Through the state cooperative extension system, Maria is able to contact an ornamental entomologist via email with some basic questions about her crop very soon after she notices the early symptomology. She attaches images and a copy of her scouting records to her e-mail query.
Description FACT SHEET:On-Site Testing of Growing Media & Irrigation Water This conversation occurs February 6th after the initial recommendations by the Extension Horticulturist are followed.Maria has completed a simple 1:2 media extraction (see page four of Floriculture Fact Sheet linked at right). She measured pH and EC with inexpensive hand-held meters that she calibrates prior…
Description A plant tissue analysis offers a snapshot of the plant’s tissue nutrient content at the time of sampling. An early analysis allows for deficiencies and toxicities to be detected, and proper corrective actions to be implemented before permanent physiological damage occurs. Unless otherwise specified, the youngest fully-expanded lead should be sampled. Maria decides to…
Description Maria follows the scouting and monitoring methods and as described in an Extension Fact Sheet from Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service (linked at right). By maintaining accurate records, she is able to refer to them when problems arise and build a database of pests, crop preferences and yearly population cycles. Maria knows from…
A Case Study to Determine the cause of Chlorosis in a Crop of Cut Dicentra spectabilis By Marci Spaw, Kimberly A. Williams, Laurie Hodges, Ellen T. Paparozzi and Ingrid L. Mallberg The Grower The grower, Maria Flint, is forcing Dicentra spectabilis as cut flowers for Valentine’s Day sales for the first time. While Dicentra is…
Description Maria mails plant samples along with a Plant Diagnostic Checksheet to a university Plant Pathology Diagnostic Lab. Maria sent two plants exhibiting symptomology and one plant that appeared healthy. Diagnostician Judy O’Mara talks through the steps she goes through to sort out the cause of the chlorosis. Her activities include checking color and health…
Description EXAMPLE: KSU Soil Sample Information Sheet Acid-based extractions are typically performed on soil samples from fields used for agronomic production; most university soils testing labs affiliated with Agronomy departments used acid-extraction techniques. Linked at right is an example of a submittal form Maria would need to fill out to include with the media sample….