Category: Online resources

Missed our Thrips Identification Workshop? “How-to” Videos are Now Available Online!

Characteristics needed to identify thrips to species.

Although greenhouse growers’ thoughts in late summer tend to turn to pests of poinsettias, thrips are never fully forgotten (being the #1 pest and all).

Ever since a bunch of new thrips began invading North American greenhouses a few years ago, proper thrips identification has become a necessary evil. If you missed our Vineland/OMAFA Thrips Identification Workshops in 2024, have no fear. Ashley Summerfield from the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre has compiled much of the workshop content in a series of easy-to-follow videos. Keep reading for what you’ll need and links to the videos.

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Don’t miss these upcoming Agri-food cybersecurity events!

Rogers cybersecure catalyst at the Toronto Metropolitan University is hosting 2 free virtual events to bring you and your business up to speed on the very important issue of cybersecurity.

Don’t miss these 2 events: a panel discussion on September 29th from 10-11 am. And a cybersecurity bootcamp every Thursday from October 2nd – November 5th from 10-12pm.

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GrowON Webinar, September 24th: Thrips parvispinus Control – Where We’re At and Where We’re Headed.

To make sure growers have the latest information on new thrips pests affecting greenhouse crops, GrowON is running a 3 part webinar series on thrips besides western flower thrips. The second installment will be on Thrips parvispinus (also known as pepper thrips) on Wednesday, September 24th with Sarah Jandricic (OMAFA).

To attend, please use the registration link in the post below.

Parvi poster Sept 2025_finalDownload

Description:

When it comes to Thrips parvispinus control, many growers are asking, are we there yet? Join us to learn where we are in terms of biocontrol and chemical control for this invasive pest. This presentation will summarize research being conducted in Ontario, Florida and Europe, and put it into context in terms of strategies growers can implement now. Future research directions will also be discussed.

Note, this presentation was given live at Greenhouse Canada’s Grower Day in June 2025. This webinar is hoping to reach those that weren’t able to attend in person!

Time: Wednesday, September 24th, 12-1pm

Registration:

Please register for Part 2 of this Webinar series by using this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_30N3jt1KRbOyva0s7oh5Dg

NEW DATE: GrowON Webinar on Japanese Flower Thrips now Wednesday August 27th

To make sure growers have the latest information on new thrips pests affecting greenhouse crops, GrowON is running a 3 part webinar series on thrips besides western flower thrips. The first installment will be on Japanese flower thrips on August 27th, with Judy Colley (Plant Products) and Sarah Jandricic (OMAFA).

To attend, please use the registration link in the post below. If you’ve already registered, you’re still good for the new date of the 27th!

Setosus webinar poster July 2025Download

Description:

Another new thrips on the block? Thrips setosus, also known as the Japanese flower thrips, affects hydrangeas, cyclamen, herbs and more.  Judy Colley, technical lead for Plant Products, will share information on greenhouse trials for controlling this pest. She will be joined by Dr. Sarah Jandricic (OMAFA) who will cover biology, hosts plants, damage and current research. She will also go over pesticide options.

Time: Wednesday, August 27th, 12-1pm

Registration:

Please register for Part 1 of this Webinar series by using this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_30N3jt1KRbOyva0s7oh5Dg

GrowON Webinar: Cybersecurity for Greenhouses, August 13th @ noon

Do you work in a greenhouse that uses a climate control system, sensors, automation or robotics? If your answer is yes, this webinar is for you. No matter the size of your operation, if you are using digital tools, you are a potential target for a cyber attack. This informative webinar breaks down what threats to watch for, how to protect your systems, and why it matters more than ever. Join us from 12 – 1pm on August 13th to learn more.

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GrowON’s “More than Just Westerns” Thrips Webinar Series, Part 1: Japanese Flower Thrips

Over the past few years, we seem to be battling a whole new posse of thrips species. First it was onion thrips moseying on up into our chrysanthemums and gerbera. Then, it was Parvispinus, which was like a runaway train in our tropicals. Now, it’s Japanese flower thrips (Thrips setosus), riding into town on crops like hydrangea.

To make sure growers have the latest information on these pests, GrowON is running a 3 part webinar series on thrips besides western flower thrips. The first installment will be on Japanese flower thrips on August 20th. Read on for how to register for this free webinar.

A lineup of thrips species that attack greenhouse ornamentals. Can you pick out the usual suspects from the new kids in town? Photo by A. Summerfield, Vineland.
Continue reading “GrowON’s “More than Just Westerns” Thrips Webinar Series, Part 1: Japanese Flower Thrips” →

Managing Pesticide Resistance in Greenhouse Crops

With July being the beginning of poinsettia season, as well as the time growers are starting many tropical plants for next spring, it’s time to be thinking about managing pesticide resistance. Pesticide resistance readily develops in populations of key greenhouse pests, including Bemisia whitefly, spider mites, and more. So how do we avoid an uphill run on the resistance treadmill?

Hannah Fraser, Horticulture Entomologist with OMAFA, shared her decades of experience battling resistance issues in fruit crop pests in a GrowON webinar recorded last summer. For those that missed it, I thought now would be a good time to post the video on the blog. (As always, you can find all of our previous GrowON webinars on the ONFloriculture Youtube channel.) Keep reading to watch the video as well as links to other resources on resistance management.

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2025 Poinsettia Refresher: Practical Tips for a Tough Crop

Christmas in July? Not quite, but poinsettias are making their way into greenhouses across Ontario, and they always arrive at the hottest time of the year. Nutritional issues, environmental stress and PGR mistakes can all be costly in this high-value crop. Read on for production tips and how to manage this seasonal favourite in the greenhouse.

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Guardian Network Training: Suicide Prevention Training for Field Staff supporting the Ag Community

Don’t miss the upcoming exclusive Guardian Network virtual training session on July 30th.

Designed specifically for Field Staff across Ontario who support the agricultural community. This includes agronomists, field service reps, soil & crop advisors, livestock & dairy specialists, equipment reps and others in similar roles.

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Which Microscope Should you Buy for Your Greenhouse?

With new invasive species popping up, the need for growers to more closely inspect pests and damage is at an all time high. This has led to interest in on-farm pest identification.

When it comes to thrips identification, specifically, investing in a microscope is a necessary evil. But a decent microscope is now a LOT cheaper than it used to be. Here, we’ve provided a video to walk you through what features to look for.

The full post will also provide you with model numbers and links, to make microscope shopping easier!

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