VOL. 7, NO. 11 University of ArizonaCooperative Extension NOVEiMBER 1996

4)^

Cochise County Master Gardener

PLANT PROFILE-Ornamental Grasses

Tbegrass fimoily is inqxKtant inthe plaot worid.Mai^ are cultivated for turf, food, rev^etatioii,oosioa control, shelter and fM for wildlife, andonamental uses. Grasses are divided into twogroups: cod^eason grasses whidi grow from fellto ^ling and warm-season grasses which growfrom ^ring to fiU. Warm-season grasses oftendisplay brilliant fidl colors vdiidi look nicethrough the winter. Ornamental grasses are lowmaintenance plants. Since thoe areso many varieties, it's best to diedt with catalogs and gardenbooks fiv the species* moisture reqpiiremcat ands(^ conditions.All benefitby havingtheir tops cutbade to ground level before the new growthemogesandlat]^ dder clunq)s may bedivided inearly q>ring.

The Miscandnis q^eeies is a large group ofwarm-season grasses. The limrock OrnamentalGrasses, Inc. catalog lists 35 cultivars! One fe-vorite is M. sinensis 'Oradllimu,' or maidengrass, whidi has grey-green leaves diat form avase shape and feathery, copper-colored flowerplumes in late fidl. It has a nice fidl golden cdorand is considered one of the better grasses fordried arrangements. M. sinensis 'Morning Light'is a vari^ated frxm of 'Cracillimus.' M. sinensis 'Siberfoder' is a German cultivar which haswhite plumes, green fidiage, andblooms in eariyfidl. Uses fiv Miscanthus indude specimens.

bmdns, screos and het^es, background plants,^oupmgs, waterskfe fdantings, fidl cdm, Victorian gardens, and flowmheads fix fresh ae driedarrangements.

Anodier outstanding group ofgrasses isdiePen-nisetum species. P. setaceum 'Cupreum* isprdia-bly the most common variety, also known aspurple fixmtain grass, and is die one you seeplanted all over Siena >^sta. P. setaceum 'Ru-brum,' redfountain grass, hasrose-colored foliageand spikes. P. alopecuroides 'Little Bumty* is adwarf sdectioo. Buff-colmed and 10" tall, greatfiiv small or patios. Pennisetum's arewarm-season grasses ate usefid for speci-meas, borders, edging (small cultivars), watersideplant^, fidl C(^,and attracting birds.

Muhlenbergja qiedes heralds our native deer-grass, 'Rigens.* An evergreen grass, it is verywdl suited to our dimate being heat and droughttolerant. M. lindheimeri is a particularly beautifulgrass. 'Autumn Glow' has tan stalks apd dieflower plumes are wide open wfaidi gives it adense appearance. Its sister, 'R^al Mist* hasspectacular flower plumes ofrosy-purple.

hi the cod-season grasses, die Festuca iqieciesdoes well here and its small size makes it suitablefor rock ^tfdens, ground covers, edging, and itlodes good massed in groups. Most fintucas arein beautifid hues ofblues.

Ornamental grasses-a group of plants that canfixmdie badcbone trf'agarden all year round.

Omri MeltonMaster Gar^ner^affWriter

Cochise County Cooperative Extension450 HaskcU,WOicox, AZ 85643(520)384-3594

1140 N. Coh»ibo,SleiTa Yista. AZ8S63S(520) 458-8278, Ext 141

Cuttings'N'

Clippings

> Interested in the Arizona Tree

Seedling Pipgram for 1997?Application forms are available at the

Sierra Vista CooperativeExtensionOffice. Greraiwood Nursery ofMcMinnville, TN offers a wide variety of shrubs, trees, and groundcover bareroot seedlings at a veryreasonable cost. All seedlingsgrown for the program are grownin Arizona, Colorado, andMontana.

> Rod^ts have been found to be

one ofthe most coimmm carriers of

the hantavirus, which has causedthe deaths of67 people living in theUnited States since 1993. Follow

these precautions to help protectyou and your family.1. Never sweep or vacuum drymouse dnq>pings which could disperse virus-lad^ dust into the air.2. Never toudi a dead mouse with

your bare hands.3. Avoid practices that mi^t attract mice by keeping all food andgarbage in covered containers.4. Take steps to keep rodentsout ofyour home.5. Control the rodent populationsoutside.

