TNLA
Green July/August 2020
EXPO A Tribute to the
NURSERY/LANDSCAPE
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE July/August 2020 TNLA Green
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TNLA Green July/August 2020
10 Cover Story:
TNLA
Green
July/August 2020
CONTENTS
A Tribute to the Nursery/ Landscape EXPO
02 Chairman’s Letter 04 TNLA Green Update
The latest updates from TNLA.
08 In Memoriam
Remembering Gary Kinney, a Texas Green Industry and TNLA Legacy
16 Green Vision
The potential of biochar to replace peat moss as container substrate and its limitation
20 Notes from SFA Gardens
SFA’s Trialing Garden: Where Only the Best Survive
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22 Bugs & Fuzz
Thrips causing grief?
28 Quiz July/August 2020 TNLA Green
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Letter FROM THE CHAIR
TNLA
Green
The official publication of the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association July/August | Vol. 23 No. 4
ON BEHALF OF the TNLA board of directors, I want to say how excited I am as we move into the second half of 2020 and then into 2021. Wow, what a year it has been! Not only has COVID-19 forced us to do business in new ways, it has taught us that we have to be willing to adapt to changes in multiple areas of our lives. By now, you are aware that the 2020 EXPO has been canceled due to COVID-19. The board of directors reviewed every option, but we unanimously voted that canceling the event was the safest decision for TNLA members, vendors, and other EXPO attendees. There is nobody who loves to network and socialize with friends in the green industry more than I do, so I understand the disappointment. However, the TNLA staff is planning virtual events in lieu of the EXPO, including the TEIL Awards Ceremony, TNLA’s Annual Business Meeting & Virtual Awards Fiesta and the TNLA Labor Summit. We also have the launch of the TNLA app and are working to make next year’s EXPO better than ever. Mark your calendars for Aug. 5-7, 2021. As we look ahead to the new year, the board of directors continue to seek avenues to improve the association. I am very proud of our Texas association, and I believe we can capitalize on one of our greatest strengths: the diversity of people in our state and across our industry. We can do more to provide greater opportunities to the young men and women coming to us right out of high school, college, and the military. And, to better reflect our industry, TNLA has worked hard to include more representation from diverse communities and business backgrounds. I look forward to reaching out across Texas and within different regions to find new ways to encourage more opportunities for everyone. I am confident that if each of us “use our voices” and speak with truth and kindness while listening to the concerns of others, we can learn and ultimately be a better green industry. There is no doubt that we are going to be a different association coming out of COVID-19. This year has taught us a lot about managing changes in the industry. But I’m convinced we will come out of this time period a stronger and more educated green industry. Ultimately leading better businesses across the State of Texas. TIM LITTLE TNLA CHAIR
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TNLA Green July/August 2020
Directors
Chairman of the Board ... Tim Little, McKinney Chairman-Elect ... Adrian Muehlstein, TMCNP, Carrollton Immediate Past Chairman ... Jay Williams, League City President/CEO ... Amy Graham, Austin
Board of Directors
Region I ... Kevin Grossberndt, Bigfoot Region II ... Mike Hugg, TCNP, TCLP, Houston Region III ... Nigel Clark, Winnsboro Region IV ... Craig Duttarer, TCLP, Carrollton Region V ... Jackie Smith, Santo Region VI ... Steven Akers, Slaton Region VII ... Gerry Bower, Weslaco Region VIII ... Brad Seever, Austin Supplier Director ... Mark Manny, Crosby Grower Director ... Kevin Norris, Coppell Landscape Director ... Kyle Cahill, TCLP, TCWSP, Houston Irrigation Director ... Devin Guinn, Dallas Retail Director ... Dean Warren, Kingwood Director At-Large ... Bobby Eichholz, PLA, ASLA, San Antonio Director At-Large ... Estela Garcia-Perez, San Antonio Director At-Large .... Rachelle Kemp, TCLP, TMCNP, Waco
TNLA Staff
President/CEO ... Amy Graham Director of Finance ... Cheryl Staritz Director, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs… Ryan Skrobarczyk Director, EXPO Exhibits and Membership... Amy Prenger, CEM Director, TNLA & EXPO Marketing/Communications... Sarah Riggins, CEM Director, Industry Education and Certifications… James Theiss, TCLP, TCWSP, Certified Arborist Office Operations Assistant... Nancy Sollohub Membership & Certification Specialist… Sara Fern Specialist, TNLA and EXPO Marketing/Communications… Ashley Pettibone Senior Sales Manager...Trevor Peevey
Magazine Staff
October Custom Publishing Editor ... Sarah Thurmond Creative Director ... Torquil Dewar Art Director ... Shelley Lai Production ... Zach Scouras TNLA Green magazine is a member service of the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association, and is published bi-monthly. Advertising information is available from TNLA, 7730 South IH 35, Austin, Texas 78745, online at www.tnlaonline.org, or by calling (800) 880-0343. TNLA office hours are weekdays, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM CST. Copyright 2020 Texas Nursery Landsape & Association
July/August 2020 TNLA Green
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TNLA
Green
UPDATE
So Long and Farewell to TNLA Green
FOR DECADES TNLA GREEN has captured many Texas green industry moments for the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association. Now it is time to say goodbye to a trusted resource. However, before we do, we would like to take a moment to look back at the history of the magazine. As many of you know, before we became TNLA we were known as the Texas Association of Nurserymen (TAN). In the late 1950s, the association provided updates to members’ mailboxes by developing the T.A.N. Bulletin. The T.A.N. Bulletin, produced from 1958 to 1969, had a newsletter format that was carefully and meticulously hand typed to cover each important rule, regulation, and happening for the association. During this time, news included TDA requirements for sale yards, nurseries, and the camellia petal blight quarantine; the Federal Unemployment Compensation Act was reviewed; and the Nurserymen’s Short Course was provided to members. The years went by and a new four-color print magazine version of the publication came on the scene from 1970 to 1998, called The Texas Nurseryman. During this time, research took place on synthetic wood pulp containers, fire ant quarantines remained, and TAN celebrated 50 years. As the years passed, the association continued to grow rapidly and went through many changes, as did the growth of the Texas green industry. In 1999, when TAN and the
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TNLA Green July/August 2020
Texas Association of Landscape Contractors merged to become the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association, the publication’s name changed for a brief stent to Texas Green. Then in April 1999, TNLA Green magazine emerged. From then on TNLA Green carried on the legacy of the publications before it. TNLA Green’s goal was to document important actions for the association and adequately report on the happenings of the Texas green industry. TNLA Green has covered numerous EXPO’s, provided annual reports and industry economic impact studies, reported firsthand on tracking important legislation during each session, showcased award-winning landscapes from the Texas Excellence in Landscape Awards, and celebrated a lifetime of achievements from our members including winners of the Arp, Summit, and Young Leader Awards. While we are saying goodbye to a long-standing print publication, know that TNLA will continue to bring members news on important issues, program offerings, achievements, and events by utilizing digital and online formats that will provide faster, more efficient updates than ever before. TNLA Green and the publications before it will always remain examples of the proud and strong Texas green industry we represent. We know we have big shoes to fill, but we look forward to the endeavor and all of the opportunities that lie ahead to better serve our members. TNLA
