Iowa State University Extension Master Gardeners
Feb 2011  
In This Issue
Super Sleuth
Feb. Mystery Plant
Summer Session Set
Search for Excellence
Welcome Advisory Comm.
GAP Training
Vote for a Logo
Tomato Grafting Workshop
International MG Conf.
Gardens & Castles Tour
IPM3 Webinars
Upcoming Events
Quick Links
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February 2013     Volume 4     No. 2
Super Sleuth

The January mystery plant was correctly identified by a couple of Super Sleuths. The first to respond with the correct answer was Carolyn Magnani from Polk County, quickly followed by Cathy Mason from Howard County. This image is of one of the new hybrid Thai aglaonemas, also known as Chinese evergreen. Slower growing than the traditional green and silver Chinese evergreens, these pink and green (or red and green) beauties have become more common over the past couple of years because they are now propagated by tissue culture. Like their more common cousins, these hybrids perform well in low-light conditions, although for maximum color, provide at least moderate light. They prefer uniformly moist soil, and seldom suffer from any pests. Look for them at garden centers and nurseries everywhere, including the big box stores.


Denny Schrock
State Master Gardener Coordinator
 
Featured Plant
from January


Thai aglaonema
February Mystery Plant
What am I?
To become our Super Sleuth for this month, be the first to correctly identify this shade-loving perennial both by its common and botanical name in your reply to Denny.
Hint: it recently won an award from a national gardening association. 

  FebMysteryPlant  

Master Gardener Summer Session Set

Save the Date

Dates have been set for the 2013 Master Gardener Summer Session. This year we will be meeting in Central Iowa, in and around the Ames campus on Friday July 12 and Saturday July 13. Friday evening we'll meet at Reiman Gardens for a dinner at which we'll recognize outstanding Master Gardeners from around Iowa and the projects that they have worked on. (See the following article on Search for Excellence applications.)  

 

On Saturday we'll start the day at the Iowa Arboretum near Luther then move to the Horticulture Research Farm at Gilbert for an update on several research projects run by faculty in the Horticulture Department. After lunch and more tour stops at the Hort Research Farm, we'll return to Reiman Gardens for a more thorough look at the displays there. Details will follow in future newsletters, but be sure to reserve these dates on your calendar now.

Search for Excellence Awards

Tell Us Your Success Stories  New MG Logo

 

Applications are now being taken for the 2013 Iowa Master Gardener Search for Excellence Awards. We know that many of you are involved in noteworthy projects, but we don't always hear about them. Here's your chance to let others know what you're working on. As a guideline, consider the following categories for submission:

Demonstration garden

Youth  

Workshop or presentation

Community Service

Innovative Project

Special Needs Audience

Research (applied scientific methodology)


Application forms are available on the "For Staff" page of the Master Gardener website. (Your local coordinator can access the site and download the application for you.) Or request an application and have your coordinator submit it by April 1, 2013 to Denny Schrock at the state Master Gardener office. Please limit the application to 3 pages and up to 5 supporting images. Members of the State Master Gardener Advisory Committee will review applications and make selections at their April meeting. Awards will be presented at the Master Gardener Summer Session dinner on Friday evening July 12.

    

Welcome New Advisory Committee Members

Congratulations to the newest members of the Master Gardener State Advisory Committee. Each area of Iowa has one Master Gardener and one Extension staff member representative on the committee. Initially terms of service vary so that openings on the committee will be staggered. Committee members may serve two full 3-year terms before they must step down.  

Committee members and the year that their current term expires are listed here:

Northeast - Gary Whittenbaugh - Vice-Chair (MG,

Fayette County, 2013); Michelle Kenyon Brown (staff, Linn County, 2014)

Southeast - Jeri Bailey (MG, Wappello County, 2015); Duane Gissell (staff, Scott County, 2014)
Southwest - Cathy Booth (MG, Cass County, 2013); Denise Fikes (staff, Mills County, 2015)
Northwest -Julie Koster (MG, Sioux County, 2015); Margaret Murphy (staff, Sioux/O'Brien/Lyon/Osceola Counties, 2013)
Central - Megan Will - Chairperson (MG, Dallas County, 2014); Suzette Striegel - Secretary (staff, Mahaska County, 2015)

 

GAP Training Opportunity

An Adobe Connect session on Good Agricultural Practices related to food safety in home food production is being offered as an optional session during the winter Master Gardener classes. Current Master Gardeners are invited to participate in the session at their county extension office. The GAP training is set for Tuesday, March 19 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Check with your local Master Gardener coordinator about getting signed up for this training session.