Newsletter Staff:

Carolyn GruenhagenBarbara KishbaughCheri Melton

Virginia Wes4>lial

Robert E. Call, Extension Agent,Horticulture

Page 2

> The Sierra Vista Area Garden

er's Club will meet Novanber 21

at the Mem Bishop Ro(»n of theSierra Vista Library. VirginiaDen-nisou will present the program"Spices ofthe Southwest."

> Watch for details on the HighDesert Gardening & Landsc^ingCcmforaice coming up cm February13-15, 1997!

A Favorite Vine

There are many beautifulvinesthat willgrow and flower inour climate: some are amnials,some perennials, some lose flieirleaves in winter, and stxne remainevogreoi.

Here's an idea for a nice ever

green vine to grow on a trellis,fence or lattice and it is (»ie thathas (fone well for to&-Jasmmpolyanthum. One of the comnKninames for it is "winter jasmine,"but fliat name is also used for several other types of true Jasmines,as well as some plants fliat aren'tJasmine at all. It is available in

manyplacesin the localarea.J. polyanthum is flist growing to

about 20 feet tall. It will get over10 feet tall in just a year or so fromplantingif it is happy. Minegrowson the North side ofmy house (m alattice attached to the back patio.It can take full sun, but in our hotsummers 1 fliink it does be^r witha little aftemocm shade. Prune itafter flowering and just like Jack'sbeanstalk, it will climb right backup in no time.

> The Butterball Turkey Co. willhave a turkey hot line available toofferyouassistance weekdays fiom7 am - 7 pm Nov. 1 to 27 andThanksgiviiig Day fi:om 5 am - 5pm. The number is1-800-323-4848. You can even

amtact them by e-mail athtQ)://www.butterb^.com.

It is a "light weight" vine, whichcan climb on lattice woik withoutgettingtoo heavyfor its siq)port.

It's hard to decide wbat is thebest feature of J. polyarUhum,sinceit stays greenflie year aroundand in April (in Sierra Vista) itcovers itself with clusters ofblocxns that ate pink in bud and\ichite upcHi opening. They aresweetly fi'agrant, and will perfumea largearea suchas flie whole patiowhen planted nearby. Hummingbirds seotn attracted by the flowers,and even though they bloom hereso early (before many of the hummingbirds have returned fixnn theirwinter homes) we do have someyear 'round residents-mostly BlackChinnedHummingbirds. 1 keeptwo small feelers up for them inwinter, and then when sprirtg arrives and more birds return, 1 putup the larger feeders in addition tothe small cmes. This year we had ahununingbird nest in the tangle ofour J. Polyanthum vine, and wecouldwatch developments fromthekitdi^ window.

Maggi CristMaster Gardener

How to Buffer

the Wind

Last mondi at the School ofHard

Rocks I briefly discussed CodiiseCountywind. This month I want tooffer further suggestions how toconfuse the wind.

In Cochise County we have prevailing southerly winds in the summer aid some strong northerlystonn winds in the winter. If youare in a forest on a windyday, youwill hear the wind whistling aroundand see the wind shaldi^ theboughs of the trees. But the windwill not push you to the ground because the trees act as buffers anddisperse the wind around the trunkand through flie branches andl^ves/needles. We can use this

same idea to buffer winds aroundour homes.

Wh«i planning a homesite, treesK act as buffers and should be

planted as soon as the well is inand water available. When placingy(»ir windbreak, three or moreplants staggeredin heightwill forcethe wind upwards and away fiomstructures. They also add privacyand act as a dust barrier along acountry road.

Evergreen trees-Arizona cypress,Aleppo pine, junipers and oak treesare a good selection. Evergreentrees are preferred as they remainfull and will bow with the windwithout breaking limbs. These treesmay reach twenty feet high inabout ten years if a drip system isinstalled with a steady water supply. Hie Heritage oak is a feirlygood grower, also.

Cottonwood, elm, and eucalyptustrees can also be used, but thty arenot recommoided for placementnear tte house. Winds can easilysnap limbs causing them to fellonto the roof.

