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Articles by Michele Warmund
Fruit Cultivars for Home Plantings
Success in growing fruits in home plantings largely depends on the type or cultivar selected. Midwestern growing conditions — cold winters; frosty or rainy springs; hot, dry summers — make it difficult to grow some of the well-known fruits. Every gardener should be realistic and discriminating about what fruits to plant. Many problems with winter injury, diseases and insects can be avoided by choosing a fruit cultivar that is well adapted to your site conditions.
Vacation planning includes plant care
Don’t forget plant care when planning your summer getaway. “After a wonderful vacation, it’s never fun to come home to dead plants,” says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund. Before the trip, arrange for a reliable neighbor or plant sitter to water indoor and outdoor plants, says Warmund. To help reduce the workload, group plants together with easy access to water, if possible.
Fall for strawberries, the fruit of love
Strawberries are a delectable treat any time of year, but in February they are known as the fruit of love, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund. Long before the celebration of Valentine’s Day, the strawberry symbolized love and fertility due to its shape, color and wealth of seeds on the fruit surface. According to folklore, if two people cut a strawberry and share it, they will fall in love, says Warmund.
Low temperatures leave plants in the cold
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Winter-hardy perennial flowers likely will survive April’s historic low temperatures across Missouri, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Their tender annual counterparts, however, may not be so lucky. MU Extension horticulturists across the state answered numerous calls from concerned gardeners about freeze damage to their flowers and flowering shrubs as temperatures dropped into the 20s.
Low temperatures leave plants in the cold
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Winter-hardy perennial flowers likely will survive April’s historic low temperatures across Missouri, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Their tender annual counterparts, however, may not be so lucky. MU Extension horticulturists across the state answered numerous calls from concerned gardeners about freeze damage to their flowers and flowering shrubs as temperatures dropped into the 20s.
And Another Destructive Weevil Species...
By Michele Warmund Anthonomus rubi, is a weevil species that feeds on strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry blossoms and foliage. Known as the strawberry blossom weevil, this insect is a major pest across Europe to China. However, this weevil was recently identified in the Fraser Valley and in Vancouver, British Columbia in 2020 and is likely present in the United States.
Industrial Hemp: An Ancient Multipurpose Crop
By Michele Warmund Although industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) is considered a new crop in Missouri, it is actually an ancient crop, which was harvested in China 8500 years ago. Fiber hemp was introduced to western Asia and Egypt, and then into Europe between 1000 and 2000 BCE. Many years later, hemp was imported into South America in 1545, and into North America at Port Royal, Acadia in 1606. Missouri was a major producer of fiber hemp from 1840 to 1860 due to the demand for sailcloth and rope.
Pine Trees for Missouri Landscapes (Michele Warmund)
Published: December 5, 2019 During the winter months, it's a great time to appreciate evergreen shrubs and trees. Pine trees are particularly impressive due to their large stature. Generally, pines tend to tolerate poor soil conditions and environmental stress better than fir and spruce. Although many species are available, five pines are recommended in Missouri.
Investigations of the sensitivity of ornamental, fruit, and nut plant species to driftable rates of 2,4-D and dicamba
Al-Khatib, K, Parker, R, Fuerst, EP (1992) Sweet cherry (Prunus avium) response to simulated drift from selected herbicides. Weed Technol 6:975–979 Al-Khatib, K, Parker, R, Fuerst, EP (1993) Wine grape (Vitis vinifera L.) response to simulated herbicide drift. Weed Technol 7:97–102 Alves, GS, Kruger, GR, da Cunha, JP, de Santana, DG, Pinto, LA, Guimarães, F, Zaric, M (2017) Dicamba spray drift as influenced by wind speed and nozzle type.
Mistletoe heralded through ages
Like poinsettia, holly, and pine and fir trees, mistletoe is associated with the Christmas season.Partially-parasitic plants in the genera Viscum, Arceuthobium and Phoradendron are all called mistletoe. Host tree species infested with mistletoe often have abnormal growth and are susceptible to wood-boring insects, fungi and other pathogens.
Lucky shamrock plant
COLUMBIA - You might know your green beer and Irish stew, but if you really want to show you…
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