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.
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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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LUNA PRIVILEGE GREENHOUSE® Fungicide label expanded via Minor Use Program to help manage Botrytis blight and Powdery mildew on Greenhouse and Outdoor Ornamentals and Suppression of Powdery Mildew on Rose in Canada

This post was originally published on the ONnurserycrops blog by Cassie Russell, Nursery and Landscape Specialist for OMAFA.

Commercial ornamental growers now have another tool in the toolbox thanks to the Minor Use Program. LUNA PRIVILEGE GREENHOUSE® Fungicide label has been expanded to help growers manage powdery mildew and botrytis in greenhouse and outdoor ornamental crops. Continue reading below for an abbreviated outline of the new label.

Continue reading “LUNA PRIVILEGE GREENHOUSE® Fungicide label expanded via Minor Use Program to help manage Botrytis blight and Powdery mildew on Greenhouse and Outdoor Ornamentals and Suppression of Powdery Mildew on Rose in Canada” →

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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Third Intake of the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative Opens August 13 to September 3, 2025

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $3 million and launching the third intake of the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI) to help farmers implement projects to improve the energy efficiency of their farming operations. To support the province’s plan to protect Ontario, this funding will help local agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products businesses across the province enhance their competitiveness, put more money back into their pockets and keep workers on the job.

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Lewis Mites 2025 – a Poinsettia Problem that’s Here to Stay?

Lewis mite damage on poinsettia. Photo by OMAFA.

Let’s face it: although Lewis mites (Eotetranychus lewisi) used to be more of a cyclical pest, this mite has been consistently bad in poinsettia the last few years. As regular Lewis mite infestations now seem to be the new normal in poinsettia, this week is the time to to start thinking about your pest control plan for Lewis mite.

Whether you choose the preventive route or the wait-and-see approach, knowing which strategies and chemicals are working is critical. Read on for tips on dipping to prevent mites along and what we learned from last year‘s chemical approaches. 

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June 24, 2025: Japanese Beetles Have Started to Emerge!

Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica) adults were caught in pheromone traps yesterday in Vineland, ON, by Cassie Russell, OMAFA’s Nursery and Landscape Specialist. Read on for what the start of the adult emergence period means in terms of pest management for outdoor nursery and floriculture crops.

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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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Updates to the Expanded Energy Management Program from Save On Energy

The Expanded Energy Management program now provides support to commercial and institutional facilities in Ontario (including Greenhouses) to improve their energy performance with energy savings opportunities in two areas:

  1. Funding for hiring an Energy Manager
  2. Strategic Energy Management: Identify and implement long-term energy-saving opportunities.

Continue reading to learn more and register here for the information webinar Wednesday June 4th, 1-2pm

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