Category: Nursery & Greenhouse

Measuring the Irrigation Requirement of Container-Grown Nursery Plants (ENH1197/EP458)

Figure 3. Irrigation collection cups are placed above canopy in the vicinity of test plants.Three factors determine the irrigation requirement for container-grown crops: evapotranspiration, capture factor, and distribution uniformity. This 4-page fact sheet describes how these factors can be measured so that irrigation requirements can be determined in the container nursery. Written by Jeff Million and Tom Yeager, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, June 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep458

Proper Use and Handling of Glyphosate in Plant Nurseries (ENH1198/EP459)

Figure 2. Too much glyphosate spray has been applied to this plant, and the runoff represents wasted money and time and could negatively affect non-target plants and animals.Glyphosate is the most used herbicide in the nursery industry in the United States. Used for postemergent control of vegetation, it controls annual and perennial grasses, broadleaves, and sedges. But it is easy to cause unintended damage to desirable vegetation if this product is used incorrectly. This 4-page fact sheet outlines the proper use of glyphosate for plant producers and their employees. Written by Shawn T. Steed and Robert H. Stamps and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, May 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep459

Palm Aphid Cerataphis brasiliensis (Hempel) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Aphidae: Hormaphidinae) (EENY520/IN924)

Figure 1. Adult palm aphid, Cerataphis brasiliensis (Hempel).The palm aphids are the only aphids known to infest palm plants. High populations occasionally become severe in nurseries and the landscape, and can cause substantial damage to young coconut palms. They pierce palm foliage and suck out the plant phloem content, causing yellowing of the tissues and loss of plant vigor. In addition, honeydew production by the aphids promotes sooty mold growth that can limit photosynthesis. Palms heavily infested with aphids can experience stunted growth. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Bonnie C. Wells and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in924

Preemergence Herbicides for Use in Ornamentals (OH94/WG058)

Roses, flowers, ornamental horticulture, gardening. Photo by Eric ZamoraPreemergence herbicides are herbicides that are applied prior to weed seed germination. Control of weeds using preemergence herbicides is most successful when the correct herbicide is applied in the correct manner to a weed-free growing medium prior to weed seed germination. This 60-page fact sheet was written by Robert H. Stamps, Heidi M. Savage, Diane K. Rock, and Jeffrey G. Norcini, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wg058

Anthurium Diseases: Identification and Control in Commercial Greenhouse Operations (PP292)

Figure 1. Anthurium 'Kozohara' used in cut-flower productionBecause of its attractive, long-lasting flowers, Anthurium is popular as both an exotic cut-flower crop and as a flowering potted-plant crop. Growers most often report two bacterial diseases and three fungal diseases in their commercial greenhouse environments. This article provides guidelines to identify and treat diseases that may be encountered during commercial greenhouse production of Anthurium.This 7-page fact sheet was written by David J. Norman and Gul Shad Ali, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp292

Erythrina moths Terastia meticulosalis Guenée and Agathodes designalis Guenée (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Spilomelinae) (EENY516/IN921)

Figure 15. An adult Erythrina leaf-roller, Agathodes designalis Guenée. Photographed in Gainesville, Florida.The little known Erythrina moths represent a remarkable case of niche partitioning. In Florida these two species feed on plants of the genus Erythrina (Fabaceae), including the coral bean, Erythrina herbacea, which is native to North Central Florida and is frequently used as an ornamental. This 10-page fact sheet was written by Andrei Sourakov, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, February 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in921

European Pepper Moth or Southern European Marsh Pyralid Duponchelia fovealis (Zeller) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Crambidae) (EENY508/IN910)

Figure 1. Adult European pepper moth, Duponchelia fovealis (Zeller), showing two identification features: yellowish-white transverse lines (red arrows) and pronounced "finger" (yellow arrow) that points towards the back edge of the wing.Researchers are monitoring this notable greenhouse pest in northern Europe and Canada for the cut flower, vegetable and aquatic plant industries. Its native range is southern Europe, the eastern Mediterranean region, the Canary Islands, Syria and Algeria, but it has expanded its range to include other parts of Africa and the Middle East, northwest India, Europe, Canada and the United States. Recent survey detected adults in pheremone traps in 20 of the 26 Florida counties surveyed. This 11-page fact sheet was written by Stephanie D. Stocks and Amanda Hodges, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in910

Florida Wax Scale, Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock (EENY510/IN913)

Figure 2. Adults and early instar nymphs of the Florida wax scale, Ceroplastes floridensis
 Comstock.The Florida wax scale, Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock, is one of the most commonly encountered soft scales throughout the the southern United States, where it is a serious pest of citrus and several ornamental and landscape plants, like holly.This 4-page fact sheet was written by Shweta Sharma and Eileen Buss, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in913

Management of Orchid Pests with Silwet® L-77 and Horticultural Oils (PP287)

