Nl december 14

...for discerning weeders COORDINATOR’S CORNER

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Events

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Mini-Holiday

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Christmas Invasive

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Wildlife Happenings

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Baking Soda Lucky Lockey’s Holiday Goodies

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8&9

Updates and Info

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All A-Buzz

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Attention!

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Birthday Wishes

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Last Word

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HAVE YOU LOGGED ON TO VMS LATELY? DON’T FORGET TO KEEP YOUR HOURS UP TO DATE!

Many changes and challenges occurred during 2014. Below are a few highlights, reminders and memories.

Office Staff & Faculty Family & Cosumer Sciences Agent (FCS) position—Elaine Courtney retired in April after 31 years with UF Extension in Okaloosa County.

This position will change from a County FCS Agent position to a Multicounty Agent position with Okaloosa/Walton County. After two rounds of interviews, it now looks promising for a new person to fill this position beginning in January 2015. In addition to the change in the FCS Agent position becoming a Multicounty Agent position, Walton County had an open Ag Agent position that became a Multicounty position.

This position was recently filled by Evan Anderson who started on November 21. We hired Evan from West Virginia. He will serve both Walton and Okaloosa in this new position.

This is all part of a new UF staffing plan with Okaloosa and Walton Counties being pilot counties. Ann Moss retired the end of May after 29 years with our office. I was successful in filling this position with Joanna Sims in June. 4-H Agent Haley Worley resigned in May after 22 months with our office as a result of her husband joining the military. I was successful in filling the 4-H Agent position with Misty Smith in October. Brenda Smith, Okaloosa Saves Program Assistant, resigned after 6 years with our office.

At this time, this position is not being filled. Family Nutrition Program (FNP) - We hired a new FNP Program Assistant, Emily Arthur, in October. This is a grant funded position. Marine Sciences Agent position—Brooke Saari resigned after almost seven years as a Multicounty Marine Sciences Agent with Okaloosa-Walton Counties as a result of her husband getting a job in Washington State. I will be dealing with the process of filling this position in the near future. Linda Meyers became inactive as a Master Gardener during 2014. Linda was the 4-H

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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by L. Williams

Program Assistant for 25 years with the Okaloosa County Extension Office until her retirement in June 2010. The fall of that same year, she completed the Master Gardener training course and became a volunteer for the same office she worked at for 25 years. Upon her retirement, she also became a member of the Okaloosa County 4-H Association Board. I have known and worked with Linda for more than 20 years. I miss her.

Winter Ice Storm Do you remember the winter ice storm in January? Our office was closed for two-and -a-half days as a result of this wintery weather. This weather event resulted in our office addressing many of the concerns and questions from citizens, the Green Industry and farmers concerning frozen crops, lawns and landscapes.

Spring Flood Do you remember the flood in Spril? This weather event again resulted in our office having to address many of the

concerns and questions from clientele groups that we serve related to the results and aftermath of a flood. A State of Emergency was declared for Okaloosa County. The Extension Annex was flooded.

Continued on next page December, 2014

COORDINATOR

cont’d

Renovation of Extension Annex Building As a result of the flood, I was able to get some very much needed renovation work done at the Extension Annex. I know this was an interruption in much of the Master Gardener activities at the Annex but thank you for your help and patience in getting through this. The building sure smells better now. I’ll make no promises on future floods. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

My 5 Year Rotation as a State Officer At the end of August I transitioned from President of the Florida Association of County Agricultural Agents to the Past President.

As I fulfill my responsibilities as Past President, I will complete the 5 year rotation as a state officer with the FACAA at the end of August 2015. Being a state officer has afforded me many opportunities but to be honest, I am looking forward to completing this responsibility.

Centennial of Extension As you know, we celebrated the 100 Year Anniversary of Exten-

sion in 2014 in many different ways. Thank you for being a part of this organization during the first 100 years. Welcome to the beginning of the second 100 years.

Loss of Master Gardeners In 2014, we lost Shirley Howell (January 14), Susan Hume (January 15), and John Palm (May 18). They all were terrific people who loved to share and give back. This is partly what made them such wonderful Master Gardener volunteers. We were very fortunate to have them as part of our organization. They are greatly missed.

28° outside—48° inside April Dawn Cajun Hibiscus courtesy of D. Hickenbotham

The Jokester Sarchasm (n.): The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn’t get it.

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December, 2014

You can find even more events by going to the member web site: www.ocmgamembers.org and click on the calendar page. Events throughout the Panhandle are listed. Simply click on the event and you’ll see all the pertinent information!

