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Webinar: Phytophthora, Killer of Native Plants
Webinar Presentation: “Phytophthora, Killer of Native Plants”
Betty Young from Milo Baker Chapter will cover the discovery of Phytophthora on their preserve holding the last population of Vine Hill manzanita, (Arctostaphylos densiflora, CA 1.B.1.), how they investigated the extent of the infection, obtained a CAFWS permit, propagated from that last population, genetic testing to support out-planting of genetically diverse plants, found appropriate protected sites to start new populations of these endangered Manzanitas, tested those sites to be sure they were Phytophthora-free, and tested propagated plants to be sure they were clean. Finally, we’ll discuss out-planting, watering, weeding and monitoring of out-planted groups.
Phytophthora, the pathogen responsible for Sudden Oak Death should change how we all perform every part of our important work to bring back local native habitats and landscapes. Propagation, planting, selling, giving away and even just working around native plants now requires special methods and requirements for plant related activities.
About the Speaker
After completing a Plant Science-Nursery Management degree at UC Davis, Betty Young served as gardener and then Nursery Manager at FILOLI Historic Gardens, then headed to Thailand with the Peace Corps. Upon returning, she managed propagation at Sonoma County’s Skylark Wholesale Nursery, managed Circuit Rider Nursery growing natives for restoration and finally Director of the 6 restoration nurseries in the Golden Gate National Parks.
Soon after “retiring”, Betty designed and built with the help of wonderful volunteers an AIR certified nursery in partnership with the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation.
Betty Young has two publications, The Nursery Manual: The Science and Art of Growing Plant for Habitat Restoration (2015) and Sonoma County Native Plant Gardener (CNPS, 2022)