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Floral Notes Newsletters

Please Note: The Floral Notes newsletter is on indefinite hiatus starting with the 2019 calendar year. 

Back issues dating to 2012 are archived for your reference. 

  • Floral Notes 2018 Vol. 31:3

    In This Issue
    • Upcoming Greenhouse Production 2019 program details.
    • Use of liquid and granular organic fertilizers in combination for petunias
    • Farewell from editor Doug Cox
    • Retail handling of poinsettias
    • Farm Succession School
    • 2019 Perennial Plant of the Year
    • MDAR agriculture truck regulations
    • Marketing to elementary school children
    • Updating or creating your business plan
  • Floral Notes 2018 Vol. 31:2

    In This Issue
    • In Memoriam: Paul J. Mahoney
    • Farm Succession School
    • Greenhouse Production 2019 - Focus on Pest Management
    • Thinking About Starting a Biological Control Program in Your Greenhouse?
    • High Soluble Salts in High Tunnel Soil
    • Biocontrols, Biopesticides, Biostimulants, Oh My!
    • Nitrate Accumulation and Growth of Lettuce Under Commercial Organic and Chemical Fertilizer Solutions
    • Cloudy Weather Greenhouse Tips
  • Floral Notes 2018 Vol. 31:1

    In This Issue
    • 2018 MFGA Summer Trials and Educational Program
    • Use of Liquid and Granualr Fertilizers in Combination
    • Heat Savings with Infrared Plastics
    • Root Diseases of Greenhouse Crops
  • Floral Notes 2018 Vol. 30:6

    In This Issue
    • Greenhouse Biological Control Conference
    • Basil Downy Mildew Update
    • Weed Management Options for Field-Grown Cutflowers
    • Watering Plants
    • Surface Application of Granular Organic Fertilizers
  • Floral Notes 2018 Vol. 30:5

    In This Issue
    • Meet the new UMass Greenhouse Crops and Floriculture Team
    • Tina Bemis named one of the greenhouse industry 2018 "Greenhouse Greats" by Greenhouse Management Magazine
    • Learn management concepts for greenhouse disease prevention
    • Tips on dealing with cloudy weather
    • How to connect with UMass Soil Testing and Plant Diagnostic Labs
    • Respirator Train the trainer workshops
  • Floral Notes 2018 Vol. 30:4

    In This Issue
    • Schedule of the Flower Growers Winter meeting and Education program on Thursday February 8,  2018  at King Farm in Townsend, MA
    • Calibrachoa Trouble Shooting
    • What the New Tax Law Means for Northeast Agriculture
    • Review of PGRs for Height Control of Spring Crops
    • Natural ventilation Guidelines
    • The Census of Agriculture is a Producer's Voice, Future and Opportunity
  • Floral Notes 2017 Vol. 30:3

    In This Issue
    • Schedule of the UMass Extension greenhouse production and management program on Thursday January 11, 2017 at Publick House in Sturbridge, MA
    • 2018 Perennial plant of the year- Allium ' Millenium'
    • Farm Credit East's GenerationNext seeks young Ag leaders looking to develop management skills
    • Using Biological Controls: Checking for quality
    • Capturing CO2 from the atmoshere - New Swiss Technology
  • Floral Notes 2017 Vol. 30:2

    In This Issue
    • Upcoming events
    • Managing whiteflies on poinsettia
    • Survival of insect and mite pests in empty greenhouses during winter
    • No fooling around with lilies for Easter 2018
    • Storm preparedness and response
  • Floral Notes 2017 Vol. 30:1

    Summer
    In This Issue
    • 2017 MFGA Summer Trial Garden Tour & Education Program for Greenhouse Growers and Garden retailers
    • Tina Smith Retires from UMass Extension After 38+ Years
    • UConn Native Plants and Pollinators Conference
    • 2017 Biological Control Workshop at UConn Take Home Tips
    • Soluble Salts and Electrical Conductictivity (EC)

     

  • Floral Notes 2017 Vol. 29:6

    In This Issue
    • Irrigating Greenhouse Crops
    • Garden Mums for Fall
    • Photovoltaic Solar Electricity for Greenhouses
    • How to Maintain the Quality of Plants in the Retail Area
  • Floral Notes 2017 Vol. 29:5

    In This Issue

    Management of Diseases on Edibles in the Greenhouse

    • Save Fuel and Electricity with and Energy/Shade Screen
    • Transplant Disorders
    • Transplant Height and Hardening-off
    • Pinching and Cutting Back Plants for Height Control
  • Floral Notes 2017 Vol. 29:4

    In This Issue
    • Take-Home Biocontrol Messages for the Northeast Greenhouse Conference
    • Soil Testing and Plant Diagnostic Laboratories
    • Conserve Energy to Reduce Heating Costs This Winter
  • Floral Notes 2016 Vol. 29:3

