Horticulture Lab Forms

Both consumers and industry individuals can utilize our diagnostic services for:

• Diagnosing plant problems and diseases for indoor and outdoor plants
• identifying garden insects, structural insects and tick specimens.
• In house pH testing with amendment recommendations
• Facilitate further testing through offsite university lab testing for nutrient levels, contaminants etc.

To drop off a sample-

In Person: Complete the form corresponding to your problem, and call (914)285-4640 or email Westchester@cornell.edu to schedule an appointment for drop off.

After hours: Put sample, form, and payment in the clear bin labeled “Hort Samples” located at the loading dock in between building 3 and 5. Call the next day to verify we have received your sample (914)285-4640.

By Mail: Wrap samples in newspaper and place in padded envelope or box. Send to our address, 3 West Main Street, Suite 112, Elmsford, NY 10523, “Attention Horticulture”. Sending samples at the beginning of any given week is preferred. Early week overnight delivery of a fresh sample is best. Avoid sending plant samples over holidays.

LINK TO INDOOR PLANT FORM
LINK TO OUTDOOR PLANT FORM
LINK TO INSECT FORM
LINK TO SOIL FORM

How to take a sample:

For turf samples: Cut an 8 x 8 x 6 inch deep sample from the lawn from a transitional area that shows a progression of healthy to unhealthy turf. Place this sample in a lidded container, and seal in a plastic bag. Refrigerate until you can deliver the sample within a day or two.

For tree and shrub samples: Cut at least one foot of branch from a transitional area showing both healthy and unhealthy bark/tissue/leaves. Place in a plastic bag and refrigerate until you can deliver the sample within a day or two.

For vegetable, annual, and perennial samples: Cut an eight inch portion of plant material showing a transitional area from healthy to unhealthy foliage/stems/flowers. Place sample in a plastic bag and refrigerate until you can deliver the sample within a day or two.

For weed identification samples: Select a stem portion of the weed showing leaves, flowers and/or fruit. If the plant is a very small species, dig up an entire plant for submittal. Place sample in a plastic bag and refrigerate until you can deliver the sample within a day or two.

For insect identification samples:Kill pests prior to submitting by placing them in a closed container with a cotton ball(s) saturated with alcohol. After, place in dry cotton and a sturdy container. Larval stages should be placed into boiling hot water for 30 to 60 seconds and transfer into alcohol.

For soil pH samples: Select 6 different places in the area of concern. With a clean spoon or trowel, dig down to a depth of 6 inches. Take 2 tablespoonsful of soil from each location. Place all soil together in container or sealable bag and shake until well mixed.

For soil nutrient and composition testing: We facilitate soil nutrient and other testing services through an off-site university lab. Contact the CCE Westchester office for mailer, soil will be sent directly to offsite lab.

Last updated April 18, 2024