Stay on top of pests
It may be cold and blustery outside, so insects and mites could be enjoying the warm, humid conditions inside your greenhouse. Mich. St. Univ. district ext. hort. and marketing educator Tom Dudeck said growers are finding active insects and mites on newly arrived cuttings and overwintered plants. He said to check incoming ivy and zonal geranium cuttings for broad mites. Look for dead tip growth or twisted and distorted new growth. Thrips are also being found on new ivy geranium cuttings on the backside of leaves. Inspect incoming cuttings with a hand lens. Place sticky cards with cuttings to assess thrips numbers. Aphids are showing up in Asparagus sprengeri that has been held under benches or in a greenhouse corner. 2-spotted spider mites have been reported in a number of greenhouses hiding in Dracaena spikes that also are off in corners or under benches.
Garden evaluates shasta daisies
Chicago Botanic Garden released results of a 7-year study on shasta daisy, Leucanthemum x superbum, and oxeye daisy, L. vulgare, in its 30th issue of Plant Evaluation Notes. CBG evaluated 36 cultivars. Top-rated daisies were L. x superbum 'Amelia,' L. x superbum 'Becky,' L. vulgare 'Filigran' and L. vulgare 'Maikönigin.'
Conn. growers practice self-regulation
Connecticut's green industry has been given the opportunity to self-regulate the invasive plant Ampelopsis brevipedunculata (porcelainberry). Conn. Invasive Plants Council made the decision to allow the green industry to self-regulate itself to stop its production and sale rather than ask the state Legislature to pass a plant ban. Conn. Greenhouse Growers Assoc. reports this is a departure from previous policies, which have resulted in the state banning the most invasive plants (81) by law.
Tool helps reduce greenhouse environmental impact
Greenhouse*A*Syst for Michigan Producers is a free assessment tool growers can use to help find practices that reduce their operations' environmental impact. It was developed by Mich. St. Univ. Ext. educators to help growers identify pollution risks. It also helps growers become aware of applicable federal, state and local environmental regulations. Greenhouse*A*Syst is a series of risk questions that helps to evaluate how effectively a grower's management practices protect groundwater and surface water resources. Mich. growers who complete the assessment can determine what structural, management practices or recordkeeping changes are needed for their businesses to be environmentally assured through the Mich. Ag. Environmental Assurance Program.
Sign up for meetings on sustainable ag. standard
The 3rd stakeholder info. meeting on the development of a nat'l. standard for sustainable ag. for food, fiber, floral and energy crops is scheduled for Feb. 4, 12-1 p.m. CST. The agenda for this teleconference includes presentations on the American Nat'l. Standards Institute process, the draft standard for trial use and the formation of standards committees and subcommittees. A stakeholder dialogue meeting to discuss the standard is scheduled for Feb. 29 at Radisson Hotel Reagan Nat'l. Airport. The standard, drafted by Scientific Certification Systems, is scheduled to be finalized by or before 2010.
Discovering the world of sustainability
You're not guilty of greenwashing, are you? Blogger Jyme Mariani recently uncovered a checklist that helps marketers gauge the sincerity of green claims. Project: Green Industry
Worth a visit
The NMPRO New Plant Pavilion highlights some of the latest introductions to the ornamental market. Only on GreenBeam.com.
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• OHP
• New England Grows
• Fine Americas
OHP, Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of Prescription Solutions, where growers can find program solutions to the pest issues they face. Visit www.ohp.com for more details.
The green industry's must-attend event. Just a few efficient days in this prductive environment will give you everything you need to make your garden center a stand out.
Produce better crops with Dazide®, the growth regulator containing 85% daminozide. Dazide stimulates flower production, enhances foliage color, and produces thicker stems.
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