2012 Plant Clinic Guidelines
This year, because of a short staff, emphasis will be placed on routing some questions formerly handled by our plant clinic to other experts. Our plant clinic operates to distribute growing information and solve problems of cultivated plants. For general information on how to grow cultivated plants in Idaho, we recommend you visit the following websites:
UI Extension: Idaho Landscapes and Gardens contains excellent general information on all types of gardening, including links to UI Extension publications and resources.
North Idaho Small Farm Resource Center contains local weather information and information on fruit varieties recommended for Bonner County.
UI Extension Bonner County website has information on classes and other upcoming events.
Plant ID requests will be given lower priority than plant problems. For more speedy service, we recommend you visit your favorite local nursery for identification of landscape plants. A list of nurseries accompanies this guide.
Insect ID requests will first be examined by our MGs who will determine if it is a damaging or poisonous insect. If it is not, and the client still wants the insect identified, it will be sent to the UI Insect ID laboratory, which will take about 2 weeks.
Master Gardeners are not trained in the following areas, so please contact these agencies for questions relating to the following areas:
Native Plant Identification
Kinnickinnick Native Plant Society
PO Box 1092
Sandpoint, ID 83864
www.nativeplantsociety.org
Forest and Indigenous Trees
Sandpoint Ranger District
1500 Hwy 2, Suite 110
Sandpoint, ID, 83864-9509
(208) 263-5111
FAX: (208) 265-6670
http://gis.fs.fed.us/outernet/ipnf/sandpoint/
Rodents, Including Gophers and Moles
Please do NOT bring in samples. Master Gardeners can identify the problem through a description of the mounds made by a rodent. Information on garden rodent control can be found at the
Idaho Landscapes and Gardens website.
This year, selected garden center personnel are being trained in the identification, cultural requirements and problem solving. If we are being overwhelmed with questions, we may not be able to serve you as expeditiously as you would like. In that case, please refer to one of the following local garden centers which have trained personnel on staff:
All-Seasons Garden Center
31831 Highway 200 E.
Sandpoint, ID 83864
(208) 265-2944
allseasonsgardenandfloral.com
Ponderay Garden Center
477703 Highway 95
Ponderay, ID 83852
(208) 255-4200
www.ponderaygarden.com
Moose Valley Garden Center
138 Latigo Lane (Highway 95 Milepost 495.5)
Naples, ID 83847
(208) 267-5108
Sample Submission Guidelines
In order for us to assure accuracy and speed, please follow these guidelines closely.
Plant and Weed Identification
- Samples should include flowers or fruit, leaves and stems
- For woody trees and shrubs, submit a 1-2 foot section of a branch
- For non-woody (herbaceous) plants, submit an entire plant if possible
- Wrap plants in a DRY paper towel and place in a gallon Ziploc bag
Plant Damage Samples
- Submit several plant parts with varying degrees of severity
- Include one healthy sample if possible
- If a branch is partially affected, bring in a section where it changes from healthy to unhealthy
- Wrap plants in a DRY paper towel and place in a gallon Ziploc bag
Insect Identification
- Submit several specimens if possible
Forms
