While You Were Busy in 2012
Periodic News of Interest to the Horticulture Industry in Maine
Printable Version (.pdf)
New to Maine
Winter Moth (WM), a new pest to Maine, was confirmed in Harpswell and Vinalhaven this year. The green inchworm larvae, chew holes in leaves and may completely strip foliage of plants such as oak, maple, ash, cherry and blueberry. Researchers in Massachusetts are currently working on a long term WM management strategy using a parasitic fly that has been succesful in controlling WM populations in Nova Scotia. Nurseries in or near WM infested areas should be aware that WM pupate in the soil from May to November and can easily move with plant material. For more information visis www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/InvasiveThreats.htm#wm
GreenGrower Listserv
Got a question for other growers? The GreenGrower listserv is an easy way to get an share information with growers in northern New England. Not on the GreenGrower listserv? Contact Cheryl Frank.
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
Despite expansion of the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) infested area over the last several years to 30 coastal Maine towns in 4 counties, we continue to maintain a slow the spread approach and the current HWA quarantine remains in place. To read the current quarantine go to www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/01/001/001c266.doc
Changes to the quarantine may be on the way in the next year. We will keep the industry informed as the rule making process begins. If you have questions, comments or concerns, contact Ann Gibbs. For more information on importing hemlocks visit www.maine.gov/agriculture/horticulture/ImportingHemlocks.htm
EAB in CT and MA
Emerald ash borer (EAB) continues to spread with finds in Connecticut and Massachusetts this summer. These new infestations were discovered as a result of survey efforts utilizing bio-surveillance techniques and purple prism traps. Maine has participated in EAB surveys for a number of years, deploying 955 purple prism traps in 2012. No EAB were detected. These finds once again highlight the importance of not moving firewood long distances. For more information visit www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/InvasiveThreats.htm#EAB
Phytophthora ramorum
This summer, a Maine retail nursery received rhodoendron plants from a supplier in Oregon that were potentially infected with Phytophthora ramorum (ramorum blight, formerly known as sudden oak death). Ramorum blight is a federally quarantined disease that affects a wide range of host plants including many tree and shrub species. The suspect plants were sampled and the nursery surveyed. 6 plants tested positive for ramorum blight resulting in the destruction of 53 plants. The nursery will continue to be monitored for several years. For more information on ramorum blight visit www.suddenoakdeath.org
Coming Soon
Impatiens downy mildew (IDM) is a destructive disease of impatiens starting with yellowing leaves that have fuzzy white undersides and ends with bare stems. While there was only one official report of IDM in Maine during 2012, the disease has been moving up the east coast and many plug suppliers are decreasing production of this popular bedding plant in response. Researchers are uncertain how IDM will fare in our climate. For more information visit www.extension.unh.edu/Agric/AGGHFL/DownyMildewonImpatiens.htm
Department Merger
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry was formed this summer, when the Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources merged with the Maine Department of Conservation. Visit the new department's website www.maine.gov/acf to learn more.
