Category: UF/IFAS

Leaves of industrial hemp plants in a greenhouse

Hemp flowering behavior research provides further guidance for Florida growers

by Tory Moore
February 26, 2026

New UF/IFAS research suggests Florida growers must carefully select hemp varieties and factor the length of a given day when scheduling when to plant. Understanding hemp flowering behavior, or how it responds to light and varying daylengths ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Archive, Hemp, Hemp Research, Industrial Hemp, UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research Education Center, UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Pilot Project, UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research And Education Center
Macro image of the texture of begonia leaves

Building better begonias

by Tory Moore
February 26, 2026

Begonias are among the top five most popular plants found in flower beds and Florida leads the way in production with sales valuing more than $11.8 million, according to the USDA. But heat waves and drought have hurt begonia production in the ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Archive, Begonias, Climate Change, Environmental Horticulture, Florida Department Of Agriculture And Consumer Services, Fngla, Grant, Plant Breeding, Usda

Banker plants effective for managing thrips on roses

by Tory Moore
October 7, 2025

Chilli thrips are a nuisance to rose growers, as their feeding causes foliar and flower damage. For the first time, UF/IFAS researchers investigated the utility of a banker plant system for managing chilli thrips on roses. Recently published ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Banker Plants, Biological Control, Chilli Thrips, Department Of Entomology And Nematology, Entomology, Entomology And Nematology, Mid-Florida Research And Education Center, Predatory Mites, Thrips, UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research And Education Center
A close up image of pokeweed, a stalk with some green buds and pink flowers.

Be aware of these common toxic plants, experts say

by Tory Moore
October 1, 2025

Weeds and invasive plants can be a nuisance to a home or business landscape, and some of them are also toxic to people or animals. A new UF/IFAS publication details some of the most common poisonous plants found in Florida residential landscapes. Ingestion ... READ MORE

Category: HOME LANDSCAPES, Horticulture, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension
Tags: Awareness, Gardening, Landscape, Marble, Mid-Florida Research And Education Center, Poisonous Plants, Scouting, Toxic, Toxic Plants, UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research And Education Center, Weed Science
Yellow Bromeliads.

Foliage, Florals and Tropics Galore: MREC at 2025 TPIE

by Stella Canfield
February 5, 2025

The Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC) connected with industry professionals at the Florida Nursery, Growers, and Landscape Association (FNGLA)’s 2025 Tropical Plant International Expo (TPIE) – a premier trade event showcasing ... READ MORE

Category: Events, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Alfred Huo, David Norman, Fngla, Lance Osborne, Tpie, Tropical Plant International Expo

UF/IFAS researchers work to advance grapevine health, helping California’s wine industry

by Stella Canfield
January 15, 2025

UF/IFAS researchers are tackling a critical challenge: protecting California’s $73 billion wine and wine grape industry. Grapevine red blotch disease (GRBD) and grapevine leafroll disease (GLD), caused by complex insect vector-borne viruses, ... READ MORE

Category: Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Kirsten Pelz-Stelinski, Mid-Florida Research And Education Center, MREC, National Academy Of Sciences, Ozgur Batuman, Research, Southwest Florida Research And Education Center, Wine
Attendees at the Growing Together Symposium.

2024 Growing Together Symposium Connects Agricultural Community with Experts, Resources

by Stella Canfield
August 8, 2024

The Growing Together Symposium made a memorable return on Aug. 1 for its second annual event, bringing together over 45 Central Florida farmers, growers and industry professionals at the UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC). ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Events, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, , Water
Tags: Ag BMPs, Ag Policies, Central Florida, Extension, Free Event, Greenhouses, Jianjun Chen, Kirsten Pelz-Stelinski, Liz Felter, Outreach, Plant Clinic, Yilin Zhuang

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