LBAM discovered in Southern California counties
Growers have been put on alert after light brown apple moth (LBAM) was discovered in California's Los Angeles and Solano counties. The Los Angeles County find was the 1st discovery of the pest outside the state's Bay Area and Central Coast region. Calif. Dept. of Food and Ag. is asking wholesale nurseries in the infestation areas to sign compliance agreements stating they'd inspect host plants before shipment. Retail nurseries will be inspected by officials and asked to properly remove any infested materials.
EAB expands in Ohio; Idaho gets funds
Ohio Dept. of Ag. added Butler and Montgomery counties to its emerald ash borer quarantine. This raises the number of regulated Ohio counties to 31. The pest was 1st detected in Michigan in 2002 and has since been found in Ohio, Indiana, Maryland and Illinois. More than 177,934 sq. miles are quarantined for EAB nationally, and USDA estimates the pest is responsible for the death or decline of 25 million U.S. ash trees. USDA granted Idaho $11.3 million in emergency funds for the state's early-detection program.
Honeysuckles raise invasive question
Connecticut officials have questioned honeysuckles being sold at an independent garden center, said Bob Heffernan, Conn. Nursery & Landscape Assoc. exec. sec. Japanese honeysuckle, Lonicera japonica, is on the state's invasive species list and its sale is prohibited. But the plant in question is the cultivar L. japonica 'Halliana.' Heffernan's association argues that cultivars are not banned unless listed specifically by law. CNLA may ask for assistance with this issue from the state's attorney general.
Echinacea: Is it really good for you?
The garden plant/herbal remedy Echinacea might just be getting a boost of popularity. Researchers have shown that the plant actually does help people fight the common cold. In a study conducted by Univ. of Conn. School of Pharmacy that involved 1,600 people, Echinacea decreased the odds of developing the common cold by 58%. It also reduced the duration of colds by 1.4 days. The research was led by assistant professor Craig Coleman and published in the journal Lancet: Infectious Diseases.
Worth a visit
Learn to grow Hydrangea anomala spp. petiolaris, known as a gentleman among unruly vines. Only on GreenBeam.com.
|
Hortica is the horticultural industry advocate that is a trusted partner for your business insurance, employee benefits and personal insurance. Contact Hortica to discuss your needs.
|