Green
July/August 2020 TNLA Green
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TNLA
Green
UPDATE
Mark Your Calendar
TNLA’s Labor Summit, TEIL Awards Celebration, Annual Business Meeting & Awards Fiesta Go Virtual EVERY YEAR TNLA HOSTS special events that celebrate its members and provide them with valuable information about the green industry. However, with social gatherings limited due to the rise in COVID-19 cases, these occasions are being adapted to virtual formats. While you may not be able to see your green industry colleagues in person, you will be able to watch the events live and for free. Starting at noon on Aug. 14, the Texas Excellence in Landscaping (TEIL) Awards Celebration (sponsored by Texas Green Industry Safety Group) begins streaming. Each year, landscaping firms throughout Texas submit their most outstanding work. Then a panel of industry professionals choose the winning outdoor projects. Bronze, silver, and gold awards are given out in the following categories: •C ommercial Installation (under $100,000, between $100,000 and $500,000, and over $500,000) • Commercial Maintenance •R esidential Installation (under $50,000, between $50,000 and $150,000, and over $150,000) •R esidential Maintenance • Special Project • Unique Features • Design This year’s online award ceremony offers a chance to see the winning projects and gain insights from the award winners about their designs and inspirations. Following the TEIL Awards will be the TNLA Annual
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TNLA Green July/August 2020
Texas Excellence in Landscaping (TEIL) Gold Award Winner, Matt W. Stevens Landscape Architect, LLC (Miller Residence, Residential Installation $50,000–$150,000) Photo by Vernon Wentz, Ad Imagery Photography, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX
Business Meeting & Virtual Awards Fiesta (sponsored by Texas Green Industry Safety Group), from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The association delivers its Year in Review and honors the members who have risen to be exemplary in the Texas green industry. Here are this year’s winners: • Honorary Lifetime Member Award: Dr. Michael Wade and Mark Rose with Living Earth • Young Leader Award: Veronica Seever with Leaf Landscape Supply • Summit Award Winner: TreeTown USA • Arp Award: Neil Sperry The recipient of this year’s TEIL Best of Show Award will also be announced during this ceremony. Then, on Aug. 28, the TNLA Labor Summit (sponsored by Federation of Employers & Workers of America, Parntenred by Fwd.US) takes place. As the premier event for Texas green industry employers, the summit provides an excellent opportunity to gather information about the labor crisis in the
COMING SOON: TNLA’S NEW MOBILE APP
• Dedicated Communities: Connect with peers, share resources and experiences, and discuss hot topics of the day, • Mentor Matching: Find mentors and mentees to share resources, experiences, and work together to achieve professional and personal goals, • Expert Directory: Search this resource for industry leaders, speakers, and subject matter experts.
TNLA plans to launch a new mobile app this year. TNLA 365 is designed specifically for the mobile experience. With it, you’ll have 24/7 access to up-to-date and more robust member and product search directories through your mobile device. The app will have these additional features: Stay tuned for more details!
industry from top policymakers and workforce development specialists. This year’s confirmed speakers include Congressman Henry Cuellar, speaking to Ross Ramsey of the Texas Tribune about labor, foreign work visas, and immigration; and Alamo CEO Adrian Lopez, Greater Dallas president Lauri Larrea, and Gulf Coast executive director Mike Temple speaking on a panel about workforce development that will be moderated by Texas Workforce Commission chairman Bryan Daniel. There will also be a discussion about strengthening workforces through diversity. To register and find out more details about each of these events, go to TNLAonline.org. TNLA
Green
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In Memoriam
TNLA
Green
UPDATE
Remembering Gary Kinney, a Texas Green Industry and TNLA Legacy IN JUNE, TNLA LOST A great friend and leader in our industry, Gary Kinney, president of KBW Supply in Donna, Texas. Known to his family as “Papa Kinney,” Gary was born in 1937 in Wisconsin. He graduated high school in 1955 and went to work for Jerry Kasian Landscape Contractor Inc. in Milwaukee. After just a year on the job, he was promoted to superintendent and became responsible for commercial and major landscape projects, including one for Interstate 94 from Minnesota to Illinois. Following a stint in the United States Army, Gary returned to work at Jerry Kasian Landscape Contractor Inc. and its Green Acres Nursery. This time, he had many roles: estimator, salesperson, and secretary. Eventually, the nation’s largest landscape firm, Sweeney Brothers Inc. of Johnson Creek, Wis-
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TNLA Green July/August 2020
consin, recruited him and, in typical Gary fashion, he began moving up the ladder. By the time he left Sweeney Brothers, he was the third-ranking individual within the company. With his wife, Beverly, Gary founded Grove Compost Company Inc., which composted and sold duck manure. While operating the company, Gary made trips to the Rio Grande Valley to sell duck manure. During his travels to South Texas, he managed to carve out some time to fish. You could say Texas “hooked” him, because in 1975 he and Beverly purchased Bruner Bonded Warehouse and moved their family to Donna, in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley. When asked in a 2004 interview what his best day was and the biggest challenges he had to overcome, Gary responded: “The most exciting thing that happened in my business is two days, one of which was probably the saddest for my wife, Bev-
erly. The first was when we moved from Milwaukee to the Valley and started this business. The second was opening up a facility in Mexico. Every day is a challenge. Perhaps the biggest was operating in a foreign country. We operated then with the old saying, ‘When in Rome do as the Romans do.’ You have to leave your style behind and adopt the style of the place you are in. We went through that same culture change when we moved from Wisconsin to the Valley.” Gary played a critical role in the development of the green industry in Texas. He volunteered countless hours and served in many leadership positions including organizing Valley Nursery Growers Inc., and serving as its secretary and treasurer between 1977 and 1984. He also helped lobby for the creation of the ornamental research position at Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Weslaco in 1983. Gary believed service was the most important asset one could contribute, and that no one worked for him but with him as a team. During his distinguished career, he was president of the Texas Association of Nurseryman Region VII in 1984, sat on the board of directors for the Texas Association of Nurseryman between 1989 and 1999, and chaired the board of the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association in 2000-01. In 2004, Gary Kinney was the recipient of the TNLA Arp Award. The Arp Award is presented to an individual who
has made extraordinary contributions to the industry and the association. Winners of the award exemplify the association’s ideals: innovation, service, and high ethical behavior in both their business and personal lives. Gary fully embodied all that this award means and always led his company and the industry in this exemplary fashion. Gary dedicated his life to this industry, and many TNLA member companies have great memories serving and doing business with him. He instilled his passion for horticulture in everyone he encountered. His memory will always be cherished and his work with the Texas green industry and TNLA will never be forgotten. TNLA
Green
July/August 2020 TNLA Green
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TNLA Green July/August 2020
EXPO A Tribute to the
NURSERY/LANDSCAPE
