If you’re anything like me, you might be having trouble keeping track of all of the resources related to managing Covid-19 on your farm.
To help, OMAFRA has created a landing page with a list of resources relevant to Ontario farmers.
Continue reading “COVID-19 Resource List for Growers.”
Ontario continues to make tremendous progress in its vaccine rollout. Keeping your greenhouse safe during reopening is a priority for the sector, and having a vaccinated workforce is a key measure in this effort. Receiving a vaccine is a voluntary and personal choice: read on for resources to enable your greenhouse staff to make informed decisions.
Continue reading “Safely transitioning your greenhouse operation into Step 3”
T’is poinsettia sticking season once again, and the question always comes down to the same thing: do I use chemicals to control Bemisia whitefly and hope it works this year? Or do I switch to biological control? Here we show some head to head comparisons that can help you decide.
An in-depth discussion of this topic was also captured by MSU’s “Bug Bites” last year, and I’ve included the video below.
Continue reading “Comparing Biocontrol to Pesticides for Bemisia Whitefly Control in Poinsettia”
Poinsettia cuttings being rooted. Photo courtesy of Ohio State University.
Now that poinsettias are safely tucked into their prop trays and the threat of Erwinia (Pectobacterium) is almost over, it’s time to think about other poinsettia issues.
Root rots, nutritional issues, environmental stress and PGR mistakes can all be costly in this high-value crop.
Read on for common pitfalls and how to avoid them, and for some great video resources on poinsettia production.
This post on poinsettia problems was contributed to by Drs. Chevonne Dayboll and Sarah Jandricic.
When poinsettias get problems, they always seem to hit hard and fast. Things like whitefly, Lewis mite, root rots, and nutritional issues can all quickly derail a quality crop. This is why scouting might be more important in this crop than any other.
Here’s a month by month guide on what you should be looking for to prevent small problems from becoming big issues.
Continue reading “Poinsettia Problems: Your Monthly Scouting Guide, 2021”
Need a refresher on specific pests of floriculture, and what to do about them? Want to see how Canada – a world leader in biological control in ornamental crops – does things?
Then the following IPM training videos, made by specialists and consultants in Ontario, are for you!
Keep reading to learn how to access these videos, and the topics they cover.
Continue reading “NEW: Free Online IPM Training for Greenhouse Staff”Posted on June 25, 2021 by Jen Llewellyn
Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica) adults are starting to take flight in southern Ontario! They have been spotted in Hamilton and Toronto this week.
Look for these shiny green and copper beetles feeding on grape leaves, roses and many other trees and shrubs. Where possible, homeowners can knock adults into a bucket of soapy water (to smother them). Several insecticides are registered for the adults in greenhouses and nurseries, including BeetleGONE.
European chafer (Amphimallon majale) adults are also starting to emerge. Look for medium brown scarab beetle swarming blooming Linden trees (e.g. Tilia cordata). Historically we see them around Canada day in the Guelph area.
And don’t forget about our little friends, the Rose Chafers (Macrodactylus subspinosus), pictured above. They are also out in full force. These scarab beetles feed on the flowers, fruit and foliage of several ornamentals. The larval stage feeds on roots of grasses and weeds (usually a sod nursery pest). Like most scarab beetles, females are more likely to lay their eggs in sandy soils and will avoid egg laying in clay soils. Insecticides for the grub stage of other scarab beetles will also reduce larvae of rose chafer.
Preventative applications of Intercept and Acelepryn are registered for white grubs in nursery and greenhouse production and the application period begins now. (Above photo: European chafer larval feeding damage).
Have questions regarding pesticide applications for this pest? Then check out this post from a few weeks ago on JB control and export regulations.
Interested in learning more about effective spraying in controlled environment agriculture? Tune in at noon this Thursday with host Dr. Fadi Al-Daoud and co-host Dr. Andrew Wylie for a presentation by OMAFRA’s application specialist Dr. Jason Deveau specific to closed environments:
Continue reading “OMAFRA Controlled Environment Agriculture Webinar Series: spraying in CEA – June 24, 12-1 pm”The first installment of OMAFRA and MLTSD’s monthly webinar series is scheduled for Tuesday, June 22, 12 – 1pm ET. These webinars will occur on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at noon.
Next week’s webinar is: Using Temporary Help Agencies and Employment Standards Webinar
When faced with a labour shortage, many employers in the agriculture sector turn to a temporary help agency (THA) for assistance. But did you know clients of agencies have legal obligations when using a THA? Before speaking with an agency, clients of agencies should find out what their responsibilities are under the ESA.
Continue reading “Reminder: Using Temporary Help Agencies and Employment Standards Webinar June 22”
It will soon be that time of year again, when Japanese beetle adults begin to fly!
However, the cooler spring means pupation may take longer. So what does that mean for timing of control products?
This post answers those questions and provides current infographics for JB control for those exporting to non-JB areas.
Continue reading “Japanese Beetle Control: 2021 Considerations”
This post was contributed to by Drs. Sarah Jandricic, Andrew C. Wylie and Chevonne Dayboll.
Summer is getting underway, and so too are garden mums! Although generally an easy crop, there several tweaks you can make to help save headaches AND money.
This post has updated information to help you optimize your irrigation, fertilizer and pest management programs in garden mums.
Hit your exact ship size on your ship date using Graphical Tracking
Track and even out the growth of your mums using a graphical tracking tool with a few easy steps:
Continue reading “Garden Mums – 2021 Production and Protection Tips”