Published: September 14, 2008 12:35 am            

OSU Botanical Garden News 09-14-08

The last Friday of August was the day for the monthly meeting of the ambassadors and the Botanical Garden staff. After starting the morning with “goodies” and coffee as we always do, we had several activities on the agenda. While enjoying our snacks we had an opportunity to bid on gardening books with the proceeds going to Friends of the Library.

This was followed by individual photos and a group photo taken in the garden. Somewhat surprisingly, I guess, the photos always turn out great thanks to a really good photographer. After a brief business meeting, our speaker for the morning, Kim Rebek, the host of the Oklahoma Gardening television program, presented a very interesting program on biological control in the garden.

Biological control is the use of natural enemies of destructive garden insects to control the destructive insects. All insects have natural enemies so the first order of business is to determine exactly what the destructive insect is.

Once that’s determined, then one must determine a natural enemy and when and in what quantity to introduce the natural enemy. Kim cited a number of examples of pests and preys. Sometimes we can attract the preys by providing a desirable environment for them while at other times they may need to be purchased. It was a very interesting and informative presentation and much enjoyed by the ambassadors. Thank you Kim!

The gardens look great so please put a visit on your calendar.

Larry Jones is an ambassador at the OSU Botanical Garden.

        

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