Identifying and Controlling Powdery Mildew on Trees

Powdery mildew is a common disease that appears as a white powdery substance on a tree  leaf surface. The powdery appearance comes from millions of tiny fungal spores, which are spread in air currents to cause new infections. Powdery mildew attacks all kinds of landscape plants, including trees. Fortunately, although the disease is disfiguring, it rarely kills a tree.   Almost any tree species can be affected by powdery mildew, but the most common are maple, basswood, dogwood, lilac, magnolia, crabapple, catalpa, and oaks.   Identification Powdery mildew disease  is caused by many different species of fungi, with Erysiphe cichoacearum reported to be the most common culprit.   According to the University of Minnesota:   Powdery mildew appears as superficial growth on plant surfaces and is seen as white to gray powdery spots, blotches or felt-like mats on leaves, stems, and buds.Infected plants may appear to be sprinkled with baby powder or covered in cobwebs.The disease is often most severe on young leaves, water sprouts, and green shoots.Once severely infected, leaves may turn yellow and fall prematurely during the growing season.In some plants, leaves turn purple to red around the infection.In late summer/early fall, tiny round orange to black balls form within white fungal mats.Most prevalent when outdoor conditions consist of cool temperatures with high humidity; however, it can be seen in warm, dry conditions as well.The disease is most severe on plants or plant parts in shaded areas with poor air movement (interior or lower branches). Biology of the Fungus Some powdery mildew fungi survive winter inside structures known as chasmothecium, which contain the spores. In spring, the chasmothecium rupture to release spores that are then spread by the wind. Other species of powdery mildew survive the winter as a dormant fungus in the infected buds or shoot tips. In spring, these spores start new infections on new plant growth. As the growing season progresses, news spores are produced and transferred to new plants on the wind.   Prevention Powdery mildew is rarely a tree killer,  but it can disfigure specimens in the landscape. It is a product of moist conditions and is usually seen in the wetter spring and fall seasons. In many  areas, powdery mildew is virtually unavoidable during the most humid parts of the period from spring through fall. Once dryer weather returns, the fungus usually retreats. It may not be necessary to treat the fungus at all, but certain measures may prevent it from becoming prevalent. This humidity-loving fungus can be controlled only if moisture can be controlled. Dont plant trees in heavily-shaded areas and provide plenty of space for air movement and growing room. Prune trees and shrubs to improve air movement between the branches. Additional methods for controlling powdery mildew: Choose disease-resistant varieties whenever possible. Mildew-resistant cultivars are available for many plants.Do not overcrowd plants. Adequate spacing improves air circulation and reduces powdery mildew infection.Prune the tree or shrub to increase light penetration and improve air circulation throughout the canopy. But avoid excessive pruning of infected plants—do your pruning during inactive periods.  Avoid fertilizing trees and shrubs when they are suffering from powdery mildew. Fertilizing stimulates new growth and may hasten the spread of the fungal infection.  Do not compost infected branches or leaves. The spores will remain in the compost and may infect other plants.   Controlling Powdery Mildew Commercial fungicides will kill powdery mildew, but many experts advise using these toxic chemicals only on specimen plants that are highly prized since the fungus rarely kills trees.   Chemical fungicide treatments that kill powdery mildew include : Thiophanate methylChlorothalonilSulfur (but not for sulfur-sensitive plants such as viburnum)Potassium bicarbonate Sulfer is perhaps the most common fungicide for powdery mildew. Spray wettable sulfur onto affected leaves at the recommended rate specified by the label. Sulfur may injure tender foliage, especially in hot weather, so be careful. Do not use sulfur on walnuts, as injury may occur. Where important plants have a history of powdery mildew infection, treat them preemptively, before the fungus appears.   A somewhat effective non-chemical treatment is to spray the plants with a mixture of household baking soda and water.

The Wife of Baths Reflexive Contradiction for Sexual...

The Wife of Baths Reflexive Contradiction for Sexual Equality in the Canterbury Tales The Wife of Bath has been described and depicted as an independent proto-feminist who long ago led the charge for sexual equality. Chaucers visionary protagonist was a refreshing and modern look at womens rights in the fifteenth century. She spends much of her prologue breaking down stereotypical barriers that have confined women of her time to passive and subservient roles in her society. As a result, her prologue, if standing alone, can be noted as one of the great calls for female independence in historical literature. But upon viewing her works as a whole, her section of the General Prologue, her prologue and her tale, it is well noted that†¦show more content†¦He then strikes back in a most unchivalrous and demeaning response. This knyght answerde, allas! and weylawey! / I woot right wel that swich was my biheste. / For goddes love, as chees a newe requeste! / Taak al my good, and lat my body go, (1064-7). To supposedly be living by a code of honor, the knights sharp words are an attempt to break out of his bond. I only emphasize them to express the sheer lack of respect and appreciativeness he has for his savior. After she humbly replies that all she wants is his love above all the wealth in the world, he starkly fires back in shock, My love . . . Nay my dampnacioun! (1073). He continues to spout off lines of rejection; digging himself into a deeper hole with the woman he has already sworn indirectly to marry. The story continues with a description of the sadness around the day of the marriage, all the while opposing the Wifes former views that a womens value lies less in her appearance and more in her performance in bed, that beauty is hardly an important factor in determining a womans value. Yet, the knight strongly rejects her merely on her lack of beauty. Whether the hag is simply desperate or confused is undetermined, but she gives in to the kni ghts lack of supposedly ingrained chivalry by letting him off with a light lecture on true nobility. Her quaint address is surmised by the simple statement, I shal fufille youre worldly

