USDA confirms gall midge on Florida ficus
In February, confirmation was made of a gall midge, Horidiplosis ficifolii Harris, previously not found in N. America. Elliptical, blisterlike galls were found on leaves of Ficus microcarpa (Indian laurel) in Naples, Fla., in January. Since the gall morphology did not match any gall midges previously reported from Ficus in N. America, leaves were sent to USDA's ARS Systematic Entomology Lab in Washington, D.C., where the midge was identified. This gall midge is relatively new, having been described in 2003 based on material originating in Taiwan, Japan and China, and intercepted by plant health inspectors in the Netherlands and Denmark.

Joint venture to develop, market bio-packaging
Ball Horticultural Co. and Alliance 47 announce a joint venture to develop and commercialize new bio-packaging products. Under the agreement, Ball has exclusive worldwide rights to technology that will apply to a wide range of packaging products including pots, tags, sleeves and point-of-purchase materials. Ball can license the technology to manufacturers. 3 substrates are now available for packaging applications. 2 reduce the use of petroleum-based plastic by at least 50% and offer the benefits of recycling or quick degradation. The other material is biodegradable and eliminates plastic.

Fleuroselect names 3 Gold Medal winners
A pair of armeria and a prunella were named Gold Medal winners by Fleuroselect. The winners were tested by independent judges and were proven to clearly surpass any existing variety in breeding innovation and beauty. Armeria pseudarmeria 'Ballerina Red' and 'Ballerina White,' bred by Kieft Seeds Holland, are early and produce an abundance of ball-shaped flower heads on short, strong stems from June to September. Prunella grandiflora 'Freelander Blue,' from Clause of France, is compact and uniform, flowering profusely from May to October.

Universities form Sustainability Research Coalition
Faculty from 3 universities joined efforts to tackle sustainability issues facing growers. Roberto Lopez and Jennifer Dennis of Purdue Univ., Stephanie Burnett of Univ. of Maine and Brian Krug of Univ. of N.H. will collaborate research and extension efforts to assist growers in making informed decisions on sustainable production practices. The coalition will begin its focus on issues related to irrigation, production and energy efficiency, plant nutrition and marketing of local, sustainable and organic floriculture crops.

Global warming may generate weeds
A major characteristic of global warming is an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Rising carbon dioxide levels have been shown to help vegetable and grain crops grow more quickly, become more drought-resistant and produce potentially higher yields. Rising carbon dioxide is also having an impact on the growth of weeds. A study by USDA's ARS plant physiologist Lewis Ziska showed that weeds grown under warmer urban conditions and more carbon dioxide grew 4 times taller than those in a rural plot 40 miles outside city conditions. Common ragweed plants exposed to higher levels of carbon dioxide dramatically increased the amount of pollen produced. Additional work by Ziska suggests that increases in carbon dioxide may have led to bigger poison ivy plants with a more virulent form of the oil that causes people to break out.

Discovering the world of sustainability
Go green by ditching inconvenient packaging. Project: Green Industry

Worth a visit
Daylily hybridizer Darrell Apps' lifelong work finds renewed energy with a sale to BlewLine Nursery. Only on GreenBeamPro.com.

• OHP
• Southern Living Plant Collection
• Yoder
• NAHSA
• Southeast Greenhouse Conference

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.

Initial Release Purple Diamond® Loropetulam, Purple Pixie © Loropetalum, Bigfoot ® Cleyera, Bronze Beauty© Cleyera, LeAnn© Cleyera, Spring Sonata¨ Indian Hawthorn, Oakland© Holly, Robin© Holly.

Keepsake® Azaleas are grown fresh weekly, 52 weeks a year. Consistent florist quality in assorted colors and in braided trees. Order now for Christmas.

The North American Horticultural Supply Association is committed to strengthening the horticultural industry supply chain through education, networking and advocacy. Visit us to learn more.