When our horticulture experts are stumped by a caller, they turn to the experts at Iowa State University's Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic. They identify plant diseases, weeds, mushrooms and insects. Host Charity Nebbe talks with Entomologist Laura Jesse and Plant Pathologist Lina Rodreguez-Salamanca about the sleuthing that happens in diagnosing a plant disease or insect infestation.
The clinic is the front line in finding insect or pest trends. The scientists are seeing a lot of conifer damage and diseases this spring. They're also fielding many questions about identifying tick species and the emerald ash borer. They say the weather, as always, will make or break this growing season.
This hour, they take listener questions and offer advice for Iowa gardeners.
