White rust detected at Calif. growers
Calif. Dept. of Food and Ag. (CDFA) confirmed chrysanthemum white rust, Puccinia horiana P. Henn., on field-planted mums at a San Diego County cut flower nursery last month. This was the 3rd CWR detection at this production site. USDA issued an Emergency Action Notice on Feb. 16. Approximately 4,000 mum plants were destroyed. In addition, on Feb. 27, CDFA made an initial detection of CWR in an outdoor mum field at a cut flower nursery in Santa Barbara County. This detection was confirmed by CDFA and a USDA EAN was issued on March 1. This field had been harvested in mid-October to November 2006. Nat'l. CWR Management Plan for Exclusion and Eradication is being followed for both detections. The impacted nurseries only sold product locally.
Survey seeks growers' IPM knowledge
Colo. St. Univ. Co-op Ext. is asking greenhouse growers to complete a brief survey on their knowledge of integrated pest management. The survey seeks info related to IPM practices used.
Beware of confusing TMV with iron deficiency
Don't confuse tobacco mosaic virus symptoms with iron deficiency-symptoms, warned Tina Smith and Doug Cox at Univ. of Mass. Iron-deficiency symptoms generally show up as interveinal chlorosis, normally starting at the shoot tips, but often occurring throughout the entire plant. Leaves of iron-deficient plants may turn almost white. TMV symptoms appear as yellow and green mottling, upward leaf curling, leaf distortion and overall stunting. Prevent iron deficiency by controlling pH (maintain growing medium pH of 5.5-5.8) and using iron chelate fertilizers. Don't apply chelated iron-containing fertilizers to iron-sensitive plants.
Swede midge continues N.Y. spread
Swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii (Kieffer), is a pest of Brassica and other related crucifers. It has caused serious economic damage to vegetable crops in Canada. In Sept. 2004, Swede midge was detected in Niagara County, N.Y. Detection efforts continued in response to finds in 2004 and 2005. In 2006, 7 more counties discovered the pest: Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Lewis, Madison, Oswego, St. Lawrence and Wayne. This brings to 13 the number of N.Y. counties positive for Swede midge. APHIS and N.Y. State Dept. of Ag. and Markets continue to coordinate delimiting surveys for infestations.
N.C. green industry has $8.6 billion economic impact
North Carolina's green industry contributes $8.6 billion to the state's economy, according to results of a study announced by Ag. Commissioner Steve Troxler. The green industry includes growers and related businesses. Study highlights: the industry employs nearly 152,000 people; N.C. homeowners spent an average of $838 on lawn and landscape services in a year; the state had 120,741 acres in production of green-industry commodities; total gross sales by N.C. florists exceeded $256 million; and landscape architects and designers had total gross sales of $574 million.
Calif. pack trials adds more companies
If you're attending the California pack trials, make time to visit Greenheart Farms, April 16-21, in Arroyo Grande. In addition to being able to see Greenheart's full line of mini, potted and shrub rose liners, 3 other companies will be participating for the first time. Dummen USA will display vegetatively propagated geraniums, begonias and a new spring lineup. K. Sahin Zaden will show seed-produced annuals and perennials. John Henry Co. will have plenty of plant merchandising products including the new ITML color-printed pots.
Worth a visit
UCal-HIP project manager Terri Kempton talks about the PlantRight invasive plants program. Only on GreenBeam.com.
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