February - UF/IFAS Sarasota County Extension Sarasota County

The Passionvine
SaraSota County MaSter GardenerS’ Monthly newSletter
February 2012--Volume 21
COORDINATOR’S CORNER
By Patricia Porchey, Urban Horticulture Extension Agent
Along with a new year comes familiar faces, but in
new positions. At the Membership meeting two new
officers were elected: Rene McCarthy is the new
Secretary and Judy Ligon is the new treasurer on your
Executive Committee. Nancy Moore is returning as
President and Debbie Shapiro as Vice President. In
addition, Frank Saracino has joined the committee as
the class of 2010 representative. Please let your representatives know if you have grant or program ideas.
The budget is always foremost on the agenda at the
initial Committee meeting of the year. As you know,
the funds generated by the annual plant sale are earmarked for MG grants as well as the new Demonstration Garden.
Sarasota County is mandating new requirements for
Advisory Committee checking accounts so this is
now a priority that Committee members are working
on. It‟s possible that a 501C3 may be needed for this
account. The current Balance Sheet is attached as
well as the revised Bylaws.
Now that we have our first quarterly award
winners, be thinking about who to nominate
for the second quarter. Send your nominations to Nancy Moore.
[email protected]
The County Fair is approaching and this is the
time of the year 4-H especially needs your
help. They will need you to help judging the 4hers as they give their demonstrations and
public speaking topics as well as their creative
ventures at the fairgrounds. They also need
help with record books. It‟s amazing what
these children can do and every year I continue
to appreciate what the 4-H staff and the club
leaders accomplish with these young people.
You too can see up close their achievements
by volunteering. Please let Sheila Holland
know you are willing. [email protected]
I hope you‟re excited about all the opportunities for you and our community in 2012.
February Birthdays
Bennie Komarek
Sheila Fleischer
Lois Kaczor
Elissa Mirabelli
Erland Stephens
Feb 1
Feb 2
Feb 5
Feb 13
Feb 14
Elizabeth Lucchesi Feb 15
Katherine Sogolow Feb 23
Martha Horton
Feb 24
Carol Marcus
Feb 25
Happy Birthday to you on your special day!
Abundant Thanks!
Landscape workday: Dot Beeman, Jean Brewer, Sheila Fleischer, Leila Frangie, Judie DeMarco, Gerald Hill, Susan
Horton, Karl Lasser, Tuly Martelo, Lydia Miles, Karen Pariser, Heather Puccio, Terry Redman, Frank Saracino,
Debbie Shapiro, Erland Stephens, and Sue Whitman
Thanks to Dot Beeman for serving as the Secretary the past 3 years on the Executive Committee and Lois Middleton for serving as the Treasurer the past 3 years on the Executive Committee.
Thanks to Pauline Everett, Nick Frederick, and Nancy Nicholson for helping 4-H bag radish seeds.
Thanks to Joan Reinbach and Erland Stephens for helping 4-H with their newsletter.
Note from Sheila Holland: Thanks again for all the help, I don‟t know how we would get it done without your
Master Gardeners. Sheila
Thanks to Judy Arnold and Frank Saracino for taking the holiday decorations down.
Executive Committee
President:
Vice President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Nancy Moore
Debbie Shapiro
Rene McCarthy
Judy Ligon
MG Advisory Committee
Carol Monine, ‘96
Val Ollinger, ‘01
Rene McCarthy
Melba Watts, „04
Bonnie Feise, ‘05
Al Royal, „06
Nancy Moore ‘07
Annette Haile, „07
Judy Ligon
Gloria Schmertmann ‘08
Debbie Schapiro ‘09
349-1399
423-4207
922-3659
921-2713
925-4663
474-2844
496-9245
364-5838
921-2677
497-7091
809-8947
Newsletter Editors
Suzy Hagglund—MG
Bob Mertens—Program Assistant
Rene McCarthy—MG
Patricia Porchey—MG Coordinator
Sarasota County Extension
Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road
Sarasota, Florida 34241
Phone (941) 861-9900
FAX (941) 861-9886
DEMONSTRATION GARDEN UPDATE
By Stacy Spriggs, Community & School Gardens Coordinator
I am very pleased to have recently joined the UF/IFAS Sarasota County Extension.
