Nursery & Landscape Notes Spring 2022

Nursery & Landscape notes Publication of the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc.

SHORTCUTS TO BETTER

PRUNING SPRING 2022

Feeling Stressed?

2022 NCNLA Technology Symposium

DON’T SWEAT IT THIS SUMMER Partner with Triangle for the best choices from the best companies in the world of nursery & landscape care. With nine distribution points strategically located to serve the Southeast, good company is always just around the corner.

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Contents SPRING 2022

COMMENTARY 2022 President’s Message 5 Executive Vice President’s Message 7

NCNLA NEWS NCNLA Technology Symposium 8 Member Spotlight: Fairview Greenhouse & Garden Center 10

10 Nursery & Landscape notes FEATURE

20

Shortcuts to Better Prunning

Certified Plant Professional Update & Renewals 12

AROUND THE INDUSTRY Student Spotlight: Charlie Cheema 16

16

Feeling Stressed? 18

INDUSTRY RESEARCH Topdressing Granular Imidacloprid to Reduce Red-Headed Flea Beetle Injury 24

EVERY ISSUE

20

Calendar of Events 3 New Members 3 Advertisers’ Index 32

24

A Better Blue

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• Dwarf • Large Flowers • Strong stems • Better hardiness Available from these suppliers Bud & Blooms Nursery Browns Summit NC • 800-772-2837

Johnson Nursery Company Willard NC • 910-285-7861

Sampson Nursery Godwin, NC • 910-567-2937

Country Ridge Nursery Roaring River, NC • 336-984-4050

Latham’s Nursery Monroe, NC • 704-283-5696

Settlemyre Nursery Valdese, NC • 828-874-0679

Gossett’s Landscape Nursery High Point, NC • 336-454-2548

Pender Nursery Garner, NC • 919-772-7255 sales@pendernursery.com

Taylor’s Nursery Raleigh, NC • 919-231-6161

Fair View Nursery Wilson, NC • 252-243-3656 Five Oaks Nursery Wilmington, NC • 910-762-8637

Piedmont Carolina Nursery Colfax NC • 336-993-4114

5'

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Turtle Creek Nursery Davidson, NC • 704-663-5044

www.provenwinners-shrubs.com

Nursery & Landscape notes

Published by North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. 968 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC 27607 NCNLA Staff Richard Lawhun Executive Vice President Katie Rodrigues Director of Meetings & Education Kathryn Stansbury Director of Business Development Wendi Doak Director of Marketing & Communications Nursery & Landscape Notes is published quarterly by the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association, Inc. (NCNLA), covering news, research, education and business in the nursery and landscape industries. The publication is distributed to approximately 825 horticulture producers, landscape professionals and industry suppliers.

Nursery & Landscape Notes is provided as a member service.

2022 NCNLA Board of Directors Kevin Cagle President Greenthumb Nursery, LLC Ether, NC Tim Johnson, II Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer Tim Johnson Landscaping Statesville, NC Leslie Herndon Past President Greenscape, Inc. Holly Springs, NC Dana Massey Plantworks Nursery Rougemont, NC William ”Bill” Bynam Site One Landscape Supply High Point, NC John Clark Pro Green, Inc. Morganton, NC

Ariel Montanez Pender Nursery Garner, NC Ed Snyder Greenleaf Services Linville, NC Trey Warrick Scottree & Shelby Nursery, Inc. Shelby, NC

»

Certified Plant Professional Exam

NCNLA Day at Caterpillar

Wilmington, NC

Clayton, NC Details coming soon

June 9, 2022

August 31, 2022

www.ncnla.com/CPP

NCNLA Technology Symposium

INDUSTRY EVENTS

June 23, 2022

AmericanHort Cultivate

ncnla.com/techsymp

Columbus, OH www.cultivateevent.org

July 16 – 19, 2022

NC State McKimmon Center Raleigh, NC

Robert Cagle Memorial Golf Tournament June 24, 2022

Riverwood Golf Club Clayton, NC ncnal.com/golf

JoCo Plants Show August 17, 2022

NC State Fair Grounds Raleigh, NC www.jocoplants.com/ announcements

Educational Advisors Justin Snyder Alamance Community College Graham, NC Anthony LeBude North Carolina State University Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center Mills River, NC

Advertising For advertising inquiries and publication schedule, please contact Wendi Doak at wdoak@ncnla.com or 919-819-9119, ext. 1002.

The inclusion of products or brand names in this publication is not an endorsement by the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association.

Mission: To provide essential value to our members through education, marketing and advocacy.

Vision: To promote and protect the interests of North Carolina’s green industry.

Connect with NCNLA facebook.com/NCNurseryandLandscapeAssociation twitter.com/tweet_ncnla instagram.com/ncnla ncnla.com | BuyNCPlants.com | GreenandGrowin.com | NCGreenprints.com Tax Deductible Dues Contributions or gifts to NCNLA are not tax deductible as charitable contributions. However, they may be tax deductible as ordinary business expenses. A portion of your dues is not deductible as an ordinary business expense to the extent that NCNLA engages in lobbying. The estimated non-deductible portion of your dues assessment is 20%.

©2022 NCNLA

NCNLA EVENTS

WELCOME, NEW NCNLA MEMBERS! Chris Tolhurst Wilmington Michelle D. Bullard, Town of Wake Forest Wake Forest

River Ridge Tree Farms Crumpler

Ivey’s Home & Garden Kinston

Umstead Green Landscape Management Inc. Raleigh

ON THE COVER

Alstroemeria x ‘Zapriari’

Alstroemeria Colorita® Ariane® Peruvian Lily Green foliage with yellow blooms in mid-May. Spreads through tuberous root system.