Emily Dickinson’s Poem Review Free Essays

I applaud Emily Dickinson’s choice of art over â€Å"real† life although I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive. While I cannot presume to know whether she had doubts about this herself or whether she had other problems that prevented her from living â€Å"real† life, I can clearly see that her life inside her mind was very rich. By choosing art, Emily Dickinson has left us with a wealth of succinct poems with very important themes. We will write a custom essay sample on Emily Dickinson’s Poem Review or any similar topic only for you Order Now Particularly stunning is â€Å"Much Madness is Divinest Sense. † In that poem, she perfectly recaps the idea of majority rule. If one agrees with the majority, one is sane. If not, one is dangerous and wrong. This is such a short and simple poem that covers so many times in our lives and current events. There are so many examples of the majority doing the wrong thing, like slavery. Another important theme is contained in â€Å"If You Were Coming in the Fall. † This poem discusses the difficulty or utter torture of waiting for some uncertain future. One can wait much more easily if there is some kind of certainty or date at the end. â€Å"But now, all ignorant of the length Of time’s uncertain wing, It goads me, like the goblin bee, That will not state its sting. â€Å" (Dickinson) The longer one waits, the more painful it becomes. It stings as Dickinson says. However, Dickinson says that waiting without that certainty is nothing but torture. This theme is universal. And yet, another important theme is contained in â€Å"Hope is the Thing with Feathers. † Dickinson gives herself and everyone else the claim that hope is always present in life. Hope is always with us; it â€Å"perches† in our souls. It never asks anything of the reader just remains in our hearts to keep us warm. â€Å"Yet, never, in extremity, It asked a crumb of me† (Dickinson). Again this is a very profound lesson contained in a brief poem. Who knows what the effect would have been if Dickinson had chosen to have a husband and family or an active social life? The point is that the choice was hers, and she made it. Personally, I relish her choice as I think she gives us so many words to live by. For those who don’t like poetry all that much, she is simple and straightforward and yet, very profound. How to cite Emily Dickinson’s Poem Review, Papers

