Category Uncategorized

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

Sarah Jandricic, Greenhouse Floriculture IPM Specialist, OMAFRA Leave a comment

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” →

Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program Accepting Applications for On-Farm Changes Made in March

Sarah Jandricic, Greenhouse Floriculture IPM Specialist, OMAFRA Leave a comment

Enhaced Worker Protection ProgramOn 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” →

Garden Mums – 2020 Production and Protection Tips

Sarah Jandricic, Greenhouse Floriculture IPM Specialist, OMAFRA Leave a comment

praying mantis on garden mumsThis post was contributed to by Drs. Sarah Jandricic and Chevonne Dayboll.

Summer is in full swing, 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 information to help you optimize your irrigation, fertilizer and pest management programs in garden mums.

Continue reading “Garden Mums – 2020 Production and Protection Tips” →

Extension Granted for Pesticide Certifications in 2020

Sarah Jandricic, Greenhouse Floriculture IPM Specialist, OMAFRA Leave a comment
From ONvegetables By Dennis Van Dyk, OMAFRA Vegetable Crops Specialist:
Pull behind type field sprayer spraying pesticides in an onion field

Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) is extending the pesticide certification of those who have certificates expiring this year until December 31, 2020.

This is good news to those of you who have expiring certificates and have not been able to attend an online course. The letters below are also being emailed out to those impacted:

OPEP has also released this press release.

New producers will need to access the online courses that are currently available or contact OPEP for other arrangements:

Ontario Pesticide Education Program
University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus
120 Main Street East,
Ridgetown, ON
N0P 2C0
1-800-652-8573, or 519-674-2230
rcopep@uoguelph.ca

OPEP continues to look at options to improve their online course options and to do testing online.

Diagnostics from a Distance: 5 tips on how to get the answers you need

Sarah Jandricic, Greenhouse Floriculture IPM Specialist, OMAFRA Leave a comment

IMG_4760How do you get help in this day and age when your extension agent or consultant can’t just pop into your greenhouse and look at a problem with you? Although nothing can replace seeing an issue first-hand, there is still a way to get help with your pest and production issues from a distance.

This post will give you tips on key information you need to send, and how to take good photos, to make getting quick and accurate answers from experts easier via email or messaging.

Continue reading “Diagnostics from a Distance: 5 tips on how to get the answers you need” →

Feedback Time! How Useful do You Find ONFloriculture?

Sarah Jandricic, Greenhouse Floriculture IPM Specialist, OMAFRA Leave a comment
fig-2

Example of the informative diagrams we try to create on ONFloriculture.

Whether you’re regular a subscriber to ONFloriculture or just occasionally pop in for a floriculture update, we need to hear from you!

Let OMAFRA and the writers of the blog know how ONFloriculture is working for you by taking this 2 MINUTE survey.

This information is important to let us know what direction to take to serve you better. 

To take the survey click here ,  OR copy the following text into your brower’s search bar: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2019onfloricultureblog

Thanks in advance for your time!

Sarah and Chevonne, writers of the ONFloriculture blog.

CCarlow 2017

Dr. Chevonne Dayboll is the Greenhouse Floriculture Specialist for OMAFRA. Her work covers ornamental production and the greater greenhouse environment.

sarah-flowers-4

Dr. Sarah Jandricic is the Greenhouse Floriculture IPM Specialist.  Her work covers management of both insect and disease pests.

Reminder: LAST Webinar in “Let’s Talk Disease” Webinar Series Today.

Sarah Jandricic, Greenhouse Floriculture IPM Specialist, OMAFRA Leave a comment
Foliage of cut roses covered with mycellial mats causes by powdery mildew infection.

Powdery mildew in a cut rose production facility.

Please join us THIS AFTERNOON (TUES) at 2pm EST for our LAST webinar presentation.   Dr. Janna Beckerman of  Purdue University will covering disease control in cut flowers.

A reminder that All webinars are FREE – all they require is registration.  Please go to https://www.greenhousecanada.com/webinars to sign up with your email.

Interested in ornamental disease webinars you may have missed?  See below for links to previously recorded presentations.

Continue reading “Reminder: LAST Webinar in “Let’s Talk Disease” Webinar Series Today.” →

Upcoming Resources for Farmers and Mental Health

Sarah Jandricic, Greenhouse Floriculture IPM Specialist, OMAFRA 1 Comment

stressed farmerIn honour of #bellletstalk day, click here to get an update on “In the Know”, a mental health literacy course designed specifically for farmers.   The pilot course will  soon be available by researchers at the University of Guelph.

You may remember last year’s post on some of their stunning research; like how 45% of Canadian farmers indicated they were under high levels of stress and many are suffering from anxiety and depression.   Some of you may even have participated in interviews that will help these researchers in developing online material to support growers.

If you need help TODAY, here are some resources you can reach out to: