Water sanitation plays a critical role in managing root diseases and conserving water in floriculture production, but effective treatment goes beyond simply sterilizing irrigation water. In this Grow Pro webinar, Dr. Paul Fisher will examine how common water sanitizing agents interact with beneficial microbes used to promote root health. The session will also explore water treatment system design considerations that help balance pathogen control, microbial compatibility, and long-term crop performance. Attendees will gain practical insights into building integrated water management strategies that support both plant health and beneficial microbes.

Understanding how temperature drives plant growth and root and shoot development is key to managing crop timing, plant height, and overall crop quality. This webinar breaks down key concepts including average daily temperature (ADT), DIF, and crop-specific base and optimal temperatures – and how growers can use that information. We’ll also explain how temperature management strategies affect plant height, flowering time, crop quality, and energy costs for heating, and provide simple ways to apply these concepts in production settings. Using real-world grower examples and university-backed recommendations, we’ll help you make confident, cost-effective temperature decisions for your floriculture crops.

Water security is an increasing challenge for horticultural producers, particularly as concerns grow around agrochemical contaminants in irrigation return flow. In this Grow Pro webinar, participants will learn how bioreactors can be used as a practical, cost-effective tool to reduce agrochemicals in agricultural production water. The session will explore how woodchip-based bioreactors work, how microbial communities drive contaminant breakdown, and strategies to improve system effectiveness and startup time. Attendees will gain insights into how these technologies can help protect operations, comply with regulations, and improve long-term water quality.

Healthy soil is the foundation of successful and sustainable cut flower production. In this Grow Pro webinar, Melanie Stock of Utah State University will explore key soil science principles that support strong plant growth, nutrient efficiency, and long-term soil health. Attendees will learn how soil physical, chemical, and biological properties influence crop performance and management decisions. This session will provide practical insights growers can use to build resilient production systems from the ground up.

Feeling left behind by the fast pace of technological change? This presentation will start with some of the major technology advances changing agriculture before focusing on potential uses of technology in the cut flower industry, including image analysis for phytosanitary decision-making and artificial intelligence.

Thrips may be small, but they create big challenges in floriculture production. In this Grow Pro special session, two expert speakers will share practical, grower-focused strategies for managing thrips, along with an update on an AFE-funded research project exploring the use of UV-C light as a management tool. Learn how current best practices fit into an integrated pest management program and where emerging technologies may offer new solutions. Join us to get bright ideas you can apply now and insights into what’s coming next.

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are valuable tools for managing plant height, uniformity, and crop timing—but knowing when and how to use them is key. This webinar focuses on practical PGR strategies that fit into everyday floriculture production.

Oomycete pathogens remain a persistent threat in floriculture production, causing significant losses when conditions tip in their favor. In this webinar, Dr. Del Castillo will dive into the biology of Pythium and Phytophthora, how to diagnose root rot issues, and the most effective management approaches. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to improve root-zone health and reduce disease pressure in their operations. When you’re thinking “ruh roh,” it’s already too late—join us to get ahead of root rot and outsmart oomycete pathogens.

Dr. Raymond Cloyd will provide a brief introduction of biological control and then will focus on the importance of quality assessment associated with biological control agents, such as predatory mites, parasitoids, and entomopathogenic nematodes. Raymond will provide examples of quality assessment based on his research program over the last 5 years.

Growers who choose to reduce peat use in their production operations have more options today than ever before, with many opting to adopt wood-based substrates as an option. We’ll explore the latest research on wood fiber products and how factors like fertility, pH, and irrigation change when peat is reduced or removed. Dr. Jackson will share proven strategies that help growers transition smoothly while still producing high-quality floriculture crops.