Tri-County Horticulture Studies Group Meetings and Activities for 2014 Meetings 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, lunch optional “Designs for Christmas” Activity: On site. Emerald Coast Nursery is a great place to shop.

Lunch: Ruby Tuesdays, Niceville

2015 Christmas Party!

December 10th Shalimar Baptist Church Musical interlude before lunch Festivities begin immediately following the general membership meeting.

Also! A Silent Auction! Get your holiday shopping all wrapped up!

2015 will be our 20th Anniversary!

Stay Tuned for Announcements!

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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December, 2014

MINI HOLIDAY CHEER Add a little spot of color and the feeling of spring to your winter home with a less traditional holiday plant. A miniature rose might raise your spirits and brighten your day. Add a few wrapped chocolates and this diminutive specimen, originally from China, might be just the unusual gift you have been trying to find for that special person.

These small scale roses come in a broad range of colors, like their full-sized counter parts, all that is, except blue.. The flowers come in single, double, and semi-double form. Their blooms are about the size of a dime, or a quarter, but not particularly fragrant.

Miniature roses are hardy year-round in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-11. Great, we know we can grow them outside here with a good cover of mulch, but what do we do with this holiday roses from November, December or Valentine’s Day until we can transplant them outside? What is the best way to care for them?

Light The Holiday Survival Guide for Dummies tells us not to believe those who try and convince us that growing miniature roses (Rosa chinesis hybrids) indoors on a windowsill is easy. If you don’t want to take that pronouncement to heart there are some things you can do.

You will need to provide plenty of bright light. Since roses are sun loving, a bright west, or south facing window is suggested.

Temperature Next to light, Ronald Schwerdt from the American Rose Society, says temperature is the most important item affecting rose growth. The night temperature should be the low to mid 60’s and the day temperature in the low 70s. “The warmer temperature during the day helps the plant manufacture food. The cooler night temperature slows the plant down, so it can utilize the food.”

Water/Humidity Provide extra humidity to compensate for the dryness in most winter homes. This can be accomplished by placing a water-filled tray with a layer of small rocks, or pebbles under your rose. If leaves shrivel, yellow and drop, the humidity is too low. Take care not to have the rose sitting in water, however.

When you first bring your plant home, it may need to soak for an hour in warm water. If it is wrapped in moss, remove the moss. You may need to repot it in a 4 or 6 inch pot with drainage.

Soilless mixtures retain moisture and rain well. After the initial watering, keep your miniature rose moist, but not soggy.

Test for dryness by feeling the soil. When the soil is starting to dry out, check 3/4” to 1” into the soil. If it feels and looks dry, it needs to be watered. Roses that dry out too much may have short -lived blooms and additional buds may fail to open.

Pests Schwerdt states the obvious, but it is interesting to have it spelled out. “Any insect, or disease that a plant has to contend with outdoors can also attack the plant indoors. Just as your indoor light table is ideal for growing roses, it is also ideal for insects (a warm, stable temperature, and an environment that is free of nature’s predators that kept them under control outdoors).”

Regularly monitor for pests on your miniature roses. Spider mites may become a problem. The first sign you may notice as an indication of mites will be the lightening of lower foliage as the mites suck the sap. To check for mites, shake leaves over a piece of white paper. Mites will be seen as small moving colored dots.

To treat mites, the soil and pot can be covered in plastic and An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

by A. Rosati given a warm shower (3-4 times a week), or soapy water (1 tablespoon liquid dishwashing soap to 1 quart water). Follow with a warm water rinse. An insecticidal soap can also be effective in controlling mites.

Aphids may be a problem for roses in the spring and fall. These tiny green, or black flying insects can also be washed off the plant with a water spray.

History A little history of roses is provided for us by Sandra Mason, an Extension Educator, Horticulture form Illinois. “Roses share a colorful history with people. They have been symbols of love, beauty war, states and nations. Roses were in such high demand during the seventeenth century that royalty considered roses, or rose water as legal tender. Roses were also an important symbol in meetings. If a rose was hung from the ceiling at a meeting, all those present were vowed to secrecy...Garden cultivation of roses began some 5,000 years ago, probably in China.

Roses have been grown not only for their beauty but for cosmetics, fragrances, medicines and for making rosaries...Miniatures were very popular with Chinese gardeners long before they became popular in the United States just after World War II.” So whatever your reason for growing roses and in this case miniature roses, you can celebrate a special holiday, add color to a room, or marvel at this pint-sized version of a beloved outdoor plant. We know roses can bloom outside in northwest Florida at least nine months of the year, but with a little diligence, those remaining months can feature miniature roses blooming indoor while you wait for the return of spring.

