Lots of science today!  Phytophthora [fi-TOF-thir-a] is an organism [no longer considered a fungus] that has invaded world-wide.  Many species exist. The one of concern in Davis and inland California attacks plants when ground conditions are HOT AND DAMP! (That is, high humidity and high temperature at the crown or roots for 48 hours.)  Since we don't have rain here for eight months, the only way there can be enough moisture to allow Phytophthora to grow is if HUMANS  apply water too often -- that is, they don't give the area time to dry out between waterings!  Luckily, Don Shor has studied this organism extensively and helps us understand Phytophthora's life cycle and so learn how to reduce our risk.  PS:  That word "Phytophthora" literally translated to "plant death"!!!  PPS: It's already here -- in the ground, on plant roots -- you can't avoid it if you garden.

Even old, established trees can be killed by Phytophthora if the watering changes.  This photo is Dr Milton Hildebrand standing beside a cork oak he planted in 1949. 

Jazz standards by classic performers tonight.

Louis Armstrong and His Hot 7 with Potato Head Blues, Artie Shaw doing Begin the Beguine, Benny Goodman and Charlie Christian with Rose Room and Benny Goodman doing Body and Soul. We'll hear Erroll Garner with his composition Misty, Andy Kirk doing A Mellow Bit Of Rhythm. Miles Davis performs 'Round About Midnight, Louis Prima with Body And Soul, Ella Fitzgerald sings Fascinating Rhythm. Duke Ellington And His Orchestra play Lullaby Of Birdland; Billie Pool with Stormy Weather, Duke Ellington doing One O'Clock Jump. Ella Fitzgerald: performs You'll Have to Swing It, and then we take it out with Dianne Reeves singing Ain't Nobody's Business (If I Do).

NEW, EASY WAY to figure out your drought watering! Don shared the research from the University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources -- Center for Landscape & Urban Horticulture, showing how little water different plants can survive on. Not be happy, but survive.

Lots of info about watering -- trees, shrubs, food plants, and beneficial insects. (Lois asked about making an insect watering hole with wet sand.) One listener writes about her "spider mite apacalypse" and wonders how to keep her melons alive until harvest. 

Why do plants look stressed the third year in the ground when "they did fine last year"? How much water a plant needs depends upon how big it is! So as a young plant grows bigger, you need to give it more water (either water longer or add another sprinkler head).

"Grad Students Help with Soil" is the Davis Enterprise headline; "providing soil diagnosis [texture and pH test] and advice to gardeners" is the service; Saturdays (9:30-11:30) at Davis Farmers Market is the when/where. The service will continue every Saturday thru August 21.


Our featured performer tonight is Tommy Flanagan, mellow jazz pianist whose recording career spanned more than four decades with his own band, as sideman on countless albums, and as the primary accompanist to Ella Fitzgerald for over a decade.

We’ll hear the Tommy Flanagan Trio; Tommy Flanagan with Paul Chambers, Pepper Adams, Kenny Burrell & Kenny Clarke. Then playing with the Benny Golson Quartet, Illinois Jacquet, Benny Carter, and backing Ella Fitzgerald.