Three summer nursery update webinars now available

Three pre-recorded webinars on transplanting container-grown trees, updates on nursery pests this summer and MDARD regulations updates.

“MDARD Nursery Program Update” webinar provides updates on pests and diseases of interest in Michigan.
“MDARD Nursery Program Update” webinar provides updates on pests and diseases of interest in Michigan.

Michigan State University Extension has released three new, one-hour, free webinars for nursery growers: “MDARD Nursery Program Update,”  “Improving Transplanting Success of Container-Grown Trees” and “Summer 2015 Nursery Insect Pest Update.”  These webinars provide the most updated information on current production and pest problems in the nursery.

MDARD Nursery Program Update” discusses current pests and diseases of interest and the regulatory aspects of preventing their spread. It is taught by Mike Bryan, plant industry specialist with the Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). The topics to be covered are:

  • Phytophthora ramorum surveys
  • Hemlock and balsam woolly adelgid quarantines
  • Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan
  • ACCELLA – web access for growers and shippers
  • Approved water garden plant listings

The webinar is offered through the Online Integrated Pest Management Academy and pesticide recertification credits are available upon completion.

Improving Transplant Success of Container-Grown Trees,” which is listed as “Container Nursery Program” on the website, discusses how nursery growers can use different types of pots to prevent girdling roots of trees and how landscapers can best address circling roots. It is taught by Bert Cregg, associate professor of horticulture and forestry at MSU. The webinar is available on Bert Cregg’s Garden Professors website.

Nursery transplanting webinar

“Improving Transplanting Success of Container-Grown Trees” webinar covers the best management practices for nurseries and landscapers to prevent girdling roots of trees.  

Summer 2015 Nursery Insect Pest Update” covers six insect pests and new information about how to manage them during production. The six pests discussed are:

  • Gypsy moth
  • Fletcher and other soft scales
  • Japanese beetle
  • Azalea bark scale
  • Pear blister mite
  • Chestnut gall wasp

This webinar is taught by Dave Smitley, professor of entomology at MSU.  In addition to the update on pests, Smitley provides the most updated information on how the neonicotinoid insecticides affect bumble bees on flowering annuals and trees based on the trials performed during summers of 2014 and 2015. This webinar is available through the Online Integrated Pest Management Academy and pesticide recertification credits are available upon completion.

Nursery webinar

“Summer 2015 Nursery Pest Update” webinar covers three current insect problems, three new insect problems and the latest research on how neonicotinoid insecticides effect bees.

All webinars were recorded by Heidi Wollaeger in front of a live grower audience and then edited and optimized for online viewing. 

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