Pest alert issued in Florida for red palm mite
Fla. Dept. of Ag. & Consumer Services, Div. of Plant Industry, issued a pest alert for red palm mite (Raoiella indica Hirst). A mite infestation was discovered on a single coconut palm leaflet by a USDA employee at a commercial business on Nov. 29 in Palm Beach County. The leaflet contained 100+ adult mites and hundreds of eggs. Confirmation of the pest was made on Dec. 3. This is the 1st report of live red palm mites in Florida and the continental U.S. Div. of Plant Industry, in cooperation with USDA, has begun a delimiting survey to determine the extent of the outbreak. An official with Div. of Plant Industry said the pest cannot be eradicated, but will be regulated to prevent long-distance spread. Work has begun on developing a recommended treatment for nurseries that may be affected in the future.
FTC to hold hearings on green marketing claims
Federal Trade Commission is beginning a regulatory review of its environmental marketing guidelines, known as Green Guides. The guides outline general principles for all environmental marketing claims and provide specifics about certain green claims. FTC is requesting comments on the guides, including standard questions about costs, benefits and effectiveness of the guides, and questions on specific topics, including "sustainable" and "renewable" claims. The review was scheduled to begin in 2009, but because of the increase in green advertising claims, FTC moved up the review. The comment period is open until Feb. 11. The guides were last updated in 1998. As part of the review, FTC will hold public meetings or workshops on a number of green marketing topics. The first workshop is Jan. 8.
Old greenhouse range giving way to affordable housing
Historic preservationists and housing officials in Richmond, Calif., are working on a plan to repair and maintain a few of the more than 36 old cut flower greenhouses that were formerly operated by the Sakai, Oishi and Endo family nurseries, reports San Francisco Chronicle. Most of the glass greenhouses situated on 14 acres are being torn down to make way for construction of single-family homes, townhouses and apartments. The city of Richmond, which purchased the property in 2006, is working with 2 nonprofit housing developers to build nearly 200 units of market-rate and affordable housing on the land. The newspaper reports that historians who assessed the property have determined that several structures may be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. City officials and historians are looking to preserve 3 structures: the 1921 Sakai residence, a water tower and the 1st and smallest of the greenhouses.
If painted poinsettias sell, why not painted kale?
Poinsettias with painted bracts and sparkling glitter have been on the market for several years now. Maryland growers have decided to customize some additional crops, including ornamental cabbage and kale. We're still waiting to hear if the tricked-out plants sold better than traditionally grown plants. Apparently the paint doesn't deter infestations of aphids and whiteflies or prevent oedema. All of these have been seen on plants this fall.
Conference focuses on new pests, controls
Society of American Florists' 24th annual Pest Management Conference, Feb. 29-March 1 in Atlanta, will have several educational sessions related to new pests and new controls, including new and emerging arthropod pests, what to do when a new or resistant pest shows up, new fungicides and insecticides and the use of silicon as a pest management strategy. Biocontrols will be covered in sessions on designing disease-suppressive growing media, plant-essential oils, biological fungicides and compatibility of pesticides with natural enemies. Presentations will also cover pesticide resistance, management of fusarium and downy mildew diseases and using sand filtration to remove pathogens from irrigation runoff. More than 20 states offer attendees an opportunity to earn credits toward pesticide applicator recertification. A tabletop display area will showcase pest control products, equipment and services. An optional tour of local growing operations is scheduled for Feb. 28.
Worth a visit
GMPRO editor David Kuack says one way we can connect with young consumers is to get them to see RED — relax, entertain or decorate. Only on GreenBeam.com.
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