Protect during winter with mulch.

Height: 12 – 24 inches Spread: 10 – 14 inches Cover photo and description provided by Dana Massey, Plantworks Nursery. www.plantworksnursery.com SPRING 2022 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES

3

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NCNLA 2022 PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Stronger Together I want to take a moment to stop,

Kevin Cagle Greenthumb Nursery, LLC Ether, NC

Kevin

breathe and wish everyone nothing but success this spring season!! I’m sure you all are experiencing similar feelings, whether you are a grower or landscaper.

We’ve all had hurdles to jump over: plant shortages affecting growers and landscapers, labor shortages, material shortages, increased fuel prices, etc.

Times like this help strengthen us individually and as an industry. I know that recently I personally have been able to work closer with my vendors, as well as my customers, to better provide support for one another — and I’m proud to say that this is something we do very well as an industry, time and time again! The more we communicate and work together, the more we contribute to everyone’s success. Remember: We are stronger together!

I’d like to share an example of a simple way we can work together as growers and landscapers. Let’s say there’s a landscape company that may not need an entire truckload of plant material and that there are other nearby companies in the same position. In such a situation, the grower could reach out to those companies and combine their orders, ultimately saving each company on freight, while allowing the grower to be more productive and move more plant material. That’s a win for all parties involved. So, it is time for all of us to think outside of the box, brainstorm with our employees and colleagues, and get more creative about ways we can help each other — and, most importantly, SHARE!

Also, I would like to remind everyone of some great events we have coming up in June.

So be sure to mark your calendar.

•

CPP exam (June 9): If you miss the June

•

2022 NCNLA Technology Symposium (June 23): Registration is now open, so

exam, there will be another exam at Green & Growin’ 23.

visit ncnla.com to find out more details and register.

•

Robert Cagle Memorial Golf Tournament (June 24): Bring your customers and

colleagues out to Riverwood Golf Club in Clayton, N.C., and join us for a funfilled day of golf, while raising money to support our student scholarship fund.

This event has grown every year and will continue to do so with your help and support. If you don’t play, there are sponsorship opportunities available to enable everyone to get involved and support future generations in our industry.

On a personal note, I’m looking forward to taking some much-needed vacation time this summer! I plan to take the family and some friends to the beach. The beach is for the family, as I’m not much for laying out and playing in the sand. For myself, I will be trying to catch everything swimming in the ocean and enjoying my relaxation time!

And finally, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to our board members for their willingness to serve and donate their time and expertise to our association. I would also like to thank Rick and all of our staff for their hard work and dedication. We are headed in the right direction, thanks to all of these individuals, who have worked so hard and done their best for the future of our association. I appreciate each and every one of you!!

I wish all of you continued success this spring, and I hope to see you in June, if not before.

SPRING 2022 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES

5

2022 robert cagle memorial

golf tournament Join NCNLA members and industry colleagues for an afternoon of golf followed by a casual dinner and awards ceremony. Proceeds benefit the NCNLA Scholarship Fund.

Friday, June 24, 2022 1 p.m. Shotgun Start

NEW LOCATION

Visit www.ncnla.com for details and sponsorship opportunities.

Riverwood Golf Club

400 Riverwood Dr. Clayton, NC 27527 www.riverwoodgolfnc.com

NCNLA EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT’S LETTER

NCNLA Offers Summer Opportunities for Education and Fun Get out your calendars! It’s time to

earn some last-minute CEUs (don’t let that deadline sneak up on you!) and have a little fun this summer. NCNLA leadership and staff are in the process of finalizing several events that will offer opportunities to help you satisfy your license requirements, enjoy the outdoors, and mingle with your friends and colleagues. Upcoming events include: •

Richard “Rick” Lawhun NCNLA Executive Vice President

Rick

•

June 23: NCNLA hosts the 2022 NCNLA

Technology Symposium at the McKimmon Center on the North Carolina State University campus. The program features seven sessions covering a variety of topics, including customer relations, battery-operated outdoor power equipment, online marketing, pesticides, compact construction equipment and autonomous mowing.

At the time of this publication NCNLA has applied for credits from the following entities: – North Carolina Landscape Contractor – North Carolina Irrigation Contractor – National Association of Landscape Professionals – NCDA&CS Pesticide Applicator – International Society of Arborists

June 24: Kevin and Robby Cagle host

the 2022 Robert Cagle Memorial Golf Tournament at Riverwood Golf Club in Clayton, N.C. Proceeds benefit the NCNLA Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to horticulture and landscape students who plan to pursue careers in the industry.

Join NCNLA members and industry colleagues for an afternoon of fun in the sun. Not a golfer? Take advantage of one of the many sponsorship opportunities available to support the event and the scholarship fund.

June 9: NCNLA is offering the North

Carolina Certified Plant Professional (CPP) exam at the New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, N.C. Preregistration is required to sit for the exam. If you earned the CPP designation more than a year ago, be certain to submit a renewal application as soon as possible — failure to renew may result in a lapse of the certification. First-time renewals are not subject to the continuing education requirements.

•

Last year’s Technology Symposium attracted nearly 200 attendees, so be certain to register soon!

•

Aug. 31: Caterpillar will host an open

house for NCNLA members at the Caterpillar facility in Clayton, N.C. This afternoon event includes equipment demonstrations and offers members a chance to tour one of the area’s leading equipment plants to learn more about the solutions the company has to offer the green industry. After the tour, be sure to hang around for the cookout/networking event that begins at 3:00 p.m. Preregistration is required to attend.

Additional information about each of these events is available at www.ncnla.com.

