Phytophthora

$250,000 shifted to P. austrocedri research

By Curt Kipp — Posted September 19, 2024

Officials have quickly reprioritized $250,000 in federal horticulture research funds to immediately begin developing and implementing effective strategies to prevent the spread of Phytophthora austrocedri and minimize its impact on the horticultural industry. P. austrocedri is a destructive pathogen threatening valuable ornamental crops including cypress, arborvitae, juniper, and cedar, which could have serious consequences for nurseries, landscapes, […]

New Phytophthora pathogen — not P. ramorum — found on two nurseries

By Curt Kipp — Posted August 28, 2024

A soilborne plant pathogen not previously seen in the United States — Phytophthora austrocedri — has been detected at two Oregon nurseries and has infested an unknown number of plants. The detections have prompted an aggressive quarantine of some of the plant material on both operations as growers and authorities strive to identify infested areas and contain the pathogen’s […]

Highlights from the 2024 Oregon Nursery Science Summit

By Lloyd Nackley — Posted July 29, 2024

Participants get update on research, insect and pest management and plant selection and production

Program equips growers with knowledge to prevent and diagnose nursery crop diseases

By Luisa Santamaria — Posted November 29, 2023

Our mission is to provide nurseries and their teams with the information and resources they need to protect and improve plant health.

Progress towards effective Phytophthora root rot control

By Jerry Weiland — Posted October 31, 2023

OSU research shows different approaches required for management of common rhododendron disease.

Researchers roundup

By Lloyd Nackley — Posted July 26, 2023

Get to know the horticultural researchers at OSU and USDA Many programs focus on nursery, greenhouse, landscape and related crops at Oregon State University (OSU) and the Horticulture Crops Research Laboratory at the Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS), the principal in-house research agency of the United States Department of Agriculture. Here are some of the […]

Restoring a conifer classic

By Ryan Contreras — Posted September 22, 2021

Breeding disease-resistant Port Orford cedar for reforestation and the horticulture industry By Ryan Contreras and Richard Sniezko Port Orford cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) is a long-lived conifer native to northwestern California and southwestern Oregon. It spans an elevational range from sea level to 5,000 feet or more. In forestry, the tree has both economic and ecological […]

Knowing your cedar pests

By Jay Pscheidt — Posted January 7, 2021

Grower awareness of problems can protect both grower and customer It’s important to be aware of issues in the landscape and forest, as they can become problems in the nursery or for your customers. Cedar trees have a number of pest and problems to be aware of, from abiotic disorders to insects and diseases. Some […]

Managing epidemics

By Jennifer Parke — Posted October 21, 2020

Whether dealing with plant pathogens or COVID-19, common principles apply The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it, threatening human health, causing disruption to our society, and resulting in economic challenges. While impacts of plant pests and diseases may pale in importance compared to COVID-19, they still cause large-scale ecological and economic damage […]

Scouting for boxwood blight

By Jerry Weiland — Posted February 26, 2020

These 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 […]