Person in a blue shirt tending to variegated plants with green and white leaves.

From greenhouse to patent: Two new pothos cultivars take root

by Stella Canfield
June 4, 2026

After years of breeding and evaluation at the UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC), two new pothos cultivars, Snowy Stream and Green Isle, have been patented for their distinctive foliage characteristics in one of the world’s ... READ MORE

Category: Horticulture, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Breeding, Cultivars, Horticulture, Indoor Foliage, Jianjun Chen, National Horticulture Foundation, Patents, Pothos, Richard Henny
A collage of five scenes: underwater view, palm trees with skyscrapers, a manatee underwater, a coastal scene, and a natural spring.

Water Wednesday Recap: Stormwater 101: Understanding Drainage, Ponds, and How Florida Manages Rainwater

by Yilin
May 27, 2026

In the May Water Wednesday webinar Stormwater 101: Understanding Drainage, Ponds, and How Florida Manages Rainwater, Dr. Eban Bean, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist of Urban Water Resources Engineering at the University of Florida ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Florida, Green Stormwater Infrastructure, New Residents, Runoff, Stormwater, Stormwater BMPs, Stormwater Management, Water Quality, Water Wednesday
A collage of five scenes: underwater view, palm trees with skyscrapers, a manatee underwater, a coastal scene, and a natural spring.

Water Wednesday Recap: Florida-Friendly Landscaping for New Residents

by Yilin
April 24, 2026

As part of the Water Wednesday webinar series, Tom Wickman, Assistant Director of the Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Program, shared practical guidance on how Florida residents can design and maintain landscapes that work with the state’s ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, Lawn, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: FFL, Florida Friendly Landcaping, Gardening, Irrigation, Landscape, Water Wednesday
A collage of five scenes: underwater view, palm trees with skyscrapers, a manatee underwater, a coastal scene, and a natural spring.

Water Wednesday Recap: Where Your Water Comes From and How to Use It Wisely

by Yilin
April 3, 2026

In March, we hosted the second webinar in our 2026 Water Wednesday: A New Residents Guide to Florida’s Environment series. This session, Florida Water 101, focused on where Florida’s water comes from, how it is used, and what residents should ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Conservation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Aquifer, Florida Water, Floridan Aquifer, Groundwater, Irrigation, New Residents, Reclaimed Water, Water Challenges, Water Conservation, Water Demand, Water Quality, Water Supply, Water Use Florida, Water Wednesday

Papaya banker plant system strengthens biological control of whiteflies

by Stella Canfield
March 24, 2026

A new study finds that papaya banker plants can strengthen control of the sweet potato whitefly, one of the most damaging pests in ornamental crop production. Published in the journal “Biological Control,” the research highlights a promising ... READ MORE

Category: Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Banker Plants, Biological Control, Cindy McKenzie, Lance Osborne, Papaya, Pests, Poinsettias, Whiteflies, Whitefly
A collage of five scenes: underwater view, palm trees with skyscrapers, a manatee underwater, a coastal scene, and a natural spring.

Water Wednesday Webinar Recap: What New Florida Residents Should Know About Climate and Seasons

by Yilin
March 16, 2026

Florida is known as the Sunshine State, but sunshine is only part of the story. Florida’s climate is shaped by water, heat, and seasonal weather patterns. Warm oceans surround the state, and underground aquifers store large amounts of water. ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Climate, Climate Patterns, Dry Season, Extension Water Education, Florida, Hurricane, New Residents, Seasons, Storms, Water, Water Wednesday, Weather, Wet Season
A collage of five scenes: underwater view, palm trees with skyscrapers, a manatee underwater, a coastal scene, and a natural spring.

New to Florida? Join Water Wednesday for Practical Guidance on Florida’s Environment

by Yilin
January 22, 2026

Florida is home to unique weather patterns, water resources, landscapes, and ecosystems. For many new residents, adjusting to these conditions can raise practical questions about everyday life, from lawn care and home maintenance to storm preparedness ... READ MORE

Category: Disaster Preparation, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Home Management, Lawn, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Climate, Environment, Landscaping, Nature, New Residents, Water, Water Wednesday, Wildlife
A collage of five scenes: underwater view, palm trees with skyscrapers, a manatee underwater, a coastal scene, and a natural spring.

New Year’s Resolutions for Private Well Owners

by Yilin
January 7, 2026

A new year is a natural time to reflect, reset, and commit to healthier habits. For Floridians who rely on private wells for drinking water, the new year is also a great opportunity to recommit to protecting household water quality. Unlike ... READ MORE

Category: Home Management, Water
Tags: Drinkign Water Safety, Florida Well Owner Network, Florida Well Owners, FWON, Groundwater, Private Wells, UF/IFAS Extension, Well Maintenance, Well Water Testing
Collage of a septic system tank, flooded road with a warning sign, and construction area with septic system drainage pipes.

Recap: Hurricane Preparedness for Private Well & Septic System Owners Webinar

by Yilin
September 8, 2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Hurricane Preparedness and Your Water Systems webinar, hosted by the UF/IFAS Extension Florida Well Owner Network. We had excellent participation and thoughtful questions throughout the session! (more…) READ MORE

Category: Disaster Preparation, Home Management, UF/IFAS Extension, Water
Tags: Drinking Water, Flooding, Florida Well Owner Network, FWON, Hurricane Preparation, Hurricane Preparedness, Hurricanes, Private Wells, Septic Systems, Septics, Storms, Wells

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