Victoria, BC (on Vancouver Island)

Discussion in 'VCBF Neighbourhood Blogs' started by wcutler, Mar 2, 2009.

  1. Douglas Justice

    Douglas Justice Well-Known Member UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society 10 Years

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    Very nice. No obvious brown-rot-caused "witch's brooms," which are so common on spring cherries in Vancouver. It makes me wonder if this plant is on its own roots.
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2021
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  2. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

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    Good morning Douglas, can I ask why witches brooms are common in Vancouver ? Perhaps compared to other locations.
    I found this comment by you fascinating.
     
  3. Douglas Justice

    Douglas Justice Well-Known Member UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society 10 Years

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    Note that these are not the phycoplasma-related witch's brooms we associate with dwarf conifers. In cherries the witch's broom is an ugly proliferation of ragged branches caused by a systemic infection by brown rot disease. Brown rot infection is common on susceptible species like Prunus itosakura (syn. P. subhirtella) and is facilitated during mild, wet weather. In Vancouver, we can have rain without a break for days and days in the early spring (and in autumn and winter).

    The problems usually start with a flower infection (blossom blight), which spreads into the surrounding tissue, killing back the tender vegetative growth (twig blight) adjacent to the flowers. Perennial cankers in the twigs produce spores for subsequent infections. Later regrowth from behind the original damage may become infected if the rain persists, or avoid infection and extend for some distance if the weather is cool and or dry, only to be infected in a subsequent season. The result is a rat's nest of dead and live branches.

    Grafted cherries seem to be most at risk. This is probably (I'm definitely speculating here) because of increased susceptibility due to stress related to differential growth—the two species, P. itosakura and P. avium, pushing growth at different times or rates. The particular P. avium cultivar used as grafting stock in British Columbia is 'Mazzard F12/1', which is very vigorous (well matched to 'Kanzan'). On the other hand, perhaps P. itosakura cultivars like 'Autumnalis Rosea' are just
    too prone to infection because of the wet conditions here.

    We at UBC Botanical Garden have been experimenting with a variety of cherries, growing brown-rot- and bacterial canker-susceptible cultivars on their own roots to compare with grafted plants. Initial results look promising, but it's still early days.
     
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  4. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

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    @Douglas Justice, thankyou Douglas for the very informative reply. I have learnt a lot today about brown rot causing witches brooms in Cherries. I wonder if the environmental changes we are all witnessing the world over is the main contributing factor with this problem. Though here in the UK we are experiencing very warm but very dry Springs these last couple of decades, so your theory of climatic effect on Cherries will probably not be noticed as it is in Vancouver.
     
  5. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    A 'Whitcomb' cherry with lots of flowers at Government House was just posted on Facebook by CBC Radio North by Northwest. I think this page is public.
    Facebook
    There were no flowers at all last week on this cultivar in the Peter Wharton Grove at UBCBG.
     
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  6. Willard

    Willard Generous Contributor

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    20220331 BCFSB Shirotae Willard 6:8.jpeg
    20220331 BCFSB Shirotae Willard 1:8.jpeg 20220331 BCFSB Shirotae Willard 4:8.jpeg 20220331 BCFSB Shirotae Willard 5:8.jpeg 20220331 BCFSB Shirotae Willard 7:8.jpeg 20220331 BCFSB Shirotae Willard 8:8.jpeg 20220331 BCFSB Shirotae Willard 2:8.jpeg

    Four ‘Shirotae’ at the Kids Play Area.
    Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal.






    I noticed a wasp trap in one of the trees.
    20220331 BCFSB Shirotae Willard 3:6.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2022
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  7. Willard

    Willard Generous Contributor

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    Four mature ‘Akebono’ on the lawn south of the old ‘Empress’.
    20220331 Empress Akebono 8:9.jpeg 20220331 Empress Akebono Willard 1:8.jpeg 20220331 Empress Akebono 9:9.jpeg 20220331 Empress Akebono Willard 7:9.jpeg 20220331 Empress Akebono Willard 2:8.jpeg 20220331 Empress Akebono Willard 6:8.jpeg

    Found some petaloids.

    20220331 Empress Akebono Willard 5:8.jpeg 20220331 Empress Akebono Willard 4:8.jpeg 20220331 EmpressAkebono Willard 3:8.jpeg
     
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  8. Willard

    Willard Generous Contributor

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    Twelve ‘Shirotae’ blooming now at the Hotel Pacific Grand on Belleville Street.

    20220331 Grand Shirotae Willard 5:6.jpeg 20220331 Grand Shirotae Willard 4:6.jpeg 20220331 Grand Shirotae Willard 3:6.jpeg 20220331 Grand Shirotae Willard 2:6.jpeg 20220331 Grand Shirotae Willard 1:6.jpeg
     
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  9. Willard

    Willard Generous Contributor

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    Several mature ’Rancho’ on both sides of George Street from Olive to Moss.

    20220331 GeorgeOlive Rancho Willard 2:6.jpeg 20220331 GeorgeOlive Rancho Willard 3:6.jpeg 20220331 GeorgeOlive Rancho Willard1:6.jpeg

    Largest ‘Rancho’ I have seen anywhere.
    20220331 GeorgeOlive Rancho 4:6.jpeg 20220331 GeorgeOlive Rancho Willard 7:7.jpeg
    Look at that girth ( on the tree, not the cherry scout).
     
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2022
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  10. Willard

    Willard Generous Contributor

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    More ‘Rancho’ on Chamberlain, from Oak Bay Ave to Brighton St.
    20220331 Chamberlain  Ranch Willard 1:6.jpeg 20220331 Chamberlain Ranch Willard 2:6.jpeg 20220331 Chamberlain Rancho Willard 6:6.jpeg 20220331 Chamberlain Rancho Willard 3:6.jpeg 20220331 Chamberlain Rancho Willard 4:6.jpeg 20220331 Chamberlain Rancho Willard 5:6.jpeg

    Looks like the trees have been pruned due to power lines.
     