References: Brown, Sydney Park. Associate Professor and Consumer Horticulture Specialist. UFL/IFAS: “Growing Roses in Florida” Publication #CIR 344, Dec. 2013 Dardick, Karen. “Miniature Roses for the Holidays.” The National Gardening Association-Health: Houseplants.

House Plants Encyclopedia, “Growing Miniature Roses” Jordi, Rebecca CED. Horticulture Agent III, Nassau County Extension. Callahan, FL. “Beauty Secret.”

Mason, Sandra. Extension Educator, Horticulture. “Miniature Roses Make Nice Valentine’s Day Gifts.” web.extension.illinois.edu.

Schwerdt, Ronald. American Rose Society. “Growing Miniature Roses Indoors.” www/rose/org/rose-care articles The Holiday Survival Guide for Dummies. “How to Care for Miniature Roses.” www.dummies.com

Ed. Note: These lovely miniature roses are courtesy of A. Rosati’s collection.

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December, 2014

CHRISTMAS INVASIVE

by D. Stever

Ardisia crenata (Coral berry) is also known by a variety of names such as Australian holly, Coral ardisia, Coral bush, Coralberry tree, Hen's-eyes, Christmas berry and Spiceberry. This invasive species was introduced to the United States in the early twentieth century as an ornamental.

such as hardwood hammocks, becoming a significant pest. http:// plants.ifas.ufl.edu/ node/42.

Christmas berry is the most common name used for this plant. It is a small upright shrub that is used and sold extensively in the horticulture industry as an ornamental plant. Ardisia crenata’s native range includes areas of Japan and northern India. Ardisia crenata escaped cultivation in 1982, spreading into wooded areas. Currently Ardisia crenata has established in many counties in northern and central Florida. In the landscape, Ardisia crenata is known and grown for its persistent red berries, glossy foliage and low maintenance.

Native alternatives for Ardisia crenata include Dwarf yaupon holly and Wild coffee. Chinese holly is a nonnative, non-invasive substitute as well.

Ardisia crenata is listed by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (a non-governmental organization) as a category I species, defined as an introduced species that is invading and disrupting native plant communities in Florida. In many areas, Ardisia crenata has become a significant pest. http://www.floridata.com/ref/a/ardis_c.cfm

Ardisia crenata has naturalized in many areas across Florida, The Jokester From a church bulletin: “For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.”

Japanese Maple courtesy of S. Olsen

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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December, 2014

WILDLIFE HAPPENINGS The year is winding down, but there is plenty going on with our local wildlife.

BIRDS Annual Christmas bird count begins mid-December.

National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count The Christmas Bird Count — A Long Tradition This is the best time for watching waterfowl on wetlands, lakes, and prairies. Great horned owls and barred owls courting. Listen for them. Look for Goldfinches at north Florida feeders.

courtesy of www.wec.ufl.edu/extension Yellow-rumped warblers will show-up at feeders if it is cold enough. In north Florida, bald eagles start hatching bout Christmas day.

Christmas Spools courtesy of L. Buhrow

Banded Sphinx Moth Caterpillar courtesy of L. Thomason

Pitcher Plant Bog 155 plants including all 6 native species courtesy of D. Hickenbotham

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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December, 2014

BAKING SODA Last month we visited your linen closet (or maybe your medicine cabinet) and borrowed your Epsom salts for a discussion of their potential benefits in the garden. This month we’re moving on to your pantry and are going to investigate some of the claims made for the use of baking soda in the garden. But first, let’s define it. Baking soda, otherwise known as bicarbonate of soda, sodium bicarbonate, and, less commonly, saleratus, is a chemical salt with the chemical formula of NaHCO3. In its natural form, baking soda is called nahcolite, taking its name from its chemical formula. Baking soda is weakly alkaline. It acts to neutralize acids and break down proteins. These qualities make it an effective leavening agent, which is probably what most of us think of first when considering baking soda. When combined with a liquid and an acid, it undergoes a chemical reaction that releases bubbles of carbon dioxide.

Trapped in batter or dough, these carbon dioxide bubbles enable the baked good to rise. Alkalinity is the quality that makes baking soda potentially useful in the fight against fungal diseases because it makes plant leaves alkaline, creating an inhospitable environment for fungal spores to become established. Its best use is as a fungal preventative against such diseases as powdery or downy mildew and blackspot, or as an agent to keep disease from spreading once it has started.

