I'm back from a conference on sudden oak death. The most pertinent
information for the bonsai grower is that most states have standardized
their quarantine procedures for plants coming out of California so they
conform to the national guidelines. This is very good news, since each
state having different rules was hard on California nurseries. For
more regulatory information, go to:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/ispm/sod/

Otherwise, not much is new. A lot of work is being done on pesticide
efficacy. There's a lot of concern because rose has been named a host
plant (which explains what the "Jackson and Perkins" guy was doing at
the meeting!).

Europeans among you have a new disease to worry about: Phytophthora
kernovii. It was discovered in England while people were looking for
SOD, and it attacks beeches. It is more of a threat than SOD for
England, which is why they are paving over Cornwall (! not much of an
exaggeration!). No one knows where it came from and where else it
might be, so check your beeches. For more information:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/planth/pkernovii.htm

A lot of us east coasters at the meeting were wondering what we ought
to be doing to prepare for SOD being found established in the East,
which will happen sooner or later. For now, all you guys should keep
an eye on your Rhododendrons and Camellias. It is known that one case
of SOD in PA was traced to a California bonsai nursery, so it could
happen to you.

Nina