Category: Lawn & Garden

New Florida Foliage Plant Cultivar: Pothos ‘Pearls and Jade’ (ENH1180/EP441)

Pothos plants are tree-climbing vines native to the Solomon Islands, but they flower seldom and never under greenhouse conditions or in interior environments. As a result, no hybridized pothos cultivars are known to exist. Because of the barriers to hybridization, a program was initiated at the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC) in Apopka, Florida, to induce mutations in order to develop new pothos varieties. Pothos ‘Pearls and Jade’® (Fig.1) is a mutation selection from a group of ‘Marble Queen’ plants. This 4-page fact sheet describing the new hybrid was written by R. J. Henny, J. Chen, and T. A. Mellich, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep441

Seiridium Canker of Leyland Cypress (FOR279/FR341)

Seiridium canker, or Cypress canker, was first reported in California in the late 1920s and has since spread throughout North America and into Florida wherever Cupressaceae (cypress family) grow. Leyland cypress can be killed or severely disfigured by the disease. This 4-page fact sheet describes the causal agent, host range, symptoms and signs, disease cycle and management, and recommends tree replacements with resistance to Seiridium canker. Written by Jason A. Smith, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, November 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr341

Sudden Oak Death and Ramorum Blight (PP197/PP118)

Sudden oak death and ramorum blight are relatively new diseases capable of causing a range of symptoms, from leaf spots to plant death, on many woody hosts. Because these diseases are new, much about the pathogen, host range, and disease epidemiology is unknown. Currently, neither sudden oak death nor ramorum blight is established in Florida, but state agencies and university educators continue to work together to monitor for these diseases. This revised 4-page fact sheet describes the causal agent and gephgraphical distribution, host range, disease symptoms, and control options. Written by Phil Harmon and Carrie Harmon, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp118

Homeowner’s Guide to Fungicides for Lawn and Landscape Disease Management (PP233/PP154)

Homeowners are often discouraged from using fungicide products to manage diseases of the lawn and landscape, but many fungicides are packaged for and marketed to homeowners. This 5-page fact sheet provides guidance in using fungicides appropriately to manage some lawn and landscape diseases. Written by Phil Harmon, Aaron Palmateer, Rachel Ribbeck, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp154

Royal Palm Bug, Xylastodoris luteolus Barber (Insecta: Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae) (EENY097/IN254)

This insect species is one of the few arthropods that feed on Cuban royal palms which are native to Florida and Cuba, and is the only representative of the small tropical family of Thaumastocoridae in North America. This revised 3-page fact sheet was written by T. J. Weissling, F. W. Howard, and A. W. Meerow, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in254

Brown Patch (SSPLP5/LH044)

Brown patch, large patch, or Rhizoctonia blight is a fungal disease observed November through May that infects the leaf area closest to the soil, eventually killing the leaf. This 3-page fact sheet was written by M. L. Elliott and P. F. Harmon and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, February 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/lh044

Take-all Root Rot (SSPLP16/LH079)

Take-all root rot, or Bermudagrass decline, is a root rot disease triggered by high rainfall or stress and manifesting as irregular yellow or light green patches two to three weekds after the pathogen has been active in the roots. This 3-page fact sheet was written by M. L. Elliott and P. F. Harmon and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, February 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/lh079

Drought Decision-Support Tools: Introducing the Lawn and Garden Moisture Index — LGMI (AE470)

Recently, researchers at the University of Alabama developed an index called the Lawn and Garden Moisture Index or LGMI, which monitors the capacity of current soil moisture to sustain healthy lawns and gardens. This 4-page fact sheet explains the nuts and bolds of the LGMI and how to monitor and forecast the index on agroclimate.org. Written by Clyde W. Fraisse, Prem Woli, and Keith T. Ingram, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae470

Questions and Answers: 2009 Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Legislation (ENH1179/EP440)

Florida’s increasing urbanization, coastal development, and population growth continue to tax water resources. Homeowners’ association (HOA) covenants governing landscape design and maintenance can have a significant, adverse impact on the environment, but by encouraging the transformation of conventional landscapes to Florida-Friendly landscapes, HOAs and homeowners can conserve water, protect the environment, and allow a wide range of aesthetic choices. This 10-page fact sheet answers questions HOAs and homeowners may have about the implications of Florida Statute § 373.185 for HOA review boards. It also addresses the aesthetics of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ and provides a list of resources for further information. It was written by Kathy Malone, Esen Momol, Jane Tolbert, Marina D’Abreau, Terril Nell, Gail Hansen, Gary Knox, Michael Thomas, Kristine Jones, and Jim Spratt, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep440

