Test PB Collection: FTE

Healthy red apple ice plant, Aptenia cordifolia.

Good news: The first day of spring. Bad news: The future of the Eastern, migratory population of the monarch butterflies. Research published today in Scientific Reports indicates there's a "quasi-extinction risk" for the Eastern, migratory population of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus).

I received notification recently that Rely 280 can now be used in California without growers being required to use a closed mixing and loading system. According to manufacturer representatives, a revised label has been approved by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation and the US-EPA.

Drought Induced Problems in Our Orchards Abiotic disorders are plant problems that are non-infective. They are not caused by an organism, but through their damage, they may bring on damage caused by organisms. Think of a tree hit by lightning or a tractor.

Nutrient availability from organic sources has been considered slow release by many growers and advisers. This may be true in environments are colder and especially soils are cooler.

What's the most dangerous animal on the planet? No, not rhinos, cape buffaloes, hippos, lions, elephants, crocodiles or sharks. It's an insect, the blood-sucking mosquito. Mosquitoes that transmit malaria, including Anopheles gambiae, kill more than people than any other animal on the planet.

Oregon State University is currently advertising a position for an Assistant Professor who will address Weed Management in Perennial Horticultural Crops. I'm excited about this position for a couple reasons.

Bees buzzed at Cal Ag Day. So did the people.

A 'Meyer' lemon should be quite happy along the coast, unless it gets planted in new soil that has low copper because of high soil pH or high organic matter. And then you wonder what is wrong. Mild copper deficiency is usually associated with large, dark green leaves on long soft angular shoots.

You won't want to miss what's happening on the UC Davis campus on Saturday, May 7. It's the second annual UC Davis Bee Symposium: Keeping Bees Healthy.