Working Ethically, safely and professionally free essay sample

‘Ethics’ is defined as: ‘moral principles that govern a person’s behavior or the conducting of an activity’; they tend to be values imposed by one’s self or by a group on its members. ‘Morals’ is defined as: ‘standards of behavior; principles of right and wrong’; they tend to be imposed by society. ‘Principle’ is defined as: A rule or belief governing ones personal behavior ‘Values’ is defined as: principles or standards of behavior; one’s judgement of what is important in life: High standard of morals will set standards of behavior for an individual and help them distinguish between right and wrong. Their values will help them determine what is important in life. And help in moral dilemmas where it’s a case of choosing between right and right as opposed to choosing between right and wrong. Ethics are formulated out of a combination of morals and values and help a person to set certain boundaries for themselves or in the case of a profession; for its members. Having a sound combination of morals, values and ethics enables one to develop sound principles. It can therefore be said that if you have good principles, then you are likely to conduct yourself in an ethically sound manner. Far from being cut-and-dried however, there are very blurred thin grey lines of boundaries between these and more often than not, upbringing, social backgrounds and religious beliefs can play an extensive role in a person’s morals, values and principles which in turn affect their ethics. For example, I was brought up in a christian home and in a culture where extramarital sexual relations are wrong and frowned upon. Because of this background, culture and belief I strongly believed that I had to remain I virgin till my wedding day. My principles, values and morals , moulded by my upbringing informed what was ethically right for me. I have several good friends who are living with their partners and have children but have no intention of getting married because for them there is nothing wrong with it. Its so crucial therefore as counsellors to maintain at the forefront of our minds that each client is different, thinks differently and believes differently to us and thereby give them an unconditional positive regard. Unit 1. 1 Apply understanding of an ethical framework to counselling practice sessions. Professionals can have a huge impact on their clients and their actions can affect the lives of the people they deal directly with and that of their families. It is imperative therefore that they exercise the highest level of safe and ethical practice to minimize harm to the client. In a professional setting one will encounter various people of varied cultural backgrounds with varied needs. This makes it extremely important therefore that the professional has very high ethical standards to ensure that the profession is upheld and that the client does not suffer any exploitation but receives a good standard of care. It is required of the professional to understand that morals values principles and ethics are not separate entities. They must be considered with a holistic approach realizing that a persons background will inform their morals and values and in turn their ethics and principles. What may be perfectly acceptable to one may be taboo to the other simply because of the conditions of worth placed on them by their society and upbringing. In counseling the ethical framework is intended to guide and inform practice. Its is necessary to safeguard the profession as well as the client. It is necessary in order to uphold high standards of professionalism and practice. Without these guidelines the profession could end up in disrepute . There would be no trust and respect or regard for counsellors. In a counselling practice I applied this by explaining to my client that I was a trainee working under BACP guidelines. I explained what BACP stood for and how I am bound by its guidelines . I went on further to explain patient centered counselling and what that would mean for my client. I also let them know that confidentiality was part of the ethical framework and that they could expect complete confidence. I further explained the conditions under which this confidence may and will be breached. Unit 1. 2 Explain the importance of working within limits of proficiency It behooves the professional to give careful consideration to their own limitations when dealing with complex issues that may arise in order that the client at all times receives a good quality of care. This is an important aspect of the ethical framework known as working within the limits of our proficiency. In any given counseling session the counsellor has no idea what will be brought by the client. It may happen that the counsellor finds themselves having to deal with an issue which is beyond their scope or ability. In such an instance the counsellor needs to be open and upfront with the client and arrange a referral if agreed to by the client. Having said that, the client may have formed such a bond with the counsellor that they do not want to see anyone else. This means that the counsellor will have to explain to their client the need for them to do some research on the topic and take the case unidentifiably to supervision for advice. It is dangerous to attempt to handle a case above the limits of ones limit of ability. Not only may the client be able to see through the incongruence and be disappointed and mistrusting ,but the counsellor may end up causing more harm than good because they are attempting to deal with a situation they are ill informed on and unprepared for. In their professional capacity, a counsellor is in a position of authority and therefore ethically bound to give their client the best quality of care. This may sometimes mean referral to someone more qualified to handle the situation. Unit 2. 2 establish and sustain the boundaries of the counsellor role in counselling practice sessions. Another aspect of the ethical framework is professional boundaries. Boundaries are key to any healthy relationship. In the same way boundaries are key to a healthy counselling relationship. They are needed in several aspects of the relationship including time, physical, confidentiality to name a few. Without these boundaries the relationship will develop but may go in the wrong direction. There will be hurts and disappointments resulting. Wherever boundaries are put in place, one knows exactly how to behave and what to expect from the relationship as well as what is expected of them. In this way either party knows where they stand and there are few surprises and disappointments . For example if Im counselling a client and decline to put in place any time boundaries in place, I know how long the session is going to last, but my client has no idea. They may end up being disappointed that it ended too soon or surprised its going on so long. With the boundaries in place they know exactly what to expect. In one of my practice sessions I had put in all the time boundaries, but at the end still got a door- knob comment from my client. It was extremely tempting to pick up from there and continue the session but I had to be firm and let him know that we will discuss that at our next session. In a real life situation, I may have other clients waiting or other appointments booked in and to carry on with this client would be to communicate that the time boundaries are flexible or of no relevance. This may lead to serious misunderstanding further down the line. Another scenario is where no professional boundaries are put in place. The counsellor and client relationship is a professional one. The counsellor is in a position of authority. It is not a friendship, it is not a romantic relationship, it is a professional one. With the counsellor helping the client through some very difficult times and sharing in things the client may have never shared with anyone else before,it is extremely easy for a physical attraction to develop as the counselling relationship develops. Session after session the feelings will grow. The professional boundaries of conduct must be put in place early in the relationship to avoid this. Should this develop the counsellor is likely to be penalized for it as it is an abuse of their position of authority. I once had to put firm physical boundaries in place in my friendship with a gentleman in church. He was married with four children and wanted to take me and my children on days out without his family or my husband. I felt extremely uncomfortable about this arrangement and declined the offer. He then began to send very innocent looking text messages , but what concerned me was that he didnt want me to mention the texts to anyone. I decided then that despite all his protests otherwise that his intentions were not so pure. I threatened to forward all future texts to his wife , who also happened to be a friend. I did not receive any further messages from him. This is the kind of situation that one might find themselves in in a counselling relationship. Seemingly innocent to begin with but as a professional I would need to judge the situation from an objective standpoint and be sure that I have in place the right boundaries to protect my client, myself, my career,and the reputation of the profession as a whole. Boundaries regarding Confidentiality must be maintained to prevent trusts being broken and to safeguard against disrepute. A client normally enters into the counselling setting feeling vulnerable, burdened and in need of help. It takes a lot of trust on their part to open up to a stranger. This trust must never be broken. The client must be briefed on the circumstances under which this confidence may be breached. This is when there is a risk of a terrorist act or when there is an indication of harm to self or harm to others. Under no other circumstances must the confidence be broken without the clients prior knowledge and consent. Even when taking an issue into supervision it needs to be done unidentifiably. In conclusion , a counsellor is a professional in a position to help others through difficult times. One can only fully achieve this by working within the boundaries of the ethical framework . Working as such results in a safe practice.