As we head toward the Canadian Greenhouse Conference, let’s welcome OMAFRA’s new acting Greenhouse Floriculture Specialist. Abigail Wiesner will be within the position until Sept 2024.

To learn more about Abbie, and how to contact her, keep reading.

Abbie has a BSc and MSc in Environmental Sciences from the University of Guelph, with a specialization in entomology. For the past 11 months, Abbie has been with OMAFRA as the Acting Canola and Edible Bean Specialist.

Additionally, Abbie has experience within the nursery and landscape sector conducting leading research on the box tree moth, an invasive insect pest impacting the sector since 2018.

Abbie has a strong passion for helping growers to ensure that they are supported, have economical and effective solutions to production issues and are educated on industry and research advancements. Contact her about all issues related to greenhouse floriculture production, including nutrient and environmental issues, energy, lighting, and labour concerns.

Please contact her through email at abigail.wiesner@ontario.ca and by phone at 226-979-8250.

Missed our latest Controlled Environmental Agriculture Webinar by Dr. Nemali? That’s OK. We recorded it for you!

Just register for the webinar using the link in the original posting, and you’ll have access to the recording right away. (Note there’s a few minutes of dead air in the recording – don’t worry! Exciting content starts at about the 2 minute mark.)

You can learn more about Dr. Nemali’s exciting research by checking out his CEA website!

You can also find the link to the webinar recording here:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_71KmGWbGQtKzGFae9tjVdA

Japanese Beetles Have Started To Emerge

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.

Thrips 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” →

On May 14, 2020 the ministry announced the launch of the Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program for Producers.  However, many in the greenhouse sector had already made pro-active improvements to workplace safety in light of Covid-19.

If you fall into that category, the program is now accepting applications for changes made as far back as March 15 2020.   Applications are being accepted until funding runs out.

The program has also been simplified to provide faster assistance by eliminating pre-approval. Growers can now submit eligible expenses up to the farm maximum ($7500).  This now includes accommodation and/or transport costs related to outbreak prevention. More program details can be found below and on the OMAFRA website. Continue reading “Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program Accepting Applications for On-Farm Changes Made in March” →