Research shows that spacing out boxwood shrubs in production prevents the spread of infectious spores By Mana Ohkura, Lloyd Nackley, Carolyn Scagel and Jerry E. Weiland It’s been a year and a half since the COVID-19 pandemic started. We have been hearing how social distancing prevents the spread of the virus and we see signs […]
The grassroots of research
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— PostedThe nursery industry plays an important role funding and vetting beneficial research projects Universities and colleges, in Oregon and elsewhere, don’t merely provide nurseries and greenhouses with well-trained, knowledgeable and conversant employees. They also provide research-proven knowledge and best practices, so growers can produce a better crop and run a more profitable business. These institutions […]
Villains of the greenhouse
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— PostedWhen seedlings fail, Rhizoctonia damping-off, root and stem rot may be the cause There is so much hope for the future when we plant seeds, but that can be dashed when they don’t emerge, or when they fall over soon after popping out of the media. There are many fungi that live and survive in […]
Knowing your cedar pests
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— PostedGrower awareness of problems can protect both grower and customer It’s important to be aware of issues in the landscape and forest, as they can become problems in the nursery or for your customers. Cedar trees have a number of pest and problems to be aware of, from abiotic disorders to insects and diseases. Some […]
Scouting for boxwood blight
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— PostedThese tips make it easier to spot and mitigate this highly infectious disease By Jerry E. Weiland and Jay W. Pscheidt The 2019 growing season was a big year for boxwood blight in Oregon. The disease, caused by the pathogen Calonectria (Cylindrocladium) pseudonaviculata, has caused substantial damage to boxwood shrubs in U.S. nurseries and gardens […]
Sticking together on big pest issues
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— PostedNursery and greenhouse operators face an ever-increasing set of opportunities and challenges. Few are more daunting, or more of a game changer, than pest and disease issues. Oregon has a stellar reputation of producing quality plant material, which is shipped throughout the Pacific Northwest, the nation and internationally. Faced with uncertainty regarding the spread of […]
Fire blight in the plant nursery
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— PostedHow did it arrive here, and what can be done? Fire blight is a disease that can kill apple and pear trees. It is especially dangerous in a nursery setting, for reasons we will explain. The disease can result in the direct loss of plant material, which in turn can necessitate a costly and difficult […]
OSU and USDA Nursery Working Group
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— PostedThere are many programs at Oregon State University (OSU) and the USDA-ARS- Horticulture Crops Research Laboratory that focus on nursery, greenhouse, landscape and related crops. Here are some of the people and their programs that impact the ornamental industry of Oregon. Neil Bell evaluates landscape plants for drought tolerance and cold hardiness in western Oregon. […]
Get ‘em while they’re hot: New cultivars from OSU
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— PostedThe Ornamental Plant Breeding Program at OSU is beginning to hit its stride and new cultivars are hitting the market – carrying the hopes of making a positive impact on the industry. Established in 2010, the Ornamental Plant Breeding Program at Oregon State University has worked to develop plants that work in production for landscapers […]
Testing the waters
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— PostedHow to test your irrigation system for the presence of Phythophthora By Neelam R. Redekar and Jennifer L. Parke Phytophthora is a fungus-like organism — called a water mold — that can infect a wide variety of nursery plant species. One of the ways it can spread is through irrigation water. Depending on size, a […]