THROUGH THE YEARS, the Nursery/Landscape EXPO has been the place to reunite as an industry, to shake the hands of old friends and make new ones. Owners of family businesses have brought their children to EXPO, and now those kids are grown and running the company and even training the next generation. EXPO remains the one event of the year for all to enjoy and celebrate the green industry. But how far back does EXPO really go? How has it withstood the test of time? Historic records of the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association (TNLA) indicate that exhibit booth spaces were selected for a “TAN convention” taking place in August 1950. Back then, TNLA was called the Texas Association of Nurserymen (TAN). A page from TAN’s newsletter, dated May 1950, provides the layout of the exhibit space floor plan for the TAN conference that took place in Houston. As EXPO evolved, the exhibit booth spaces became bigger, the number of attendees grew larger, and the show moved out of a hotel ballroom and into a convention center to accommodate
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A Tribute to the Nursery/Landscape EXPO
the growing need for space. The green industry found strength in numbers and merged the TAN Convention with other nursery organizations from Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas to form the TAN-MISSLARK Show. Then in 1999, when the TAN and the Texas Association of Landscape Contractors (TALC) merged to form TNLA, the show broke off and the name changed to incorporate the landscape industry. In 2000, the Nursery/Landscape EXPO was launched, and it was at this time when EXPO introduced the EXPO Education Conference. Through the years, the culture of the
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TNLA Green July/August 2020
Texas green industry gathering does not seem to have strayed too far from where it began. Similarities include: • We still enjoy seeing each other face to face • People in the industry like to have fun and experience new things • Professionals get together to network and share ideas • The days are consumed with educational talks, events, and exhibit hall adventures, and evenings are filled with celebration • And there is food, dancing, and good times to be shared
Many of you are probably nodding your head in agreement as you read this, saying, “This definitely remains true today!” Over the course of its history, EXPO has presented many themes, which help set the tone with exhibitors and attendees. Some of the themes have been: • Under the Big Top • Under the Sea • Game On • It’s Your Race to Win • Roaring Forward • Saddling Up • Naturally Inspired • Exploring Fearlessly • There’s No Place Like EXPO Exhibit booths are known to take on a theme, and so do attendees by wearing costumes to match. The excitement and energy created by the theme help keep people on the show floor where business is conducted and relationships are solidified. The theme became key to another part of the show: the Parks & Patio area. Under the leadership of Anne Muscat, the last 28 years has seen the entrance to EXPO transformed into a garden like no other. With designs from local uni-
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Quality trees for greater profits
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E-mail us at SALES @texaspecannursery.com
TNLA Green July/August 2020
A Tribute to the Nursery/Landscape EXPO versity students, the Parks & Patio Task Force installs the designs with incredible results. This unique show feature is what sets us apart from other shows in the United States. As always, we are grateful to our many contributors of product and to the volunteers who give their time to make it happen each year. The road to EXPO has taken us to many different cities. For decades we alternated our schedule between Dallas and Houston. In 2006, San Antonio was added to the mix. We went from Dallas to Houston, back to Dallas, then to San Antonio. In 2018, the TNLA board of directors voted to make San Antonio our destination for EXPO until 2026. EXPO is the place where you can conduct your business for the entire year all under one roof. Because of this, people from near and far come to experience the event. We have had attendees and exhibitors participate from across the world including places like Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Russia, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. The Nursery/Landscape EXPO is the largest gathering in the South-Central United States and for many years has continued to remain within the Top 250 Trade Shows in the Trade Show News Network (TSNN). Plus, its marketing campaign has won numerous Art of the Show Awards from the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). What is it that makes the Nursery/ Landscape EXPO so different from other trade shows? For one thing, nothing can prepare you for your very first EXPO. All you can do is envision what it must be like based on what others have told you, which is that EXPO is bigger than you could ever imagine. Then when you set foot through the doors, you stop in your tracks and cannot help yourself from looking up, down, then sideways. It is hard to decide which way to go first. Your heart begins to pound about the possibilities of endless green industry materials you are about to discover. You
smell the mulch; you begin to identify the myriad plant varieties and to handle new equipment, and you cannot keep your eyes off the beautiful pots and fountain features displayed. It is as though the outdoors has come to life indoors, and you are in a horticulture fantasy wonderland! The Nursery/Landscape EXPO has withstood the test of time because of the people who attend each year and hold the legacy and passion of the green industry within them and share it freely with others. EXPO has a way
of bringing out pride in the Texas green industry. The positivity and product inspiration filling the exhibit hall are contagious and once you get hooked, you do not ever look back. We look forward to EXPO each year to experience more and reveal takeaways to enhance our businesses. EXPO is great because of YOU! We cannot wait to “rise together and find your greatness� next year in 2021. We will, once again, be able to meet up safely face-to-face to shake the hands of old friends and make new ones. TNLA
Green
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By Mengmeng Gu, Ph.D., and Ping Yu
Using biochar as container substrates in horticulture production Part 2: The potential of biochar to replace peat moss as container substrate and its limitation
THIS ARTICLE IS the second in a five-part series that focuses on using biochar as container media to produce greenhouse crops. The series contains research-based information, which has been generated by biochar researchers throughout the world including the Texas A&M University Systems. There are still many myths on how to use biochar in greenhouse production, and this is our attempt to set the record straight. The first article (in TNLA Green’s May/ June 2020 issue) provided introductory information on biochar, while the second delves into its potential (and limitations) to partially replace peat moss as container substrates. The third, fourth, and fifth articles will focus on the physical and chemical properties of biochar as container substrate amendments, the effects of biochar on container plant growth, and the potential of using biochar as container substrates to suppress plant pathogen. The series will give examples of a detailed biochar-based mix for greenhouse crop production practice. In greenhouse production, major container substrate components include peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite, with peat moss being the key component (Figure 1). Peat moss has long been used as a major container substrate component due to its desirable properties such as low pH and bulk density, high cation exchange capacity, appropriate aeration, and good water holding capacity. However, questions have been raised about peat moss among