Research conducted at Cornell University in the 1980’s-90’s is the basis for most of the home-made formulas that use bicarbonates to prevent or treat plant disease. There is science to support this claim (with caveats). More on that below. There are also many other claims about the benefits of using baking soda in the garden and these have less positive evidence to back them up.

I’ll list a few of those and you can test them if you wish. Please note I am not advocating any of these as being tried and true, and, frankly, I am quite skeptical about most of them. Also, note that baking soda is part SALT. Its sodium component can build up and eventually become toxic to your plants. More is not better. In higher concentrations, baking soda can cause discoloration of some fruits (in as little as a 2 percent solution) and interveinal chlorosis on leaves (in as little as a one percent solution.) Also, being alkaline, it may affect the pH of your soil. Now on to those claims: Perking up your roses: Use a spray of 7 tablespoons of baking soda, and a small dash of insecticidal soap (no pyrethrums) in 5 gallons of water. Spray every few days. Be sure to check often for signs of burning. If no burning occurs (some plants may be sensitive) the spray can be used once weekly. An alternative formula is: one tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp of clear ammonia and one tsp Epsom salt in a gallon of water. One gallon of this mix will treat four bushes that have lost their luster (that’s the claim, anyway).

by K. Harper the leaves and die in a day or so. Use a bottle that allows you to sprinkle the mixture onto the plants and keep handy for reapplying every couple of days or after a rain.

Garden Grime buster: Rub baking soda on wet hands after gardening. Rinse well. (Not much to lose by trying that!)

Sweeten your tomatoes: This is accomplished by lowering their acidity. Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on the soil around your tomato plants being careful not to get the soda on the plant itself. (You can also use 1 tsp in a gallon of water and water the plants that way) The baking soda absorbs into the soil and lowers the acidity levels. This will give you tomatoes that are more sweet than tart.

Kill Crabgrass: Wet the crab grass and pour a heavy dusting of baking soda on it. The crab grass will die back in a few days. (Avoid surrounding grass if you can.) Simply wet the crabgrass, pour a heavy dusting of baking soda on the weed. The crabgrass should start dying back in 2 or 3 days. CAUTION: When applying baking soda try not to get it on your desired grass as too much baking soda can burn and kill it.

Test your soil PH: Wet the soil and take a small amount of baking soda and sprinkle it onto soil. If the baking soda bubbles, your soil is acidic with a PH level under 5.

Discourage Weeds: Pour dry baking soda, full strength, into cracks in your sidewalk or patio to kill weeds and prevent their regrowth. For weeds in other areas, wet the weeds then apply about a teaspoon of baking soda directly onto the weed. Be sure you do not get baking soda on or around your good plants.

Slug repellant: lightly pour baking soda on them. (Note: if you’ve ever seen the effect plain salt has on slugs, this will come as no surprise to you, since salt is a component of baking soda.)

Smelly Compost: To keep the smell of a compost area down, use baking soda right out of the box on the compost pile. This helps prevent acidity from building up. (This would be the same principle underlying the use of baking soda in your kitchen drain or on your cutting board, making use of its accepted odorneutralizing property.)

Clean Bird Baths & Clay Pots: Use as an effective tool for cleaning a bird bath without toxic chemicals. After putting baking soda on it, use a damp cloth to get rid of dirt and then rinse with water. You can also use baking soda to clean clay flower pots completely and rinse clean. No harmful residue will be absorbed by the clay.

Magnificent Blooms: If you know you have acidic soil, flowers Keep Soil Fresher In Pots: When using clay pots you can keep that thrive in alkaline soil (such as geraniums and begonias) may soil fresher by first coating the pot with a thin layer of baking benefit from being watered with a slight, weak amount of baking soda, and then adding the soil. soda.

Kill Cabbage worms: Mix equal parts of baking soda and flour and dust plants such as broccoli, cabbage and kale that are attractive to cabbage worms. The worms will eat the mixture on An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

Continued on next page

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December, 2014

BAKING SODA Now, back to the subject of using bicarbonates to prevent or treat plant diseases. As mentioned above, the best-known body of research is based on findings from Cornell University. The Cornell research, as well as that from several other sources, is summarized in an abstract from November, 2001: (http:// tinyurl.com/odkszr4)

continued Dr. Richard Horst, who is generally credited with the research upon which many of the “Cornell University formulas” are based. Basically, Dr. Horst says the Cornell formulas are a bunch of hooey derived from misinterpretations of his research that continues to be spread via the internet. (Here is a typical website with these formulas: http://tinyurl.com/c7spb4 )

Of interest to us in our review of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is that there are at least two other types of bicarbonates (ammonium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate) and both of these have proven to be more effective than the baking soda that is in your pantry. This paragraph describes the research from that time (1980’s-90’s) with all three types:

In particular, says Dr. Horst, the use of horticultural oil as the ‘spreader/sticker’ component of the formula has been discredited for these reasons: *Repeated use for several weeks causes phytotoxicity *It results in an oily residue building up on the leaves, fruits and vegetables *There is an occasional visible crinkling of the leaves Testing with a variety of bicarbonates revealed that selecting the *The oil separates rapidly from the water making application correct bicarbonate for a particular disease is important. Dr. difficult Horst's research team found that ammonium bicarbonate had *The use of such an oil may not be ideal from an environmental the strongest effect on some diseases, while potassium and sostandpoint; it could increase the hydrocarbon loading of the air dium bicarbonates worked best against others. Potassium bicar- and in ground water bonate provided the best control of PM. "Sodium bicarbonate is All of these flaws with the so-called Cornell formulas have led okay, but it's not as good," [Cornell University researcher Dr Dr. Horst to do further research into the best spreader/sticker Richard] Horst is quoted as saying. "And ammonium bicarbon- and he has come up with a formula that he’s made available ate doesn't do the job on powdery mildew." He points out that commercially called “GreenCure.” To quote Dr. Horst: while conventional chemical controls for PM are preventatives “Considering the amount of research that went into finding the only, bicarbonates can eliminate the disease after it has already most benign and effective solution to control plant mildew, there appeared on certain crops—he mentions roses and an unspecireally is no reason for gardeners to create homemade solutions fied ornamental—provided the infection is not severe. The only that may not be effective and may produce unfavorable results." plant damage associated with bicarbonates applied in the trials If you’d like to read an entertaining but fairly harsh critique of was foliar burning when application rates exceeded recomthe “Cornell formulas” as well as the rest of Dr. Horst’s press mended concentrations. Testing established that sodium bicarrelease from which the above quotes were taken, have a look at: bonate does not increase the levels of sodium in plant tissues, http://tinyurl.com/o68efx3 In addition to GreenCure, Dr. Horst soil, or runoff water. While their precise mode of action against has subsequently patented several products that are listed on his fungi is not understood, Horst states that bicarbonates seem to website: http://www.hiagritech.com/products.htm. This is his damage the cell wall membrane in PM spores. He also believes commercial website: http://www.greencure.net/ And this is a pH to be a factor in bicarbonate effectiveness. In any case, bicar- link to suppliers of his products: http://www.greencure.net/ bonates are contact fungicides, and kill PM within minutes. where_to_buy.asp I don’t have major plant disease issues in my garden but I think this is useful information for master gardenOf the three types of bicarbonates, potassium carbonate has ers to have when we are called upon by our clients to diagnose since been incorporated into commercially-available products. and treat their plant disease problems. I know I am not alone in Links to some of the product labels are: Armicarb: http:// wishing to use the least toxic products possible. We may well tinyurl.com/oc4q5wv Kaligreen: http://tinyurl.com/keeelb8 and question Dr. Horst’s profit motive in denouncing the homemade Remedy: http://tinyurl.com/qj8h3wt anti-fungal formulas but it is up to us to read the research and decide the best way to proceed.

Interestingly enough, there is updated information on the subject of using bicarbonates in the garden from none other than

LUCKY LOCKEY’S HOLIDAY GOODIES—PART 1 Pumpkin Pie Dip Ingredients: 1—8 ounce package cream cheese—softened 2 cups powdered sugar 1—15 ounce can pumpkin 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ground ginger Beat cream cheese and sugar at medium speed until smooth.

Add pumpkin, cinnamon and ginger. Beat well.

Cover and chill 8 hours. Serve with ginger snaps, apples or pear slices.

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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December, 2014

UPDATES AND INFO

by Editorial Staff

A reminder to check out the Master Gardener program on Crestview Television! We have some new videos up there! http:// www.cvctv.info/channel.cfm?category=The%20Master% 20Gardener&id=4430