No matter what your needs are over the next few months — whether education or just a little fun and relaxation — there are plenty of opportunities for you, so please take the time to join us at one or more of these events. We’ll be certain to make it worth your while!

As always, stay well and stay passionate about the industry you love!

SPRING 2022 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES

7

2022 NCNLA

Technology Symposium June 23, 2022 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

NCSU McKimmon Center The 2022 NCNLA Technology Symposium will be held on June 23, at the NC State McKimmon Center in Raleigh, NC. This one-day event offers seven educational sessions highlighting emerging technologies and innovations in the green industry.

Perspectives provide by: Groundworks, STIHL, YDOP Digital Marketing, Bayer Crop Science, Caterpillar, Husqvarna and Turf Teacher

Who should attend: Arborists • Landscape Contractors • Irrigation Contractors • Surveyors • Business Owners

SEE NEXT PAGE FOR MORE EVENT AND REGISTRATION DETAILS

For more event and sponsorship information, and to register, visit ncnla.com/techsymp

Registration deadline is Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.

North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association

2022 NCNLA Technology Symposium NCSU McKimmon Center

Thursday, June 23, 2022

1101 Gorman St. Raleigh, NC 27606

Check-in: 8 a.m.

E V E N T R E G I S T R AT I O N

TO P I C S & S P E A K E R S

8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Preregistration is recommended. $150 per person (Online registration ends on Wednesday, June 22, at 5:00 p.m.

On-site registration is $180 per person.)

Understanding the Way Today’s Client Buys

INFORMATION

Outdoor Power Equipment: Technology Advancements — Understanding Battery AND Chain Saw Operation & Safety

Attendee _________________________________________________________________ Company _________________________________________________________________ Company Main Contact (if different from the attendee) __________________________ Company Address __________________________________________________________ City ____________________________ State ___________ Zip ____________________ Company Phone __________________________ Fax _____________________________ Attendee Email (required) ___________________________________________________

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

BUSINESS TYPE(S)

Provide your state and license/certification number(s).

Select all that apply.

  Allied Supplier — Services  Garden Center/Retailer  Grass/Sod/Turf  Irrigation  Landscape Architect Landscape  Commercial Install/Maintenance Landscape  Residential Install/Maintenance  Lighting  Nursery  Other _______________________ Allied Supplier — Products

NC Landscape Contractor

NALP Landscape Industry Certified

NCDA&CS Pesticide Applicator

ISA Certified Arborist

NC Irrigation Contractor

CEUs may be available based on approval of licensing boards.

Jeff Wraley, Groundwork

Mark Harrison, STIHL

Practical Tips for Growing Your Business on Google Brandon Schmidt, YDOP Internet Marketing

Impacts of Technological Advancements Affecting Pesticides Cameron Smith, Bayer Crop Science

Advancements in Skid Steer and Compact Track Loader Technologies Trevor Chase, Caterpillar

Online Content is the Variable of Success Eric Jones, Turf Teacher

An Introduction to Automower Matt Moore, Husqvarna

Schedule and sessions subject to change.

Mail your completed form and check to the NCNLA office at the address below. You can also return the form via fax (919-816-9118) or email (registration@ncnla.com), and you will be invoiced for payment.

NCNLA

968 Trinity Rd., Raleigh, NC 27607 | 919-816-9119 | www.ncnla.com

Cancellation/refund requests must be submitted in writing to NCNLA via mail or email (registration@ncnla.com). Requests submitted at least 30 days prior to the event will receive a full refund, less a $10 processing fee. Requests submitted at least seven (7) days prior to the event will receive a 50-percent refund. Requests submitted within seven (7) days of the event will not be considered. Registrants who fail to attend the event forfeit their registration fee.

NCNLA NEWS

NCNLA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Five Minutes with »

Fairview Greenhouses and Garden Center, Inc. Raleigh, NC Marketing Director Heather Rollins In business 1974 NCNLA member Since 1989 Number of employees 15 full time, 35-45 seasonally Favorite NCNLA benefits

Educational classes and the Green & Growin’ Marketplace

Fairview Greenhouses and Garden Center, Inc. How did you get into the business?

I graduated from North Carolina State University in 2005 with a bachelor of science degree in horticultural science. I applied to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences with only the thought of wanting a career in which I could be outside and work with my hands. I fell in love with the Horticulture Department at NC State — not just the plants, but the amazing people in the industry, too!

Out of college, I worked at Smith’s Nursery as a nursery sales manager for seven years, before joining my husband at his family’s business, Fairview Garden Center.

What’s a typical day like for you and your staff?

Well, it’s currently spring. So, a typical day looks like me not having time to sit down to complete this interview. ;) Our garden center is broken down into five main departments: store (cash team), greenhouse, perennials, nursery and production. Each week we meet to go over our weekly and monthly sales goals and discuss our planned marketing schedule, as well as go over sales or features of the week.

My main job is to ensure that our marketing plan stays on track and that our products are efficiently and regularly promoted to our customers. I update our website to reflect our sales and featured plants each week, send weekly e-newsletters, create new blog posts, and schedule social

10 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SPRING 2022

Heather Rollins and youngest daughter, Jo Jo

Susan Rollins, Jo Ann Dewar, Brad Rollins

media engagements. In addition to marketing, I serve as the buyer for our interior gift section, which involves regular ordering, merchandising and inventory management. I am also in charge of our installation team (Fairview Planted), which entails weekly scheduling of jobs and labor for tree and shrub installation.

What has been the most rewarding part of your career?

The most rewarding part of my career is working with the amazing people in the horticulture industry. This industry works so well together across multiple disciplines. Everyone learns from each other, and people are happy to share ideas or strategies for the benefit of the industry as a whole.