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environmentalists and researchers due to potential environmental and economic concerns. Over-harvesting peat moss from peatlands has caused many ecological concerns due to the interference of peatland’s ecological functions. For instance, peatland serves as a large natural carbon sink to mitigate climate change, which has been overlooked for years by people, including researchers. Harvesting peatlands for peat moss could reduce the compacity of the carbon sink, hindering peatlands’ climate change mitigation capacity. Also, peatland provides rare habitats for a lot of wild animals. Interfering too much with a peatland ecosystem by peat moss extraction may bring challenges to the native animals, forcing them to find new habitats. Some may even become extinct because of this. The production and use of peat moss remain a relatively stable trend. From 2015 to 2019, around 165 million tons of peat moss have been produced worldwide including Canada and some European countries. In the United States, an average of about 0.47 million tons of peat moss is produced every year, being used in multiple areas. In Canada, around 27,615 tons have been or are currently used for horticulture peat moss production. Among the total acreage, 65 percent is under production, 17 percent has been restored or reclaimed, 14 percent still needs to be restored, and 3 percent has been converted to other land use. The horticulture-geared peat moss used in the U.S., however, is mainly
imported peat from Canada, the biggest sphagnum peat producers in North America, with around 1.1 million tons of peat moss imported in the U.S. in 2019. However, researchers believe that worldwide peat moss production will decrease in the coming years due to several reasons. The volume of global peatlands has been decreasing at a rate of 0.05 percent annually owing to harvesting and land development. Also, several major peat moss-producing European countries have announced restriction plans. For instance, Ireland’s peat production is expected to decrease over the coming years due to its transition to alternative fuel sources. In 2019, the country announced it planned to stop all peat harvesting by 2028, two years ahead of the previously announced schedule. Similarly, last year Finland announced its goal of becoming carbon
Figure 1. Major container substrate components used in greenhouse production (from left to right): perlite, vermiculite, and peat moss.
Figure 2. Biochar-based mixes and peat moss-based mixes (from left to right): 50 percent and 70 percent (by volume, with the rest being peat moss-based commercial substrate) mixed hardwood biochar and peat moss-based commercial substrate.
Peat moss
Biochar
Source
Bog plants: moss, sedge…
Any biomass: sugarcane, bark, municipal wastes…
Formation
Plant material not fully decay
Chemical thermal reaction
Condition
Waterlogged, acidic, anaerobic
Oxygen-free, high temperature
Rate of regeneration
0.5~1mm/year (naturally)
Comparable to generation of biomass
Renewable
Yes
Yes
Regrowth
Yes, 30~40%
Yes, 100%
Main application
Fuel, soil amendments, potting mix
Fuel, soil amendments, potting mix, pollutant filtration
Price
~$4.87/ft3
~$2.22/ft3
Commercialization
Yes
Limited
Harvesting condition
Depth >2m
N/A
Reclaim rate
10-20yr (harvest wisely)
N/A
Restoration rate
1.5~10cm/year
N/A
Table 1. The comparison between peat moss and biochar.
neutral by 2035, and peat production will be phased out in favor of other forms of noncarbon energy. Besides all the potential environmental concerns associated with peat moss, the cost is another major concern. The price of peat moss is constantly increasing, especially when growers factor in transportation costs. For instance, the price of peat moss increased from $0.62 per cubic foot in 1986 to $4.87 per cubic foot in 2018. The high price of peat moss cuts into growers’ profits. Finding environmentally friendly, cost-effective peat moss alternatives has gained interest among researchers and growers. Biochar, a byproduct of pyrolysis, is considered as good a peat moss alternative as container substrate in the horticultural industry. As a good alternative, biochar presents a huge potential to address environmental and economic concerns associated with peat moss. However, due to the diversity of biochar, certain biochar can also have limitations. In table 1, we compared peat moss and biochar from different
perspectives, and in Figure 2, we showed two of the most successful biochar-based mixes (based on our research) and peat moss-based mixes. ENVIRONMENTAL APPLICATION POTENTIAL
Biochar, as a byproduct of pyrolysis, has become a potential peat moss alternative due to its suitable properties for plant growth and the ecological benefits it can provide. Biochar can mitigate climate change, improve soil properties, reduce water pollutant, and so on. The benefits of using biochar in agriculture have been found and invested in for decades, especially as container substrate components. Research has shown adding biochar to container substrates could increase water and holding capacity, sequestrate carbon, ameliorate soil acidity, and provide a suitable environment for microbial activity, thus improving plant growth. Over the past 20 years, biochar application information generated by the researcher has advanced to the point where biochar
can be used as peat moss alternatives in container substrate to produce different greenhouse crops. Biochar as container substrate is environmentally friendly and economically friendly. Compared to peat moss, biochar is renewable and faster to generate. The raw materials for biochar production can be agricultural wastes such as green waste, rice hull, straw, wood, bark, and organic waste such as city waste and kitchen wastes, as well as other types of wastes. All of those raw materials can be renewed and generated within a short period of time, making biochar a renewable and sustainable material. Peat moss, however, needs at least 10 years to renew after being harvested once, let alone the fact that the peatlands we have now took thousands of years to be established. MARKET POTENTIAL
Since biochar can be generated from various feedstocks, it could be manufactured locally to reduce shipping and handling costs. Also, comparing the price of biochar to peat moss, which is $4.87 per cubic foot, the estimated average price of biochar is $2.22 per cubic foot. If biochar can be produced on a large scale from local suppliers, the price could be as low as 99 cents per cubic foot. The total amount of substrate used in the special crop was 5.4 million cubic foot in 2017, with 91 percent being peat moss. If 70 percent of peat moss could be replaced by biochar (studies have successfully proven), a 3.44 million cubic foot peat moss market could be turned into a biochar market, generating $7.64 million value annually. With the interest in biochar rising, the number of biochar producers has grown accordingly. There were approximately 150 biochar supply companies in 2013, with most of them being small garden
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and specialty retailers. The number of biochar companies increased to 326 in 2015 and is still growing. LIMITATIONS
Like peat moss and other peat moss alternatives, biochar also has limitations, mainly from the potential toxic substances it may contain, the limited awareness of using biochar as container substrates, the unmatured biochar supply-demand loop, and the insufficient production practice involving biochar. Biochar may contain potential toxic compounds
Biochar may contain potential toxic compounds such as heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and dioxin, depending on the feedstocks and producing conditions. Heavy metals including copper, zinc, lead, chromium, manganese, and nickel could cause severe damage to plants. PAHs are hydrocarbons—organic compounds containing only carbon and hydrogen— that are composed of multiple aromatic rings. A high PAHs concentration could also hurt plant growth. Dioxins are persistent organic pollutants, including polychlorinated dibenzo dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzo furans. Similarly, a high concentration of dioxin might harm plants. Normally only biochar made from toxic feedstocks contains toxic compounds, either heavy metal, PAHs, or chlorine. For instance, biochar made from heavy metal contaminated willow leaves and branches still contained a large portion of the heavy metals from the feedstock. Also, biochar made from pine wood and switchgrass at certain temperatures could contain PAHs. Similarly, biochar made from feedstocks like straws, grasses, halogenated plastics, and food waste containing sodium chloride could contain dioxin.