As part of my duties here, I will be working on the Demonstration Garden to be
located at the Extension office at Twin Lakes Park. This concept originated from the
dedicated efforts of Master Gardener volunteers, and I am grateful for all the progress
you have made with it thus far. My primary role is coordination of the Steering Committee of stakeholders interested in the garden—including Master Gardeners, the
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, the Southwest Florida Water Management District,
Sarasota County Parks and Recreation, and Sarasota County Environmental Services.
During the recent Steering Committee meeting, we worked with the stakeholder
group to reach consensus on the Mission Statement and the title for the Garden.
“Sarasota’s Green Gardens” was the top candidate. You are all invited to attend future
meetings and we look forward to your continued involvement as the project progresses. Please contact me or visit our website at http://sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/Hort/
GreenGarden.shtml
I am also working with Community Gardens in our area to provide technical assistance and education to support thriving and sustainable community gardens in Sarasota County. Similarly, I am getting to know the many teachers involved in local
School Gardens. These teachers often have very little time available in their busy
schedules to maintain gardens. Extension is developing a curriculum and technical
assistance program to help schools start and maintain school gardens in coordination
with agriculture, horticulture, and nutrition education.
Please contact me if you are interested in volunteering at one of our many Community or School Gardens. We can work together to find a location that is convenient for
you. Hours and times vary depending on individual needs and contacts. 232-5317,
[email protected]
Quarterly Award Winners
Patricia Porchey, 861-9801
Bob Mertens, 861-9805
Websites
http://florida.volunteersystem.org/
UniversalLogin.cfm
http://mastergardener.ifas.ufl.edu
http://search.ufl.edu
http://sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu
http://sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/Hort/
MG.shtml (MGs only page)
Tabetha Sebastianelli
Dawn Field
They were the co-chairs of the very successful 2011 Master Gardener Plant Sale.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Revised 1/31/2012 12:34 PM
-2-
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Speakers Needed for the following Programs:
Contact Patricia if you alone or with another MG are interested in presenting or have ideas for future programs, or if you are
interested in giving presentations on organic gardening at the community gardens.■
Twin Lakes Park
February 15, Growing Citrus in the Home Landscape
February 29, Propagation Techniques
Bay Indies Garden Club, Venice
February 6, 9:00 a.m., Container Gardening
Laurel Oak Country Club
March 23, 2:00 p.m., Annuals & Perennials■
Jacaranda Library
March 8, 10:30 a.m., Growing Citrus
April 12, 10:30 a.m., Butterfly Gardening■
North Port Garden of the Five Senses Park
February 23, 12:00 p.m., Container Gardening
May 24, 12:00 p.m., Growing Herbs in Florida
March 22, 12:00 p.m., Propagation Methods
June 28, 12:00 p.m., Pruning, How and Why
April 26, 12:00 p.m., Butterfly Gardening
July 26, 12:00 p.m., Healthy Gardening
4-H Needs Your Help
The 4-H Office needs help with upcoming events. If you can help in anyway, 1, 2, 3 or more hours, please call. As always, we
appreciate ALL you do! Saturday, February 25 is our 4-H County Events and Public Speaking Day. Thursday, March 15
will be the Mini-Building Arts and Craft judging at the fair. The dates this year for the Sarasota County Fair are March 16-25
Contact: Sheila Holland: 861-9810, or [email protected] if you‟d like to volunteer.
Help Desk at Selby Gardens Plant and Garden Festival
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is having their Plant & Garden Festival Saturday, February 25, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 26, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Two volunteers are needed on Saturday and one is needed to work with MG Elissa
Mirabelli on Sunday: You can sign up for a morning or afternoon or the whole day. Please let me know your preference.
There is no free lunch, but you will have free access to the gardens.
First Annual Master Gardener Workday at Orange Blossom Community Garden
It‟s one thing to talk about our largest community garden, but it‟s another to see it and be a part of it for one morning. We‟re meeting from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 3. Barbara Powell-Harris will give us a tour of
the garden, we‟ll meet some plot owners and yes, we‟ll get our hands dirty. We‟ll conclude by sharing a potluck
lunch at Noon. Let‟s make this a terrific expression of our volunteer spirit to help
Heather was at the MLK day and came back all excited about the children‟s garden. Just ask her about the garden and those
eager children; you‟ll want to get involved too. Please let Patricia know if you can participate in this special MG workday.
