Q-biotype whitefly found in Florida
Univ. of Fla. entomologist Lance Osborne reports that Q-biotype whitefly has been identified in wholesale and retail operations in 5 Fla. counties: Dade, Lee, Hillsborough, Suwannee and Orange. He said, in most cases, the infested plants were hibiscus. As of Aug. 21, nearly 140 samples had been collected in 18 Fla. counties from an equal number of ornamental and vegetable producers.
Carnation wins FloraStar award
FloraStar chose Sunflor Margarita pot carnation as an award winner. It was bred by P. Kooij & Zonen B.V. in Aalsmeer, Netherlands. In FloraStar trials across N. America, Margarita was recognized for its early and vigorous growth, upright stems, superior blue-green foliage and numerous picotee flowers. Flowers are dark crimson with a well-defined, bright-white edge. Sunflor carnations are available from Oglevee Ltd.
Symposium to focus on gardening benefits
Gardens For All: People, Plants, and Policy Conference, Sept. 7-8, at Drake Univ. in Des Moines, Iowa, will examine how public policy can be used to promote gardening. It will be the 1st summit to discuss the social, environmental and health benefits of gardening. Sponsored by Drake Univ.'s Ag. Law Center in cooperation with the Nat'l. Gardening Assoc., the conference will focus on 5 dimensions of gardening: health, education, food, beauty and the environment. Organizers are seeking to establish a set of Principles for Garden Policy, which they hope will help consumers and public officials see gardening as a means to create a better lifestyle for themselves and their communities.
MFGC lowers dues to increase membership
To increase membership, Mich. Floriculture Growers Council has substantially reduced dues. The council was established in 2005 to provide a statewide voice for floriculture growers and to identify issues to be addressed via public policies and legislative action. In its 1st year, the council supported groundwater legislation providing for continued access without fees for growers. It has communicated with energy companies to allow growers budget billing on gas payments. MFGC was also awarded a grant from the USDA Rural Development Office to work with Mich. St. Univ. to identify strategies to reduce greenhouse energy costs.
PRO Institute examines postharvest care, marketing
The 6th Pro Institute (scheduled for Oct. 22-25 in Pioneer, Calif.,) will focus on postharvest and marketing, including: flower and plant care and handling; quality measurements; factors that influence postharvest quality; cold chain issues; postharvest disease prevention; and consumer reaction to floral products and services. The institute is designed to share the floral expertise of mass marketers, growers, importers, bouquet suppliers, transportation companies, cooler manufacturers, dry-good suppliers and educators. The PRO Institute is conducted by George Staby of Perishables Research Organization and Michael Reid, postharvest horticulturist at Univ. of Calif.
Worth a visit
Follow along as we take you on a Plant-Quest, last week's tour of 4 of western Michigan's most innovative nurseries. Only on GreenBeam.com.
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