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TNLA Green July/August 2020
Based on the current literature, although biochar can contain PAHs and/ or dioxin, the amounts were usually not a big issue because they normally were below the threshold values recommended by International Biochar Initiative (IBI) and European Biochar Certificate (EBC), which are 6~20 mg kg-1 and <9 ng kg-1 respectively. However, cautions are needed for selecting free or low heavy metal-containing feedstocks for biochar production. Biochar dusty problem
Biochar tends to have a dusty problem, which may lead to safety issues if not addressed correctly. Due to the high temperature in the biochar-producing process, biochar tends to have dusts (very fine, ash-like biochar particles) remained in the final biochar product. When using biochar, the black dusts could be blown in the air and breathed in by workers in that area. Simple safety practices such as wearing a mask and goggles could be helpful. If safety cautions are not addressed, however, workers’ safety could be at risk. Lack of awareness of using biochar as container substrates
People’s lack of awareness of using biochar as container substrate presents another limitation in biochar application. Even though there is a lot of research of biochar as container substrates in the horticulture industry, a lot of people are still unaware of its benefits and thus reluctant to use it. People from both sides (supplier and users) may benefit from knowing about the potential of using biochar as container substrate. Currently, biochar suppliers are not sufficiently aware of research of biochar as container substrate. They are not investing enough on research of biochar as container substrate either. On the other hand, the
majority of growers in horticulture are unaware of using biochar as container substrate. Even when some of them are, they may encounter lack of availability issues. Lack of availability
Even with the growing number of biochar suppliers, the number is still small compared to that of peat moss. Currently, the demand for container substrate is around 5.4 million cubic feet with 91 percent being peat moss. There are around 300 biochar companies worldwide, and not all the biochar produced is suitable for container substrates. Because of the unawareness of using biochar as container substrate, growers tend to stick to peat moss as a major container substrate component, making the demand for biochar as container substrate small. Companies, on the other hand, are not able to produce container substrate-targeted/grade biochar. Even when some growers want to use biochar as container substrate, most of the time they can’t find the biochar they want on the market. Now, biochar used as container substrate is still on the experiment scale. No biochar is used in production. Ping Yu and Dr. Mengmeng Gu’s series on biochar as container media continues in the e-newsletter Working for You. TNLA
Green
MENGMENG GU, PH.D., is associate professor/extension specialist in the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Department of Horticultural Sciences. Her email address is mgu@tamu.edu. PING YU is a Ph.D. student working on using biochar as container substrate in the Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University. Her email address is yuping520@tamu.edu.
July/August 2020 TNLA Green
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NOTES FROM SFA Gardens
SFA’s Trialing Garden: Where Only the Best Survive
MY LAST COLUMN was less than cheerful, so I apologize. Today, with the number of COVID-19 cases increasing in Texas and the news full of protests and a shrinking economy, it is a bit of a challenge to be the happy horticulturist. I suspect we’ve all been waking up every day thinking things have to get better. In the last issue, I introduced the SFA Gardens way of dealing with COVID19’s arrival in Nacogdoches. I can report that, as of early June, Nacogdoches County has suffered 280 confirmed cases and 20 deaths. While COVID-19 numbers suggest this is not the right time to open up, it’s obvious to everyone we’re coming out. I’m still convinced the SFA Gardens staff and student workers get the Best on Campus Award for maintaining social distancing, hand washing, and the wearing of masks. For the most part, SFA staff have continued to work, some on the ground and some remotely, if possible. Our students left at
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spring break and, because of COVID-19, they were not allowed to return. Refunds then flowed, with millions of dollars going back to students and parents. The change from face-to-face teaching to online classes meant fewer dollars in our fee-structured academic world. It was a brutal hit. While a credit card freeze makes purchasing an obstacle course for us, we still manage to take care of workplace needs. At this time, Stephen F. Austin State University, like so many universities in Texas, is planning to be open in the fall, using every kind of strategy imaginable to make life safe for faculty, staff, and students. It is complicated, but my SFA administration has done a fine job keeping the faculty informed of the fiscal realities of this institution of higher learning. Yes, there are some around me who think we should jump off a bridge. I hold a more tempered view. Things do change. Normally at the end of June we
By David Creech, Ph.D.