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  11. Willard

    Willard Generous Contributor

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    Beautiful tunnels of ‘Akebono’ for 3 blocks on Moss St from Clover to May.
    Co -existing with power lines.

    20220330 Moss Akebono Willard 1:8.jpeg 20220330 Moss Akebono Willard 2:8.jpeg 20220330 Moss Akebono Willard 3:8.jpeg 20220330 Moss Akebono Willard 4:6.jpeg 20220330 Moss Akebono Willard 5:6.jpeg 20220330 Moss Akebono Willard 6:8.jpeg 20220330 Moss Akebono Willard 7:8.jpeg 20220330 Moss Akebono Willard 8:8.jpeg
     
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  12. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

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  13. Willard

    Willard Generous Contributor

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    Lots of ‘Akebono’ blooming on Harbinger, north of Fairfield. Even one with a swing.
    20220331 HarbingerFairfield Akebono Willard 2:2.jpeg
     
  14. Willard

    Willard Generous Contributor

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    Nice pair of ‘Akebono’ at YMCA on Courtney Street, near Christ Church Cathedral.

    20220331 YMCA Akebono Willard 2:2.jpeg 20220331 YMCA Akebono Willard 3:3.jpeg JPEG image 10.jpeg
     
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  15. Willard

    Willard Generous Contributor

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    Good-looking pair of 'Akebono' blooming on Milton Street, north of Franklyn Street in Nanaimo.

    20230417 MiltonFranklyn Akebono Willard IMG_2690.jpg

    20230417 MiltonFranklyn Akebono Willard IMG_2691.JPG 20230417 MiltonFranklyn Akebono Willard IMG_2692.JPG
     
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2023
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  16. Willard

    Willard Generous Contributor

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    Four 'Yae-beni-shidare' on driveway at Davis Rd, north of Battie Dr in Ladysmith.

    20230418 DavisBattie YBS Willard IMG_2694.JPG 20230418 DavisBattie YBS Willard IMG_2695.JPG
     
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  17. Willard

    Willard Generous Contributor

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    My friend Wanda was kind enough to take me on a mini cherry scouting drive from Ladysmith to Departure Bay ferry terminal this morning. Lots to see.

    Here is a nice 'Snofozam' in Ladysmith - not pruned to look like a mushroom.

    20230418 StillinNash Snofozam Willard IMG_2699.jpg 20230418 StillinNash Snofozam Willard IMG_2700.jpg

    20230418 StillinNash Snofozam Willard IMG_2697.JPG 20230418 StillinNash Snofozam Willard IMG_2698.JPG 20230418 StillinNash Snofozam Willard IMG_2703.JPG
     
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  18. Willard

    Willard Generous Contributor

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    'Beni-shidare' still looking good today at Brown and Stillin in Ladysmith.

    20230418 BrownStillin Beni-shidare Willard IMG_2710.jpg 20230418 BrownStillin Beni-shidare Willard IMG_2711.JPG 20230418 BrownStillin Beni-shidare Willard IMG_2705.JPG
     
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  19. Willard

    Willard Generous Contributor

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    Also at Brown and Stillin in Ladysmith is one 'Accolade' still in bloom today, but past it's prime.

    20230418 BrownStillin Accolade Willard IMG_2723.jpg 20230418 BrownStillin Accolade Willard IMG_2713.JPG 20230418 BrownStillin Accolade Willard IMG_2714.JPG
     
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  20. Willard

    Willard Generous Contributor

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    Here is a mushroom-shaped 'Snofozam' at Dunsmuir and Coburn in Ladysmith.

    I20230418 DunsmuirCoburn Snofozam Willard MG_2725.jpg 20230418 DunsmuirCoburn Snofozam Willard IMG_2727.JPG
     
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  21. Willard

    Willard Generous Contributor

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    Five young 'Yae-beni-shidare' on driveway in Saltair. On Chemainus Rd and Porter.

    20230418 ChemainusRdPorter YBS Willard IMG_2728.JPG
     
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  22. Willard

    Willard Generous Contributor

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    Four 'Akebono' on Pine Street, west of Daniel Street in Chemainus.

    20230418 PineDaniel Akebono Willard IMG_2730.jpg 20230418 PineDaniel Akebono Willard IMG_2731.jpg
     
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  23. Willard

    Willard Generous Contributor

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    Five 'Akebono' at Chemainus Post Office. Substantial trunks.

    20230418 ChemainusPostOffice Akebono Willard IMG_2739.jpg 20230418 ChemainusPostOffice Akebono Willard IMG_2741.jpg 20230418 ChemainusPostOffice Akebono Willard IMG_2736.JPG 20230418 ChemainusPostOffice Akebono Willard IMG_2737.JPG
     
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  24. Willard

    Willard Generous Contributor

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    Nice 'Akebono' on Beach Drive and Ocean Terrace in Nanaimo.

    20230418 BeachDrOceanTerr Akebono Willard IMG_2745.JPG
     
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  25. Willard

    Willard Generous Contributor

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    'Yae-beni-shidare' in competition with it's rootstock at Cilaire and White Eagle in Nanaimo.

    20230418 CiliareWhiteEagle YBS Willard IMG_2747.JPG 20230418 CilaireWhiteEagle YBS Willard IMG_2746.JPG 20230418 CilaireWhiteEagle YBS Willard IMG_2749.JPG
     
    Last edited: Apr 19, 2023
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