Figure 1. Some of the orchids used in the phytotoxicity study: A) Dendrobium, B) Phalaenopsis, C) Paphiopedilum, and D) Cattleya. No evidence of phytotoxicity was observed on the foliage, roots, flowers, or buds of any of the plants.IFAS researchers evaluated the ability of the surfactant Silwet® L-77 to improve the efficacy of horticultural oils in controlling boisduval scale and mite infestations in orchids. This 3-page fact sheet reports the results and provides homeowners with directions for its use. Written by R. A. Cating, M. A. Hoy, and A. J. Palmateer, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, November 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp287

Alternatives to Petroleum-Based Containers for the Nursery Industry (ENH1193/EP454)

Some alternative containers are made from wood fiber, recycled paper, or cardboard.Biodegradable containers are an increasingly attractive option for consumers and growers alike. This 5-page fact sheet looks at the past, present, and future of containers used in container nursery production. Written by Gary W. Knox and Matthew Chappell, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, November 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep454

Dieffenbachia Diseases: Identification and Control in Commercial Greenhouse Operations (PP286)

Figure 1. Dieffenbachia in commercial productionDieffenbachia is among the top 10 most popular plants produced by commercial foliage growers in Florida. This 4-page fact sheet provides guidelines to identify and treat diseases that may be encountered during the commercial production of Dieffenbachia. Written by David Norman and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp286

Using Gibberellic Acid and Ethephon to Induce Flowers on Tropical Foliage Plants (ENH1186/EP447)

Figure 4. Bromeliad growers routinely apply Florel® treatments to induce shiny, colorful inflorescences.Even though they are prized for their beautiful leaves, flowers are induced in tropical foliage plants for breeding and for marketing purposes. This 6-page fact sheet discusses several factors to consider when developing protocols for inducing blooms in tropical foliage crops. Written by R. J. Henny and J. Chen, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep447

‘Jon Jon’ Magnolia: A Late-Flowering Deciduous Magnolia for Northern Florida (ENH1192 /EP453)

Figure 2. 'Jon Jon' magnolia flowers.This large-flowered, hybrid, deciduous magnolia flowers profusely in late spring, about two weeks after most saucer magnolias, but before foliage emerges. This allows ‘Jon Jon’ to miss spring freezes that often damage saucer and other spring-flowering magnolias. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Gary W. Knox and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep453

Emerald Ash Borer: A Potential Future Threat to Ash Trees in Florida (FOR284/FR346)

An adult emerald ash borer.Do not move firewood into or around the state! This invasive exotic beetle kills ash trees and is likely to reach Florida in the years to come — or faster if it gets transported by humans. Learn more in this 5-page fact sheet was written by Don Spence and Jason Smith, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr346

Nursery Crop Selection and Market Niches (ENH1194/EP455)

New products coordinator photographs banana custard mullein at a UF/IFAS floriculture field day The ultimate success of an ornamental production operation hinges on the ability of that operation to successfully understand which genera, species, and/or cultivars to grow on a year-to-year basis. This 5-page fact sheet describes several important factors that must be considered in order to properly assess which ornamental crops should be grown and which market niches exist that may dictate crop selection. Written by Gary Knox and Matthew Chappell and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, October 2011. UF/IFAS Photo by Josh Wickham.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep455

Reclaimed Water Use for Edible Crop Production in Florida (SL360/SS561)

microirrigation linesIrrigating edible crops with reclaimed water is a promising, cost-effective solution to Florida's overuse of freshwater resources. Learn more in this 4-page fact sheet written by Jamie Lewis and Alan L. Wright and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, September 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss561

‘Cherry Tart’: A Dwarf Red Lance-Leaved Caladium Variety (ENH1184/EP445)

'Cherry Tart' plantsThis 5-page fact sheet introduces a new lance-leafed caladium variety that was released in April 2011. It has bright red color, slightly undulate leaf margins, and a broadly cordate leaf shape. Written by Zhanao Deng and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep445

New Florida Foliage Plant Cultivar: Aglaonema ‘Leprechaun’ (ENH1185/EP446)

Aglaonema 'Leprechaun'This dwarf, more highly branched and rounder cultivar of Aglaonema 'Silver Bay' developed as a whole-stem mutation that was found within a large population of Aglaonema 'Silver Bay' plants. This 4-page fact sheet was written by R. J. Henny and J. Chen, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep446

‘Tapestry’: A Pink Fancy-Leaved Caladium Variety for Containers and Landscapes (ENH1183/EP444)

Tapestry caladiumMove over ‘Carolyn Whorton’, there’s a new variety of fancy-leaved pink caladium coming on the scene. ‘Tapestry’ is intended for use in large containers and landscapes. This 5-page fact sheet was written by Zhanao Deng, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep444

Branch Dieback of Syzygium paniculatum (Eugenia) (PP283)

Eugenia
Eugenia’s popularity stems from its dense, attractive foliage, the ease with which the canopy can be sculpted, and its relatively carefree management. But shortly after Hurricane Wilma in November 2005, a serious dieback disease began to affect nursery production of eugenia in the Homestead area. Since then, the disease has become prevalent, affecting local nurseries throughout South Florida. Learn more about this disease and its management in this 4-page fact sheet written by A. J. Palmateer and T. L. B. Tarnowski, and published by the UF Department of Plant Pathology, July 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp283