Pennsylvania Category 06 - Ornamental and Shade Tree Commercial Applicator Bundle
This course bundle is geared toward the ornamental and shade tree commercial applicator. This course bundle contains 10 credits of ornamental and shade tree (category 06) training. This course bundle may be paired with any core bundle to fulfill recertification requirements. All courses have been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Please click on course details for a full list of courses.
BUNDLE CONTENTS
Ornamental and Shade Trees (Category 06) credits:
- Ornamental Pesticide Application Equipment and Calibration – 1 credit
- Common Ornamental Plant Pests – 5 credits
- IPM for Ornamental Plant Pest Management – 2 credits
- Fungicides and Plant Pathogen Sampling – 1 credit
- Home Lawn and Landscape Management – 1 credit
Ornamental Pesticide Application Equipment and Calibration
Course Description
When pesticide applications become necessary for good ornamental plant management it’s important to understand how application equipment works and how to properly calibrate the equipment. An accurate measurement of the area to be treated or the number of plants to be treated and properly calibrated equipment are critical to successful control of the pest as well as staying within label requirements. This course will discuss the most common types of equipment used for pesticide applications on ornamental plants, the way to calculate the volume of solution needed, and how to properly calculate the flow rate of the equipment.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Describe the different types of equipment used in pesticide applications
- Accurately calculate the square footage of irregular areas
- Accurately calibrate common application equipment
Common Ornamental Plant Pests
Course Description
Pest management of ornamental plants involves multiple steps from growing a healthy plant that is more resistant to pest damage to correctly identifying the problem when present. This course will cover the most common pests of ornamental plants.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Identify common landscape weeks and outline how to manage them.
- Identify common plant disorders and identify how to avoid them in the future.
- Identify common plant diseases and outline how to manage them.
- Describe nematode damage and explain why sampling prior to planting is important.
- Identify common vertebrate and invertebrate pests and outline the best management strategy for each.
IPM for Ornamental Plant Pest Management
Course Description
Integrated Pest Management of ornamental plants involves multiple steps; producing a healthy plant, correctly identifying the problem, recognizing that there will always be some pests and damage, and only using pesticides as a last resort. This course teaches the basics of pest and disease management for ornamental plants, and the different tools and techniques needed to successfully provide your clients with a healthy and attractive landscape.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Discuss several ways to track pest development
- Outline the issues involved in controlling pests and disease in managed landscape situations
- Tailor a management strategy that addresses the unique needs of each ornamental planting
Fungicides and Plant Pathogen Sampling
Course Description
This course provides the learner with a few basics necessary for effective management of turf and ornamentals. Understanding how to properly collect specimens for accurate analysis by a lab will save time and money. Understanding how a fungus infects a plant and which fungicide will treat that fungus effectively will provide quick treatment that can limit the damage done to the plant. Plant appearance, the status of the infections, what to include in your sample, and fungicide mechanism of action are discussed to provide a framework from which to formulate treatment strategies.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Gain an understanding of how fungicides penetrate the structures of a targeted plant.
- Tailor a management strategy that addresses the prevention, identification, and treatment of fungal infections in plants.
- Identify the proper part of the plant to send to the diagnostic lab for analysis.
- Execute proper packaging and shipping of each sample to the diagnostic lab.
Home Lawn and Landscape Management
Course Description
The lawn and landscape are essential elements in any residential situation. Time and money are invested in the development, installation and upkeeping of the landscaping and the turf. When not installed or managed properly that investment can be perceived as a waste as the lawn and landscape do not fulfill their purpose. This course will focus on the essentials of designing a landscape that is aesthetically pleasing and makes weed control easier as well as key factors for installing and establishing a functional home lawn.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Describe the key landscape design features that make weed control manageable
- Discuss the different types of herbicides commonly used in landscape weed management situations
- Describe key concerns to address when establishing a home lawn