White County Horticulture Published Irregularly January 2019 Vol. 6 No. 1

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1 White County Horticulture Published Irregularly January 2019 Vol. 6 No. 1 Winter Gardening Tips Winter vegetables can grow all winter provided the temperatures don t drop too low. Keep some covering handy and if temperatures are predicted much below 28 you should protect them with an overturned box, pot or row cover. Harvest as needed throughout the winter, but do avoid contact when leaves are frozen since they will be brittle. All landscape plants, including lawns can be brittle when temperatures are below freezing. If we do get winter precipitation in the form of ice, stay away from your plants until they thaw. Branches can snap quickly when ice is on them. If we get heavy snow, lightly brushing it away from gentle sweeps from below the branches can prevent limbs from breaking with the weight, but use caution. If you do experience weather damaged plants, assess the damage once the snow and/or ice is gone. If there are broken branches, prune to remove any dangling limbs. If leaves are burned, ignore it until spring. Pruning off cosmetic damage too early could expose more of the plant to further damage. Many gardeners are noticing that their azalea plants have a lot of yellow foliage on them. For the majority of the plants this is their annual old leave shed. Some evergreen plants shed leaves periodically all season, while others shed once a year. If you look closely the leaves that are yellowing are those closest to the bottom of the branch. The tip leaves and buds are still green. White and light pink varieties are more prone to the dramatic yellowing than darker flowering forms, but it is nothing to be worried about. Watch for greening in your lawn as January continues. This greening in a dormant warm season grass will not be lawn grass but winter weeds. If you can catch them early you can stop their growth. Sherri Sanders County Extension Agriculture - Agent The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture. The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Persons with disabilities, who require alternative means of communication for program information (large print, audiotapes, etc.), should notify the White County Extension office as soon as possible, prior to the activity.

2 plant, but with poor flower color, and in another plant of the same type he sees good color but poor habit. Chickweed Species: Stellaria media Description: Common chickweed is a manybranched winter annual with white flowers bearing five petals. Each petal is deeply lobed so that each flower appears to have ten petals. The leaves are opposite, entire and oval (inset). It often appears in shady areas. Along with henbit, it may the most common winter annual broadleaf weed in the state. Control: Simazine or atrazine applied in late November or early December provide good to excellent control. Metsulfuron (Manor, Mansion, MSM OD25 or Blade ) is very effective postemergence. Three-ways (2,4-D + MCPP + dicamba) alone provide only partial control of chickweed. Tank mixing a three-way with simazine, atrazine or metsulfuron solves the problem of poor control. Apply early (between December and March 1) before the weeds get big. F1 HYBRID SEEDS. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? We ve been receiving calls and questions from folks about the expensive seed varieties in the catalogs which are labelled as F1 hybrids. Typically, the next question to follow is Can I save those seeds to replant next year? Developing an F1 hybrid is not an easy task. A plant breeder combines the best traits of two plants and self-pollinates them in isolation and the seed is replanted annually. For example, a breeder observes a particularly good habit in a Eventually, every time the seed is sown the same identical plants will appear. When they do, this is known as a 'pure line'. If the breeder now takes the pure line of each of the two plants he originally selected and cross pollinates the two by hand the result is known as an F1 hybrid. Plants are grown from seed produced and the result of this cross pollination should be superior to the parent plants. A completely pure line can sometimes take seven or eight years to achieve. Sometimes, a pure line is made up of several previous crossings to begin to build in desirable features, and the line is then grown until it is true before use in hybridization. To summarize, an F1 hybrid is the result of crossing two pure lines to achieve the desired result. This seems a lot of trouble to go to but there are definite advantages. Scientific and accurate breeding programs have made it possible not only to bring forth the outstanding qualities of the parent plants, but in most cases, these qualities have been enhanced and new desirable characteristics added to the resultant hybrid plants. In addition to qualities like good vigor, true-ness to type, heavy yields and high uniformity which hybrid plants enjoy, other characteristics such as earliness, disease resistance and longevity ability have been incorporated into most F1 hybrids. Uniform plant habit and maturity, coupled with uniformity in shape or size have made hybrid vegetables extremely suitable for mechanical harvesting. We can't expect to get all these advantages for nothing. Creating F1 hybrids involves many years of preparation to create pure lines and these pure lines have to be constantly maintained so that the F1 seed can be harvested each year, which causes the seed to be more expensive. The problem is compounded when all the hybridizing of the two pure lines sometimes has to be done by hand to ensure that no self-pollination occurs. So you