Turfgrass Disease Management (SSPLP14/LH040)

Turfgrass diseases are underappreciated because the biological organisms (plant pathogens) causing the problems are rarely observed. Fortunately, grasses maintained using proper cultural practices (water, mowing, and fertility) are not as likely to become diseased or be as severely damaged as grasses that do not receive proper care. This 11-page fact sheet discusses turfgrass diseases, their causal agents, diagnosis, and management. Written by M. L. Elliott and P. F. Harmon and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, February 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/lh040

Horticultural Therapy (ENH970/EP145)

Horticultural therapy is the practice of engaging people in plant or gardening activities to improve their bodies, minds, and spirits. Research confirms that healthful benefits accrue when people connect with plants by viewing, planting, growing, and/or caring for them. This revised 3-page fact sheet describes the history and benefits of horticultural therapy, and includes references and links to additional resources. It was written by Sydney Park Brown, Eva C. Worden, Theodora M. Frohne, and Jessica Sullivan, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, January 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep145

Frequency of Residential Irrigation Maintenance Problems (AE472/AE472)

The majority of Florida in-ground irrigation systems have some type of maintenance problem that could be causing excessive water use. Inspections should be done on a regular basis. This factsheet describes the five residential irrigation problems that represented half of the problems found in 3,416 audits by Urban Mobile Irrigation Labs in Florida. This 7-page fact sheet was written by Thomas R. Olmsted and Michael D. Dukes, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, January 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae472

Reclaimed Water Use in the Landscape series

Reclaimed water is former wastewater from households, schools, offices, hospitals, and commercial and industrial facilities that has been disinfected and treated to remove certain impurities such as nutrients and pathogens. After flowing out of wastewater treatment plants, reclaimed water is piped back to communities for reuse in numerous domestic, industrial, and agricultural applications. Though reclaimed water cannot be used for drinking water in Florida, it is considered highly safe and reliable for non-potable water needs. These fact sheets were written by Gurpal S. Toor and Mary Lusk, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, January 2011:
What’s in Reclaimed Water and Where Does It Go? (SL337/SS542)
Constituents of Concern in Reclaimed Water (SL338/SS543)
Managing Salinity, Sodicity, and Specific Ions in Sites Irrigated with Reclaimed Water (SL340/SS545)
Understanding Landscape Irrigation Water Quality Tests (SL341/SS546)
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_series_reclaimed_water_use_in_the_landscape

Cercospora Leaf Spot (SSPLP57/LH082)

Cercospora leaf spot is a fungal disease of St. Augustinegrass observed during periods of frequent rainfall. This revised 2-page fact sheet was written by M. L. Elliott and P. F. Harmon, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, February 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/lh082

Rust (SSPLP12/LH051)

Rust is a fungal disease that occurs in cool weather causing yellow specks enlarging to spots with orange pustules in St. Augustinegrass and zoysiagrass. This revised 2-page fact sheet was written by M. L. Elliott and P. F. Harmon, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, February 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/lh051

Pythium Root Rot (SSPLP11/LH050)

This fungal root disease affecting all warm-season turfgrasses is associated with wet soil conditions causes nonspecific decline in turf quality. This revised 2-page fact sheet was written by M. L. Elliott and P. F. Harmon, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, February 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/lh050

Gray Leaf Spot (SSPLP8/LH047)

This disease affects primarily St. Augustinegrass, but also centipedegrass. It is most often observed from late spring to early fall, especially during prolonged periods of rainfall. This revised 2-page fact sheet was written by M. L. Elliott and P. F. Harmon, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, February 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/lh047

Fairy Rings (SSPLP7/LH046)

Fairy rings, especially the mushrooms, are most commonly observed during the summer months, when Florida receives the majority of its rainfall. This revised 2-page fact sheet with identification and control information was written by M. L. Elliott and P. F. Harmon, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, February 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/lh046

Anthracnose (SSPLP56/LH043)

Identify and control for this disease that often appears as reddish-brown spots surrounded by a narrow yellow halo, primarily in centipedegrass. This revised 2-page fact sheet was written by M. L. Elliott and P. F. Harmon, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, February 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/lh043