Orchards placed around yourhouse will also break up the wind.Pecan trees grow successfully inour area and are relatively easy toplant and maintain. Ifyou purchasea three or four year old tree, harvesting nuts in two years is possible and likely.

Oleanders are wcmderful soutiiem

Arizona plants and will make terrific windbreaks and a great habitatfor desert creatures. They are festgrowing, bushy and full, eve/greoi,and flower at an almost constant

rate. It is a lovely plant, but remember the leaves and seeds are

poisonous. (See High on the Desert Newsletter, August 1996,Page 3)

Desert hackberry and pcnnegran-ate are perfect as windbreaks andalso for the bird lovers. They havemultiple smaU branches to protectthe anall nests. Pyracantha is usedextensibly in the urban setting andis a good evergreai selecticm. Thered berries provide winter food fornative bird species. Pyracantha canbe trained as an espalier plant, ahedge, or even to look like a tree.Many other evergreoi hedges canalso be used as mediumgrowth perimeter plants.

Clumps of fountain or otherdecorative grasses between thehouse and the initial windbreak will

further disburse the force of the

wind. Placing them near tiie houseor patii is not recmmnaided sincethe dense growth is a cool summ^snake hideout.

Around the house vinmg plantsmake great wind buffers. Grapesgrow well in Codiise County, giving shade in tiie summer with tiieadded bonus of fhiit. Passion vine,catolaw vine, and honeysucklesaround a porch create a semi-secluded area filled with fragranceand color.

Native plants can also be used toinhibit tiie force ofthe wind. Agaveare formidable barriers when ma

ture and there is nothing moresouthwestern than an ocotUlo

fence. The wind passes betweentheupright ocotillo limbs diminishingthe force.

Barbara KishbaughMaster Gardener^taffWriter

Jioyttmbu*

JLymmbm

J This is a good time to install adrip system.y Replace summer mulch withfresh mulch.

y Start a winterherbgarden,y Protectplants fixim fi'ost.(The Coqierative Extension Offlceoffers a bulletin Frost and Frost

Protection. Call for a copy.)

Page 3

The Agent'sObservations

This month Dr. Robert Smith,Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, answers questions about pest control services inArizona.

Question: What is a pretreatment?Answer: A pretreatment consistsof a chemical treatment (with anEPA registered termiticide) of soilto form a barrier against subterranean termites invading a structure.A termite pretreatment is an important part of any structure built inArizona.

Question: How do ch^cal barriers work?

Answer: Chemical barriers workby repealing/killmg termites thatcontact the treated soil.

Question: Does pretreatment protect against all kinds of pesttermites?

Answer: No. Pretreatments do notprotect structures against drywoodtermites.

Question:What are the chemicalsusedfor pretreatmrait?Answer: There are several including a new penetrating boric acidspray.

Question: Do all EPA registeredtermiticides perform equally well inprotectmg Arizona structures.Answer: Absolutely not! Themeasures of the qut^ty of a termiticides are how effective it is inexcluding termites, and how long itlasts. In Arizona chlorpyrifos performs well initially but looses its

effectiveness r^idly. Permethrin,on the odierhand, is verypersistentin Arizcxia, lasting longer than ISyears.

Question: Do all termiticides havethe same performance in all partsofthe county?Answer: No. Every r^on has itsbest andworstperformers and theydiffer fiom locality to locality.

Question: Why does chlorpyrifosperform so poorly in Arizcma?Answer: It is not known for cer

tain, but the poor showirig probably has something to (k> with ourvery high t^peratures and ourdry, alkaline soils.

Question: Are termiticides harmfulto people?Answer: All pesticides are potentially injurious to humans, pets,and odrernootaigetorganisms. Observe all label instructions. EPA

registered termiti- cides are presumed to be safe for use in accor

dance widi label instruction.

Question: Are pretreatments always effective in excludingtermites?

Answer: Property applied andwell-designed pretreatments can bee:q)ectedto exclude termitesfromstructures for many years.

Question: What constitutes aproperly applied and well designedpretreatment in Arizona?Answer: A first-rate pretreatmentrequires cooperation between theapplicator and the building contractor. In selecting the best termiticide for Arizona, use a 1%active ingredient (A.I.) concrartra-tion and foe applicatimi of foe

termiticide at the high^ labeledrate.

