2011 Ornamental Plant School

Reschedulded for March 16.  Please note location change!

The 2011 Ornamental Plant School is a one-day course focusing on the technical challenges of growing, installing, and maintaining plants in nursery and landscape settings.  This program is conducted by Clemson researchers and Extension agents specifically for professionals who work with a variety of landscape plants and situations.  This workshop is for you!  Five (5) South Carolina Pesticide Recertification Credits will be awarded.  NC and GA credits will also be available.

This course will concentrate on identifying and implementing best management practices for the following topics: planting trees, selecting quality plants, water quality and conservation, insect pests, and disease management.  Clemson University researchers are developing and fine-tuning sustainable nursery and landscape techniques to minimize economic and environmental costs while meeting customer expectations and government regulations.  Finally, this program offers new and more effective management practices that address the current issues that you face!

Agenda

8:30-9:00         Registration & Welcome

9:00-10:00       Show Me Your Root Flare! - Dr. Ellen Vincent

Learn to recognize and correct deep planting problems to create sustainable healthy landscapes. Best management practices that reduce tree stress and the need for pesticides will be emphasized.

10:00-10:15      Break

10:15-11:15     Choosing Quality Trees for Urban Landscapes - Dr. Sarah White

Learn to request, recognize, and select trees that are structurally sound from the roots up. Selection criteria to maximize landscape success while minimizing need for pruning and pesticides will be emphasized. 

11:15-12:00 Creating Water Sensible Landscapes - Cory Tanner

Learn simple steps to maximize water efficiency in the landscape and minimize runoff and erosion. This session will focus on creating drought tolerant landscapes and using rain gardens to capture runoff. 

12:00-1:00 Lunch; provided

1:00-2:00 Insect Pest ID of Woody Landscape Plants & IPM Responses - Dr. J.C. Chong

Learn to identify the most common insect and mite pests of landscape ornamental plants and the damage associated with them. Integrated pest management (IPM) responses that include chemical, cultural and biological controls will be discussed.

2:15-2:30 Break

2:30-4:00 Disease ID of Woody Landscape Plants & IPM Responses - Dr. Steve Jeffers & Dr. James Blake

Learn to recognize common diseases of woody landscape plants and the factors that contribute to them.  IPM techniques and strategies for managing the diseases will be discussed.

4:00-4:15 Wrap-up Discussion

Directions