What is your company best known for?

We are best known for growing more than 95% of our annual flowers.

Jo Ann Dewar, my husband’s grandmother and the company’s founder, is still in the greenhouse planting and propagating every day at age 90. Her loving care and expertise really help make a Fairview-grown plant stand out.

What issues are you concerned about as a company in the green industry?

The horticulture industry saw a huge boost from COVID, which continued into 2021 and seems to

be carrying momentum into 2022.

However, this continuing increase can’t be sustainable forever, and I am worried we will soon begin to see sales flatten and possibly drop in the coming years. We also have a large customer base of new and first-time gardeners. It will be essential to educate these customers and capture that market, so we can keep them digging in the dirt (and buying plants) for years to come.

What have you gained from your involvement in NCNLA? I have made wonderful personal and professional connections with people I have met through involvement with NCNLA. I also enjoy attending educational classes that allow me to return to work inspired and full of new ideas.

What advice do you have for someone interested in or just starting out in the industry?

Have a passion, be willing to work and always be willing to learn. A career in the horticulture industry can be incredibly rewarding, but you have to be willing to roll up your sleeves and get dirty. You also must be willing to ask questions, meet people and learn new things. I have worked in the industry for more than 17 years, and I still learn something new every day.

SPRING 2022 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES

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NCNLA NEWS

Certified Plant Professional Update The North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association would like to recognize the following professionals who recently renewed their Certified Plant Professional Certification (as of 4/29/22): Frances Covington Paul R. Adams III Andrew Allen April Bauder Donald Benson Gregory J. Bugica Thomas Scott Cannady Amanda Cook Sharon Day Susan Dial

Jarred Driscoll Melissa Dudley Bonnie Faulkner Katy Fox Joy A. Goforth Timothy Hartley Ginger Hemmings Leslie Herndon Ryan Houston Kevin King

Heather Kiser Anna Myatt Christina J Oliver David Pearce Laura E. Preston Andrew Sileo Cort Tangeman Chad Taylor Ryan Houston, Lawn-N-Order Landscaping

Want to become a CPP? NCNLA will be offering the CPP exam again in January at Green & Growin’ 23.

For more information about the Certified Plant Professional program, visit ncnla.com/CPP.

7801 Clinard Farms Road High Point, NC 27265 WWW.GOSSETTSNURSERY.COM

(336) 454-2548 1-800-487-2555 sales@gossettsnursery.com Located: 5 miles west of Greensboro, on NC 68, two miles south of I-40

12 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SPRING 2022

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REACH BUYERS WITH BUYNCPLANTS.COM

Expand your customer base by adding your plants, supplies and services to NCNLA’s exclusive online searchable platform.

BuyNCPlants.com makes it easy for buyers to find your business through PlantAnt, the green industry’s most powerful search engine.

Buyers are able to search by type of material or geography.

Listing Options: n

Current Inventory (Members Get Unlimited Listings)

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Recognition of NCNLA Members, Green & Growin’ Exhibitors and Green & Growin’ Partners

Contact Kathryn Stansbury at kstansbury@ncnla.com to get started.

NCNLA DAY AT

CATERPILLAR Join us at Caterpillar in Clayton, NC for a behind-the-scenes look at production, machinery demonstrations and a chance to operate equipment.

Wednesday, August 31, 2022 Caterpillar Edward J. Rapp Customer & Training Center 954 N. Carolina Highway 42 E Clayton, NC 27527

SCHEDULE

Each group will rotate between stations.

1:00-1:30 p.m.

Caterpillar machine and attachment demonstrations

1:30-3:00 p.m.

Caterpillar small wheel loader factory tour

3:00-5:00 p.m.

Cookout and network time (option to operate equipment available)

Must preregister to operate equipment.

Go to www.ncnla.com to register by August 17, 2022 Registration fee: $10 (proceeds will go to the NCNLA Scholarship Fund) Space is limited, so register early!

15% off

in-store Cat® promotional merchandise for attendees

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

»

Nursery & Landscape Notes is introducing you to the next generation of green industry professionals by featuring current and recent college students with plans to pursue careers in the field.

Charles Cheema Student Profile Name: Charles Cheema Hometown: Wilmington, NC College: Elon University,

Alamance Community College (ACC), North Carolina A&T University Graduation dates:

May 2019; ACC: June 2022; NC A&T: TBD Major/Area of Study: Elon: outdoor

education; ACC: horticulture; NC A&T: agricultural education Horticulture-Related Places You Have Worked/ Interned: Garden Valley Farmer’s Market,

Maple Grove Flower Farm

How did you discover horticulture?

During my senior year of college, I took a few agricultural education classes as part of my outdoor education degree program.

Working in the greenhouses, in the nursery and out in the farm garden was an incredibly positive experience, and those

courses were a saving grace for me during a tough time in my personal life. Realizing how much I loved working in the dirt and how much it helped my mental health and brought me fulfillment, I decided to pivot my professional path and work toward a career in horticulture. I reached out to Dr. Elizabeth Riley, head of the horticulture technology program at Alamance Community College, and she helped me plan my coursework and get started in the program.

What were your most valuable experiences, either in school or from other exposure to the industry, and why?

Going back to school to follow my passion was the best decision I’ve ever made. I feel confident that the in-person, handson learning at Alamance Community College has prepared me to be a worthy professional in the green industry. As part of the program, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to the Green Industry & Equipment Expo, the LANDSCAPES Conference and the National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC), where ACC placed 10th overall and third among community colleges. At NCLC, I placed in the top 10 in all three of my competitions: irrigation design, irrigation assembly and interior landscape design.

