As each new season arrives, greenhouse growers face fresh challenges for continually refining production systems and improving crop quality. Join us, along with some of the top experts in the field today, to learn the latest practices for managing pests, managing the greenhouse environment, and optimizing plant nutrition to make the most of your time and budget. Scheduled presentations are as follows:
Agenda
| 8:00 – 9:00 | Attendee check-in |
| 9:00 – 10:00 |
Light, Temperature and Relative Humidity Strategies for Optimal Plant Performance Dr. Neil Mattson, Associate Professor and Greenhouse Specialist, Cornell University This presentation will review how light, temperature, and relative humidity affect plant growth in greenhouses and discuss management strategies to get the most from your greenhouse environment for both flower and vegetable crops. |
| 10:00 – 10:10 | Break |
| 10:10 – 11:10 |
Bad, Bad Botrytis You've seen it, you've grappled with it, but how well do you really know it? This presentation will discuss the biology and behavior of Botrytis as well as integrated pest management options available to greenhouse growers. |
| 11:15 – 12:15 |
Identification of Major Greenhouse Insect and Mite Pests Dr. Anna Wallingford, Extension State Specialist, Entomology & IPM, UNH Extension You cannot treat a pest if you do not know what you have. This presentation will discuss the identification, biology, behavior, life cycle and damage symptoms of major insect and mite pests of greenhouse crops including, aphids, thrips, whitefly, spider mites, broad mites, and fungus gnats. When possible, appropriate management techniques will be mentioned. |
| 12:15 – 1:15 | Lunch (on your own) and Networking Bring your own lunch, or step out to fast food restaurants within a short drive. |
| 1:15 – 2:15 |
Using Guardian Plants to Manage Insect Pests in Greenhouse Crops Carol Glenister, Entomologist & Founder, IPM Labs Inc., Locke, NY The key to a successful biological control program is reducing pest insects while maintaining the beneficial insect population. This presentation will discuss how guardian plant systems work and how to use them properly to help maintain a stable population of beneficial insects. |
| 2:15 – 3:15 |
Improving Fertilizer Efficiency in the Greenhouse Dr. Fred Hulme, Technical Services Director, Horticulture, ICL Specialty Fertilizers Maintaining adequate nutrition is among the most important aspects of producing quality greenhouse crops. This presentation will discuss changes to growing programs that can help improve nutrient and fertilizer efficiency while maintaining adequate plant nutrition. |
| 3:15 | Pesticide Credits Awarded & Adjourn |
Registration
The registration fee is $55 per person.
Please note that lunch is on your own, bring a lunch or step out to fast food restaurants within a short drive.
Pesticide Credits
3 pesticide re-certification credits in Massachusetts category 26 (greenhouse) or category 31 (vegetables) have been approved for this program, valid for equivalent categories in all New England states.
Contact
Geoffrey Njue at (617) 243-1932, gnjue@umext.umass.edu
Jason Lanier at (413) 545-2965, jdl@umass.edu
A portion of the financial support for this program is provided by an endowment fund that supports the UMass Extension Greenhouse Crops and Floriculture Program. To learn more about this endowment or to make a gift, visit: https://ag.umass.edu/greenhouse-floriculture/make-gift-to-extension-greenhouse-crops-floriculture-program