    In This Issue
    • Highlights from Trial Garden Tour
    • Storing Pesticides in the Winter
    • 2017 Easter Lily Crop
  • Floral Notes 2016 Vol. 29:2

    In This Issue
    • Cultural Methods to Prevent Production and Disease Problems of Poinsettia
    • Tips on Storing and Using Beneficial Nematodes
    • Soil Testing in High Tunnels
  • Floral Notes 2016 Vol. 29:1

    In This Issue
    • Budworms on Petunias, Calibrachoas and Geraniums
    • Sunflower Moths on Composites
    • Keynote Presentation: Connecting People with Flowers (to be held at Northeast Greenhouse Conf. in Nov.)
    • Plant Response to Nature's Source and Eco-Vita Organic Fertilizers vs. Plantex Chemical Fertilizer
    • Disease Control with Products that Elicit Plant Defenses
  • Floral Notes 2016 Vol. 28:6

    In This Issue
    • New Fungicide Products for Greenhouse Ornamental Production
    • Take Steps to Prevent and Control Botrytis in Greenhouse Crops
    • Retail Care: Watering, Cleaning, Fertilizing
    • Garden Mums- Early Season
    • Silicon for Greenhouse Floriculture Crops?
  • Floral Notes 2016 Vol. 28:5

    In This Issue
    • What a Greenhouse Grower Needs to Know About Vegetable Diseases
    • Top Native Perennials for Pollinator Gardens
  • Floral Notes 2016 Vol. 28:4

    In This Issue
    • Reducing Humidity in the Greenhouse
    • Photoperiod Lighting to Create Long Days
  • Floral Notes 2015 Vol. 28:3

    In This Issue
    • Upcoming Program: Biological Control in Greenhouses - Success is in the Details
    • Bagged Potting and Garden Soils
    • Winter Storage of Pesticides
  • Floral Notes 2015 Vol. 28:2

    In This Issue
    • Nov 10, Program Registration: Growing Spring Crops in Greenhouses - Get Ready for Spring 2016!
    • Organic Nutrition Project for Vegetable Transplants and Herbs
    • September Greenhouse Cleaning and Biocontrol
  • Floral Notes 2015 Vol. 28:1

    In This Issue
    • Combining Organic Fertilizers Reduces the Risk of Leaf Chlorosis Caused by Ammonium Toxicity
    • Take-Away Tips from Biological Control Conference
    • Fertilizing Flower Gardens and Avoid Too Much Phosphorus
  • Floral Notes 2015 Vol. 27:6

    In This Issue
    • Biological Control Program on June 18, 2015
    • Shade for Summer Cooling
    • Greenhouse Grower's Guide to Testing Irrigation Water for Water-borne Pathogens
    • Powdery Mildew
    • Young Biological Horticulturists Supply Banker Plants
  • Floral Notes 2015 Vol. 27:5

    In This Issue
    • Controlling Aphids
    • Managing Downy Mildew of Basil in 2015
    • Using PGRs for Height Control of Spring Crops
    • Greenhouse APPs for Mobile Devices
  • Floral Notes 2015 Vol. 27:4

    In This Issue
    • FAQ's Selling Plants at a Farmers Market
    • Scheduling Biologicals
    • Program Announcements
  • Floral Notes 2014 Vol. 27:3

    In This Issue

    Plant Nutrition and Organic Certification for Greenhouse Crops
    New Insecticides, Miticides and Herbicides for Greenhouse Ornamentals
    Properly Inflate Your Double-Poly Greenhouse to Save Energy and Improve Light Transmission
    Getting Started Using Biological Control in Greenhouses- Selecting a Supplier of Biological Control Agents
    Preventing Rodent Damage in the Greenhouse

  • Floral Notes 2014 Vol. 27:2

    In This Issue

    Program announcements
    New England Greenhouse Floriculture Guide Ordering Info
    Greenhouse Cleanup
    Cleaning Containers
    Thoughts on Using Organic Fertilizers for Greenhouse plants
    Greenhouse Heat Distribution
    Summary of Presentations from Summer Conference and Trade Show

  • Floral Notes 2014 Vol. 27:1

    In This Issue

    Neonicotinoids
    Native Pollinators and Greenhouse Production
    Can Raising the Level (ppm N) of Liquid Organic Fertilizers Optimize Plant Growth Relative to Chemical Water-soluble Fertilizer
    Spray Coverage is Key for Effective Treatment Results in Greenhouse

  • Floral Notes 2014 Vol. 26:6

    In This Issue

    Ammonium Toxicity as a Cause of Foliar Chlorosis on Geranium
    Natural Ventilation in Hoophouses
    What are Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