Working at a wholesale flower farm has been an invaluable experience for me, and being able to learn directly from 16 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SPRING 2022

the owner of Maple Grove Flower Farm has helped me to develop my technical skills in plant production while completing my coursework at ACC. Having had the chance to assist with all aspects of production on the farm across multiple seasons, I am now much more confident in my skills.

What were your favorite college classes, and why?

My two favorite courses have been plant propagation and greenhouse operations. Although these courses don’t always provide lab activities that are as exciting as climbing trees in arboriculture practices or troubleshooting systems in landscape irrigation, they taught me the skills I needed for the career I want to build. My goal is to work in plant production before ultimately settling into teaching, and these courses gave me a solid foundation in production.

The hands-on activities that took place in every single lab were meaningful, whether we were learning how to take cuttings, layer a plant or operate all the systems in a greenhouse.

What are your plans after graduation?

Following my graduation from Alamance this spring, I plan to work full time as a horticulturist while completing graduate school part time. I’m pursuing a master’s degree in agricultural education from North Carolina A&T University beginning in fall 2022. Following my graduation from NC A&T, I plan to continue working in the field — particularly in plant production — for some time before moving into a career in teaching. I’d love to teach horticulture courses at the undergraduate level, either at a two- or four-year school, but I want to be sure I have plenty of field experience under my belt first.

What advice would you give to a student interested in the field?

If you have any interest in horticulture, start by taking a course. Ideally, take a course with a lab portion that allows you to get hands-on experience working in the field. If you enjoy the coursework and/or the people you’ve met, don’t be afraid to seek out an internship or a job in the green industry, which is full of good people with big hearts and a willingness to help. If you are willing to put yourself out there, you will find people who can help you learn and grow as a professional in this industry.

Fun question: What is your favorite plant, and why?

This is too hard!! I’ll choose two.

My favorite flowers are canna lilies because they provide a unique, tropical-looking foliage and flower, and can be grown as perennials in North Carolina. My favorite tree is Ficus benjamina, or the weeping fig, because it’s the first plant I ever air layered, as part of my first propagation class. I’m very proud of it, and it’s still thriving in my living room today!

Grown with love…sold with pride.

Past, present & future varieties.

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SPRING 2022 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES

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AROUND THE INDUSTRY

Feeling Stressed?

By Stacey R. Jones

North Carolina Cooperative Extension Area Specialized Agent — Central Region Ornamental Greenhouse and Nursery Crops

Let’s face it: The past few years have been extremely stressful.

Life has gotten harder for many of us, between dealing with the COVID pandemic, supply chain problems and other significant world events. In fact, according to an American Farm Bureau Federation study, 52% of adults in rural areas and 61% of farmers/ farmworkers reported experiencing more stress in 2021 than in 2020, and members of the green industry are included in this group. Increased supply prices, supply shortages and labor issues have made growing plants — and profits — very challenging.

However, despite these rising stress levels, many in our industry remain reluctant to seek treatment, for two main reasons: the stigma commonly associated with mental health issues and a lack of access to providers.

18 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SPRING 2022

BY STACEY R. JONES

First, let’s talk a little about the stigma surrounding mental health issues. The study mentioned above also revealed that 59% of adults living in rural areas and 63% of farmers/farmworkers reported being aware of a certain stigma around stress and mental health in the agriculture community.

Having grown up in a rural community, I can say that I have noticed this stigma myself, but it has never made sense to me. I’ve always thought of seeing a counselor the same way I think about seeing a doctor. I have foot issues, so I see a foot doctor. I have back issues, so I see a back doctor. I have stress and anxiety, so I see a counselor. Managing mental and emotional health should be no different from managing physical health. Pain is pain, no matter where it resides in our bodies — especially considering that long-term stress and anxiety can lead to health issues like cardiovascular disease and immune system problems.

Our brains and our bodies are directly linked, so it’s important to take care of our mental health, too.

Green Industry Mental Health Resources As an extension agent, I’m always looking for information to help my clients, and recently I learned about an amazing industry resource, the North Carolina Agromedicine Institute — a group that works in conjunction with North Carolina universities, businesses and health care organizations to reduce injury and illness on farms. Recently I attended a webinar from the institute on mental health and the agricultural community, and I was amazed to find out about all the resources available. After speaking with Robin Tutor-Marcom, the institute’s director, I learned that growers and landscapers in the North Carolina green industry are eligible to take advantage of these resources.

She also mentioned that the institute is eager to help resolve problems with getting access to health care providers, whether due to a lack of insurance or unfamiliarity with the process of finding a provider.

Below are some of the resources the North Carolina Agromedicine Institute offers. More information about these and other programs can be found at www.ncagromedicine.org.

First on the Scene

North Carolina Farm and Ranch Assistance Network

North Carolina AgrAbility Partnership

Provides assistance with information and referrals for farm stress, anxiety, depression, health care, dental services, etc. They can also connect you with organizations and resources to help with farm finance, estate planning, intergenerational farm transfer, etc. Resources can be found by visiting www.ncfarmstress.org or by calling the North Carolina Farm Helpline at 1.844.325.FARM (1.844.325.3276).

Farmer to Farmer

Helps with stress and anxiety. Confidential, nonjudgmental, and in touch with the needs and struggles of farming, Farmer to Farmer provides peer support for farmers and farm family members experiencing difficult times.

Peers work in agriculture and have received special training in peer support.

AgriSafe Network

Offers preventive health screenings, farm health and safety education information. Provided on an individual or group basis at minimal or no cost.

