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: Home Landscapes
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
Federal Domestic Soil Quarantines Map
Did you know that United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service a.k.a. APHIS, restricts the movement of domestic soil from areas within the continental United States that are under quarantine for specific plant pests…. Read More
International Plant Expo in Florida
Did you know that the #ornamental #plant industry in south Florida creates almost 40,000 jobs? And one place for you to see why, is the annual TPIE event. What is TPIE? The Tropical Plant International Expo (TPIE) is… 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
Paying attention to an outbreak of tomato chlorotic spot virus (TCSV) again in this growing season
What we have seen in tomato fields We have observed an outbreak of tomato chlorotic spot virus (TCSV) in some tomato fields. It could become a great concern again in this growing season. As everybody may remember that… Read More
Fusarium Wilt on Washingtonia palms
Are you noticing that the big and tall Washingtonia palm (Washingtonia robusta) are dying in the landscape? Lately, I am seeing a lot of damage in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The cause of the problem is a disease… Read More
New Pests found in Florida during 2018
What do the following names have in common: Anthonomus testaceosquamosus, the hibiscus bud weevil; Fiorinia phantasma, the Phantasma Scale; Aceria litchii, the lychee erinose mite? All these pests were introduce or reintroduce to Florida during 2018 and were… Read More
Do You Want Your Fruit Trees to Produce? Here’s How!
When it comes to your landscape, growing fruit trees is different from most of the other plants in your yard because you have a concrete goal—to produce fruit. In order to reach this goal, you need your trees… Read More