3 often have to pay more for your seed or get fewer in a packet. Seed is often collected by hand too to ensure that each plant is as productive as possible. It is not only the gardeners who benefit; there are advantages for the plant breeders too. With ordinary varieties, anyone can grow them and collect the seed which can then be re-sown in the garden or, on a larger scale, sold. So a plant breeder who puts a lot of work into creating a variety which is not an F1 hybrid can soon find someone else selling it and getting a share of the financial reward. But seed collected from an F1 hybrid will not produce plants the same as those from which it is collected. Only by crossing the pure lines can the variety be made - and only the original breeder has the necessary pure lines. So it works both ways. The gardener gets better, though more expensive, varieties and the plant breeder gets a reasonable return on their investment. With all that said, the question remains, Can I save seeds to use next year? The answer is nope! Seed produced by F1 plants is genetically unstable and cannot be saved for use in following years. Gardeners who use hybrid plant varieties must purchase new seed every year. Arkansas Flower and Garden Show March 1-3, 2019 Arkansas State Fairgrounds The Arkansas Flower & Garden Show is the largest three-day celebration of gardening in the state. The goal of the show is to cultivate interest in the Natural State through what is grown for beauty and sustenance. Visitors come to learn about gardening and shop for their homes and gardens. The location of the show is at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds in Little Rock, AR located at 2600 Howard Street. SHOW TIMES: FRIDAY:9 am - 5 pm SATURDAY: 9 am - 5 pm SUNDAY: 10 am - 4 pm CARE OF CHRISTMAS CACTUS IMPORTANT AFTER HOLIDAYS While the poinsettia remains the most popular of the holiday plants, a healthy Christmas cactus in full bloom is a great gift idea for that special gardener. But along with that bounty of blooms, send these tips for keeping the plant looking its best. Most blooming plants will keep their blossoms longer in cooler temperatures. Keep the plant in a well-lit location away from drafts from heat vents, fireplaces or other sources of hot air. Watering seems to be the source of most problems with the Christmas cactus. The plant is a tropical type cactus and is not quite as drought tolerant as the name infers. However, it is a succulent plant and can store a reasonable quantity of water in the leaves. Water thoroughly when the top half of the soil in the pot feels dry to the touch. Discard the excess water, then do not water again until the top half becomes dry. The length of time between watering will vary with the air temperature, amount of light, rate of growth and relative humidity. After the blossoms fade, the plant isn't much to look at. But a little extra care will help bring it back to full bloom next year. While the Christmas cactus can adapt to low light, more abundant blooms are produced on plants that have been exposed to high light intensity. Keep your plants in a sunny location indoors. Plants can be moved outdoors in summer, but keep them in a shady or semi-shady location. Too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves. When it's time to bring the

4 plants back inside in the fall, slowly adjust the plants to life indoors by gradually increasing the number of hours they spend indoors each day. Well-drained soil is a must for Christmas cactus. Use a commercially packaged potting mix for succulent plants or mix your own by combining two parts plain potting soil with one part clean sand or vermiculite. Pruning your Christmas cactus after blooming will encourage the plant to branch out. Remove a few sections of each stem by pinching them off with your fingers or cutting with a sharp knife. These sections can be rooted in moist vermiculite to propagate new plants. Christmas cactus will bloom if given long uninterrupted dark periods. Begin the dark treatments about mid-october to have plants in full bloom by the holidays. Christmas cactus will also bloom if they are subjected to cool temperatures of about 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Plants will be ready for the holidays if the cool treatments are started by early November. PESTICIDE APPLICATOR TRAININGS SCHEDULED Federal law requires that a person who purchases or applies a restricted use pesticide must have a current pesticide applicator license and receive periodic pesticide safety training. Restricted use pesticides are those that have higher risk potential for humans, wildlife, and the environment. The Federal government has determined that the benefits provided by these pesticides outweigh the risks as long as they are properly handled, applied, and disposed of. Knowledge and prevention are the keys to avoiding accidents and unwanted exposure. In Arkansas, the licensing of pesticide applicators and the enforcement of pesticide laws and regulations is the responsibility primarily of the Arkansas State Plant Board. The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality is responsible for certain pesticide regulations concerning transportation and disposal. The required safety training, also known as certification or recertification, is provided by the University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture through the Cooperative Extension Service. Note: An individual is not eligible to purchase or apply restricted use pesticides until a License is actually issued. The Cooperative Extension Service is committed to providing the required training, as we have three trainings scheduled for your convenience. The fee will be $20 per person for the pesticide applicator training provided by the White County Extension office. You will pay at the door on the day of the training. In summary: All private applicator training sessions provided by the Cooperative Extension Service will cost $20 per person payable at the door on the day of the training session. This registration fee does not affect the price you pay the Arkansas State Plant Board for your license. Please remember that in most cases you will need the training (i.e., pay the $20 registration fee) only once every 5 years. Currently, there are two training programs scheduled in White County. These are listed below. February 5, 2019 at 6:00 pm at the Bald Knob Elementary School Cafeteria March 7, 2019 at 6:00 pm at the ASU-Beebe Farm