FYI

*Conflicts between People and the Florida Black Bear - 5 page fact sheet providing tips for prevention of human-bear conflicts and tells how to report conflicts if they happen. http:// UPDATED PUBLICATIONS edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw389 *Floridians' Perceptions of Endangered Species - 4 page fact * Mosaic Disease of St. Augustinegrass Caused by Sugarcane sheet that provides information to more effectively communicate Mosaic Virus - 3 page fact sheet http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp313 with and educate clientele about endangered species. http:// *Gulf Coast Tick edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc185 http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/URBAN/MEDICAL/ *Floridians' Perceptions of Invasive Species - 5 page fact sheet Gulf_coast_tick.htm provides information to more effectively communicate with and *Tobacco Streak Virus (TSV) Detected on Zucchini Squash in educate clientele about invasive species. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ South Florida wc186 http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pestalert/2014/11/06/tobacco-streak*Food Safety at Tailgating - 3 page fact sheet providing informavirus-tsv-detected-on-zucchini-squash-in-south-florida/ tion on safe food practices for tailgating and other outdoor sport*African malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae Giles - 6 page ing events. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs256 fact sheet covering this insect and the vectoring of human ma*Homemade Household Cleaners - 3 page fact sheet on making laria and lymphatic filariasis. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1048 your own cleaners. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1449 *Imperial Moth Eacles imperialis - 9 page fact sheet on this large *Consuming local vegetables from our local growers - 5 page fact moth. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1051 sheet promotes local vegetable consumption. http:// *Homeowner Best Management Practices for the Home Lawn - 6 edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1251 page fact sheet providing easy-to-follow tips on Florida-friendly *Is My Tree Safe? Recognizing Conditions that Increase the Likelawn maintenance. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep236 lihood of Tree Failure http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep507 *Acoelorrhaphe wrightii: Paurotis Palm - 3 page fact sheet cov- *Estimating Willingness to Pay for New Mandarin Cultivars: A ering growth habits and care of this plant. http:// Revealed Preference Approach http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe955 edis.ifas.ufl.edu/st058 *Tropilaelaps mite http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1061 *Conventional and Specialty Eggplant Varieties in Florida - 5 page fact sheet guide to eggplant varieties commonly used in Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1243 COOL STUFF YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED *Jalapeño and Other Hot Pepper Varieties for Florida - 8 page E-cycling - video http://www.youtube.com/embed/ fact sheet guide of jalapeño and other hot pepper varieties used I_e3QdULgxA?list=UUZ9eSxgi-NS-0_1k_bE3SsA in Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1241 *Screening Methods for Southern Chinch Bug Resistance in St. Why are Some People Left-Handed?

Augustinegrass http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1050 *Hand Pollination of Tomato for Breeding and Seed Production Sloths and Moths—Mutually Beneficial http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1248

LUCKY LOCKEY’S HOLIDAY GOODIES—PART 2 CRAN-RASPBERRY SALAD

tially gel. Refrigerate.

Ingredients: 2—3 ounce packages raspberry Jell-o™ 1—20 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained (reserve juice) 1 cup pineapple juice (from above) add water to make one cup 1 can whole berry cranberry sauce 1 cup chopped pecans 10—12 ounce frozen raspberries Dissolve Jell-o™ in hot juice. Add cranberries and pineapple.

Mix so that cranberries are not lumpy. Add frozen raspberries and nuts. Mix well. The frozen berries will cause the mix to parAn Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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December, 2014

ALL A-BUZZ

by P. Garrett

Originally the topic for this month’s article was to continue learning all about the honeybee and delving into honeybee anatomy. However, that was before last Monday, 11/24. Working a hive is like being on a treasure hunt looking for some unknown, all the while trying to survive an unpredictable, emotional roller coaster. I know it sounds a bit dramatic, but being a beekeeper is like worrying about many new children. I worry about our “girlz;” I never want to leave them alone, even with a responsible “sitter” watching out for them, and I always wonder if I (we) are making the right decisions. (I am on this adventure with my husband, M. so I should be saying “we.” M. is the main brain and researcher, and I am the technician. I say I know enough to ask the right questions and pick his brain a little, and all in all, we make a pretty good team this way. Most of the time ;-) We were a little concerned about one hive as we hadn’t noticed a lot of bees flying in and out of the hive, and the bees hadn’t been eating their sugar water too well either. What was going on?

Was this hive becoming weaker and for what reason? We normally leave plenty of full honey frames for the bees to eat during the winter, but this hive had not stored very much, so we were feeding them a sugar water solution (2 parts sugar to one part water) in hopes they would consume the sugar water and make honey for their own use. For feeding, it is more cost effective to feed sugar water than honey. We also do not like to open the hives too often at this time of the year unless overly concerned about something and besides we had already performed our fall hive maintenance and checks. Any time a hive is opened the bees are disturbed and could become more stressed which may contribute to a weaker hive as well. Plus as the bees work very hard to maintain the ideal brood temperature of about 95degrees F, we hate to open and work the hive this time of the year. What we found when we opened the hive was frustrating to say the least!

