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ummer is in full swing and the transition to hot and dry weather has begun. The abrupt change from rainy, mild temperate days has produced very noticeable stress symptoms in various landscape plants. Leaf scorch and leaf drop top the list of the visible symptoms. In most cases there is little to worry about as these are normal plant responses to the change. However, for some plants these symptoms may indicate a more serious condition caused by soil saturation induced root injury. Leaf diseases causing excessive leaf drop, such as cedar-apple rust and marssonia leaf spot, were more prevalent this year due to the wet spring weather.
Additionally, some insect issues were also affecting clientele in July. They include leaf munching bagworms on junipers and arborvitae, and Japanese beetles with their voracious appetite for roses, crepe myrtle, and grapevines. The webbed nests of fall webworm were also appearing in various landscape trees; they may cause greater clientele concerns as their numbers increase this fall.
I have been actively promoting the Master Gardener volunteer training program. The first Master Gardener basic training classes are slated to begin September 20 at the Southeast Area Extension Center in Parsons. Application forms have been sent to all persons that have indicated an interest in the training. More interested individuals are still needed; a minimum of 15 applicants is required by the state horticulture department for each training site. Please pass the word on about this year’s Master Gardener training to any potential clientele you may know.
July and August are the months for county fairs. I have been judging exhibits at several fairs, both 4-H and open class. County fairs also mark the last hurrah for summer as schools will soon be opening their doors to welcome returning students. Although summer is now half over gardeners will still experience more issues, so please remind them to keep in touch with our Extension offices. Remind them that they can hear the latest Extension news every Wednesday morning on our live, KGGF 690 AM radio program (air time is from 7:40 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.), or catch our agent interviews on the KOAM TV Wildcat Wednesday morning program.
SUMMER CAN LEAD TO STRESS SYMPTOMS IN PLANTS
INSECT
REPELLANT
MOLES