would be getting ready for the Wild About Woodies seminar and field day. This daylong event is our oncea-year opportunity to expose nursery owners and workers, landscapers, and enthusiastic gardeners to some great speakers and a tour of the gardens with a focus on woody ornamentals. Now, unfortunately, it’s a COVID-19 victim. But there is a bright side: The SFA Gardens program, staff, and plantings are in remarkably fine shape. Being unencumbered by events, activities, workshops, seminars, plant sales, garden tours, and our usual sources of income has meant the gardens have received some attention they wouldn’t normally get. With our two new staff members via a Micky Elliott Foundation grant, Thomas Dimmitt and Devin Theisen, the gardens are getting a facelift. We’ve had good rains, tackled new projects, and taken maintenance up a notch. The trialing garden is a rotating array of about 150 woody plants, mainly shrubs, in a single garden, usually three of each. The big brands are here (Proven Winners, Bailey’s, Conard Pyle, Starr Roses and Plants, Holiday Hibiscus, and others). The spot enjoys full sun, reliable drip irrigation, mulched beds, and good weed control (most of the time). It’s mapped and labelled. The objective of this plot is simple: grow and evaluate plants in a side-by-side fashion for three to five years, throw away the worst, dig and plant the best elsewhere at SFA Gardens, and replenish the plots as new varieties emerge. The collections include abelia (13 varieties or selection numbers), buxus (4), perennial hibiscus (9), rose of Sharon (6), hydrangea paniculata (11), holly (8), sweetspire (4), loropetalum (11), Indian hawthorn (4), roses (10), spiraea (7), arborvitae (7), blueberry
NOTES FROM SFA Gardens (4), viburnum (6), vitex (6), and then a long list of lesser known genera. Everyone needs to grow the little leaf evergreen dogwood from Vietnam, Cornus quinquenervis, right? If I had to pick a favorite right now, it would be a rose of Sharon or althea known as the First Editions’ Summer Ruffle hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus ‘Aarticus’ PP29, 104). Many years ago, I can remember the first variegated althea, a sad variety that produced flower buds that refused to open. The Summer Ruffle, on the other hand, is a showboat. Steve Bruin, propagator at Lincoln Nursery in Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan, found it as a sport. Bailey Nurseries introduced the variety about five years ago and provided us with test plants. This variegated rose of Sharon has bluegreen foliage with crisp, creamy white margins. Lavender blooms come in late May and early June, and the summertime show continues if conditions allow. The plants reportedly reach 3 to 4 feet tall and wide, but our unpruned plants are more columnar and will perhaps exceed that height in a few more years. Right now, I consider it a great semi-dwarf and we’ve yet to see a reversion. In spite of its origin, Summer Ruffles did not suffer in the low-chill winter of 2019-20, with 650 hours of less than 45-degree temps in Nacogdoches. There are so many top performers. To access the current list of entries in our trial, search “trialing garden” at dcreechsite.com or type dcreechsite .com/2020/06/04/the-sfa-trialinggarden-is-more-than-just-anotherpretty-face/. My blog will be updated as time allows, and images of the top performers will be featured to create a kind of virtual learning experience for fans of woody ornamentals.
While not the same as walking the rows in person, it is what’s happening now. Until next time, let’s keep planting. TNLA
Green
DAVID CREECH, PH.D., is regent’s professor emeritus at Stephen F. Austin State University and the director of SFA Gardens.
July/August 2020 TNLA Green
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BUGS FUZZ
Focus on disease and insects
By Kevin Ong, Ph.D., and Erfan Vafaie
Thrips causing grief? THRIPS CAN BE A ROYAL PAIN, and like everything else in the year 2020, high thrips populations have been especially challenging. Thrips and their damage can already be seen in the landscape, and growers are using every weapon in their arsenal to try and suppress their populations. So we thought we would summarize vital information when it comes to recognizing different thrips species and how to manage them.
A
B
C
Figure 1. (A) Adult Western flower thrips (Jack T. Reed, Mississippi State University, bugwood.org), (B) chilli thrips (Andrew Derksen, USDA-APHIS, bugwood.org), and (C) echinothrips (Babu Panthi, Univ. of Florida).
WHAT ARE THRIPS?
Thrips are most often considered a pest, as they cause damage to plants by rasping, which is similar to scratching the leaf surface to expose the delicious nutritional juices inside. There are more than 6,000 thrips species, but only a handful are economically important. Some of the most economically important thrips in North America include western flower thrips, common blossom thrips, melon thrips, onion thrips, tobacco thrips, echinothrips, and chilli thrips (see figures 1 and 2). Although most thrips are herbivores, some also feed on other insects. For example, the western flower thrips actually prefers to feed on spider mite eggs instead of leaf tissue if given the option, so watch out for spider mite populations after managing western flower thrips. Several thrips species lay eggs in plant tissue and pupate in the soil, making contact with insecticides particularly challenging. This is an example of where â&#x20AC;&#x153;breaking the life cycleâ&#x20AC;? is vital
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Figure 2. Some common economically important thrips in North America. Riley et. al. (2012), Journal of Integrated Pest Management.
Figure 3. Western flower thrips damage on verbena. Photo: Chazz Hesselein, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Bugwood.org.
Focus on disease and insects with insecticidal control: apply insecticides at least twice on a seven- to 14day interval to get the newly emerged eggs and/or pupae. Maturing from egg to adult can take between seven and 15 days, depending on the temperature and species. Thrips can spend one to five days as non-feeding pupae and live beyond 40 days as adults. WHAT’S THE DAMAGE?
Thrips use their mouthparts to cause rasping damage, which results in discoloration of the leaf (Figure 3). Thrips can damage foliage both as immatures and adults. Despite similarities in damage to other sucking pests, thrips do not produce honeydew and subsequently are not associated with sooty mold. Thrips can vector a number of plant viruses from several different genera. Probably the better known viruses are from the Tosposvirus genus, which includes Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV) and Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV). (See Figure 4.) Symptomology for those viruses can vary greatly, depending on the host plant. We could write an entire article on thrips viruses alone, so we’ll leave that for another time. If you suspect that you may have a thrips-transmitted virus, send a sample to the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab for testing (plantclinic.tamu.edu). BEFORE BUSTING OUT THE INSECTICIDES
Monitoring is super important. If you don’t monitor and only notice the thrips once the damage is prevalent, it’s an uphill battle. Data from Dr. Sarah Jandricic, Greenhouse Floriculture Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Specialist for Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), suggests that yellow sticky cards are more reliable and effective for monitoring thrips than blue sticky cards. You can
also consider using yellow sticky tape, which will also provide reasonable suppression of the flying thrips adults. If plants are flowering, place a white or black foam board or paper under the flower and tap the flower to dislodge the thrips. Thrips can be hard to see in the flower, but by using this technique you can easily see writhing and moving thrips whose delicious afternoon meal has just been interrupted. If you’re producing in a greenhouse, consider screening where feasible. Thrips-proof netting can greatly reduce movement of thrips indoors, which is especially important if you have any alternative plant hosts or field crops outside. Certain species, such as western flower thrips, can be greatly reduced by physically removing and bagging old flowers that have recently fallen or will fall soon. Lastly, thrips have a number of naturally occurring predators, but if you have a thrips outbreak, then obviously the natural predators were insufficient. There are some natural predators that can be purchased and released, such as rove beetles, predatory mites, and entomopathogenic nematodes. Using predators can be an effective way to maintain low populations of thrips, decrease potential impact on non-target beneficial predators, reduce insecticide residue and/or phytotoxicity, and reduce potential impact on the environment and human health. Biological control, however, can be quite nuanced and require more grower involvement. INSECTICIDAL CONTROL
If you skipped the last section and jumped to this section just because you want to know how to blast thrips with insecticides, go back! Do Not Pass Go and Do Not Collect $200! Even with insecticides, thrips management will be
BUGS FUZZ
A
B
C Figure 4. (A) Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus on Coleus (INSV; Jennifer Olson, Oklahoma State University, Bugwood.org), (B) Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus on Geranium (TSWV; Dr. Backhaus, Biologische Bundesanstalt für Land-und Forstwirtschaft, Bugwood.org), and (C) Tobacco Streak Virus on Hosta (TSV; John Fisher, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org).