  • Floral Notes 2014 Vol. 26:5

    In This Issue

    Seed Butying 101: A Seed Gardener's Glossary
    Add Greenhouse Vegetable to Your Production Mix
    2014 Perennial Plant of the Year
    Natural Ventilation in Greenhouses

  • Floral Notes 2014 Vol. 26:4

    In This Issue

    Tips for Producing Transplants from Seed
    Reduce Pesticides with Simple Steps to Go Organic
    Nutrient Status of Leaf Chlorosis of Seed Geraniums Grown with Organic Fertilizers

  • Floral Notes 2013 Vol. 26:3

    In This Issue

    Stockbridge School Internship Program
    Reducing Storm Damage to Your Greenhouses
    Managing Nutrient Problems of Greenhouse Crops
    Rearing Beneficial Nematodes: Do-it-yourself Guide

  • Floral Notes 2013 Vol. 26:2

    In This Issue

    The Ins and Outs of Biological Control program
    Stockbridge School of Agriculture Update
    Plastic Film Update
    Selecting the Right Growing Media for Your Crops
    Disease and Pest Management in the Landscape Seminar

  • Floral Notes 2013 Vol. 26:1

    In This Issue

    Geoffrey Njue joins UMass Extension
    Update on Biocontrol on Poinsettias
    UMass Soil and Tissue Testing, Response of 'First Lady' Marigolds to Plant Extract Fertilizers, Granular Organic Fertilizers, and Biochar
    Clean-up of Two-spotted Spider Mites

  • Floral Notes 2013 Vol. 25:6

    In This Issue

    Response of 'Ringo 2000' Seed Geranium to Plant Extract and Granular Organic Fertilizers
    UMass Soil and Tissue Testing

  • Floral Notes 2013 Vol. 25:5

    In This Issue

    Managing Two-spotted Spider Mites
    Polygonatium odoratum 'Variegatum'
    Impatiens Downy Mildew Isn't the Only Downy Mildew You Need To Worry About!
    UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab
    Botrytis (Gray Mold)

  • Floral Notes 2013 Vol. 25:4

    In This Issue

    Reduced Energy Costs: Greenhouses and Nurseries
    Annual Injector Maintenance
    Preventing and Rescuing Overgrown Plants
     

  • Floral Notes 2012 Vol. 25:3

    In This Issue

    Alternatives to Garden Impatiens, Checklist for Spring Greenhouse Crop Production
    Disease Resistant Plants
    Northeast Agriculture: The Overlooked Economic Engine
     

  • Floral Notes 2012 Vol. 25:2

    In This Issue

    Elm Bank Trial Gardens
    Cleaning Greenhouses

  • Floral Notes 2012 Vol. 24:6

    In This Issue

    Topics: Garden Mum Production Tips
    Reducing Moisture in High Tunnels
    Diseases and Their Control in High Tunnels

  • Floral Notes 2012 Vol. 24:6

    In This Issue

    Topics: Garden Mum Production Tips
    Reducing Moisture in High Tunnels
    Diseases and their Control in High Tunnels

  • Floral Notes 2012 Vol. 24:5

    In This Issue

    Topics: Paul Lopes Retires from UMass Extension after 38 years! Massachusetts Dept. of Agricultural Resources Grants
    Heating your Greenhouse with Grain Corn Hybrid Yield Evaluation
    UMass Extension Resources for Greenhouse Businesses and Garden Retailers

  • Floral Notes 2012 Vol. 24:4

    In This Issue

    Topics: USDA Aphis Proposes Changes in Chrysanthemum White Rust Regulations
    Water Quality: What's in Your Water?
    Protect Your Water System with a Good Filter
    New Soil Testing Videos on the UMass Floriculture's YouTube Channel

  • Floral Notes 2012 Vol. 24:1

    In This Issue

    Topics: Growing Edible Greens
    Permaculture Gardens: An Emerging Trend
    Social Media

  • Floral Notes 2011 Vol. 24:3

    In This Issue

    Meet our New Director of the UMass Extension Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory
    2012 Easter Lily Schedule and Comments
    Heating Your Greenhouse with Grain Corn Hybrid Yield Evaluation
    Fertilizing Bedding Plant Seedlings
    Botrytis Disease on Greenhouse Crops

  • Floral Notes 2011 Vol. 24:2

    In This Issue

    Plant Nutrition Program announcement
    Sustainable Approaches to Greenhouse Crop Fertilization
    2011 Mass Hort Trial Gardens at Elm Bank
    Program announcement: Tree Production for Landscapes: Preliminary Research Results for Planting Methods