Epcot Flower Festival
This year the information booth is located in the Festival Center as it was last year and will be manned daily from
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Patricia will be taking the van on Friday, April 6 and Angelo will be taking it on Wednesday,
April 25. This is a great venue for meeting Floridians and visitors from other states and countries and telling them
about Extension. You will be required to work at the Help Desk for a 2 ½ hour shift and the rest of the time is
yours to roam the park. You also get a lunch ticket. We will be eating dinner at Downtown Disney afterwards (you pay) so it
is an all-day adventure. The van leaves at 7:30 a.m. and returns about 8:30 p.m. Please let Patricia know which date you prefer to go. If more than 12 MGs want to go, she will sign up for another date. (Sorry, but trainees can‟t go until they become
certified MGs)
Help Desk at Englewood Farmer’s Market
Contact Patricia if you are interested in starting a MG help desk at the Englewood Farmer‟s Market on Thursdays
on Dearborn Street. The market hours are 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., but the help desk may not be open all 4 hours. ■
Help Desk at Lowes
A new Lowe‟s store is opening at Sarasota Square Mall. Jenny Sanchez is interested in starting a Help Desk
there. Please contact Patricia if you are interested in volunteering at the new Lowe‟s store.
Revised 1/31/2012 12:34 PM
-3-
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES (CONT)
Landscape Workdays
Landscape workdays are being scheduled for the 3rd Friday of the month (except in March when it will be on March 30
because of the Naples trip). They will be from 8:00-11:00 a.m. in the cooler months and 7:30-10:30 a.m. in the warmer
months. You can still help even if you are unable to participate at the workday. A task sheet will be posted on Patricia‟s file
cabinet next to the door. A key to the shed is at the receptionist‟s desk. If you want to work on the weekend, you will need
to bring your own tools, but, there will be a wheelbarrow available at the northwest corner of the building. As always,
please let Patricia know in advance if you can participate so she has enough water, etc.
Brown Bag Garden Series
In cooperation with the City of North Port, Master Gardeners and Patricia will be giving 45-minute garden classes at noon
beginning on Thursday, February 23 and continuing every 4th Thursday through July at the Garden of the Five Senses. The
classes will be outside in the garden so the garden can be used as a workshop. Parks and Rec will put up a canopy, table and
chairs for our use. The schedule of classes is on page 3. Please let Patricia know which class(es) you would like to teach.
This is a good opportunity for trainees to pair with MGs and teach a class.
LID Expo at TLP
MGs are being asked to assist with general duties such as registration, conducting personal interviews to assure evaluations are completed, set up and clean up, parking and directing attendees for the event on March 23 from 10am to 4pm.
Please let Patricia know if you can help.
EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Sarasota Fruit & Nut Society Meetings
The Sarasota Fruit & Nut Society (annual dues only $20.00) meets at 6:30 p.m. on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at
the Edson Keith Mansion in Phillippi Estate Park, 5500 S. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota. There are 30 minutes allotted to tasting,
socializing and perusing the library and club sales items; at 7:00 our meeting begins with about 30 minutes of business and
announcements, and we then introduce the speaker of the month.
The speakers are scheduled as follows:
February 8, Ian Greig, 20 year manager of pineapple plantation, "Pineapples in the Backyard Garden"
March 14, Dr. Carlos Balerdi, author and horticultural researcher, "Fertilization and Plant Nutrition"
April 11, Murray Corman, east coast nurseryman and radio show host, "How to Grow My Favorite Sub-Tropical Fruit
Trees"
May 9, Charles Novak, 7 year president of Tampa Rare Fruit Council, "The History of Florida Fruit Trees"
June 13, Noel Ramos, nationally known Annonas expert, "Annonas for the Sun Coast"
July 11, Dr. Robert Rouse, University of Florida, "Citrus Greening, Prevention, Identification and Treatment"
2012 Sarasota Bay Watershed Symposium
Presented at new College of Florida in Partnership with the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, February 15-17, For information www.sarasotawatershed.com or [email protected]
In-Service Training via Polycom
Tuesday, March 20, the 1ST will cover resistance issues for herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. The program runs
from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. with a lunch break 12:15-1:00 p.m. The topics are: Horrible Hemiptera, Identifying and Managing
Important Hemiptera Pests of Turf and Ornamentals. Depending on the interest, we will be at TLP or Manatee Extension.
Please let Bob know if you are interested in attending.
The Hemiptera (scales, mealybugs, whiteflies, aphids, psyllids, hoppers and bugs) include some of the most important pests
of turf and ornamentals both in the landscape and in turf. Identification of these pests and damage is critical to successful
management. The purpose of this training is to provide tools and information for field identification of key hemipteran
pests in Florida turf and ornamentals. Also included will be the most recent recommendations for management of these
pests in both the landscape and in production. Information will also be provided on potential pests not yet established in
Florida. Attendees will be more equipped to make field identifications and management recommendations for the key
hemipteran pests in Florida turf and ornamentals.