July/August 2020 TNLA Green
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BUGS FUZZ
Focus on disease and insects
very challenging without good monitoring and preventative strategies. We can’t stress enough: always read the label before purchasing, applying, and disposing pesticides. Also make sure to always rotate modes of action, the specific mechanism that the insecticide targets. By rotating between different modes of action, you change the selection pressure on the thrips population, thereby greatly decreasing the chances of the thrips developing insecticide resistance. And as mentioned before, it’s vital to “break the life cycle”: apply insecticides at least twice on a seven- to 14-day interval to get the newly emerged eggs and/or pupae. In Table 1, we summarize the results of several studies from two main publicly accessible databases: IR4 (ir4project.org) and Arthropod Management Tests (academic.oup.com/amt). Both contain publications that are conducted by researchers in replicated designs; however, conditions can vary greatly between different trials. The efficacy of an insecticide can depend greatly on spray coverage, plant canopy thickness, plant species, thrips species, and temperature, just to name a few conditions. As such, it can be beneficial to draw conclusions from several studies. In the far-right column of the table we produced, you’ll see how many studies the efficacy information is based on (i.e., 2 studies AMT = 2 studies from Arthropod Management Tests; 10+ studies IR4 = more than 10 studies published in IR4). We hope the information from this table is used to supplement other sources of information and other considerations (such as phytotoxicity) that are equally important in choosing pesticides to use in a rotation program. TNLA
Green
BUGS (ERFAN VAFAIE) and FUZZ (KEVIN ONG) work for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Vafaie is an extension program specialist (IPM) located at the Texas A&M Research & Extension Center in Overton. Ong is the associate department head for extension programs in the Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology based at Texas A&M College Station, where he also directs the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab
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Active ingredient
REI
MoA #
Efficacy
Sources
Abamectin
12
6
Good - Excellent
10+ studies; IR4
Acephate
24
1B
N/A
Acetamiprid
12
4A
Good
2 studies; AMT
Azadirachtin
4
UN
Poor - Moderate
6 studies; IR4
Beauveria bassiana
4
UNF
Good - Excellent
6 studies; IR4
Bifenthrin
12
3A
Poor - Good
2 studies; AMT
Chlorfenapyr
12
13
Good - Excellent
2 studies; AMT
Cyantraniliprole
4
28
Good - Excellent
10+ studies; IR4
Cyclaniliprole
4
28
Mediocre - Excellent
10+ studies; IR4
Cyclaniliprole + Flonicamid
12
28 + 29
Good - Excellent
2 studies; IR4
Cyfluthrin
12
4A
N/A
Fenoxycarb
12
7B
N/A
Flupyradifurone
4
4D
Poor
2 studies; IR4
Fluvalinate
12
3A
Poor
1 study; AMT
Heat-killed Burkholderia spp.
4
UNF
Poor - Good
10+; IR4
Imidacloprid
12
4A
Poor
2 studies; IR4
Insecticidal Soap
12
N/A
Poor - Mediocre
2 studies; IR4
Isaria fumosorosea
4
UNF
Good
1 study; AMT
Kinoprene
12
7A
N/A
Lambda-Cyhalothrin
24
3A
Poor
1 study; IR4
Novaluron
12
15
Poor
1 study; AMT
Permethrin
12
3A
N/A
Pyridalyl
12
UN
Good - Excellent
9 studies; IR4
Pyrifluquinazon
9B
12
Poor - Mediocre
10+ studies; IR4
Spinetoram + Sulfoxaflor
12
4C + 5
Mediocre - Excellent
6 studies; IR4
Spinosad
4
5
Good - Excellent
10+ studies; IR4
Tolfenpyrad
12
21A
Good - Excellent
10+ studies; IR4
Table 1. Efficacy, Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) Mode of Action (MoA), Reentry interval (REI), and data sources for several active ingredients against a variety of thrips species. Please be sure to read the label prior to purchase, application, and disposal of pesticides. Omission of pesticides is unintentional; only readily available data through public databases, such as IR4 and Arthropod Management Tests are used in the below table.
