Pest Management & Plant Health

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Mature plant of bristly oxtongue. (Credit: Larry L. Strand)

Bristly Oxtongue Lives Up to its Name

August 19, 2018
By Anne E Schellman
This summer, you may have noticed what looks like a large dandelion plant covered in blisters growing in your lawn or landscape. It's known as bristly oxtongue, and if you examine or touch it you'll see and feel why.
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<b>Brown Rot on Blossom</b><br>Photo by Jack Kelly Clark, courtesy UC Statewide IPM Program
HOrT COCO-UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa: Article

Apricot Tree Showing Signs of Brown Rot

August 16, 2018
Advice for the Home Gardener from the Help Desk of the UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County Apricot Tree Showing Signs of Brown Rot by Chantal Guillemin , Master Gardener Request: My Royal (Blenheim) apricot tree usually produces delicious fruit, but this year almost all had brown disco...
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UC Weed Science (weed control, management, ecology, and minutia): Article

Pokeweed: A giant of a weed!

August 15, 2018
By Scott R Oneto
This is a follow up article to a blog that my colleague, Guy Kyser wrote back in 2011 titled Purple alert: Common Pokeweed. Since that time, I probably get a dozen or so calls this time of year asking, what is that huge weed growing in my yard with dark black berries and big green leaves.
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Dr. David Headrick elevated into tree canopy placing mesh cages around infested branches of ficus tree on Higher Street, downtown SLO.
UC Master Gardeners- Diggin' it in SLO: Article

Taking Biological Control to New Heights

August 15, 2018
By Maria Murrietta
Next time you're on Higuera St. in downtown SLO, look up. Cal Poly entomology professor, Dr. David Headrick, is taking biological control to new heights! Here's his story: An invasive whitefly pest is attacking our giant fig trees in downtown SLO.
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