Revised 1/31/2012 12:34 PM
-4-
EDUCATION
OPPORTUNITIES, continued
ODDS AND ENDS
Southern Region Master Gardener Conference
Registration is now open for the Southern Region Master Gardener Conference, May 1-4, in the beautiful river city of
Natchez, Mississippi. The conference website with all the details and information is http://msucares.com/srmg.
The
registration site is http://www.regonline.com/srmg■
2012 Annual Master Gardener Conference
Mark your calendars for this conference scheduled for October 1-3 at the Clearwater Hilton. It will be possible to drive and
attend daily without the hotel cost.
2013 International Master Gardener Conference
If you‟ve always wanted to go on an Alaskan cruise, here‟s your chance to go with fellow gardeners. The site for the 2013 International Master Gardener Conference is a cruise ship there will be speakers, workshops and ports o call tours Sept. 7-14,
2013. You can also go to the website http://www.uaex.edu/imgc2013/ and sign up via Constant Contact to get monthly updates. There is a FAQ section and newsletters posted on the site as well.
ODDS AND ENDS
Manatee Extension Quarterly Newsletter
To subscribe to the Manatee Extension office quarterly e-newsletter, notify Cindy Mozeleski [email protected]
Note from our in-service speaker:
From Lynda Eppinger, who is a Parks Naturalist with Sarasota County Parks and Recreation. Lynda was our speaker at the
January 18th in-service meeting
If any of the gardeners are looking for some volunteer hours, two projects that always need attention at Urfer Park where
Lynda works, include weeding in the landscape beds around the historic house and serving as docents for our open houses.
For the latter task, we generally ask for a commitment of two hours twice a month. Anyone interested may contact Lynda at
941-650-2487.
If you come upon an exotic wildlife pest that needs removal, call 861-5000, 1-888-IVEGOT1 (483-4681), or visit IVEGOT1.org for more information. She and Brian Pavlina have been trained to remove these exotic pests in our county.
That’s the sound of detecting Grape root pests
Equipped with high-tech acoustic equipment, University of Florida researchers are listening for the sound of insects gnawing
on grapevine roots.
Specifically, they‟re after the grape root borer, which in the larval stage feeds inside grape roots and damages the plant, according to a news release.
Growers can use the pesticide chlorpyrifos to control the pest, but it is a restricted-use material.
The alternative control is mounding, a labor-intensive and expensive practice that involves piling dirt around the base of infected grapevines. The goal is to prevent adults emerging from underground cocoons from ever making it to the surface.
Will Sanders, a former University of Florida entomology graduate student, used a machine called an accelerometer to convert
vibration into an electrical signal, then another to convert the signal into sound.
Although Sanders says it was easy to differentiate between the sounds of underground insects and other noises, he says it was
difficult to tell grape root borer sounds from other insects.
Even if growers were to count all of the insect sounds as positive, they could still reduce the number of sites that require
mounding by up to 75 percent.
Nurture a Plant for the Upcoming Plant Sale
Someone in my community has a Norfolk Pine in a 10 gal container that they are willing to give us for the plant sale. It looks like
there may be 3 plants in the pot and all are about 3-4 ft tall. Is there a master gardener that could take care of and possibly divide
the trees into other containers for the plant sale? I cannot take care of the trees because of limited space at my condo. If interested
please call Elizabeth Lucchesi 363-7931.
Revised 1/31/2012 12:34 PM
-5-
ADVENTURE COMMITTEE PLANS
Please contact any member of the Adventure Committee, Dot Beeman, Carol Burns, Alice Dunley, Kay Mercier,
Bob Mertens, Debbie Shapiro or chairs, Nancy Nicholson or Jan Sieve with ideas or suggestions. Please let
Nancy or Jan know if you‟d like to volunteer on this special committee.■
Field Trips and Speaker Meetings count as CEUs. Do let Bob Mertens know you are coming to the following
events.■
February Field Trip—Harry P. Leu Gardens
We will be going to Harry P. Leu Gardens on February 3 to see the Camellias and Azaleas in their glory. The cost will be
$9.00, which includes a guided tour at 10:30 a.m.. You will be permitted to take a few cuttings so bring your pruners and
something to put them in. Please let Bob if you plan to go and if you want to ride in the van. We will be leaving the Extension office at 8:00 a.m. sharp!
