NFREC Happenings
For questions regarding this blog, please contact Charlene Cupp Kinch at accupp@ufl.edu.
Summer-flowering Annuals Planted at NFREC-Quincy
June 22, 2009
Gardening Friends of the Big Bend (GFBB) plants and maintains flowers in the two beds flanking the driveway near the entrance of the Fountain S. May, Sr., Building at NFREC-Quincy. On June 14 and 15, GFBB members purchased and planted the following:
- 'Graffiti Violet' Pentas : Known for their heat tolerance, this pentas will produce clusters of violet, star-like flowers all summer on compact plants growing 12 inches tall and wide.
- Vista Bubblegum Supetunia® petunia: This petunia has bubblegum-pink flowers and should flower from summer through frost; it grows up to 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide.
- 'Senorita Rosalita' cleome: Sometimes called spider flower, this cleome has pink and white flowers on plants growing up to 36 inches tall and 20 inches wide.
- 'Flamenco Cha Cha' cuphea: Growing up to 20 inches tall and wide, this cuphea thrives in heat and will produce purple flowers all summer.
These annuals complement the perennials planted last year: yellow bells, firebush, bush daisy, purple heart and cardoon. The cardoon is of special note because one plant is currently flowering, showcasing clusters of intense blue, thistle-like flowers on top of 4-foot rosettes of silver-grey foliage.
Gardening Friends of the Big Bend, Inc., (GFBB) is a group of avid gardeners and industry professionals organized to support the gardens and research/extension programs at the North Florida Research and Education Center, Quincy. For more information about Gardening Friends, including how to become a member, check out their website, www.thegfbb.com.
Written by Dr. Gary Knox
If that Mockingbird don't sing...it might harass you!!!
June 15, 2009
It’s that time of the year, beware of the swooping Mockingbirds. Anyone entering through the administrative area at NFREC, Quincy may have noticed that the mockingbirds have returned. The mockingbird is known as a fierce protector of its nest and environment. They can be seen diving down on employees or visitors that may be venturing too close to the bird's protected territory.
University biologists are reporting that mockingbirds recognize and remember people whom the birds perceive as threatening their nests. If the white-and-grey songbirds spot their unwelcome guests, they screech, dive bomb and even sometimes graze the visitors’ heads — while ignoring other passers-by or nearby strangers. So, be nice to the birdies and they will be nice to you!
Joe Funderburk Returns from Central America
June 8, 2009
Joe Funderburk visited Honduras and El Salvedor May 11-15 at the invitation of OIRSA (Organismo International Regional de Sanidad Agropecuria). This is an internatinal organization of 9 countries essentially all countries of Central America from Mexico to Panama and the Domican Republic. The visit was to study thrips diversity in the Neotropics and thrips management. He visited many farms already having implemented the tactics developed in Florida. He made a presentation to the Board of Directors of OIRSA, and also had meetings with the Board and the Directors to develop a cooperative agreement between OIRSA and the University of Florida with several objectives in mind, including the training of graduate students and joint mutual scientific research.
NFREC-Suwannee Valley Hosts Fruit & Nut Field Day
May 26, 2009
On May 14, NFREC-SV hosted a Fruit and Nut Twilight Field Day in their demonstration fruit and nut planting. The event was attended by over 50 producers from the Suwannee Valley region. The crops covered were citrus, stone fruit, blackberry, chestnut, grapes, persimmon and blueberry. Specific topics covered for each crop were variety selection, production practices, pest management, harvesting and handling, marketing and propagation. Those attending were able to get hands-on information and have their questions answered by UF/IFAS specialists and county agents. The potential to increase fruit and nut plantings is good particularly for direct market sales.
If you would like more information on growing fruits and nuts, check out the Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises web site at http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu/. You may also be interested in attending the inaugural edition of the statewide Small Farms and Alternative Enterprise Conference in Kissimmee on August 1 and 2.
For more information, visit the Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprise Conference web site.
Written by: Linda Landrum
Amazing Wildflower Display
May 18, 2009
Were you lucky enough to drive by the center around Mother’s Day and see the astonishing, amazing and astounding field of bright yellow wildflowers? They were a real show stopper. For more details on this gorgeous spring phenomenon from Mr. Wildflower himself, Dr. Jeff Norcini – keep reading!
The genus Coreopsis is Florida's State Wildflower; 14 species of Coreopsis occur in Florida, most of which are considered native to Florida. Coreopsis basalis, commonly known as Goldenmane Tickseed or Dye Flower, brightens roadsides and fields of central and north Florida from as early as April to as late as mid-June. During dry years, however, flowering is mainly in May. This drought-tolerant, annual usually is found from North Carolina to Texas, although it has been observed as far north as Connecticut and Illinois. In Florida, Goldenmane Tickseed prefers sunny, disturbed sites that have dry, sandy soil. It is often found coexisting with bahiagrass, as it is here at the NFREC. Since it is a spring annual, most of its growth and flowering take place before bahiagrass grows large enough to out-compete it. Naturally occurring fields are especially prevalent in Madison County to Alachua County. They occasionally occur in Leon and Gadsden County. If managed properly, these populations will thrive for years. The meadow of Goldenmane Tickseed at the NFREC along SR 267 was established from seeds that were sown in the fall of 2004.
Goldenmane Tickseed is an upright plant with elongated leaves that are dissected or divided. It is usually 1 to 1 1/2 feet tall but can grow much taller. Height is strongly dependent on soil moisture and nutrient levels as well as light level. In shaded areas it can be very "leggy" and grow more than 3 ft tall. The 3/4- to 1 1/2-inch-diameter flowers have dark purple disk flowers and showy yellow ray flowers ("petals"). A dark red to maroonish spot is at the base of each ray flower. The size of this spot is variable and at times the dark red spot is barely noticeable.
