About Weeds…
What is a Weed? There are many definitions for the term, and the matter is rather subjective. A universally accepted definition is that a weed is a plant that grows where it is not wanted. They may be… Read More
Category: Change Category
2019 International Coastal Cleanup
Held annually on the third Saturday of September, this year’s International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) marked more than three decades of this important event. Started by The Ocean Conservancy, this world-wide coastal cleanup brings attention to a pervasive problem:… Read More
Sargassum Update
As we observed last summer and the years before that, Miami-Dade County’s beaches received large influxes of sargassum seaweed on a consistent basis. Florida joins the larger Caribbean in experiencing this phenomenon, and we are trying to figure… Read More
Florida Grades and Standards: Choosing Quality Plants
Imagine that you want to buy a 2” trunk caliper Live oak tree, Quercus virginiana. How do you know if it is a quality tree? Maybe it is too short, maybe the crown is too narrow and has… Read More
Preparing for the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season
Well folks, it’s that time of the year again. Aside from being summer (the most wonderful time of the year), another hurricane season has begun (not the most wonderful time of the year). Starting June 1 and ending… Read More
SCTLD Observer Training Launches with Swimming Success
Florida’s Coral Disease Event The Florida Reef Tract (FRT) has an asset value of $8.5 billion per year and supports 70,400 jobs in South Florida. Unfortunately, an outbreak of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) has devastated 26… Read More
Happy World Wetlands Day!
While friends and family in more northern parts of the United States are rejoicing in the sighting (or lack thereof) of Groundhogs Day’s Puxatawney Phil, we here in South Florida are recognizing a different holiday that has special… Read More
My version of the Facebook challenge
To my surprise, the recent Facebook “aging challenge” (post your profile picture from 10 years ago, and your current one) really got me thinking, but not about the ways that my face has aged in a decade. At… Read More
Lethal Viral Necrosis (associated with Sugarcane Mosaic Virus-SCMV) frequently asked questions
Recently in Miami-Dade County, several samples were diagnosed positive for a new disease called lethal viral necrosis (associated with sugarcane mosaic virus, SCMV) on Saint Augustinegrass, cultivar ‘Floratam’. The following are the most frequent questions that the… Read More
Common questions about the Rugose Spiraling Whitefly (Aleurodicus rugioperculatus)
Lately have you been noticing something strange in your coconut palms, gumbo-limbo and other plants? It could be related to the reappearance of the Rugose Spiraling Whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus) (RSW). If you remember correctly, it was first reported… Read More