March Field Trip
Visit Naples Botanical Garden on Friday, March 16. We need to know how many are willing to go on the 2-hour drive to
see the beautiful gardens. A group of 10 or more gets a reduced entrance fee of $10.00 (regular admission is 12.95). Box
lunches are available for $15.00 (includes a sandwich, bag of chips, cookie & water). Both the van and truck will leave the
office at 8:00 a.m. Please let Bob know if you are interested in going and want to ride in the van or drive yourself.
ODDS AND ENDS (cont:)
BLUE RIBBON FOR RUTH WALSH
■
MG Ruth Walsh received a blue ribbon and best of show ribbon for her Dendrobium at the Sarasota Orchid Show.
Congratulations Ruth!
Contaminated Orange Juice, but not in Florida Orange Juice
It has been reported that low levels of the fungicide carbendazim have been found in orange juice. Fungicides are used to
prevent the spoilage of fruits and vegetables by molds. Carbendazim is not registered for use in the US, but is registered for
use in many other countries. FDA will begin testing orange juice and concentrate being imported into the US, and will deny
entry of any product in which this fungicide is found. The FDA has concluded that the amounts of carbendizam being
found in orange juice do not present a risk to human health, and are therefore not asking for a product recall. This is clearly
a regulatory issue, not a public health issue, and we are confident that FDA makes its decisions based on the best available
science.
Hybrid Grapefruits Won't Interact With Medications
Lindsay Goldwert, New York Daily News
Grapefruit may be low in calories and loaded in vitamin C but when combined with
certain medications, the results can be toxic.
Scientists at the University of Florida have created a hybrid fruit that has all the refreshing tartness of grapefruit without the dangerous compounds called furanocoumarins that can interact with certain blood pressure and heart medications, reports Scientific American.
"There are certain relatives of grapefruit that we call pummelo, some of which are very, very low or have no furanocoumarins
in them at all. And we've crossed these with ordinary grapefruit." said Fred Gmitter, a citrus geneticist at the University of
Florida
Revised 1/31/2012 12:34 PM
-6-
EVENTS CALENDAR
February 3
February 4-5
8:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.
MG Field Trip—Leu Gardens
10:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m. Venice Orchid Show—Venice Community Center
February 7
6:30 p.m.—7:30 p.m.
Rain Barrel Workshop—North Port Library, MG Val Ollinger (1 CEU)*
February 8
12:00p.m.—1:00 p.m.
Successful Transplants for Vegetables and Fruit Gardens—Phillippi Estate
February 10
1:30 p.m.—2:30 p.m.
Wildlife Gardening—Gulf Gate Library (1 CEU)*
February 14
6:30 p.m.—7:30 p.m.
Plant Propagation 101—North Port Library, MG Val Ollinger (1 CEU)*
Park (1 CEU)*
February 15
10:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. Growing Citrus in the Home Landscape—TLP, Patricia Porchey (1 CEU)*
February 15
12:00 p.m.—1:00 p.m. Winter Pruning of Ornamental Plants—Phillippi Mansion (1 CEU)*
Watershed symposium—www.sarasotawatershed.com
Feb. 15-17
Worm Composting—Shamrock Park (1 CEU)*
February 16
2:00 p.m.—3:00 p.m.
February 17
8:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. Landscape workday—TLP Demonstration Garden
February 18
10:00 a.m—11:00 a.m Rain Barrel Workshop—Woodmere Community Park (1 CEU)*
February 18
9:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
President’s Day Plant Sale—Sarasota Succulent Garden
February 21
10:00 a.m—11:00a.m
FYN: Nine Landscape Principles—Elsie Quirk Library (1 CEU)*
February 22
12:00p.m—1:00p.m.
Composting: Part 2—Phillippi Mansion, Dr. Kluson (1 CEU)*
February 23
12:00p.m—12:45p.m. Container Gardening—Garden of the Five Senses, North Port, P. Porchey
(1CEU)*
Feb. 25-26
10:00 a. m.—5:00 p.m. Selby Plant Sale
February 29
10:00 a.m—11:00 a.m Propagation Methods in the Garden—TLP, Angelo Randaci (1 CEU)*
March 3
9:00 a. m.—12:00 p.m. 1st Annual MG Workday—Orange Blossom Community Garden
FYN: Nine Landscape Principles—North Port Library (1CEU)*
March 6
6:30 p.m.—7:30 p.m.
