New Technology and Pesticides for Flower Crops
Effective insect control requires the use of the proper insecticides for each pest and the rotation of pesticides to avoid the development of resistance to the insecticides. Proper pesticide rotation requires an understanding of the ‘mode of action’ of each pesticide. Insecticides function in different ways to kill insects so rotation programs must select insecticides that work differently than the ones being used prior to rotation. Dr. Chong will explain how to select and develop effective insect control programs.
DIF and Graphical Tracking
Commercial poinsettia buyers place tight restrictions on poinsettia height and width. Additionally, they expect uniformity for all varieties and container sizes. Precision control of poinsettia height can be accomplished with plant growth regulators or altering the day and night temperatures during crop development or a combination of both methods. Dr. Heins will provide guidance in use of day/night temperature to control height and graphical tracking to guide the temperature changes necessary throughout the crop.
Reducing Pesticides in Surface & Subsurface Irrigation Water
Pesticides are most commonly transported in water. Excess irrigation water returns to the surrounding environment mainly via irrigation return flow (IRF- surface runoff and subsurface infiltration). As growers face more challenges about the quality of wastewater and potential risk of pesticides in the water, it is important to understand the factors affecting pesticide levels in surface and subsurface irrigation water. In this webinar, you will learn about irrigation management practices that effectively limit pesticide movement, particularly highly mobile compounds.
Developing an Integrated Pest Control Program for Whitefly on Poinsettia
Bemisia whitefly on poinsettia is one of the most challenging pests growers of ornamental crops can face. Can it really be managed without relentless pesticide applications? Learn how Canadian growers have successfully tackled this pest using a combination of biological control, careful monitoring, and a few well-timed pesticide applications. The economics of using biological control for Bemisia management versus conventional control with pesticides is discussed.
Biological Control of Whitefly on Poinsettias – Start Your Crop Correctly
This webinar explains the steps to start clean and stay clean in poinsettia production. The goal is to build and maintain a biological control program against Bemisia tabaci whiteflies as long as possible in order to prevent issues due to pesticide resistance. The main tools presented are dips of unrooted cuttings and early establishment of biocontrol agents. Regardless of whether you are just dipping your toes into biocontrol or if you have been doing it for years, this webinar is of interest to everyone.
The Use of Biostimulants in Floriculture Production
Biostimulants are products that promise a lot, but do they deliver? Biostimulants include microbial and nonmicrobial ingredients that improve plant health and resilience, leading to better quality crops with increased stress tolerance. Beneficial microbes include bacteria and fungi that can improve the efficiency of nutrient uptake and may allow growers to reduce fertilizer applications and still grow high-quality floriculture crops. These microbial-based biostimulants can also be used to maintain the postharvest quality of cut flowers and flowering plants during shipping and retailing. In this webinar, Dr. Jones discusses how biostimulants work, how to select biostimulants, and how to set up a trial in your greenhouse to determine if you will get the desired effects in your production environment.
Nutrition of Floriculture Crops
Three fundamentals for growing plants are fertilizer, substrate, and water. In-house nutrient monitoring provides you with key pH and EC values needed for successful crop production. This webinar provides an overview of pH and EC nutritional disorders, discuss monitoring methods, and present available grower resources.
Successful Handling and Propagation of Unrooted Cuttings
Huge numbers of cuttings are harvested and shipped each year and the value of each shipment can range from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars. Learn how to handle each shipment to maximize the number of high-quality rooted plants. In particular, we discuss how to handle delayed shipments and avoid the difficult decision of whether to propagate the cuttings and try to maintain production schedules or wait for replacement cuttings.
Control and Management of Powdery Mildews
Powdery mildew is one of the most conspicuous plant disease problems that growers face. If you grow roses, gerberas, poinsettias, rosemary, phlox or verbenas (to name a few!) you are very aware of how rapidly this fungus disease can build up to an epidemic. Plant breeding efforts have provided some cultivars that are less susceptible to powdery mildew. But knowledge of which plants are prone to this disease, how unusual symptoms might fool you, and how best to deploy fungicides is critical for growing healthy flower crops. Cornell plant pathologist Margery Daughtrey gives an in-depth discussion of integrated pest management strategy for powdery mildew—including what to grow, what to scout for, and some effective treatment programs using fungicides and/or biofungicides.
Care & Handling: Sell the Highest Quality and Longest Lasting Cut Flowers (webinar for Retail and Wholesale segments)
Are you up to speed on the latest in flower care and handling? What should you do to make sure the flowers you present to your customers are at their best? We’re taking you back to the basics of proper care and handling techniques and why it’s important to make sure everyone on the team is trained properly. AFE has supported the development of ‘industry friendly’ handling techniques for cut flowers. Loann Burke AIFD, AAF, PFCI, a highly acclaimed retail florist and event specialist, will demonstrate many of the key steps every florist should use to assure flower quality and longevity. From flower box to finished design, Loann takes you through every step of the process and shows you the tricks of the trade to keep your flowers fresh and your customers coming back.