Backyard Gardener
I N T HI S
I S S UE

What’s Killng the
Bay Trees??...Pg 1

E X T E N S I O N ,
Observations of a
Plants To Know
Catnip and
Silvervine...Pg 7

2 0 1 5
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.
Can You Garden
and Love...Page 6

A P R I L
Joe Sewards
UF/IFAS Extension, Volusia County
Urban Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator
Newbie...Page 5

C O U N T Y
What’s Killing The Bay Trees??
As Well As A 4th
Grader?...Pg 4

V O L U S I A
Disease Alert Update: Mosaic Disease of St.
Augustine Grass
Confirmed in
Clay
County...Page 3

U F / I F A S
Calendar...Page 8
Dead Redbay tree
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 avocado industry in south Florida. In addition to
redbay and avocado, other members of the
Laurel family that grow in various parts of Florida 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 symbionts, 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 Preserve in northern Duval County. Currently, the redbay ambrosia beetle is an ecoContinued on Page 2
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 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
What’s Killing the Bay Trees?? - Continued from Page 1
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
The tiny beetle
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.
Pitch tubes from Ambrosia
Beetle boring activity
Knowing all that, it is important to remember, the beetle doesn’t kill the tree directly; 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, plugging 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 currently known, the redbay ambrosia beetle does not attack trees
in other families like oaks, maples, mangoes, sapodilla, and citrus, 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
Continued on Page 3
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What’s Killing the Bay Trees?? - Continued from Page 2
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 regulations. 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 because of their potential as beetle habitat and the danger 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, composting 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 species. 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. Augustinegrass 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.
3
Can You Garden As Well As A 4th Grader?
Laura Rocco Master Gardener
UF/IFAS Extension, Volusia County
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.
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 teachers asked that the bean dissection lesson be repeated 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)
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, hydroponic beds, and planted tomatoes, peppers, cilantro
and oregano to make a pizza and salsa garden. Lettuce flourished in the hydroponic beds, and potatoes grew in straw bales. The teachers (selfdescribed non-gardeners) were skeptical at first. But
as the weekly lessons evolved they began to incorporate the math activities (spacing of plants, measuring 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.
Karen Stauderman contributed
a huge box of strawberries for
Lisa’s lesson on fruits early this
year.
We opted to use small Styrofoam coolers for the hydroponics 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.
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 because teachers have so much
they are required to cover, we
were limited to 20 minute sessions per class per week.
Before I leave for Maryland in mid-April, each student will plant a pineapple to take home. Pineapple
tops are courtesy of Indian River Fruit at the Saturday farmers’ market in New Smyrna Beach and Lindley’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!
Fortunately there was a parent who was committed
to helping and somehow we made it work.
We hope to move the beds to a sunnier location in
the fall. Come join us in the fun.
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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.
OBSERVATIONS OF A NEWBIE MG
Lillian Shelton—Master Gardener (Newbie)
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 LandscapingTM 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.
Like us on Facebook…
www.facebook.com/UniversityOfFloridaIfasVolusiaCounty Extension
5
Plants to Know and Love
Mary Wright
Master Gardener
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. Optimal growth is in zones 9B – 11 but can withstand some frost. It
grows in a range of soils from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. Beware, this shrub is not salt tolerant. Pests and diseases are not an issue with this wonderful shrub that blooms from spring into fall.
The common name, YesterdayToday-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 purchase 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 background 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 conditions although it is not salt tolerant. Plant in a sunny location as Osmanthus becomes 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.
6
Catnip and Silvervine
Rebecca Turner—Master Gardener
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 essential 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 growing, they are happy in full sun and will grow in a variety of soils. They are deer-resistant and drought tolerant. 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. Originally 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 nepetalactone 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 15ft. 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 approximately 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!
7
April Showers
April
flowers,
April showers
showers bring May flowers,
That
That is
is what
what they say.
But
flowers,
But ifif all
all the
the showers turned to flowers,
We’d have
have quite
quiteaacolourful
colorful day!
We’d
day!
Forget-me-not
Forget-me-not and small sundrop
Glistening
Glistening with the dew.
We’d
milkweed
We’d have
have fireweed
fireweed and milkweed
And
flowers.
And many
many more
more different flowers.
Mexican
star,
Mexican star
star and shooting star,
Falling
Falling in the showers.
There’d
cockleshells,
There’d be
be bluebells
bluebells and cockleshells,
Tulips
Tulips red and green,
Daffodils
squill,
Daffodils and Chinese squill,
The
The brightest
brightest you’ve ever seen.
And
flowers
And ifif all
all the
the showers turned to flowers
On
On that
that rainy
rainy April day,
Would
showers
Would all
all the
the flowers turn to showers
In
In the
the sunny
sunny month of May?
You’d
lilies,
You’d see
see tiger
tiger lilies
lilies and water lilies,
Carnations
Carnations pink and blue,
Calendar of Public Events
Topic
Date/Time
Ormond Beach Plant Clinic
Garden Tools Selection, Use and Care (1.5
CEUs)
Plant Faire Preview
Plant Faire
Port Orange Library Clinic
Sugar Mill Garden Q&A and Workday
Creative Garden Art (2 CEUs)
Basic Lawn Care (1.5 CEUs)
Deltona Library Plant Clinic
Proper Planting of Landscape Plants (2 CEUs)
New Smyrna Beach Plant Clinic
April 6, 10a— 12noon
Ormond Beach Library
April 9, 1-2:30 pm
April 10, 9-11:30 am
April 11, 8a—2:00 pm
April 14, 2-4 pm
April 15, 9-11 am
April 16, 1-3 pm
April 18, 10-11:30 am
April 18, 10a—12 noon
April 18, 10a-12 noon
DeBary Hall—Howard Jeffries
Ag Center
Ag Center
Port Orange Library
Sugar Mill Garden, Port Orange
Ormond Beach Regional Library
DeBary Hall—Howard Jeffries
Deltona Library
Ag Center ($5.00)
April 21, 1—3 pm
Native Plants (1.5 CEUs)
April 23, 1—2:30 pm
FFL—Legally Speaking
April 30, 10a—6 pm
Ormond Beach Library Plant Clinic
Bulbs
Location
May 4, 10a—12 noon
May 7, 1-2:30 pm
New Smyrna Beach Library
DeBary Hall—Howard Jeffries
Villages
Sumter County Service Center
Ormond Beach Library
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
8