July/August 2020 TNLA Green
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NEW MEMBERS
TNLA would like to welcome its new members. If you would like to become a member or if you have any questions or concerns about your current membership, please contact us at 800.880.0343. Visit TNLAonline.org to learn about the benefits or becoming a member of TNLA. REGION 1 Landscape Business Saylee Greer LLC Christopher Greer 4187 Stahl Road San Antonio, TX 78217 sayleegreer.com Landscape Business JMI Contractors LLC Brent Mayberry TCLP 13015 Country Pass San Antonio, TX 78216 jmicontractors.com Retail Individual Henry Urbina 9503 Shetland Court San Antonio, TX 78254 REGION 2 Landscape Business Grasshoppers Tree Cut LLC Susy Perez 74 S. Hidden View Circle The Woodlands, TX 77381 grasshopperstreecut.com Grower Associate Abel Gonzales P.O. Box 305 Wallis, TX 77485 Grower Individual John Paul Meijer 3018 S. Saddlebrook Lane Katy, TX 77494 Landscape Business Botanica Landscaping Services Stephanie Fox 2726 Bissonnet St., Ste. 240‑511 Houston, TX 77005 stephaniefoxbotanica.com
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Landscape Business The Grounds Guys of Memorial Park Tricia Montalbano P.O. Box 55644 Houston, TX 77255‑5644 https://www. groundsguys.com/ memorial‑park/?L=true
Landscape Individual Shannon Adam 3100 Canyon Valley Trail Plano, TX 75075
Student Andre Lamarche 1818 Butler Road Wylie, TX 75098
Student Gary West 127 Ariana Court Killeen, TX 76542
Landscape Individual Joshua Barbe 701 Shiloh Road, #125 Tyler, TX 75705
Landscape Business Thomas Taylor Landscapes LLC Thomas Taylor 6901 Santa Fe Drive Houston, TX 77061 thomastaylorlandscapes. com
Supplier Business C & A Landscaping Supply LLC Ana Chavez 21974 Hwy. 155 S. Flint, TX 75762 calandscapingsupply.com
Supplier Business AMCoT LLC Gene Wisakowsky 2020 Shield Parkway Waxahachie, TX 75165 am‑cot.com
OUT OF STATE Grower Holt Nurseries Debora Holt 2690 Lakeville Road Apopka, FL 32703 holtnurseries.com
Landscape Individual John Walters Certified Arborist 19 Bank Birch Place Woodlands, TX 77381 Supplier Business Evergro Organic Recycling Mark Manny 12470 Sralla Road Crosby, TX 77532 evergro‑org.com REGION 3 Grower Individual Steve Hill Grumpy’s Garden Club 9969 US Hwy. 271 S. Gladewater, TX 75647 Landscape Individual Cathy Williams 17744 FM 1255 Canton, TX 75103
REGION 4 Grower Business Redden Farms Grant Paschali 6554 FM 1827 McKinney, TX 75071 Landscape Individual Karleta Valdez 2701 Foxcreek Drive Richardson, TX 75082 Landscape Student Dylan Slyter Sunnyvale High School 205 Manor Way Sunnyvale, TX 75182 Retail Business The Blossom Shoppe Camey Higgins 1143 FM 1753 Denison, TX 75021 blossom‑shoppe.com Retail Individual Angel Cepeda 3900 Briargrove Lane, Apt. 20101 Dallas, TX 75287
REGION 5 Educator Lacie Wood Dan Dipert Career + Technical Center 2801 Greenway Drive Burleson, TX 76028 Grower Individual Julian Gonzalez 2319 Point Star Drive Arlington, TX 76001 REGION 8 Grower Individual Sarah Hovenkamp 2400 Silver Spur Leander, TX 78641 Landscape Business Terra Dura Landscapes LLC Andrew Walsh 7601 Nez Perce Trace Manor, TX 78653 terra‑dura.com Retail Individual Thomas Berg Greenlife Nursery and Landscaping 7209 S. I-45 E. Corsicana, TX 75109
Grower Succulents Unlimited BV Travis Marois Simon Vestdijkstraat 17 Wageningen, Netherlands Outside US/Canada 6708 NW succulentsunlimited.com Landscape Outworx Group Daryl Hendricks 165 Cantiague Rock Road Westbury, NY 11590 outworxgroup.com Supplier Lambert Peat Moss Helene Chenard 106 Lambert Road Riviere‑Ouelle, QC G0L 2C0 Supplier Merchant Owl LLC Rich Kling 478 E. Altamonte Drive, #108‑294 Altamonte Springs, FL 32701 merchantowl.com
NEW TNLA CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS TCNP (Texas Certified Nursery Professional) Allie Balusek Southwest Wholesale Nursery Charo Douglas Calloway’s Nursery Tom Pierce Southwest Wholesale Nursery Nathan Spillman Southwest Wholesale Nursery Nate Principe Southwest Wholesale Nursery Peggy Sweeney Calloway’s Nursery Lila Ford Calloway’s Nursery Nicholas Lovelady Rodney Metcalf Calloway’s Nursery Adam Leyva-Argenal Calloway’s Nursery Emma Hessing Calloway’s Nursery Charles Lane San Antonio Lawn by Lanes TCWSP (Texas Certified Water Smart Professional) Nicholas Lovelady TCLP (Texas Certified Landscape Professional) Stephen Loranc Eco Systems Landscape Karen Beaty Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Casey Limerick University of Texas at Austin TNLA Green July/August 2020 Advertiser Index Creekside Nursery............................................................. 03 Hotchkiss Insurance......................................................... 05 Texas Mutual .......................................................................7 Texas Pecan Nursery .........................................................14 Simmons Oaks Farms........................................................19 Romco................................................................................19 Vital Earth Resources ........................................................ 21 Spring Meadow Nursery....................................................25 TreeTown USA....................................................................25 Western Texas College......................................................27 OHP............................................................inside back cover HC Containers......................................................back cover
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QUIZ From the article “Using Biochar as Container Substrates in Horticulture Production,” in greenhouse production, which of the following is NOT considered a current major container substrate?
a. peat moss b. perlite c. biochar d. vermiculite
From the article “Using Biochar as Container Substrates in Horticulture Production,” what is the concern over harvesting peat moss from peatland?
a. P eatland serves as a large natural carbon sink to mitigate climate change. b. Peat Moss is getting too expensive to harvest. c. S hipping costs of peat moss to the US continues to increase. d. There are no concerns with harvesting peat moss from peatlands.
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From “Using Biochar as Container Substrates in Horticulture Production,” biochar is a byproduct of...?
a. burning carbon b. pyrolysis c. burning organics d. pyrotechnics
From the article “SFA’s Trialing Garden,” how large does Summer Ruffle Althea reportedly get?
a. 2’ x 3’ b. 3’ x 4’ 3. 4’ x 5’ 3. 5’ x 6’
From the article “Thrips Causing Grief?” thrips are not most often considered pests.
a. True b. False
From the article “Thrips Causing Grief?” thrips use their mouthparts to cause sucking damage.
a. True b. False
From “Thrips Causing Grief?” why is it challenging to make thrips come in contact with insecticides?
a. Thrips are winged insects, so they fly around too much. b. Thrips species lay eggs in plant tissue and pupate in the soil. c. Thrips are too small to come in contact with insecticide droplets. d. Thrips are to fast to spray effectively.
From the article “Thrips Causing Grief?” what can the writers not stress enough?
a. Always check your surroundings before spraying. b. A lways read the label. c. Always go straight to pesticides to control Thrips. d. A lways call the Bugs & Fuzz team when you encounter Thrips.
From the article “A Tribute to the Nursery/Landscape EXPO,” what year was the first EXPO?
a. 1950 b. 1955 c. 1960 d. 1965
D
TNLA Green July/August 2020
