Our speaker for the March virtual meeting of the Nashville Rose Society is Dr. Mark Windham, professor in the Agriculture Department at University of Tennessee – Knoxville and Distinguished Chair of Ornamental Pathology.
Currently, the majority of his research is focused on Rose Rosette Disease, the most destructive ornamental disease in the U.S. However, Dr. Windham is also involved in research on plant health issues with hydrangea and flowering dogwood. Specific areas of current research are:
• Ecology of eriophyid mites associated with Rosa sp.
• Cultural and chemical controls for Rose Rosette Disease
• Cercospora leaf spot management in cultivated roses
• Powdery mildew resistance in flowering dogwood
• Reintroduction of dogwoods as a nursery crop in the Deep South
• Resistance to fungal foliar diseases in hydrangea
Dr. Windham has written numerous articles on his research findings concerning the RRD and is a frequent speaker at local, district, and national rose society meetings and conventions. He is a much sought-after speaker who not only inspires and educates his students, but also rosarians across the country.
The meeting will be held from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm as a video meeting using the GoToMeeting app. In addition to Mark’s presentation, we will discuss pruning, rose bed preparation, planting a new roses, spraying, and the first fertilization.
More information on how to log into GoToMeeting, please see Marty Reich’s email to NRS members. If you would like to attend as a guest, please submit your request on the Ask a Consulting Rosarian form on the website.