Jeff Dodson, MG 2014
Hello Everyone from the Clinic Desk,
JANUARY!
ALREADY?!?! Good Grief, how can
that be?! Wasn’t it just the Fall of
2015 and now we are deep into Winter? Sigh.
Well, nothing to do about it but what needs to be done.
We at the clinic desk would like to wish all of you the
Happiest of New Years! For gardeners
January is often seen as a time of respite from the gardening concerns of more
actively growing seasons. As a plant
pathologist, however, I can tell you it is not a time to turn your back or even
look askance at your plant charges.
Mother Nature never rests…well, not really….not the way I would define
“rests”, anyhow. However, she does slow
down, especially in Winter and that is to our benefit because it becomes a time
that we can keep a vigilant eye on pests that are lethargic with the Winter
cold. In many cases we have less or no
foliage to obscure our view of our plants.
We can use this time to walk our garden and more closely examine what is
usually covered up. Namely, branches and
other plant structures for easily removable egg cases of potentially harmful
insects; bases of plants for mushroom-type structures; cankerous growths on
plant parts; deadwood that would be better removed that stay and provide a food
source for fungi; sap oozing from cracks in the plants’ epidermis/bark;
abnormal appearing leaves and needles;
branches that are rubbing across other branches; in short, anything that
appears out of the ordinary to you as the keeper of your garden. I know, I know that’s quite a list and I am
pretty sure I didn’t include everything but you don’t have to be able to
recognize, name or even know what to do about possible problems you might
find. You have the clinic to help with
that. Your options include but are not
limited to...
1. Taking
pictures (the more the merrier…especially if in focus). Most helpful to clinicians are three basic
shots. One of the general aspect of the
plant (which includes the surrounding garden), one of the general area of concern
on the individual plant, and one of a close-up of the area of concern (here’s
where the focus becomes tricky but is the most important). To avoid out-of-focus shots do not use any
type of zoom feature on the camera being used (this includes smart phones).
Bring the lens all the way back into the camera and move the camera closer or
further away from the subject until it is focus. Then, snap away.
2. Bringing samples into the clinic during regular business hours. Although
clinicians may not be present a quick check on the clinic calendar or a phone
call (360) 778-5808 will tell you when the next clinician is available. We will get back to you with questions,
answers and suggestions on what next to do.
3. Calling in [(360) 778-5808] to the clinic to talk to a
clinician or leave a message for a call back.
4. Emailing in concerns (and photos, if available) to mg.whatcom@wsu.edu.
Together we can help ensure the Spring will come with a
minimum number of concerns that might escalate into downright problems as the
seasons progress. We in the clinic are
ready and willing to be your resource.
Best regards to all,
Jeff