GrowON Webinar, December 17: Worms at War – Maximizing Nematode Efficacy for Greenhouse and Nursery Crops.

As December winds down, thoughts are now turning to spring crops. This can include spring bedding crops or nursery plants coming out of their winter sleep. Both of these can bring onslaughts of pests like thrips, fungus gnats, shore flies and even weevils. Nematodes are an important natural enemy in fighting these pests, and are often the gateway into using more biocontrol. But are you using them to the best of their abilities?

Please join Greg Bryant , Technical Lead at Beneficial Insectary, for an hour-long exploration of what nematodes can do, if you treat them right.

To attend, please continue reading and click on the registration link in the webinar poster or at the end of the post.

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New XLerate Energy Program from IESO

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) is pleased to announce the official launch of XLerate.

This redesigned program replaces the previous Industrial Energy Efficiency Program (IEEP) and is part of the IESO’s ongoing commitment to support Ontario’s industrial (greenhouse and all agriculture are considered industrial), municipal, institutional, and healthcare sectors in achieving large-scale, impactful energy efficiency improvements.

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DLI Data – October, 2025

We’ve recently mounted at daily light integral (DLI) meter at the Vineland Research and Innovation Center! As a result, the OnFloriculture blog will be making regular monthly posts detailing monthly DLI data for Vineland, Ontario.

This meter acts as a reliable record of light levels for Vineland and surrounding areas, giving growers and researchers easy access to data that may help explain crop outcomes. The information is neatly organized, allowing for quick month-to-month comparisons and a clearer understanding of light conditions throughout the growing seasons.

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DLI Data – August & September, 2025

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Going to CGC? Check out the “Tools of the Trade” Workshop Wed&Thurs!

What is it?

This year at the Canada Greenhouse Conference, we are featuring 8 stations where suppliers and researchers can give small, hands-on demonstrations to growers. The aim is to teach growers a new skill that can help them with their IPM or production needs.

Read on for more details on the demo topics and where to find us!

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Missed our Recent Webinars on Cybersecurity and Invasive Thrips? The Videos are Now Online!

Part of running a greenhouse is keeping it safe – whether that be from hackers or from invasive pests! We recently recorded a webinar on cybersecurity for operational tech and smart devices – and why small businesses are a prime target. We also recorded webinars on Thrips parvispinus and Thrips setosus, the two invasive pests that have been affecting floriculture crops the past 4-5 years.

Keep reading to get more details on these webinars, and to view the recordings.

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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_final Download

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

Common Issues and Practical Solutions: Disease Prevention & Crop Uniformity

Welcome to this blog series, where we will discuss common production issues and practical solutions you can consider implementing in your own greenhouse.

In this post, we’ll focus on preventing disease and increasing crop uniformity. We’ll discuss two key practices that can help both issues: selecting the right growing media and maintaining greenhouse sanitation. Small changes in these areas can reduce the risk of disease and shrink, while promoting more consistent growth across your crop and prevent things like plant stunting.

Throughout this post I’ll use Kalanchoe production as an example. Even if you are not a Kalanchoe grower, there will relevant information that you can apply to your own crops. Read on for more details.

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