Magazines can be educational
Thumbing through the June issue of NMPro magazine (Nursery Management & Production) I found a list of crabapple varieties recommended for use in North Dakota and the northern plains. A three year study by Dr. Dale Herman with North Dakota State Univ. based the list on winter hardiness, disease resistance, fruit size (smaller being better), fruit persistence and animal resistance.
He wrote a paragraph about each and provided a few photos. Rosy-pink flowers: Adams, Centurion, Indian Magic, Indian Summer, Selkirk. Pink flowers: Red Splendor. White flowers: Beverly, ?Glen Mills? (Winter Gem), Canary, Donald Wyman, Jackii, Spring Snow, White Candle.
Purple foliage: Cardinal, Purple Prince, Thunderchild, ?Velvetcole? (Velvet
Pillar). Weeping form: ?Molazam? (Molten Lava). A few more are under consideration for recommendation: Prairifire, Norman, ?Huber? (Royal Fountain) and 6 dwarf selections.
Dr. Appleton wrote a good short article on the hazards of topping crapemyrtles in the landscape, with strong research and photos for support.
American Landscape, McMinnville?s Wal-Mart and I are trying to renovate their Natchez after years of annual topping.
A short article explains the bacterial leaf scorch that is attacking the oaks in front of National Health Care across from Wal-Mart and Social Security. Another article explains how eating eastern tent caterpillars can cause horses to abort.
J. Frank Schmidt introduces Redpointe red maple, Musashino columnar zelkova, Spring Flurry serviceberry and Royal Raindrops crabapple. And there is a good article on using soaps and oils to control insects safely.
The senior vice president of Hortica Insurance wrote a good article on crop insurance. He explains the 2 levels: catastrophic and ?buy-up?. Buy-up is
priced higher, but is more comprehensive. The buy-up plan has a much lower deductible than the 50 percent of value of the Cat. plan. It can be as low as 25 percent.
?A significantly higher percentage of each plant?s value may be covered on a buy-up policy. The cat. policy offers coverage for only 55 percent of a plant?s wholesale value. A buy-up covers a plant?s entire wholesale value. … Buy-up makes sense for nurseries…Liners are now insurable.?
NMPro is free to producers. 1-800-433-5612
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The Comfort Index for spraying and avoiding phytotoxicity (burn) is 140.
Avoid spraying when the temperature and humidity add up to 140 or more. The likelihood of burn is great. Choose cooler times of the day or days with less humidity. Based on NC State research.
Have you heard these two? They are not based on research. I have observed some friends wipe a sheet of fabric softener (Bounce, Snuggle) on their exposed skin and clothing to repel insects. It seems to work for me also. Avoid eyes.
Another friend takes new, clear gallon zip-lock bags, fill 2/3’s with water, twist and hang around the ceiling of a porch or outdoor area to repel flies.