Cucumbers, melons, squash, and tomatoes are among the most widely grown vegetables in Kentucky, and as many experienced growers can tell you, nothing can bring an untimely end to the season quite like cucurbit downy mildew (Figure 1) or late…
Blog Archives
Spider Mites Love Hot Weather
With the summer months just beginning (although this spring has felt like summer), producers need to keep in mind that hot and dry conditions can lead to some specific pest problems. Two-spotted spider mite is a common pest of many…
Posted in Vegetables
Spotted Wing Drosophila on the Rise
Spotted wing drosophila (SWD, Figure 1) activity is increasing, based on positive samples identified from several southern and central Kentucky counties. Some locations have trapped relatively high numbers needing control. This increase in activity is earlier than what we have…
Posted in Fruit
Sanitation Recommendations for Small-Scale Field Hemp Plantings
Hemp is often considered a disease-free plant. However, no research has been done to determine whether certain pathogens can increase to problematic levels in the field. If disease becomes a significant problem in field-planted hemp, the result can be premature…
Posted in Hemp
Spruce Dieback – Needle Cast Diseases May Be To Blame
Blue spruce and Norway spruce are popular landscape plants in Kentucky. However, many factors can cause spruce trees to cast (shed) needles. Casting may be the result of environmental stresses (heavy soil, poor drainage) or fungal diseases. In Kentucky, Rhizosphaera…
Posted in Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Japanese Beetles Emerging
The first report of Japanese beetle emergence was just received from Scott County. Recent rains across much of the state have loosened hardened soils, so a few warm, sunny days will prompt additional beetle emergence. Individual Japanese beetles live about…
Posted in Landscape Trees & Shrubs
Black Root Rot of Ornamentals (PPFS-OR-03)
Black root rot can affect a wide range of ornamentals in home and commercial landscapes, nurseries, and greenhouses. In Kentucky, this disease is commonly observed on Japanese and blue hollies, inkberry, pansy, petunia, and vinca. In addition to ornamentals, numerous…
Posted in Featured Publications