 

Help Us Choose a Logo

Vote for the Upper Midwest MG Conference Logo 
LogoChoices
The Upper Midwest Master Gardener Conference is set for June 25-28, 2014 in Davenport. An excellent team of Scott County Master Gardeners, led by Linda Kuffer, is serving as the steering committee. The theme for the conference is "Growing Along the River". The steering committee has come up with a couple of options for the conference logo, and you have a chance to weigh in with your preference. Cast your vote for your favorite  here. Or go to the Master Gardener home page and click on the logos. Voting will be available through April 1.
Tomato Grafting Workshop

Dr. Ajay Nair and graduate student Brandon Carpenter from the Horticulture Departmentwill conduct a tomato grafting workshop on Tuesday, March 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Reiman Gardens. Laura Jesse and Erika Saalau-Rojas from the Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic will also provide an update on managing tomato insect pests and diseases. Registration is limited to 40 participants and the course fee is $35. For more details or to register go to: http://tomatografting.eventbrite.com/#.

Tomato Threesome

International Master Gardener Conference

Alaska Flowers, Fjords & Friends 

Join nearly 1000 other Master Gardeners from around the U.S. and Canada at the 2013 International Master Gardener Conference, which will be held September 7-14, aboard an Alaskan cruise ship. If you go, you'll need to register for the conference and book your stay on the ship at the conference website. 

AlaskaIMGConfLogo 
Gardens & Castles of the British Isles
Join Denny in England and Scotland
Spaces are still available for the Gardens & Castles Tour of the British Isles, but the registration deadline is Wednesday February 20th. Tour dates are May 13-26, 2013. You won't want to miss the 100th anniversary of the Chelsea Flower Show! To request a full brochure and registration form, contact Denny. 
Beds at Chen
IPM3 Webinars

Starting now and continuing through June 30, 2013, all IPM3 courses can be taken at a time that you select. You can register at www.umn.edu/ipm3 and IPM3 will contact you to arrange a start/stop date for the course(s) that will be customized to meet your individual needs. Beginning 1 July 2013, IPM3 will be ending its current tuition discount program. Register now to combine scheduling flexibility with a 33% tuition discount. Program details, course outlines, cost, and registration information are available at www.umn.edu/ipm3.
Upcoming Events

What: Vegetable Transplant Production Workshop

When: Friday, February 22, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.   Where: Scott County Extension Office  

 Who: Drs. Ajay Nair and Patrick O'Malley  

 Price: $35; call 515-294-7080

 

What: Buchanan County Master Gardener Symposium

When: Saturday, February 23, 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Where: First Presbyterian Church, Independence

Who: Buchanan County Extension

Price: $30; call 319-334-7161

 

What: Think Spring! Garden Seminar

When: Saturday, February 23 9:00a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Where: Simpson College

Who: Warren County Master Gardeners

Price: $45 by Feb.13 call 515-961-9420

 

 What: Iowa Shade Tree Short Course  

When: February 27-28

Where: Scheman Building, Iowa State University

Who: Iowa Nursery & Landscape Association

Price: variable, onsite registration is available

 

What: Dubuque Master Gardener Spring Seminar

When: Saturday, March 2, 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Where: NE Iowa Community College

Who: Dubuque County Extension

Price: $20 per person in advance; $25 at the door; call 563-583-6496

 

What: Delaware County Mondays in March  

When: Monday March 4, 11, 18, 15; 7:00 p.m.
Where: Our Savior Lutheran Church, Manchester
Who: Delaware County Extension Master Gardeners
Price: $2 per person; call 563-927-4201

 

What: Cedar Rapids Garden Series

When: Thursdays, March 7, 14, 21, & 28, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Where: Cedar Rapids West Public Library

Who: Linn County Extension

Price: call 319-377-9839

 

What: Identifying Common Tree Problems

When: Monday, March 11, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Where: Linn County Extension Office

Who: Linn County Extension

Price: Call 319-377-9839

 

What: Tomato Grafting Workshop

When: Tuesday, March 12, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Where: Reiman Gardens

Who: Dr. Ajay Nair

Price: $35; Call 515-294-7080

 

What: Cass County Master Gardener Spring Garden Seminar

When: Saturday, March 16, 8:30 a.m - 3:30 p.m

Where: Atlantic High School

Who: Cass County Master Gardeners

Price: call 712-243-1132

 

What: Eat Fresh Southern Iowa Local Foods Conference

When: Friday & Saturday, March 22-23

Where: Albia, IA

Who: Iowa Network for Community Agriculture

Price: advance registration required; call Stacie Gibler 641-932-3547

 

What: West Pott Master Gardener Spring Conference

When: Saturday, March 30, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Where: Council Bluffs Senior Center

Who: West Pottawattamie County Master Gardeners

Price: $30 registration by March 22, $35 thereafter; call 712-366-7070

 

What: Knoxville Federated Garden Club Garden Gala

When: Saturday, April 6

Where: Knoxville Fairgrounds

Who: Federated Garden Clubs

Price: $35 preregistration by March 22; call 641-842-2014

 

What: Iowa Arboretum Spring Fever Symposium

When: Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: Iowa Arboretum, Madrid 

Who: Iowa Arboretum

Price: early registration through March 29


Do you have another educational opportunity coming up? Email Cindy or Denny with details. Thanks. 
Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University
Header image credit: Dr. Cynthia Haynes, Department of Horticulture, ISU
Other images credit: Dr. Denny Schrock, Department of Horticulture, ISU