  • Floral Notes 2011 Vol. 24:1

    In This Issue

    New UMass Greenhouse
    Powdery Mildews on Ornamental Plants
    Insect-killing Nematodes and Thrips Control
    Organic Fertilizer Leads to Different Growth Response
    Nutrient Use and Nitrogen Leaching by Marigold

  • Floral Notes 2011 Vol. 23:6

    In This Issue

    Converting Chemical Fertilizer Recommendations to Organic: Using Natural Fertilizers in Ground Beds in Greenhouses
    Daylily Streak and Daylily Rust
    Surface Water for Irrigation

  • Floral Notes 2011 Vol. 23:5

    In This Issue

    Tomato Transplant Production and Late Blight
    Aphid Banker Plants
    Geothermal Heating and Cooling for Greenhouses

  • Floral Notes 2011 Vol. 23:4

    In This Issue

    New UMass Diagnostic Lab location
    Q&A Water pH and Alkalinity
    Get Growing Media Storage Savvy
    Forcing Hydrangeas

  • Floral Notes 2010 Vol. 23:3

    In This Issue

    Beneficial Nematodes: An easy way to begin using biological control
    Spring 2010 UMass Plant Diagnostic Lab Results
    2011-2012 New England Greenhouse Floriculture Guide

  • Floral Notes 2010 Vol. 23:2

    In This Issue

    New Greenhouse Construction Begins at UMass
    Marketing to the Post-Recession and Eco-Consumer
    Presentation Summary from Summer Field Day
    2010 UMass Extension Shelled Corn for Greenhouse Heat Program
    Forcing Strategies for a Late-date Easter

  • Floral Notes 2010 Vol. 23:1

    In This Issue

    Calibrachoa: Response to Chemical and Organic Fertilizers
    Baptisia australis
    Downy Milew on Basil
    Pest Management on Poinsettias

  • Floral Notes 2010 Vol. 22:6

    In This Issue

    Growing a Energy and Space Efficient Poinsettia Crop
    A Few Pointers for Better Irrigation
    A Hedge with an Edge for Erosion Control
    Should Production in High Tunnels Be Part of Your Specialty Crop Enterprise

  • Floral Notes 2010 Vol. 22:5

    In This Issue

    Weed Management
    Preparing and Sending Samples to the UMass Diagnostic Laboratory
    Ornamental Peppers
    Garden Retailers and Late Blight
    Instructions for Soil Testing

  • Floral Notes 2010 Vol. 22:4

    In This Issue

    Biocontrol for Spring Crops: Propagation
    Prevent Iron Chlorosis on Spring Crops
    Rainwater Harvesting

  • Floral Notes 2009 Vol. 22:3

    In This Issue

    2010 Easter Lily Schedule
    Growth Medium pH and Water Soluble Fertilizers
    Upgrade Environmental Control Equipment

  • Floral Notes 2009 Vol. 22:2

    In This Issue

    New Bedding Plants and Annual Garden Flowers
    Selecting Energy/Shade Screen System for Greenhouses

  • Floral Notes 2009 Vol. 22:1

    In This Issue

    Photoperiod and Bedding Plants
    Organic Fertilizers and Soilless Media Show Promise
    Two New "Black" Ornamental Peppers Heading to Market

  • Floral Notes 2009 Vol. 21:6

    In This Issue

    Corn for Greenhouse Heat Project
    Nitrogen and Water Loss by Leaching from Different Composted Cranberry Pomace Media

  • Floral Notes 2009 Vol. 21:5

    In This Issue

    Economy Spurs Home Garden Boom
    2009 Perennial Plant of the Year
    Water: a Limited Factor to Expansion
    What's Wrong With My Crop - A Diagnostic Checklist

  • Floral Notes 2009 Vol. 21:4

    In This Issue

    Root Zone Heat: Installation Techniques
    Field Trials Assessing Sunscald and Flowering of Coleus Cultivars

  • Floral Notes 2008 Vol. 21:3

    In This Issue

    Growing Vegetable Plants
    2009 Easter Lily Schedule
    Heating with Bioheat & Waste Oil

  • Floral Notes 2008 Vol. 21:2

    In This Issue

    Geothermal Heat for Greenhouses

    Transitioning to Renewable Energy for Greenhouse Heat

    Biological Control in Greenhouses: Preparing for Spring Crops

Publications & Resources

  • Newsletters
  • Greenhouse Best Management Practices (BMP) Manual
  • New England Greenhouse Floriculture Guide
  • Biological Control/Organic Information
  • Pesticide Information (Labels, MSDS, WPS)
  • Pesticide Licensing (Certification, Exams, Workshops)
  • Resources for Garden Retailers
  • Useful Links
  • Nutrient Management
  • Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing and Diagnostics

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