Question: Why do pretreatmentsfiul within months or a few yearsafter construction?

Answer: Pretreatment fiiilures re

sult fimn poor coordination between rq>plicator and building(xmtractor and or poor pretreatment design whidi may involve selection of a termitici^ that doesnot hold up well in Arizona, usinglow ccmcentration ofactive ingiedi-oit (A.I.), incomplete coverage ofthe soil, or use of an inadequatevolumeoffinishedspray.

Question: Is someone at foult if a

pretreatment foils to excludetermites?

Answer: Absolutely! If your newhouse has a leaky roof, isn't theresomermeat foult and responsible tofix it?

Question: Is there a pr^reatmentfor drywood termites?Answer: Y^, in a manner ofspeaking. Well maintained paintedwood carmot be infested by dry-wood termites. Also, foe treatmentofimpainted wood ofany kind witha borate product such as Tim-bor®or Boracare® will render the wood

(Continued on nextpage)

bsued in ftirthmnw ofCooperative Extension work, acts ofMay 8and June 30,1914, in coopmtion with tbe United States Department ofAgriculture, James A. Christens^^^Dire^,Cooperative Extoision, College nfAgriculliite, The Ihdveisity ofi^rizona and Arizona Cotmtiea coopmting. The Uaiveinty ofArizona Coll^ofAgriculture is aequal 0|̂ )^uiiity ^pioy^ au^cttiz^ toprovide r^iearch, educational informatifxi and other service only toindividuals and institutions that functicm vddiout regard to sex,race, religion, color, national carigin, age, Vietnam Era Veteran's status, ordisability.The information givai herein is suf^lied with the understanding that no diserimination is intended and no endorsement hy Coqierative Extension isimplied.Any products, services, woi^nizations that are n^itioned, shown, orindtrecUy implied in this publication do not inqily etidorsem^ by the University ofArizona.

Page 4

unin&stable by termites of anykind so Icmg as the wood is keptdry aiter treatment.

Question: What is the txeatmentfor a structure infested with subter-

raiffian termites?

Answer: Remedial treatment forsubterranean termites enq>I(^s thesame chemical termiticide that are

used for pretreatment, but the termiticide must be a|>plied using te-chiques that require specialequipment. Essentially, ten^dialtreatmoit attonpts to renew a bro-k«a chemical soil barrier. Some ofthe retro-treatment techiques aresubslab injection, rodding, trenching,treating, and backfilling.

Question: What is the treatmentfor a structural infestation of dry-wood termites?

Answer: Usually drilling the infested wood and injecting it witii atermiticide is a reliable and eco-nomical treatment finr drywoodtermites.

Question: I have a drywood termite infestation and my pest control company says I need to havemy house t^ted and fiunigated.

procedure is very expensive,isit r^ly necessary?Answer: No! Tenting and fiuniga-tion for the drywood termites thatoccur in Arizmia is almost nevernecessary nor is it especially effective. Spot treatment is tiieeffectiveand economical treatment for ourdrywood termites.

Question: If tenting is not reallynecessary and not especially effective vtiiydo pest control companiesrecommend the procedure?Answer: Profit and marketirig,pure and simple. Tenting and fiuni-

^ gation is a spectacularly showypest control procedure tiiat givesthe consumer the impression he is

getting a lot for his money. Fumigation is in feet a low overhead,extranely high profit operation.That's why the pest (xnitrd industry likes it.

Question: How does tire pest control (^ator know where to spottreat for drywood termites?Answer: Drywood termites alwaysproduce sculptured pellet fiasswhich tiiey dispose of fiom socalled holes" in the infestedwood. The telltale accumulationsof drywood termite fiass will showthe homeowner where drywood termites are wotidng and vhere thewood must be drilled and injectedwife termiticide. No fiass, no dry-wood termites!

Question: How do I find a reliable

Answer: Ask your firi^ids andneighbors. Also, you may call feeArizcma Structural Pest ControlBoard and ask for fee conq>laint record for any licoised pest controlc(mq>any in Arizona. Finally, getproposals and bids fixxn severalconqranies to do fee needed work.Ask questions about the proposedprocedures andfees. Compare!

