December 2009

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The Southeast, in particular Florida, has had a very mild start to fall so far. Florida has been a bit warmer than normal the past few weeks bringing with it some strong sales of color material. For Southeast growers, this warm weather and cooler nights has brought some downy mildew along with it and a late hit of spider mites and thrips. Another challenge facing growers this season is aerila phytopthora on Vinca, a popular bedding plant (see photos below). Confidence remains good for growers who grow "color" but pessimistic for growers of woody plants in 7-10 gallon pots and greater, especially field grown material.

I attended multiple in grower meetings in Alabama and Florida the past few weeks, hosting a few, and the feeling continues to be one of cautious optimism. No question the Florida housing market contiues to lag a bit behind the rest of the country in re-sale value but overall sales have been strong, bringing with it much needed ornamental sales. FreeHand® 1.75G herbicide, Tower® herbicide and Pageant® fungicide sales remain very strong with most growers reporting excellent results. Landscapers are just the latest industry segment to realize the best new pre-emergent herbicides; Have you?

I also made numerous nursery and greenhouse calls in North and Central Florida. Insect pressures don't seem to be good but again some much needed moisture and cooler temps should change some things here later in December. Leafminer seems to be enjoying a good fall season so far in Florida but pressures elsewhere are hit and miss.

I’ve had a lot of questions lately about our horticulture oils, particularly Ultra-Pure™ Oil. This is THE BEST time to be using our oils, particularly our Ultra-Pure Oil. Most landscape and nursery plants throughout most of the United States use a fall application of some type of oil. Ultra-Pure is one of the best available and makes a great fall rotation for any nursery. A 1% spray solution is all that is needed for most pests making Ultra-Pure Oil one of the best values, and resistance management tools, available for that late season application. If you need and OMRI Listed oil, try our PureSpray Green® Oil.

If you still have poinsettias in your greenhouse and have some whiteflies or fungus gnats appearing don't hesitate to go to Attain® TR Micro Total Release Insecticide. Safe on points in color and will do a good job of knocking down those nasty flying insects.

It is time to start cleaning up those greenhouses once you get past the holidays. Don't forget Green-Shield® Disinfectant & Algicide and Ultra-Shield™ Chlorine Dioxide Water Treatment System, the best one, two punch for greenhouse and nursery sanitation. Contact your local BASF T&O rep for more information on the road to cleanliness!

On a personal note, my son, a freshman at Mitchell High School, took two silver medals at the Florida High School state swimming championship in Orlando last month. He was named an All-American and the only freshman to double-medal. It’s a proud Papa moment for me! Here's a link about my son from the St. Petersburg Times:  Click here.


Feel free to call me with any questions on your ornamental crops. Until next time…