REMINDER: Last Chance to Register for March 2nd Greenhouse IPM 101 Workshop (Online)

Need a refresher on IPM for specific pests of floriculture? Want to see how Canada – a world leader in biological control in greenhouse crops – does things?

Then this all day workshop is for you!

Keep reading for the topics we’ll be covering, and how to register. This workshop is applicable to participants from the U.S. and other countries besides Canada.

Continue reading “REMINDER: Last Chance to Register for March 2nd Greenhouse IPM 101 Workshop (Online)” →

COVID-19 Resource List for Growers.

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.” →

Greenhouse IPM 101 Workshop: ZOOM Edition

As we are still mid-pandemic, Eco Habitat’s annual hands-on IPM Workshop will look a bit different this year! 

Still your go-to resource for learning IPM basics, with the help of OMAFRA staff, it’s moving to Zoom!  

Keep reading for the topics we’ll be covering, and how to register.

Continue reading “Greenhouse IPM 101 Workshop: ZOOM Edition” →

Can We Reduce Pest Pressure in Floriculture by Adjusting Plant Nutrition?

Subirrigation in a dutch tray of gerbera plants

Producing high-quality ornamentals while decreasing pesticide use requires finding creative ways to reduce pests across your whole production system.

Are you interested in learning more about the role fertilizers and biostimulants can play in plant health — both in terms of plant quality and pest levels?

This upcoming and FREE webinar provides and overview of a current project between the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, OMAFRA and industry partners on this unique topic.

Continue reading “Can We Reduce Pest Pressure in Floriculture by Adjusting Plant Nutrition?” →

Diversifying your Greenhouse Crops with Hothouse Strawberries

Fresh, delicious, hothouse strawberries in the dead of winter…can’t you just taste them?  We would ALL love to see more local strawberries in our grocery stores, wouldn’t we?

Perhaps you’ve thought about growing strawberries in your greenhouse.  Or you’ve dabbled in production already.  Maybe you are a well-seasoned strawberry grower but eager to stay connected and continue learning.

If any of these sounds like you, you’ll want to check out an upcoming course on hydroponic strawberry production by Hort Americas.

Continue reading “Diversifying your Greenhouse Crops with Hothouse Strawberries” →

Preventing Issues in Your Spring Crops: Sanitation, Dips and Bio Tips.

P1010595With the holiday season almost upon us, it’s time to turn our attention to Spring bedding crops. Although here for a brief window, the diversity of these crops means you’re bound to encounter some sort of disease and insect problems.

One way you can head off issues is to plan and prepare now.  This post from January 2020 has important tips on sanitation for common spring crop diseases, dips and early sprays to prevent key pests, as well as tips on where to spend your biocontrol dollars.

Continue reading “Preventing Issues in Your Spring Crops: Sanitation, Dips and Bio Tips.” →

Poinsettia Problems 2020: The “Tipping Point”and Testing Pesticides

It’s that time of year again where you have to make a choice with your poinsettia. Do you stay the course with natural enemies, or abandon your bio program and spray  for whitefly? And spray with WHAT?

This post has tips on how to test pesticides NOW, so that when it comes down to the wire, you’ll know what is – and isn’t – working.

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In-Depth Webinar on Thrips Management: From Planning to Pesticides

Thrips webinar promotion 2020Thrips got you down? Not sure what you can do to beef up your thrips-management program? Then this new webinar is for you!

Drs. Sarah Jandricic (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs) and Rose Buitenhuis (Vineland Research and Innovation Centre) have combined their respective knowledge into a “systems approach” for thrips management.

Want to know what that means, and how it can work for you? Then keep reading!

Continue reading “In-Depth Webinar on Thrips Management: From Planning to Pesticides” →

Poinsettia Production Refresher: 2020

Poinsettias on Cruise Control | Greenhouse Industry Roundtable of ...
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.

Continue reading “Poinsettia Production Refresher: 2020” →

Poinsettia Problems: Your Monthly Scouting Guide

JF14
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” →