The Kildeer Babies Have Arrived!
May 11, 2009
The killdeer babies have arrived! As I approached the nest with my camera, the mother killdeer turned to face me – and two fluffy chicks took that opportunity to escape. The third chick wasn’t quick enough and only managed to stick its head out before mom sat back down on the nest. Never fear, a few minutes later all three chicks had been safely returned to the nest under the protection of their mother’s wings. By Laura Richie
Marina Moura Morales Leaves for Brazil
May 4, 2009
Marina Moura Morales left for Brazil last week. Marina is a PhD student from Sao Paulo Brazil participating in a “sandwich” program. In this program a Brazilian student spends one year in the US sandwiched between their studies in Brazil. Marina was studying the effect of charcoal, sometimes called biochar, on soil properties with Dr. Nick Comerford. She spent her first semester in Gainesville and her second semester in Quincy. By the time she left she was able to describe the characteristics of her biochar, as well as the ability of the material to hold and release phosphorus to plants. While in Quincy she lived in the dormitory on campus, and was known and liked by everyone. Marina and her culinary excellence will be missed but promises to return this fall to present her results at a national meeting to be held in Pittsburg.
The Blog committee would like to thank Adriana Comerford for her contribution on this piece.
Visitors of Nature...
April 24, 2009
If you happen by the fenced-in compound area at NFREC Quincy, you may notice a few red flags out in the middle of the parking area. These red flags were put there to protect three beautiful “Killdeer” eggs.
Tom Batey spotted the mother Killdeer sitting on her nest a couple of weeks ago and placed the flags around the area so that no one would drive over and crush the soon-to-be baby Killdeer. Periodically you will notice some of us peeping thru the fence to see if the eggs have yet hatched, and anxiously look for small movements in the rocks. The hatching of baby Killdeer take about 24-28 days, so we should be seeing more movement soon.
Stay Tuned for an update…
Conclusion of Gadsden/Jackson Master Gardener Training Program
April 20, 2009
On April 15th, 2009, the Joint Gadsden and Jackson County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer programs graduated 27 participants that successfully completed 9 weeks of training on home horticulture. The training program prepares individuals interested in becoming an extension horticulture volunteer. Trained Master Gardener volunteers assist the county extension horticulture agent with a variety of task including: installation and/or maintenance of demonstration gardens or landscapes, office and program assistance, perform or assist in giving presentations at meetings, garden clubs, etc. to name a few. Twenty graduates will be serving with the Jackson County Extension Office and 7 will be volunteering through Gadsden County Extension. This year’s training was unique in that we participated in the State Master Gardener Volunteer Training Program via video conferencing technology, also known as Polycom. To view our past training schedule and related training topics, please visit the Gadsden County Extension Horticulture and Small Farms calendar of events webpage, http://gadsden.ifas.ufl.edu/ag_horticulture.shtml.
Alex Bolques, Gadsden County Extension Master Gardener Coordinator
Several of our staff have been traveling around sharing with Florida folks.
April 13, 2009
Luke DeGroote, biological scientist, rode over to Walton County Extension office on March 19th to present a talk about Encouraging Wildlife to the Walton County Master Gardeners.
Hank Dankers, Senior biological scientist, presented, “Introduction to Plant Pathology for Master Gardeners” and “Distance Diagnostics for Plant Diseases” for the Walton County master gardeners and Mike Goodchild, the Walton county agent on March 26th.
Dr. Jeff Norcini, Professor of Environmental Horticulture, was guest speaker at the Florida Wildflower Festival in Deland on March 28th. His topic – Growing and Landscaping with Wildflowers, of course.
Charlie Riddle, Senior biological scientist presented a talk on Native Bees, an Ecosystem Service in Decline for the Gadsden County Master Gardeners right here at NFREC on April 6th.
Students from Belgium tour NFREC-Marianna
April 6, 2009
On Friday, March 27, 2009 34 students in the Biosciences/Agricultural Science program in the Department of Biosciences and Landscape Architecture at the Technical University Ghent, Ghent, Belgium visited the NFREC in Marianna. The students were advised by Professor Dirk Fremaut. Every year Dr. Fremaut travels to the United States with students where they visit agricultural operations in Florida, Georgia and California. At the NFREC the students were exposed to presentations on forage, peanut, and cattle production presented by Ann Blount, Cheryl Mackowiak, Barry Tillman, and Cliff Lamb. In addition, the students had an opportunity to tour the NFREC farm and beef unit.
Gardening Friends of the Big Bend Speaker Dinner
April 6, 2009
Despite the nasty weather on Saturday, March 28, fifty attendees enjoyed learning from one of Florida's noted plantsmen, Robert Bowden, Director of Leu Gardens, Orlando. Mr. Bowden's amusing and educational presentation centered on new and underutilized plants appropriate for our area. This event was sponsored by Gardening Friends of the Big Bend, Inc. (GFBB). This was GFBB's Second Annual Speaker Dinner. As well as an outstanding speaker, good food, and enjoyable fellowship this year's event also featured a Silent Auction with plants and garden decorations. GFBB is a 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to promote gardening and gardening research supporting and assisting the faculty and staff of NFREC - Quincy. For more information on upcoming events sponsored by Gardening Friends you may contact Jill Williams; President, at B419@aol.com, Dr. Gary Knox; Faculty Liaison at gwknox@ufl.edu or check out the new website, www.thegfbb.com.