Officials tally wildfire damage estimates
San Diego County Dept. of Ag., Weights and Measures reports 11,456 acres of ag. production in affected wildfire areas, including an estimated 45 acres of greenhouses, 750 acres of field-grown cut flowers, 863 acres of outdoor nursery crops and 5,880 acres of avocado trees. Initial estimates for the Rice Canyon Fire, which burned in the Fallbrook and Rainbow areas, show 927 acres of ag. were either damaged or destroyed at a value of $30 million. This includes an estimated 217 acres of cut flowers, 218 acres of nursery stock and 486 acres of avocados. These losses do not include irrigation systems, equipment or dwellings. One of the biggest losses from the fires occurred at Kendall Farms, a field cut flower grower in Fallbrook, San Diego Union-Tribune reported. Dawn Nielsen, the county's deputy ag. commissioner, told the newspaper that the company lost 95% of its 200-acre crop. Nielsen estimated 1,630 acres (16.5%) of the county's 9,870 acres of ornamental crops are in the Rice Canyon and Witch Creek fire areas. Eric Larson, County Farm Bureau exec. dir., told the paper significant plant damage was expected from burning, dehydration, smoke and ash pollution. He said further losses could occur if plants can't be watered due to damaged irrigation lines. Larson didn't expect plant losses to result in increased prices because other growers would be able to meet demand.
Government offers loans for growers affected by fires
Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger directed the Small Business Disaster Assistance Loan Guarantee Program to be activated to guarantee $7 million in loans for farms, ag.-related businesses and businesses in communities that suffered damage or significant economic loss as a result of the recent wildfires. Schwarzenegger said the loans will help small businesses that don't qualify for federal aid and provide interim funding for businesses waiting for federal assistance to arrive. The program provides guarantees to local lenders for loans made to small businesses and farmers to prevent business insolvencies and loss of employment in areas affected by a state of emergency.
Integrated approach best for Pythium control
Pythium aphanidermatum is the most common pathogen found on poinsettias during late summer and fall. Karen Rane, dir. of Univ. of Md. Plant Diagnostic Lab, said the disease is often difficult to control. This fast-growing pathogen is favored by warm conditions and can cause extensive root and stem rot very quickly. Successful disease management requires an integrated program with cultural and chemical components. Sanitation is important. Plants stressed by over-fertilization or over-irrigation are more vulnerable. Several fungicides, which should be rotated, are effective.
Know symptoms, causes of pesticide phytotoxicity
Pattern and timing of symptom development can be used to distinguish pesticide phytotoxicity from pest problems, reports Tina Smith, Univ. of Mass. ext. floriculture specialist. Even though damage may take several days to occur, pesticide phytotoxictiy symptoms often occur all at once and have a regular distribution on the crop. Disease symptoms usually develop over an extended period in random or grouped patterns. Pesticide phytotoxicity can be expressed by a number of different symptoms, including leaf speckling, cupping and twisting and other leaf distortions or even plant death. Smith said phytotoxicity can also be caused by the solvents in formulations, impurities in spray water, application of higher-than-labeled rates, tank-mixing or inadequately mixing the spray solution. Temperature, humidity and light can also influence phytotoxicity.
Goldsmith to promote Kieft's grasses
Goldsmith Seeds formed a marketing partnership with Kieft-Pro Seeds to market and provide technical support in N. America for the Kieft-bred ColorGrass line. The 14 ornamental grasses are propagated from seed and available in Kieft's TunedSeed for easier sowing and germination. The plants can be produced as a series, all in one climate.
Worth a visit
The nursery business deserves its own action/adventure serial, "The Great Nursery Adventure: A Year in the Life of Greene Family Nursery." This month, the family weathers an overwintering disaster. Only on GreenBeam.com.
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