Clean up before spring
Now is a good time to clean up your greenhouses before spring crops are moved in, recommends Tina Smith, Univ. of Mass. ext. floriculture specialist. Clean as early as possible to eliminate overwintering sites for pests. With this year's unseasonably high temperatures, pests can overwinter in weeds and protected areas in unheated greenhouses. Carefully inspect areas around furnaces and along greenhouse side walls where small weeds can survive. Pests can be reduced significantly by leaving the greenhouses empty for at least 2 weeks (4 weeks is even better). Several disinfectants are available for treating growing and plant-handling areas and for irrigation systems.
Scout for diseases on geranium stock plants
Fusarium root rot and Botrytis cankers have been identified on geranium stock plants, reports Jim Willmott with Rutgers Co-op. Ext. To avoid Fusarium, don't keep growing medium too wet and don't overfertilize. To manage Botrytis, Willmott said to keep relative humidity low, promptly remove dead plant debris and, if necessary, treat with fungicides such as fenhexamid (e.g., Decree), fludioxonil (e.g., Medallion), chlorothalonil (e.g., Daconil), iprodione (e.g., Chipco 26GT, 26019, Sextant), copper (e.g., Kocide, Phyton 27, Camelot), mancozeb (e.g. Protect, Dithane) or strobilurins (e.g., Compass and Heritage).
Group pushes for immigration overhaul
Alliance for Immigration Reform 2007 is seeking a comprehensive overhaul of U.S. immigration laws, reports Fort Worth-Star Telegram. Alliance members include U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Nat'l. Restaurant Assoc., American Immigration Lawyers Assoc., and 2 major unions that represent hotel and food service employees and apparel workers. The coalition will probably seek passage of an updated version of the McCain-Kennedy bill that was introduced in 2005. In his State of the Union speech, Pres. Bush said he is seeking comprehensive overhaul of the immigration law to create a temporary guest-worker program and provide illegal immigrants already in the U.S. an opportunity to become citizens.
Calif. growers advised to look for mite
Red palm mite (Raoiella indica Hirst) is the latest pest that Jim Bethke, San Diego County floriculture and nursery farm adviser, is telling growers to look for. The bright-red mite is very small and is easily moved by workers brushing against infested foliage. Infestations may not be seen until significant damage has occurred. The mite has been confirmed in the Caribbean islands and is expected to eventually move into Florida, which is where many of California's palms originate.
Thousands expected to attend New England Grows
New England Grows 2007 will be held at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, Feb. 6-8. Educational programs will cover organics, pest control, invasive plants, immigration law, multicultural marketing and perennial plants. The trade show will have more than 700 exhibitors and 1,500 booths. Exhibitor-sponsored learning parks, Fieldstone Park, Garden Park and Arbor Park, will focus on landscape, nursery and retail, and tree care, respectively, and will include the re-creation of a major Boston Green Roof project. The Great Ideas! Pavilion is a resource center staffed by the region's extension personnel who will provide info on research and solutions for industry issues. Attendance is expected to be more than 15,000 based on preregistration.
Worth a visit
Mexican white oak is almost bulletproof against disease and drought. Only on GreenBeam.com.
|
Fine Americas, Inc. offers you a complete range of plant growth regulators to improve your crop quality and increase profit margins. Contact your distributor today.
New England Grows is scheduled for Tuesday, February 6 - Thursday, February 8, 2007 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Register online today!
|
