Beetles take a bite out of loosestrife
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), which is on noxious weed lists in 33 states, is really a problem in the Midwest where it clogs wetlands and waterways. In the early 1990s, Univ. of Minn. researchers released 2 types of loosestrife beetles (Galerucella calmariensis and G. pusilla) that feed on the plant's foliage. 5 years after the initial release of the beetles, the scientists found a dramatic reduction in loosestrife stands. The successful trial has paved the way for beetles to be released in 13 states. To date, more than 8 million beetles have been released in Minnesota alone.
2007 wholesale value of floriculture up 2%
The 2007 wholesale value of floriculture crops is up 2% from 2006. Total crop value at wholesale for the 15-state program for all growers with $10,000 or more in sales is estimated at $4.10 billion, compared with $4.03 billion for 2006, according to the annual Floriculture Crops Summary issued last week by USDA-Nat’l. Ag. Statistics Service. California is again the leading state with crops valued at $1 billion, up a fraction of a percent from the 2006 value. Florida, the next-largest producer, is up 14% to $915 million in wholesale value. These 2 states account for 47% of the 15-state total value. The number of producers, at 6,140, is down 6% Total covered area for floriculture production was 738 million sq. ft., 3% less than the revised 2006 figure.
Ohio St. releases results from annual trials
2 sets of evaluations were done for Ohio St. Univ.'s 2007 annual trials. The university trial garden staff's evaluation focused on specific criteria: flower number, flower quality, vegetative vigor, uniformity between plants; and overall aesthetic performance. Some top performers: 'King Tut' cyperus, Diamond Frost euphorbia, 'Dolce Black Currant' heuchera, 'LoGro Deep Salmon' impatiens, 'Pink Chablis' lamium, 'Dolce Vita' and 'Americana Dark Red' pelargonium, Supertunia Vista Bubblegum and 'Opera Supreme Purple' petunia. Four consumer preference evaluations were also conducted.
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Breeder introduces yellow primrose
After 11 years and 8-9 generations of plants, breeder Lynne Dibley of Dibleys Nurseries in North Wales, United Kingdom, released the 1st commercially available yellow-flowering primrose. The cultivar 'Alissa' will be exhibited for the 1st time at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London. 'Alissa' is multi-branching and very free flowering and can flower for 10 months of the year. It is named after Dibley's niece.
Maryland to trial trap plants for pest control
Researchers at Central Md. Research and Education Center received a grant from the Assoc. of Specialty Cut Flower Growers to study the effectiveness of using trap plants as a pest control in cut flower production. The cut flower crops and pests studied are: zinnia and marigold for Japanese beetles, snapdragon and cleome for harlequin bugs and sunflower for cucumber beetles. Trap plants evaluated are: roses and hibiscus for Japanese beetle, candytuft for cucumber beetle and colewort for harlequin bug. The trap plants will be treated with either imidacloprid or dinotefuran.
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