“How-to” Video of the Week: Checking the Quality of Predatory Biocontrols

In this week’s “how-to” video, we’ll continue exploring how to assess the quality of the biocontrol agents you receive. This video focuses on predators, such as mites, Aphidoletes, Orius, Dalotia (Atheta) and more.

Keep reading to find the link to the video and addional resources. The next few videos will look at quality control guidelines for other types of biocontrol agents, so make sure to subscribe to the blog if you haven’t already!

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Save On Energy Webinar: Battery Energy Storage System Safety for Greenhouses

This post was originally written by Abigail Wiesner, Acting Greenhouse Floriculture Production Specialist.

Join Save On Energy, offered through the Independent Electricity System Operator (ISEO), for an upcoming webinar exploring the safety of battery energy storage systems on May 14^th 2024 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. Keep reading to learn how to register.

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“How-to” Video of the Week: Biocontrol Failures – Why Do They Happen?

For the past few weeks we’ve been releasing short videos demonstrating important greenhouse IPM strategies based on current best practices.

In this week’s video, Dr. Rose Buitenhuis from the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre discusses several factors that cause a biocontrol program to fail, and explains the importance of assessing the quality of the biocontrol agents you receive. This is a great video for anyone who’s had ups and downs with their biocontrol program in the past.

Keep reading to find the link to the video and further reading on what can cause a biocontrol program to succeed or fail. The videos for the next several weeks will dive into the details of quality control guidelines for specific natural enemies.

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“How-to” Video of the Week: Monitoring for Pests

Last week we introduced you to the first video in our “how-to” series, designed to demonstrate important greenhouse IPM strategies based on the current information and best practices. This week’s video is about a keystone of IPM: effective monitoring of pests.

With each video being under 10 minutes long, they can be a useful tool in training new staff. They also contain some helpful tricks and tips for more experienced pest management practitioners!

All videos were developed by the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, in collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), and are applicable to both greenhouse flower and vegetable producers.

Keep reading to find the link to the video and further reading for successful monitoring. And, stay tuned for next week’s video, all about quality assurance testing of natural enemies!

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“How-to” Video of the Week: Releasing Biocontrol Agents Successfully

The Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, in collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), has produced a number of videos demonstrating important greenhouse IPM practices.

These videos are based on current information and best practices, and are in an easy-to-follow format. Better yet, they are all under 10 minutes long!

Each week, we’ll be releasing a new video. All videos in the series are applicable to both greenhouse floriculture and vegetable pest management.

Keep reading to find the link to the video and further reading for successful IPM!

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Parvispinus on Poinsettias? It’s Possible.

Fig. 1. *Parvispinus feeding on a poinsettia leaf.*

Growers in Ontario continue to struggle with Thrips parvispinus on tropical crops like mandevilla, anthurium and schefflera. Unfortunately, reports out of Europe also indicate this invasive pest species can also attack poinsettia.

Read on for what you need to watch out for, and potential management strategies.

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Battling Broad Mite in Spring Crops

Broad mite, *Polyphagotarsonemus latus*. Photo credit: USDA BARC

Broad Mites (Polyphagotarsonemus latus) seem to be a regular occurrence nowadays in spring crops, especially Reiger begonias and New Guinea impatiens. Other crops that are commonly affected include torenia, exacum, ipomea and gerbera.

Broad mite are often difficult to detect and control. Read on for tips on monitoring and the latest management strategies for this pest.

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Guide to Biocontrol Agents for Greenhouse Pests Available for Download

MSU Extension has updated a 16 page guide to biocontrol agents that are commercially available to control greenhouse pests.

Developed in collaboration with Kansas State University and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, this fantastic resource includes pictures of each organism, their active temperature ranges, and key facts that will help growers find success using biological control. Read on to download your copy now!

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Thrips Identification Workshop for Growers: Coming to an Ontario Town Near YOU!

It’s no secret that recent outbreaks of thrips species other than western flower thrips (WFT) have made producing greenhouse crops in Ontario harder than usual. This includes species such as onion thrips, Thrips parvispinus, and chrysanthemum thrips.

As control measures are different depending on the thrips species you’re dealing with, the very FIRST step in learning how to manage these pests is proper species identification. If you’re interested in having someone in your greenhouse operation learn how to do this (so you don’t have to rely on government specialists), then keep reading!

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In Case you Missed it: “A Pain in the Parvi” GrowON Webinar Recording (Plus, Another Thrips parvipsinus Webinar with GrowPro!)

In case you missed the GrowON webinar by myself and Judy Colley from Plant Products on Jan 29th, we’ve now uploaded to Youtube!

You can find it the ONFloriculture Youtube page, along with lots of other useful videos and webinars.

Are recorded webinars not your thing? Well, then you have two additional options!

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