Canada takes steps to eradicate moth
In December, Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed the presence of pyralid moth (Duponchelia fovealis Zeller) in 3 Ontario ornamental plant greenhouses. The moth, which originates in southern Europe and North Africa, is known to feed on a wide range of ornamental pot plants and cut flowers and vegetable plants. Damage from larval feeding can lead to losses in productivity or degradation of produce quality. Integrated eradication and monitoring protocols have been developed and implemented in the 3 facilities. Under Int'l. Plant Protection Convention standards, D. fovealis is considered a pest that is transient, actionable and under eradication in Canada.
New 'suicide' palm found in Madagascar
Tahina spectabilis is a new species of palm that grows 30 feet tall and produces fan-shaped leaves up to 15 feet across. This palm, discovered in Madagascar in 2006, is unique in that it essentially "flowers itself to death," reports the Washington Post. Palm biologists had to establish an entirely new genus for it. Since its initial discovery, scientists have identified an additional 92 surviving specimens. About 200 species of palms can be found on Madagascar. An estimated 90% of the island's 10,000 plant species are found nowhere else in the world.
Watch for temperature variations
Temperature variation in a greenhouse can occur both horizontally from sidewall to sidewall and vertically from floor to ceiling. Studying the variability in horizontal temperatures, Mich. St. Univ. researchers found that the average air temperature in a greenhouse increased as the distance above the floor increased. The magnitude of temperature variation depends on the time of day and on the operation of horizontal-airflow fans. The greatest temperature variation occurred during the day and there was generally little difference with or without HAF fans operating during this time. During the night, when HAF fans were operating, the air temperature near the floor was similar to bench height and only 1.9 degrees lower than overhead.
USDA provides emergency moth control funding
USDA has made $74.5 million in emergency funding available in California to stop the spread of the light brown apple moth. Intensive efforts in 2007 contained the moth in the initial quarantine area, which resulted in lifting quarantine restrictions in 2 of 12 infected Calif. counties. The moth was 1st confirmed in Alameda County, Calif., on March 22, 2007. Since the initial detection, USDA has been working with Calif. Dept. of Food and Ag. to conduct surveillance, trapping and treatment. USDA will initiate a detection survey to verify that the moth is not present anywhere else in the continental U.S. Nursery stock, a major pathway for the spread of this pest, will be a target of the survey.
Hines to deregister its common stock
Hines Horticulture Inc. (NASDAQ: HORT.PK) anticipates filing a Form 15 on or around Feb. 7 with the Securities and Exchange Comm. to deregister its common stock. The company is eligible to deregister because it has fewer than 300 shareholders of record. As of the date of filing the form, the company's obligation to file reports will be suspended. The company's board of directors unanimously decided to take this action because it believes that the burdens associated with operating as a registered public company currently outweigh any advantages to Hines and its stockholders.
Discovering the world of sustainability
Univ. of Md. is seeking funds for its "green" research farm. Project: Green Industry
Worth a visit
Learn to grow Echinacea purpurea 'Purity.' There's nothing boring about this white-flowered selection. Only on GreenBeam.com
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