LED Lighting Incentives can help with On-Farm Trials

Chevonne Dayboll, Greenhouse Floriculture Specialist, OMAFRA Leave a comment

Thanks to the IESO for contributing to this post.

SOE logoAre you aware that the Save on Energy program can help you to complete energy efficient upgrades in your greenhouse?  You may have participated in this program in the past, but the current iteration can help you to retrofit items like ventilation fans and upgrade to LED lighting in the warehouse and the greenhouse.

The IESO has developed tools that can help you identify areas where an upgrade might be able to help you save energy.  These include a checklist that walks you through the greenhouse, and some videos and other information on their web page.

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2019 Poinsettia Open House: Jordan, ON

Sarah Jandricic, Greenhouse Floriculture IPM Specialist, OMAFRA 2 Comments

poinsettia trials _pinks 2Once again, Focus Greenhouse Management and Jeffery’s Greenhouse are partnering to bring us the 2019 Poinsettia Open House!

There will be presentations on pest management in poinsettia, troubleshooting production issues as well as plant growth regular trials.  And, as always, there will be lots and lots of poinsettia varieties to look at!

Read on for more details including speakers and sales reps that will be present.

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Biocontrol of Bemisia: 7 Things to Consider Before You Turn to Chemicals.

Sarah Jandricic, Greenhouse Floriculture IPM Specialist, OMAFRA Leave a comment

turning color.jpgIt’s that time of year again where it’s “do or die” time in Poinsettia: either your biocontrol program is on track, or it’s time to see if pesticides work.

Here’s what to look for in your crop to help you make the decision, including acceptable infestation levels and evidence of successful biocontrol.

This post also contains information on chemical options for Bemisia whitefly in 2019.

Continue reading “Biocontrol of Bemisia: 7 Things to Consider Before You Turn to Chemicals.” →

What you NEED TO KNOW about Thrips and Whitefly Control: September Update

Sarah Jandricic, Greenhouse Floriculture IPM Specialist, OMAFRA 1 Comment

thrips and whiteflyIt’s that time of year again where two of our biggest crops cross over: fall pot mums and poinsettia. This means growers have to simultaneously keep an eye on the two biggest pests in the industry: thrips (usually western flower thrips) and Bemisia whitefly.

Here’s how things are shaping up with these pests and where they might be going.

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Choose the right soil analysis for in-ground cut flowers

Chevonne Dayboll, Greenhouse Floriculture Specialist, OMAFRA Leave a comment

This post was contributed to by Lauren Vanderlingen, OMAFRA Summer Student and Christoph Kessel, OMAFRA Soil Fertility Specialist – Horticulture.

If you are using Saturated Paste Extract (SPE) to assess soil nutrients for in-ground grown cut flowers, you may be underestimating plant available nutrients and applying fertilizers that aren’t needed.

Many greenhouse growers use SPE analysis when testing growing media in the greenhouse for nutrient levels. Typically, SPE tests are used in soilless or peat-based growing substrates, the kind we usually see used in potted plant production. However, if you are growing cut flowers in a mineral soil, either in the greenhouse or outdoors, SPE is not giving you a complete report on nutrients available to your crop.

Both greenhouse and outdoor soils that produce cut flowers should be tested on a regular basis.

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CleanFARMS Collection Dates Released

Chevonne Dayboll, Greenhouse Floriculture Specialist, OMAFRA Leave a comment

cleanfarmsCleanFARMS will be offering its obsolete and unwanted pesticides collection campaign this fall.

This program allows farmers to bring in unwanted or obsolete agricultural pesticides, at no cost, to one of 27 collection sites for safe disposal at an approved waste management facility.

Note that these are single day programs, so you need to drop off at the assigned location on a specific day.  For more information, and specific drop-off dates, you can see the Clean Farms Program poster.

For Niagara area growers, note that drop-offs will be accepted at Vineland Growers Co-op Jordan Station location on September 27, 2019.

 

Which Pesticides are Effective for Whitefly?

Sarah Jandricic, Greenhouse Floriculture IPM Specialist, OMAFRA 2 Comments
Bemisia 4_SJ

Whitefly – especially Bemisa whitefly – are STILL one of the hardest insects to control with pesticides in the greenhouse industry,

Efficacy trials are key to keeping growers informed about which chemicals currently work and which don’t for Bemisia whitefly. 

Entomologists at the University of Maryland and Delaware recently did such a study, and included newer pesticide registrations. If you missed the article in the July issue of Grower Talks magazine, keep reading for the link to their results and a Canadian take on the study.

 

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