Water agreement to aid Southeast drought
Federal officials have brokered a deal with Alabama, Florida and Georgia to provide adequate water supply to Atlanta and other cities in the region. USA Today reported that the deal would enable the Army Corps of Engineers to send less water to Alabama and Florida from Georgia reservoirs that the Corps has jurisdiction over. The Corps would decrease the river flow from the Atlanta area by 16%. The water changes are expected to be implemented in 2 weeks if the deal receives approval from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Ball acquires Darwin Plants
Ball Horticultural Co. has acquired Dutch perennials company Darwin Plants. Darwin Plants will maintain its focus on scouting for and promoting new perennial varieties while continuing operations with its existing line of more than 1,000 perennials available as bareroot or young plants. The company will continue to operate under the name Darwin Plants with its existing management and staff. It will distribute products from its base in Hillegom, Netherlands.
Web site offers tips to battle invasives
Center for Invasive Plant Management collaborated with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Nat'l. Wildlife Refuge System to design an online training course for volunteers interested in fighting invasive species. The invasive species Web site includes video, text and photos that provide background on the Refuge System and info about the science and management of invasive plants.
Lewis mites could damage poinsettias
Lewis mite was reported feeding on greenhouse poinsettias, Euphorbia marginata (snow-on-the-mountain), castor bean, papaya, burclover and ceanothus. Univ. of Conn. Ext. hort and greenhouse IPM specialist Leanne Pundt said if detection is made early and only 1-2 plants are infected, it may be possible to toss out the infested plants and closely watch surrounding plants to see if treatment is needed. Predatory mites may control Lewis mites if they are detected before an outbreak. Pundt also advised that with the unusually warm, dry fall, twospotted spider mites may move from outside weeds and leftover summer crops to poinsettias.
Maryland growers deal with pests on fall crops
Leafminers have been a major pest for Maryland growers recently. This week damage is on chrysanthemums. Univ. of Md. Co-op. Ext. reports that over the past few weeks, leafminers have been found on mums, gerbera, basil and Matsumoto asters. IPM scouts are also finding aphids on sweet potato vine. Green peach aphids were feeding on 'Margaurite' while red ones fed on 'Blackie.' Aphids cluster in undeveloped plant tips and distort new growth. Another unexpected pest on ipomoea has been armyworms, which have also been found on pansy and zinnia crops.
Glass Corner Greenhouses ceases operations
Rick and Joyce Mast, president and v.p., respectively, of Glass Corner Greenhouses in Grand Rapids, Mich., ceased operations on Oct. 31. The reason for the closure is "continuous setbacks and extraordinary circumstances" during the last 5 years. Established in 1979, the company operated 2 locations with more than 780,000 sq. ft. of production space for starter and finished plant material. The company's Young Plant program, including its staff, will continue to operate at its Peach Ridge facility as part of Neal Mast & Son Greenhouses in Grand Rapids.
Project: Green Industry blog launches in December
Operating your greenhouse in an environmentally friendly way isn't always easy or straightforward. Starting in December we'll be tackling sustainability issues head on with our new blog, Project: Green Industry. Visit Project: Green Industry blog for news and tips on making the green movement part of your business.
Worth a visit
J. Guy of Carolina Nurseries, the 2007 NMPRO Nursery Grower of the Year, has been a leader in marketing and employee safety. Only on GreenBeam.com.
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