Equips individuals with the skills needed to respond quickly and appropriately, should they be the first to arrive on the scene of a farm incident.

Assists individuals with disabilities in identifying equipment, resources and education necessary to continue farming.

Don’t Suffer in Silence!

If you or someone you know is struggling with physical or mental health, please reach out to the North Carolina Agromedicine Institute for help.

You can also reach out to your local doctor or clergyperson, if that is more comfortable for you. When making an appointment, you can say it’s for something you feel comfortable requesting over the phone, such as an annual checkup or prayer request. Then, in private, you can get into more detail about the help you may need. I promise, they will be glad you came in!

The North Carolina green industry is in the business of growing plants and creating beautiful landscapes to make others happy and reduce stress.

Why not take the time to do the same for yourself? I wish all of you a happy and healthy summer!

Certified Safe Farm

Resources Used

Fit To Farm

Getty, C. (2022, January 5). New national poll shows encouraging signs of reduced stigma around farmer mental health. American Farm Bureau Federation — The Voice of Agriculture.

Retrieved April 21, 2022, from https://www. fb.org/newsroom/new-national-poll-showsencouraging-signs-of-reduced-stigma-aroundfarmer-m

Provides on-farm safety reviews to identify risks for injury or fatality.

Helps farmers and families make simple changes to diet and exercise, keeping their busy schedules in mind.

Taking these steps can help reduce the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

Respiratory Protection

Assists with medical clearance, respirator fit tests, training and the purchase of respirators to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Risk Mitigation Measures for Soil Fumigants and Worker Protection Standard.

Stress can increase your risk for heart disease.

Stress Can Increase Your Risk for Heart Disease — Health Encyclopedia — University of Rochester Medical Center. (n.d.). Retrieved April 21, 2022, from https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=2171 Dhabhar FS. Effects of stress on immune function: The good, the bad, and the beautiful.

Immunologic research. Retrieved April 21, 2022, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/24798553/ SPRING 2022 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES

19

Shortcuts to Better Pruning

By Larry Mellichamp

University of North Carolina at Charlotte Botanical Gardens

To prune, or not to prune, that is the question.

Whether ‘tis nobler to leave this limb or that limb untouched on said tree and rely on competition among branches to decide which will be strongest; Or to remove such critical member and thereby have a hand in the tree’s future growth, with decided hope of improved performance; And thus the choice of resolution requires knowledge and action, to have an idea of which is the best course of accomplishment, or to do nothing and make cowards of us all.

— with apologies to William Shakespeare 20 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SPRING 2022

In caring for relatively newly planted trees and shrubs, decisions regarding pruning can be crucial, depending on your intentions and the needs of the plant.

Choosing the Right Tools

Before going into pruning specifics, though, let’s consider the tools. Personally I prefer bypass shears, which work like scissors, to cleanly remove small twigs and branches.

Anvil pruners, which feature a blade that cuts against a flat plate, can be effective with dead stems. With either type of pruner, I often use one with a ratcheting-gear mechanism, which gives more cutting power. Loppers with long handles give you more torque, which is helpful in cutting 1-inch branches. For larger branches, use a pruning saw.

To keep your tools in good condition, try to avoid cutting wires and nails as you prune against fences and posts. I have used Felco pruners for decades, replacing broken blades and sharpening dull blades as necessary (I use small homeowner sharpeners from Gardener’s Supply Co., but professionals may need more heavy-duty devices).

Get the best you can find.

Incidentally, all of these tools now come in handy power versions, which may help save your hands and neck from undue wear and tear on larger jobs. In any case, be sure to find the right fit for you.

Pruning Shrubs and Hedges

Once you have the right tools in hand, you should understand the appropriate type of pruning for what you’re trying to accomplish. For example, standard pruning typically involves removing the occasional unwanted twigs and branches on small trees and shrubs to help maintain their characteristic shape — but if your goal is to create something like cordons or espaliers, annual selective pruning may be required to shape your form.

Hydrangea with old and young branches

Routine shearing and clipping of foundation shrubs and hedges is something almost every homeowner and estate manager should understand, and knowing the growth cycles of plants is key to clipping at the right time. Many of the shrubs I see in home landscaping are seriously overpruned. Utilitarian shrubs like hollies and boxwoods should be pruned, like hedges, such that the upper canopy is thinner than underneath, allowing light to penetrate to the lower branches. Otherwise, each pruning cycle the shrub will become more chewed into submission, ultimately looking like green, raggedy meatballs on top of naked twigs.

Shrubs can be pruned in a couple of different general techniques.

Pruning the tips of the branches is known as “heading back,” which stimulates side buds to develop a thick crop of new branches with leaves and flowers. The opposite of this is the process of “thinning out,” in which whole branches are removed to stimulate new growth that will develop and flower better than overgrown stems.

Most ornamental flowering shrubs like roses, hydrangeas, spiraea, etc., benefit from thinning out each year.

Let’s take mophead hydrangeas as an example. In this shrub, each stem has a four-year life cycle. The first year it grows up unbranched from the roots and does not bloom.

The second year its later buds branch out, and blooms ensue. The third year those previous flowering branches branch again and make smaller blooms. The fourth year, that stem is practically dead and should be removed to make way for new growth.

So every year you should remove the dead/dying/worn-out stems — usually just before new growth in late winter. Failure to do this will lead to a thick mass of overgrown stems, only some of which will bloom. I know gardeners who would rather have a root canal than tackle pruning of a mophead hydrangea, but you should find some shrubs to try this on to prove to yourself that this is a good practice for many (if not all) flowering shrubs.

