Dean becomes major Gulf hurricane
Hurricane Dean formed in the Caribbean Thursday, becoming the first Atlantic hurricane of the 2007 season. The storm grew to a major Category 5 storm, packing 155 mph winds, by Monday. Dean did major damage to Jamaica and was expected to hit the Yucatan Peninsula Tuesday. Experts don't predict it will make landfall in the U.S., but it could flood the Texas Gulf, already soaked by Tropical Storm Erin. Erin made landfall in Texas on Thursday, packing heavy rains and sustained 40 mph winds.
California gets $15 million in federal LBAM funds
USDA granted California $15 million to help fight light brown apple moth, a pest first discovered in the state in March. The pest, which is of major quarantine concern for nursery growers, has since been found in 11 counties: Alameda, Marin, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Napa, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Santa Clara, Solano and Los Angeles. The pest has a host range of more than 250 plants.
Environmentally friendly Christmas tree growers unite
On Aug. 28 a news conference in Salem, Ore., will announce the Coalition of Environmentally-Conscious Growers, a group designed to recognize Christmas tree growers who use sustainable practices. The group plans a Christmas tree certification that will evaluate growers' erosion control/soil conservation, integrated pest management and tributary protection programs. The coalition will also educate consumers on "healthier growing practices" and the importance of living trees. The coalition was formed by Holiday Tree Farms and Yule Tree Farms, 2 major Oregon growers.
Florida program wins advertising award
The Palm Beach Chapter of Fla. Nursery, Growers & Landscape Assoc. won a Telly Award for its GrowSmart! public awareness campaign. The campaign consists of 5 30-second spots promoting waterwise landscaping . It encourages the public to follow simple guidelines focusing on sensible irrigation, money-saving gardening principles and other useful lawn and plant tips. The Tellys honor outstanding TV commercials, programs, and video and film productions.
California green roof highlights adaptable species
This summer contractors installed the largest living roof in California — a 2 1/2-acre expanse at the Calif. Academy of Sciences building in Golden Gate. Rana Creek Nursery in Carmel, Calif., grew the 1.7 million plants used for the installation. The roof is blanketed with 9 native plant species: 4 perennials (Fragaria chiloensis, Armeria maritima, Prunella vulgaris and Sedum spathulifolium) and 5 annuals (Eschscholzia californica, Lupinus bicolor, Lasthenia californica, Plantago erecta and Layia platyglossa). Using tree sap and coconut husk fiber, the nursery created porous biodegradable trays to contain the plants. The trays were installed on the rooflike tiles. The segments will lock together as the plants' roots grow and penetrate adjoining trays.
Worth a visit
The 12-month Solutions Source series provides solutions to the challenges growers face today. This month: government regulations. Only on GreenBeam.com.
|
Syngenta remains committed to investing in every aspect of our ornamental business to bring value to growers for producing beautifully strong plants.
|