repeatedly, gets dark. Imagine trying to see a beetle that only gets as large as 5 mm long (females a little longer than males) and 3.2 mm wide, that is black as coal! (Newly emerged adults may be light brown, but soon become black). Normally one can only see the antennae moving at the entrance of the cell before the entire body is visualized. We started to kill these with our forceps and tweezers when more and more emerged and before long, we couldn’t keep up with the killing demands. In an effort to save the hive, we removed each and every frame, brushed the bees off, and then I hit the frames down on each end of the frame onto our white working table while Mike held a hive tool in each hand in this macabre game of not “Whack a Mole,” but “Beat a Beetle”…. I worry even now that the adult females have oviposited eggs everywhere…. in the crevices, the larva cells, the honey, the pollen… I try to remember that all the beetles want is warm lodging and free food! Since we had so many frames that essentially were not fulfilling any purpose in the hive and were empty (due to a small population), we decided to switch the hive over to a “nuc”, a 5 frame, smaller hive body instead of the normal deep (a hive body with 10 frames). That way, the bees could more easily fend off the SHB’s and keep the temp up more easily.

As a child working hives with my great-grandfather, we didn’t have pests such as the SHB. Also, there were no viruses, parasites, bacterial infections, microsporidia or fungal diseases. No one had ever heard of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) either. Small hive beetles were found initially in port cities of Savannah GA, Charleston SC and some parts of FL around 1996. They are native to Africa and can also be found in Australia since early 2000’s. Our European honeybees have no defenses against these beetles. A honeybee’s stinger cannot penetrate SHB’s hard exoskeleton. SHB’s have even learned to solicit food from bees when held in their prisons by using their antennae to rub the bees’ mandibles, causing the bees to regurgitate and feed the SHB’s. In next month’s article, we will discuss SHB’s in more detail. Stay tuned!

We had been in this particular hive just 14 days before and everything looked well. Sure there were a few small hive beetles (SHB’s), but they were adults so we killed most of them and didn’t think anymore about it. The bee numbers did seem a bit low, but there were still many bees, especially on the four frames which had the majority of the brood (eggs, larva, pupae & capped REFERENCE: Dr. Jamie Ellis, Dept. of Entomology and Nemacells). The queen was found and appeared to be healthy and tology, IFAS, UF, Gainesville FL 32611 laying eggs, even though the pattern was a bit spotty (queens do not lay as much in the winter so this wasn’t too unusual). There was some honey in the hive (we worry about bees starving in the winter, but this was a bit early for them to run out of food). Pollen was stored in preparation for winter consumption of their protein source (“bee bread” – more on that later) and all in all, at The Jokester a glance, the colony looked pretty good. We did see a few SHB’s in the corner of the hive body that had been kept in “prison” by Advice for the Ages: the bees, but this is normally the case.

Don’t sweat the petty things and don’t pet the sweaty things.

That’s when all hit the fan and we started to see more and more of the dreaded pests. Yes, we were about to go to war! I have never hated an insect so much in my life. In fact there aren’t but a few insects I will outright kill (flea, mosquito, roach, fly and blister beetle to name a few). We were having trouble seeing the beetles initially because of the darkness of the cells in our older frames. New beeswax is nice and clean, and very easy to see into the cells, but older, darker beeswax that brood has been laid in An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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December, 2014

ATTENTION READERS! Well, we only had one submission for the mystery picture. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a correct guess. The mystery photo is that of the Cypress flower gall midge. It was submitted by E. Smith so he will be getting the prize this month.

We will be needing submissions for January’s edition of The Compost Pile. Due to the holidays, submissions are due by December 28th. We have several folks who are regulars and a big thank you to: K. Harper, A. Rosati, D. Stever, L. Morris, P. Garrett, S. Berry, and all others who have submitted articles.

You’ll notice that this edition is full of photos submitted by our members. Thank you!

Do you have a topic you want to see covered? Do you have interesting links? Photos? Don’t forget to submit them!

noon. Stop in and lend a hand!

We ask that articles be in a pdf or word doc format and pictures be submitted as jpeg attachments. Other formats are doable but have mercy on your editors. You can email your submissions by clicking here. email

The Extension landscape can also use a few folks willing to get dirty. There is a list on the board in the Master Gardener office with various jobs that need doing. We’re all busy during this time of the year but if you have some spare time, we’d appreciate it.

This publication is only as good as the information we get in.

Let’s ring in 2015 with a bang!

Don’t forget that this year’s Christmas party features a Silent Auction. Bring in your items on December 9th from 1pm until 3pm or the morning of our meeting. This has always been a good auction and a good way to fill out those Christmas wish lists we still have to get filled!