March 7
9:00 a.m.—10:00 a.m. Sustainable Floridians (series Mar7, 14, 28th, April 4,11,18,25th and May 2)
Fee $75. (CEUs)*
March 7
12:00p.m.—1:00 p.m
Non-Native Invasive Plants—Phillippi Mansion, (1CEU)*
Epcot Flower Festival—Orlando
March 7-May
20
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/special-events/epcotinternational-flower-and-garden-festival/
March 9
1:30p.m—2:30 p.m.
Rain Barrel Workshop—Gulf Gate Library (1CEU)*
March 13
6:30p.m.—7:30 p.m.
Caring for Mature Trees—North Port Library, MG Val Ollinger (1CEU)*
March 14
12:00 p.m.—1:00 p.m. Irrigation for Successful Organic Gardens—Phillippi Mansion (1CEU)*
March 15
2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Florida Snakes—Shamrock Park (1CEU)*
March 16
8:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.
MG Field Trip—Naples Botanical Gardens
*Call 861-5000 or register online sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu unless noted otherwise.
Revised 1/31/2012 12:34 PM
-7-
EVENTS CALENDAR
Sarasota County Fair
March 16-25
March 17
10:00 a.m.—11:00a.m. Rain Barrel Workshop—Twin Lakes Park (1 CEU)*
March 20
10:00 a. m.—11:00a. m. FYN-Creating Your Florida Yard—Elsie Quirk Library (1CEU)*
March 23
10:00 a. m.—4:00 p.m. LID Expo—TLP
March 24
9:00 a. m.—4:00 p.m.
March 28
12:00 p.m.—1:00 p.m. Beneficial Insects for Successful Organic Gardens—Phillippi Estate Park,
Dr. Kluson (1CEU)*
March 30
8:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. Landscape workday—TLP Demonstration Garden
April 16
11:30 a.m.—2:00 p.m. MG Quarterly In-service Meeting—TLP
April 21
10:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m. Rain Barrel Workshop—Englewood Sports Complex (1 CEU)*
April 23
10:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m. MG Advisory Meeting—TLP
Sarasota Springfest—Sawyer Loop and Northridge off Clark Rd.
Southern Region Master Gardener Conference—www.regonline.com/srmg
May 1-4
Master Gardener State Conference—Clearwater
October 1-3
*Call 861-5000 or register online sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu unless noted otherwise.
ODDS AND ENDS (cont:)
New breakthrough shows promise for affordable plastic solar energy cells
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida researchers report they have achieved a new record in efficiency with a prototype solar cell that could be manufactured using a roll-to-roll process. “Imagine making solar panels by a process that looks
like printing newspaper roll to roll,” said Franky So, a UF professor in the department of materials science and engineering.
Industry has eyed the roll-to-roll manufacturing process for years as a means of producing solar cells that can be integrated
into the exterior of buildings, automobiles and even personal accessories such as handbags and jackets. But, to date, the
photovoltaic sheets cannot muster enough energy per square inch to make them attractive to manufacturers.
The UF team has crossed the critical threshold of 8 percent efficiency in laboratory prototype solar cells, a milestone with
implications for future marketability, by using a specially treated zinc oxide polymer blend as the electron charge transporting
material. The full report outlining the details of their latest laboratory success in solar cell technology is published in the Dec.
18 online version of Nature Photonics.
The researchers said the innovative process they used to apply the zinc oxide as a film was key to their success. They first
mixed it with a polymer so it could be spread thinly across the device, and then removed the polymer by subjecting it to intense ultraviolet light. John Reynolds, a UF professor of chemistry working on the project, said the cells are layered with different materials that function like an electron-transporting parfait, with each of the nano-thin layers working together synergistically to harvest the sun‟s energy with the highest efficiency. Reynolds‟ chemistry research group developed an additional
specialized polymer coating that overlays the zinc oxide polymer blend. “That‟s where the real action is,” he said. The polymer blend creates the charges, and the zinc oxide layer delivers electrons to the outer circuit more efficiently.”
New Websites
New 2012 USDA plant hardiness map
http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/
Sweet Adeline
MG Terry Redman‟s wife Sandi is a member of Venetian Harmony Chorus, a Sweet Adeline group. Their annual show will
be held twice this year, on February 11 in Venice and on Feb. 12 in Port Charlotte. The cost for each show will be $15.
Please call Sandi if you are interested in tickets (942-468-3688)
Revised 1/31/2012 12:34 PM
-8-