5 NOT ALL SEEDS ARE CREATED EQUAL Among the more important decisions every gardener makes is the choice between openpollinated, hybrid, and heirloom seed varieties. Each of these seed types has something to offer, depending on the gardener's needs, interests, and values. For seed-saving purposes, the most significant distinction among these types is that gardeners can save true-to-type seed from openpollinated and heirloom varieties, but not hybrids. Here are a few more distinctions that might help you decide what to grow this season: Open-pollination is when pollination occurs by insect, bird, wind, humans, or other natural mechanisms. o Because there are no restrictions on the flow of pollen between individuals, open-pollinated plants are more genetically diverse. This can cause a greater amount of variation within plant populations, which allows plants to slowly adapt to local growing conditions and climate year-to-year. As long as pollen is not shared between different varieties within the same species, then the seed produced will remain true-totype year after year. An heirloom variety is a plant variety that has a history of being passed down within a family or community, similar to the generational sharing of heirloom jewelry or furniture. o An heirloom variety must be openpollinated, but not all open-pollinated plants are heirlooms. While some companies create heirloom labels based on dates (such as a variety that is more than 50 years old), Seed Savers Exchange identifies heirlooms by verifying and documenting the generational history of preserving and passing on the seed. Hybridization is a controlled method of pollination in which the pollen of two different species or varieties is crossed by human intervention. o Hybridization can occur naturally through random crosses, but commercially available hybridized seed, often labeled as F1, is deliberately created to breed a desired trait. The first generation of a hybridized plant cross also tends to grow better and produce higher yields than the parent varieties due to a phenomenon called hybrid vigor. However, any seed produced by F1 plants is genetically unstable and cannot be saved for use in following years. Not only will the plants not be true-to-type, but they will be considerably less vigorous. Gardeners who use hybrid plant varieties must purchase new seed every year. Hybrid seeds can be stabilized, becoming open-pollinated varieties, by growing, selecting, and saving the seed over many years. So what's it going to be hybrid, openpollinated, or heirloom varieties? While hybrids have their benefits, choosing open-pollinated varieties conserves the genetic diversity of garden vegetables and prevents the loss of unique varieties in the face of dwindling agricultural biodiversity. Furthermore, focusing on heirloom varieties creates a historical connection to gardening and food production, building a more sustainable future by carrying on our garden heritage. By choosing open-pollinated and heirloom varieties, you have the ability to help conserve biodiversity and to contribute to the stories behind our seeds.

6 Be Aware and Prepare: Winter Storms Winter storms may be more dangerous than you realize. Dozens of Americans die every year because of exposure to cold and other winter storm conditions. Storms can last for days, knocking down power lines, communications towers and trees. Heavy accumulations of ice and snow, especially on roofs, can damage buildings. Without power, many people have no sources of heat, and their plumbing may be frozen. Prolonged exposure to frigid temperatures is especially dangerous for the elderly and infants. Homes and farms can be isolated for days; unprotected livestock can die. Sudden thaws can lead to significant flooding. Being aware and prepared includes understanding the threats and taking actions to protect your family members and friends, companion animals, livestock and properties. You should be prepared to be self-sufficient for three days or more, depending on where you live. Those living in rural and more remote areas may be on their own for longer periods of time. Know that the aftermath of winter storms may last for months. Be Aware. Stay Aware. Get and use a NOAA all hazards weather radio that broadcasts official National Weather Service forecasts, watches, warnings and other hazard information 24/7. Watch your local news or listen to local radio broadcasts to know what is expected and when. Plan and Prepare. Put together an emergency plan. You can find an easy-to-use Make A Plan planning tool at a plan. Assemble an emergency kit. Include water (1 gallon/day/person), at least three days worth of nonperishable food, first aid supplies and prescription medicines, flashlights, battery-powered radio, clothing, blankets, insect repellant, personal hygiene supplies, cash, credit cards, emergency contacts and phone numbers. Make provisions for livestock. Keep rock salt and sand on hand. Have extra blankets and sleeping bags available, in case you lose power. Stay in one room as much as possible and dress as warmly as you can. If you must use alternative heat sources (like a fireplace or gas heater), make sure it is ventilated to the outside. Do not use charcoal briquettes or grills inside your house. Keep a full tank of gas, blankets, shovel and emergency food in your car, but stay off the roads if you can. If you must drive, let someone know your destination, the route you are taking, and when you expect to arrive. If you get stuck in your car, stay with the car. Do not try to walk to safety. Making sure the exhaust pipe is clear, start the car and use the heater for about 10 minutes an hour. Leave a window cracked to let in air. Move your arms and legs to keep your circulation moving and to stay warmer. Stay inside as much as you can. If you must go outside, wear layers of clothing instead of a single heavy coat; this will keep you warmer and drier. Wear gloves or mittens, hats and scarves to prevent loss of body heat. For more information: Part of a disaster preparation series from the University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture Community and Economic Development Department of the Cooperative Extension Service. The University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.