Don’t forget that the nursery at the Annex could still use help.

They are there every Friday (except for holidays) from 9:30 until

P. Garrett K. Kirk-Williams L. Mackey A. Phillips A. Rosati R. Shelgren

DON’T FORGET! We now have a full calendar on our member web-site! Click on the event and any additional information will be posted for that event. This calendar is updated constantly so check back often. www.ocmgamembers.org/Calendar.html An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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December, 2014

M. Stewart —Editor S. Farrell , K. Harper and S. Berry—co-editors

Have pictures or an idea for an article?

Send it in!

Articles and pictures are always welcome.

Your member site: www.ocmgamembers.org

The Foundation for the Gator Nation.....An equal opportunity institution.

LAST WORD Well my Christmas shopping is officially done.

I went out on Black Friday at 4am. Yes, I’m one of “those” people. Allow me to explain. Coming from up in the north-east (yes, I’m also one of “those” Yankees) I never went out on Black Friday. You’ve all see the news and the videos...I wasn’t keen on the idea of hand-to-hand combat when it came to filling the Christmas stockings.

For some reason, known only to my addled brain and the Lord above...I went (with great trepidation) the 2nd year we lived here.

Once I got my mouth to stop dropping open because everyone was actually being polite, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. So, I’ve gone every year since.

Now that the stores seem intent on eliminating Thanksgiving completely, the stores are even emptier when I venture out. Of course, all this got me to thinking...is a $29.95 7” tablet worth missing time with your family? Granted, there may be some family members that you’d like to get away from but if it’s that bad—you aren’t going to buy them a tablet anyway right?

I saw TV’s that were as big as the mattress on my bed! Where would you even put that thing? Electronic gadgets galore— still more reason to eliminate the need for human interaction. Heck, that’s even a sales pitch for some on-line food ordering place…”Click on the app and never have to deal with a human being!” Seriously...they actually said that.

So, it worked out well for me. There were very few folks in the stores. I also had a complete list this year. For some reason, my family has this issue with making a Christmas list. Every year, I bug them and bug them and FINALLY they give me their list...always last minute and usually requiring expedited shipping to get it in time for the holidays. This year, however, I played it differently. There was no cajoling and no begging. No indeed. I resorted to threats.

Any person who did not give me their Christmas list before my shopping day would be receiving underwear...ugly underwear. Since my family knows me very well, they were suitably induced to provide said lists within plenty of time.

‘Tis the Season right? Oh you know what season I mean...the season of threats. “Be good or Santa won’t come.” “Keep it up and I’m inviting mother for the entire week!” We’ve all been there. It’s a tradition and why mess with tradition?

Actually, I don’t know why it’s such a

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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By M. Stewart problem for my family to provide lists. We’re so innovative and imaginative when it comes to Christmas. Frying pans, work boots, ceramic knife...Happy Hubby is the gift card recipient.

He’s impossible to buy for so everyone grumbles but gets him gift cards. He’s happy and can go shopping on his computer.

There’s no fancy stuff on our lists. Mostly stuff that we actually need.

Heck, I received a roto-tiller a few years back. Yes, now you know where I get it from—it’s hereditary.

We’ll all meet for dinner, open our presents and torment the cats. We’ll all eat too much and watch football. I’ll fuss over too many people in my kitchen—but the mayhem goes with the territory. I won’t be able to find anything for a week because of all the helpers putting things away but it will be an excuse to clean out cupboards before the New Year.

As for me, I have two Christmas lists. The one I give to the intrepid (and hopefully accurate) shoppers in my family and the other is between me and the Universe.

This Christmas I wish for a garden without weeds. No, some of the weeds had pretty flowers so scratch that one off. I wish for a pest-less garden. No, then the good bugs wouldn’t have anything to eat.

Toss that one off the list as well. Humph!

Since I seem to be fresh out of ideas for my list, I’ll have to just wish for: Safe travels to all who are journeying this holiday season. May your roads be unclogged and your flights un-delayed. May your luggage always arrive when you do.

May the times you spend with your family and friends always be uplifting and joyful...and if they’re not may they make great YouTube videos that turn into viral hits and make you famous.

Enough time in the garden that you end up tired but not too tired.

May there be just enough bad weather to give us all something to complain about.

Think how boring all nice weather gets!

May all the phone calls you have to make to businesses and such be greeted by a living human on the other end of the phone.

And lastly, may your gas gauge always have enough to get you safely to your destination BEFORE the price goes up again!

From all of us to all of you. Merry Christmas!

December, 2014