Sorry for the late Friday musing post due to a trip to South Caroline for a wedding.  That adventure (including a foray to my old stomping ground at the South Carolina Botanical Gardens will be for another Friday.  Friday musings better late than never…   Two Fridays ago, I was greeted upon entering the Plant Clinic with a wet lobby and a soaked secretary table.  Looking up, I could see where the water infiltrated our lobby.  I sent Bobbi, our Technical Secretary upstairs to see if the folk… Read More →

As promised, today I get to share with you the works of plant pathologists from University of Georgia.  A fun way to explain gene-for-gene theory.  I guess there may be a couple of jokes that only a plant geek can appreciate, but (wow!) the educational value of the video – priceless. Hopefully, the funny looks at some complex theories will give you some insights into how a plant pathologist thinks and how they(we) act.  There are so many aspects in the world of plant pathology.  Enjoy…. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDwhr1mTO5s[/youtube]

Ever wondered why some plants get sick and others don’t?  For example, there are many varieties of roses but they do not all get affected by the blackspot fungus similarly.  The Peace rose is highly susceptible while Knock-out rose is quite resistant. What is the basis for this diverse interaction between the pathogen and the plant. Today, I am sharing with you the Grand prize winner of the APS Office of Public Relations and Outreach 2011 Video contest.  The “bright” folks at North Dakota State University explains the resistance… Read More →

Plants get sick because they respond poorly to a pathogen.  In other words, there is some interaction between the pathogen and the host plant. In light of this long week, I remembered fondly of a task that I have as a part of the American Phytopathological Society Office of Public Relations and Outreach.  For the past few years we had encouraged APS member to submit videos on different topics.  One was on presenting a central concept in plant pathology.  I wanted to share with you the winner of… Read More →

Yesterday, I was lamenting about the heat and how even in the heat we can still see plant diseases occurring.  Well, I got an email from Dr. Todd Watson – arborist extraordinaire and the current president of the Texas chapter International Society of Arboriculture (ISAT). The email began with ” TEXAS IN EPIC DROUGHT – WATER TREES NOW!”.  In case you are not from Texas, it has been hot and DRY in most parts of Texas. It is so dry that it is affecting establish trees. Back  in… Read More →