We will ccmclude this four-partseries (hi termites next month wifea discussi(Hi ofwcxxl infestaticm reports disclosure andbuying a hcnnein Arizona.

Robert E. CallExtensionAgent,Horticulture

Dvond hwifbuoui ccmmjfom tk9 La$iH ikaim9aHi He faU «///Why do leaves turn colors in thefall? In the summer, fee leaves (xm-stantly replace fee green chlorophyll. When the days shorten, fee

treeis sigrudledto cease productitHiofchl(H'(q)lQ'll. Wife nogreen bdngadded to the lea^ other c(dors thathave been pres^ in the leaf allalong finally ccnne out. The colorsare caused by sugars that arestored in the leaf. They changecolor whra exposed to sunlight.The best c(Hiditi(His for brilliantautunm colors are dry summersfollowed by early autumn rains.The fell nights should be cold butnot fieezing. Wet weather in lateaiitiimii kills the colcH*. Trees grow

ing near streetlights keep theirleaves Irniger than other trees, becauseit is the letigfe of the daythattriggers the charigo-not the t«n-perature.

The Virtual

Gardener-Gardening InCyberspace

There is a wealth of informaticHron gardening (m fee World WideWeb. You can learn how to t^

into fee gardening expertise available fiee fixnn university reseanfecenters, fee Cooperative ExtensionService, and world class gardenerswife your Wd) browser. I will beteaching a class on GardKiing inCyberspace at Codiise Coll^e, Sierra Vista Campus on Saturday,Dec. 7 from 10:00 am until nocm.For informaticHi or registraticm,contact Codiise College, N<hi-Credit Program, 901 N. ColomboAve., Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 orcaU 515-5496.

GaryA. GruenhagenMaster Gardener

Pages

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

TUCSON, ARIZONA 85721

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300

JOHNSONGRASS

(the "WickedWeed")

GRASS FAMILY-Gramineae

JOHNSONGRASS-Sorghumhalepense (L.) Pers.

Johnsongrass is usually consideredby many stockmen to be a good feedfor their animals. It is a "good" feedsource as long as the leaves do notproduce a Q^de type of poisonknown as hydrocyanic (prussic) acidand then the grass becomes ^ctremelydeadly for all livestock.

What causes Johnsongrass to become poisonous? It spears that anything viiich influences normal plantgrowth may trigger the release ofHCN within the plant: rapid leafgrowth, or wilting caused by traumain the form of trampling, freezing,

dryness, or even the cutting of theplant.

How do you know whena plant hasbeen traumatized and may be producing HCN? One doesn't know andstock are ^t to be poisoned by Johnsongrass at any time. Acute poisooingresults in death fixnn respiratory feil-ure following the first appearance ofsymptoms within a few hours; r^idand complete recovery may occur after a sub-lethal dosage (even after severe poisoning). Breathing is, at first,deep, becoming r^id and labored, finally resulting in noisy, violent gasping, then trembling, staggering, andconvulsions; bloat is cmimrm in thelate stages of poisoning.

This grass is a prohibited, noxiousweed in Arizona and total eradication

is almost irtqiossible, dueto its lengdiyunderground strans, rhizomes (up to 2Yz feet deep), aiul dormant seeds. Anattractive leafy perennial, its heightmay reach between threeto sewen feet

BULK RATE

POSTAGE & FEES PAIDUSDA

PERMIT No. G268

in height, and its blades may be twofeet IcHig and 1/4 to 3/4 inches inIraigth. The plant's flowermg tqismay be as much as two feet long andproduce dark, reddish-brown grains.It flowers from April to Novemberand prefers to grow in irrigationditches and in cultivated fields. It isfoundin elevations up to 6,000 feet.

Peggy DierkingMaster Gardener

[Poaceae. The grass femily is un-^ubtedly the most important plantfamily in terms of usefiilness to humans. All the world's importantgraincrops are grasses; the baniboos (giantgrasses) are useful in building andcrafts. Many grasses are used inlawns or as omamoital annual or perennial plants. Some botanists useiGramineae as the femily namegrasses.]Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995