Category: Horticulture

Spring Pest Problems

by Mark Bailey
March 1, 2018

Now that winter’s end is in sight, we can look forward to the consistently warmer weather and the explosion of emerging plant life that comes with it. While this wondrous spring event is happening it also coincides with insect pest problems. ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Crops, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease
Tags: Commercial, Crops, Damage, Farm, Farmer, Garden, Gardener, Insecticides, Insects, Pest Control, Pests, Planting, Plants, Produce, Spring

Hydroponics for Homeowners

by maxine32666
March 1, 2018

Hydroponic gardening is a popular technique that has become widely used in residential landscapes as well as commercial production in recent years. Hydroponics is the art of growing plants without soil; this not a new concept, it can be traced ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Horticulture
Tags: Ebb, Flow, Gardening, Growing Medium, Micronutrients, Nutrient Fill, Perlite, Reservoir, Rockwool, Technique, Vertical Drip, Water, Wick System

The Essentials for Plant Growth

by Mark Bailey
February 20, 2018

Trees, shrubs, grass, row crops, et cetera all need essentially the same key components for maximizing growth and maintaining a healthy plant. Essential needs for plant growth include: water availability, soil drainage, soil aeration, access ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Home Landscapes, Horticulture
Tags: Essentials, Grass, Growth, Light, Nutrients, PH, Shrubs, Soil, Trees, Water

Overwintering Pests: Lady bugs, Stink bugs, Mealy bugs and alike!

by maxine32666
February 12, 2018

We have seen a little winter for the first time in several years, but don’t fret spring is almost here! As the weather warms up, pests that were basically hibernating in the egg or pupal stage will emerge as adults from their overwintering ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Pests & Disease
Tags: Eggs, Garden, Insecticidal, Lady Bugs, Landscape, Larvae, Mealybugs, Overwintering, Pests, Scale, Stink Bugs

Will You Be My Valentine?

by Amanda Marek
February 12, 2018

Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is upon us (wasn’t it just Christmas?). A recent survey from the National Retail Federation projects that Americans will spend about $18.2 billion on their valentines this year, and about $2 billion of ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture
Tags: Amaryllis, Gifts, Marek, Red Maple, Valentines Day

Crape Myrtle Pruning

by David Holmes
February 12, 2018

Crape myrtle is a very hardy plant for central Florida, with few cultural problems It is a good thing, for this plant is frequently mistreated, yet survives on toughness. Perhaps the most common malady the plant is asked to overcome is improper ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture
Tags: Crape Murder, Crape Myrtle, Crape Myrtles, Pruning

Peach Thinning Alternatives

by jpopenoe
January 30, 2018

Peach trees produce more flowers than the tree can bring to full size fruit. Only about 5% of flowers are required to set for a commercial crop. Flower or young fruit thinning is required to get larger fruit. Fruit number is reduced, but the ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Horticulture
Tags: Blossom Thinning, Peach Thinning, Popenoe

Citrus Root Architecture from Propagation Method

by jpopenoe
January 30, 2018

Fruit trees are usually a grafted combination of rootstock and top, or scion, that provides the fruit quality desired on a rootstock that will grow well in specific environments and provide certain qualities to the total plant. In citrus, rootstocks ... READ MORE

Category: AGRICULTURE, Horticulture
Tags: Apomictic Seeds, Citrus Rootstock, Popenoe, Propagation, Rooted Cuttings, Tissue Culture

Winter is here!

by maxine32666
January 9, 2018

For the first time in several years we have seen freezing temperatures here in central Florida and will likely see more of them before spring gets here. The cold temperatures can burn back some of our favorite plants and yet help ... READ MORE

Category: Home Landscapes, Horticulture
Tags: Cold Protection, Cold Weather, Damage, Freeze, Freezing, Frost, Frost Cloth, Hunter, New Growth, Ornamentals, Plants, Prune, Temperatures

Resolutions for a Gardener

by David Holmes
January 5, 2018

The New Year provides a natural break and is a good time for reflection and goal setting. What have you accomplished in the past year and will these items be continued? Are there new habits or goals you wish to pursue in the year to come? Planning, ... READ MORE

Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn
Tags: Books, Gardener, Gardening, Goal, Goals, Landscape, Lawns, New Year, Reflection, Resolutions

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