Biostimulants Part 1: What Are They and What Can They Do?

Ontario greenhouse growers are increasingly experimenting with biostimulants to potentially boost plant quality. Used correctly, these products could help cut fertilizer costs, improve stress tolerance, and enhance overall crop quality.

However, using these products without the knowledge of different categories of biostimulants, and sufficient in house trialing, can waste your time and money.

In this first post of this two-part series, we will discuss what biostimulants are, the different categories they fall into, and first steps for choosing a product to trial. In the second post (coming soon!), we’ll discuss important tips for choosing a biostimulant, as well as potential drawbacks and, most importantly, how to trial this on your own farm for YOUR crop.

Continue reading →

DLI Data – January, 2026

Welcome to the Vineland DLI report for January, 2026!

In January, 2026, Vineland received 50% more light than in December, 2025.

Read on for the detailed data report and more information about our DLI data collection project.

Continue reading →

REMINDER: GrowON Webinar Feb 11th at Noon: Managing Mealybugs

A reminder that on Wednesday, February 11th, GrowON will host Dr. Raymond Cloyd of Kansas State University, for an hour-long exploration of mealybugs and their management.

To attend, click on the registration link in the webinar poster or at the end of the post.

Webinar Description

Who: Dr. Raymond Cloyd, Professor, Kansas State University

What: Mealybugs are a challenge to manage in greenhouse production systems. In this webinar, Dr. Raymond Cloyd (Kansas State University) will discuss the biology, behavior, and feeding damage affiliated with mealybugs. He will then address plant protection/pest management strategies, including cultural, physical, insecticidal, and biological that greenhouse producers can implement to keep mealybug populations below plant damaging levels.

When: Wednesday, February 11th, 12-1pm EST (11-12 CST)

Where: on Zoom. (The recording will also be made available on the ONFloriculture blog at a later date). Please register for this FREE webinar using this link.

More Info: Questions regarding the webinar can be directed to sarah.jandricic@ontario.ca.

Funding ALERT: Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative

Intake for the Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative is from February 17 – March 17, 2026

To learn more about the initiative, continue reading or attend one of the upcoming information webinars linked below.

Continue reading →

Upcoming GrowON Webinar Feb 11th: Managing Mealybugs

Mealybugs, which have long plagued tropical plants, are now appearing in a wider variety of crops, from chrysanthemums to poinsettia. On Wednesday, February 11th, please join Dr. Raymond Cloyd of Kansas State University, for an hour-long exploration of mealybugs and their management.

To attend, please continue reading and click on the registration link in the webinar poster or at the end of the post.

Continue reading →

Information on Health Canada’s Pesticide Compliance Program: What You Need to Know

Heath Canada’s Pesticide Compliance Program (PCP) is responsible for promoting safe use of chemicals, as well as monitoring and enforcement, to make sure registered fungicides, insecticides and other agricultural chemicals are used according with their legal label.

As several greenhouses (both vegetable and ornamental) have undergone random inspections in 2025, it’s good to be aware of this federal program, and what an inspection could look like.

Continue reading →

REMINDER: GrowON Webinar TOMORROW – Thriving in Containers: Key Factors Affecting Plant Health in Ornamentals

In this hour long session, Ryan Munroe of NVK Nurseries will share practical tips for monitoring plant health and explain how media properties can influence irrigation, pH, and rooting.

Continue reading to register with the link below and join us from 1:00 – 2:15pm on January 21st for this virtual session.

Continue reading →

GrowON Webinar Jan. 21st @ 1pm – Thriving in Containers: Key Factors Affecting Plant Health in Ornamentals

With the holidays behind us, it’s time to shift gears and focus on spring – the busiest season for most ornamental growers. Success starts with healthy plants and growing media that works for you. Join us for an upcoming webinar where Ryan Munroe of NVK Nurseries will share practical tips for monitoring plant health and explain how media properties can influence irrigation, pH, and rooting. Whether you’re fine-tuning your production practices or planning for spring crops, this session offers insights you won’t want to miss!

Register with the link below and join us from 1:00 – 2:15pm on January 21st for this virtual session.

Continue reading →

DLI Data – December, 2025

Welcome to the Vineland DLI report for December, 2025!

In December, Vineland received 33% less light than in November, 2025.

Read on for the detailed data report and more information about our DLI data collection project.

Continue reading →

Not Familiar with AFE’s Grow Pro Webinar Series? You Really Should Be!

While chatting with various growers and IPM technical reps this year, I realized some in Ontario aren’t familiar with the American Floral Endowment’s (AFE) Grow Pro Webinar Series. This is an excellent series that shares floriculture research funded by AFE, as well as other topics.

Previous webinars have focused on things like thrips and botrytis control, biostimulants, growing in reduced-peat substrates, and more.

A webinar I’ll recommend for January is one on oomycete pathogens, like Pythium and Phytophthora:

Ruh Roh, Root Rot! Managing Oomycete Pathogens in Floriculture Production

Speaker: Dr. Johanna Del Castillo, UC Davis
Tuesday, January 20th at 1PM EST
Oomycete pathogens remain a persistent threat in floriculture production, causing significant losses when conditions tip in their favor. In this webinar, Dr. Del Castillo will dive into the biology of Pythium and Phytophthora, how to diagnose root rot issues, and the most effective management approaches. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to improve root-zone health and reduce disease pressure in their operations. When you’re thinking “ruh roh,” it’s already too late—join us to get ahead of root rot and outsmart oomycete pathogens.

You can find out more about previous webinar recordings, upcoming webinars and registration (it’s free!) using this link: https://endowment.org/growpro