SPRING 2022 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES

21

Competing branches and branch collars

Home landscape example of good foundation pruning

To make landscaping maintenance easier in general — especially for nonprofessionals — I would recommend far greater use of some of the dwarf shrubs that do not require pruning, such as little leaf hollies, Indian hawthorn, Goshiki tea olive, abelia, nandina, Conoy viburnum, dwarf conifers, etc. Doing so will drastically reduce the need for pruning and open up time for other maintenance and grooming tasks that are actually better for the health of the plants.

Water sprouts on dogwood branch

22 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SPRING 2022

Pruning Techniques for Broadleaf and Conifer Trees

All plants start as seedlings with a single terminal bud that grows up to create the branching structure of the plant.

This pattern is determined by hormones from the growing bud in conjunction with environmental factors (unidirectional light, for example). Conifers tend to grow straight trunks with strong terminal leaders. Hence, every time you cut the top out of a fir Christmas tree to try and make it bushier, it simply grows another straight terminal leader.

Also note that most conifers do not bend towards unidirectional light and will grow straight — even under the edge of a big shade tree.

On the other hand, broadleaf trees, which exhibit branching growth at some point in their lives to create a broader canopy, can be modified much more easily than conifers. A very important difference between broadleaf trees/shrubs and conifers is that the latter rarely regrow pruned branches (Cryptomeria is one exception). If you cut a foundation juniper to near the ground, as you could boxwood or holly, the juniper will never resprout, and will die. Unfortunately, this is not a well-known fact among landscape managers.

All woody plants grow in length from buds. The tip or terminal buds are in control of the growth of main shoots and side stems. Side or lateral buds are formed at the base of every leaf (no exceptions) and are used for branching, spur shoots, regeneration and water sprouts (vertical stems within the canopy of a tree that grow from lateral buds — they should be removed). Protect these terminal buds and let them grow. If you need to thin out a plant, remove the whole branch to its origin on the main branch or trunk, or lateral buds on a branch will grow and lead to unnecessary growth.

Amazingly, each branch or stem on a tree is in competition with every other stem for food and water coming up from a singular root system. The cells that transport water (xylem) make up 90% of the woody stem tissue. The food-transport cells (phloem) are located just under the bark, right next to the cambium, which is a thin layer of living cells that expands in spring/summer to increase the diameter of the trunk or branch. Do not mess with trees and shrubs while they are growing new twigs and leaves, when these delicate tissues are most sensitive to being disturbed.

Most importantly, be aware that the food and water cells going from the roots up the stem (or trunk) into the branches must pass through what is called the branch collar, located where the branch attaches to the trunk. This thickened “neck” of tissue arrangement is very complex and should not be disturbed. When pruning a branch off a main trunk, cut just outside the branch collar — do not cut flush with the trunk, which would disturb the transition structure inside the collar.

A clean cut outside the branch collar will result in a good healing-over of the cut by the tree itself. Also, do not paint over these wounds with tar or other coatings, as those harsh chemicals can damage delicate cells.

And never, ever prune such that the outer bark peels down the trunk, exposing a swath of fresh tissue — to avoid this issue, hold heavy branches while cutting or cut from the outer regions inward to get to the branch collar. Avoiding this type of wound is one sign of a good arborist. The wider the wound cut, the longer the time it will take to heal.

Wounds that aren’t able to heal properly can lead to a hole in the tree, as well as dead tissue in the trunk — which is good for nesting owls, but not for the tree.

However, a healthy tree can compartmentalize rot within its woody trunk and stop the spread of rotting tissue.

Some trees can even actually be totally hollow — do not attempt to fill these gaps. See the important work by tree pathologist Alex Shigo for a thorough discussion of this compartmentalization process.

When is the Right Time to Prune?

All trees and shrubs that flower in spring have made their flower buds the previous summer, which essentially becomes “old wood” the following spring. Do not prune these off. My motto is: “Prune after they bloom.” Try to finish pruning by midsummer, so there is time to ripen wood and buds before fall. On the other hand, summer-flowering woodies (like crape myrtle, chaste tree, roses, gardenia, spiraea and many others) bloom on new growth, so they can be pruned in late winter, up until new growth starts. In general, do not prune heavily in fall — fall pruning stimulates new growth that could be hurt by early frost. Instead, do it later in winter.

Another important point to consider is that evergreen shrubs like boxwood, holly and tea olive need

Well-healed branch cuts

their foliage in winter to make food for storage and new growth. If you cut these to the ground in fall, they may fail to sprout the next spring. Wait and cut back in late winter, just before new growth emerges.

Heat Tolerance

While this isn’t directly related to pruning, another important factor I wanted to mention is that of heat tolerance — a major factor that can lead to failure in landscaping.

In the South we often have three months during which nighttime temperatures may stay above 70 degrees, which keeps plants from resting and saps energy used for growth and development. This is why you don’t see lilacs, lupines, delphiniums, peonies, many conifers and other well-known northern species doing well in areas warmer than zone 8 (by the way, just because a label says a plant can tolerate zone 8 winter cold, that does not mean it can withstand southern summer heat). This is a very important phenomenon and accounts for many failures in the South of ornamental trees, shrubs and perennials from northern nurseries. The solution is to look for heat-tolerant species of southern origin. For example, the southern sugar maple (Acer floridanum, aka A. barbatum) will do better in the long run than northern selections of Acer saccharum. In this age of global warming, heat tolerance will become more and more important in southern climates.

Teach yourself to prune with confidence. Learn to make good decisions twice and sharp cuts once.

