Happy and sad day!

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Today marks the retirement of long time Plant Clinic secretary, Bobbie Dupuis. Bobbie spent 13 years working at the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab and prior to that, several years with the Biology Department. It is a HAPPY day that she is at this point looking forward to the more relaxed post-retirement activities. It is SAD as we will loose our front office person who is always ready to empathize with folks calling in with their plant problems. Congratulation to you Bobbie!   And here’s to you enjoying… Read More →

Training opportunity for Master Gardeners volunteers – a call to action

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One of the most robust programs for volunteers is the Master Gardener program in Texas (Texas A&M Agrilife Extension).  This is where folks who are interested in gardening register to take classes from various experts in plants, plant health management and horticulture.  (Check out their website at http://txmg.org ).  To help with some of the continuing education efforts for these valuable volunteers, there is the Master Gardener Specialist program which provides a little more “bulk” information and training to these volunteers in various areas of gardening such as vegetable growing and… Read More →

Tomato Russet Mite

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    Last week a tomato sample was diagnosed with tomato russet mites (Aculops lycopersici). These conical-shaped insects, usually translucent and yellowish, cannot be seen without the aid of a 14X hand lens. Russet mites cause damage by feeding on leaves and stems, giving them a greasy or bronze appearance. Infestation normally begins at the base of the plant and progresses upwards as lower leaves dry out. Left alone, these mites can kill plants. Fortunately, they can be controlled with miticides or sulfur. Hosts include tomato, potato, eggplant, petunia, tomatillo,… Read More →

Leaf Gall Diagnostics

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Ever wonder about how some diseases are diagnosed in a plant disease diagnostic lab.  You would be surprised that there are similarities to an ER in the hospital. When a sample arrives at the Plant Clinic, it has to be accompanied with a submission form where there are a bunch of question trying to get some history leading to the incidence or current situation.  Then the samples are triaged within 24-48 hours of receipt (dependent on diagnostician availability).  Decisions are made how to proceed based on history information… Read More →

Perfect conditions for Cercospora

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Be on the lookout for Cercospora leaf spot in your landscape plants! Recent weather conditions around the state like cool temperatures and high humidity seem to trigger an increase in Cercospora activity. Check your colorful fall annual bedding plants, including zinnias, hydrangeas, snapdragons and azaleas, for necrotic or purplish, angular leaf spots. A: Cercospora symptoms on a recent Pansy sample B: Conidiophores on leaf edge C: Cluster of Cercospora conidiophores