,

The brightest you’ve ever seen.

You’d see tiger lilies and water lilies,

Carnations pink and blue,

Forget-me-not and small sundrop

Glistening with the dew.

We’d have fireweed and milkweed

And many more different flowers.

Mexican star and shooting star,

Falling in the showers.

And if all the showers turned to flowers

On that rainy April day,

Would all the flowers turn to showers

In the sunny month of May?

April ShowersApril ShowersApril Showers

April showers bring May flowers,

That is what they say.

But if all the showers turned to flowers,

We’d have quite a colorful day!

There’d be bluebells and cockleshells,

Tulips red and green,

Daffodils and Chinese squill,

The brightest you’ve ever seen.

You’d see tiger lilies and water lilies,

Carnations pink and blue,

Forget-me-not and small sundrop

Glistening with the dew.

We’d have fireweed and milkweed

And many more different flowers.

Mexican star and shooting star,

Falling in the showers.

And if all the showers turned to flowers

On that rainy April day,

Would all the flowers turn to showers

In the sunny month of May?