SPRING 2022 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES 23

INDUSTRY RESEARCH

Topdressing Granular Imidacloprid to Reduce

Red-Headed Flea Beetle

By Danny Lauderdale

Area Specialized Agent for Nursery & Greenhouse, NC State Extension, danny_lauderdale@ ncsu.edu

Injury

Red-headed flea beetle adults

P H OTO B Y DA N N Y L AU D E R DAL E

24 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SPRING 2022

he red-headed flea beetle (RHFB), Systena frontalis, is a pest of container-grown broadleaved ornamentals that eats holes or skeletonizes leaves making plants unmarketable. Foliar spray programs require repeated applications, are time-consuming, and costly. Since growers seek alternatives to repeat application spray programs, I completed a nursery research trail during 2021 to compare three rates of Marathon 1% Granular Insecticide (Marathon 1G) which contains the active ingredient imidacloprid, a systemic neonicotinoid insecticide.

Materials and Methods

On March 29, 2021, 1152 Itea virginica ‘Little Henry’ 4” liners were potted to 3-gallon containers using the nursery cooperators standard potting mix.

Nursery employees placed plants into 16 blocks of 72 plants each. Containers were spaced five inches apart in blocks and blocks were 10 feet apart in a triangular spacing. On March 30, 2021, I treated 12 plant blocks with one of 3 different rates of Marathon 1G insecticide (4 blocks with each

PH OTO B Y DA N N Y L AU DE R DA L E

T

Red-headed flea beetle adults eat holes in leaves or skeletonize leaves as seen on this weigela.

rate). Treatment topdress rates were Low (4 tsp. per 3-gallon container), Medium (5.5 tsp. per 3-gallon container), and High (7 tsp. per 3-gallon container). 4 plant blocks were left untreated. Treatments to blocks were done in a randomized complete block design. All plants were watered with overhead irrigation as needed. Plants were pruned on June 9, 2021 by 4-6 inches to promote branching and uniformity. Plants were monitored for RHFB injury based on a rating scale and percent of plants damaged. Rating began on June 8, 2021, once damage was noticeable, it was recorded every other week through September

14, 2021. No foliar insecticide applications were made during trial.

Results and Discussion

At all dates, all treatment rates resulted in a significantly lower percent of plants damaged than the untreated control. At 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 24 WAT (Weeks After Treatment) there were no differences between the 3 treatment rates. At 22 WAT there were slight differences in percent of plants damaged by RHFB between low (6.2%), medium (2.78%), and high (0.70%) treatment rates. At the final rating (24 WAT) when 100% of the untreated plants had damage, SPRING 2022 || NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES 25

only 6.63% of plants treated with the low rate had any damage, 2.78% of plants treated with the medium rate had any damage, and 1.40% of plants treated with the high rate had any damage.

Surprisingly, at the 10 WAT, the high rate had a foliar damage rating with similarity to the untreated control but also had similarity to the low and medium rates. All mean ratings were below 1 at that point (a 1 rating is 1 to 10% of plant leaves with injury). The 12 WAT to 24 WAT ratings showed a significant difference when using Marathon 1G when compared to the untreated control. There was no difference from 12 WAT to 24 WAT between any of the 3 treatment rates of Marathon 1G and the mean damage rating remained low (well below 1) for all treatment rates.

RHFB pressure was high in plant blocks bordering the research area.

The highest pressure was on the south side of the study area and secondarily from the north side. Plant injury in

26 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SPRING 2022

the untreated blocks increased the quickest in the southern block first and the northern block next. Plants in the two central untreated blocks had foliar damage ratings and percent of plants damaged climb as the WAT increased but they were lower than the southern and northern block ratings and percentages. By the end of the study, all untreated control plants had foliar damage while few treated plants at any rate had very low levels of damage.

Conclusions and Recommendations

At 24 WAT all rates of Marathon 1G resulted in plants with a significantly lower foliar damage rating and percent of plants damaged compared to the untreated control. This study showed that Marathon 1G was effective at all rates in preventing damage from RHFB. Based on my other studies, low rates of granular imidacloprid whether topdressed or incorporated will prevent significant plant injury at least through the middle of a crop production cycle

and possibly longer as was true in this study. Medium and high rates of granular imidacloprid have always provided long-term control of RHFB and prevented significant damage.

Topdressing granular imidacloprid products for RHFB control may be useful to growers with concern over worker protection standards and personal protective equipment required for the entire potting and handling crew if imidacloprid products are incorporated in the potting mix. However, the only additional piece of personal protective equipment needed with incorporating granular imidacloprid products over granular bifenthrin products that many growers use for fire ant quarantine requirements is protective eyewear.

Additional Information

Imidacloprid products are effective in controlling RHFB larvae when applied to nursery substrate prior to egg hatch. It is important if potting up larger liners, (for example quart or 1 gallon) that had RHFB infestation

By the end of the trial on September 14, 2021, 100% of untreated control plants had unacceptable levels of injury compared to treated plants that had extremely low levels of plant injury that was often hard to detect.

the previous year, to make applications prior to egg hatch in order to mostly eliminate larvae and thus first-generation adults in the crop. Treatments with imidacloprid are best made prior to 250 growing degree days based on 50 degrees Fahrenheit (GDD). Drench applied imidacloprid is effective also and seems to result in no foliar damage for

at least 2 months (June and July) with one drench application at spring potting (April 15). Incorporation of the other granular imidacloprid product labeled for nursery use (Mallet 0.5G) at medium and high rates at potting (April 1) has provided foliar damage prevention lasting into September.

Imidacloprid liquid (drench) and

granular insecticides are effective treatments to help reduce RHFB damage. As with all pest management tools, read and follow label instructions related to the application rates, maximum allowable per acre per year, and all other crop, environmental, and applicator safety precautions.

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