submitted by Mohyuddin Mirza (May 2013)

Every year I see herbicide contamination of water or soil causing problems and if it happens in May then it has the potential of economic losses. A grower sent me an email via agga system that his tomatoes are showing leaf curling problems. He wanted me to come and look at the plants. Here are a few pictures of tomatoes plants about 2 and half months old.

submitted by Mohyuddin Mirza (January 2012)

With the cold weather we have been having, a few issues are emerging which need attention. With outside temperatures below 30C and wind over 20 miles/hour several issues can emerge in the greenhouse:

• The obvious one is cooler temperature inside the greenhouse and cold spots along the perimeter. Twenty four (24) hours average temperature may drop below the set point and that will cause vegetative crops. A purple color on leaves, thickening of stems and yellowish green color is an indication of temperature dropping to about 12C. Look at the picture:

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submitted by Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza (July 2011)

In late May and early June I was called by a Basil grower to come to the greenhouse and check leaf scorching on potted and leaf Basil. What I mean to say is that we grow two types of Basil. Potted basil, in 4, 6 and 10 inches pots for direct sales and basil leaves and stems for sale through farmers markets and commercial wholesale channels. Here it is how the symptoms looked like:

submitted by Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza (March 2011)

It seems that spring is on its way, in spite of the very cold weather. Calls are coming in on what is being planted. One grower reported that Dracaenas are bring planted, bare rooted roses are already in pots, early geraniums from seeds are in 4 inch pots and marigolds are on their way. All growers reported temperature in the growing medium going to around 12C at night time and then rising to about 15C during day time. This will delay rooting. Those growers who have bottom heat can maintain better temperature in the growing medium.

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submitted by Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza (March 2011)

As the outside temperature has been consistently cold, tomato growers are reporting plan problems. Many growers have not been able to keep night temperature in the recommended range, that is 20C for the seedlings. A grower reported that tomato seedlings planted in the greenhouse about 3 weeks ago are looking very purple and overall growth is pale yellow and some damage has occurred to lower leaves.

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Coco Fiber/Coir (August 2010)

Heavy Rains Causing Growers Grief (June 2010)

Submitted by Dr. M. Mirza

It sure is a sign that spring is here. When plants are growing so do the problems. Following problems with the leaves of geraniums were observed in one greenhouse. First look at these pictures and then I will describe the problem and tell you what is wrong:

So, what is wrong with these geraniums?

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by Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza (May 2009)

This has been an unusual spring. The temperature has been consistently going just below zero and snow was there on May 19th.  Traditionally Victoria Day weekend is very busy for bedding plant growers and a significant amount of income comes in during this week.  I talked to many growers and learned that they were way behind in their revenues compared to many good years.  Besides economic impact of such weather, growers must understand and know how to manage plants in cloudy, cold, clammy conditions.  There is a danger of plants getting leggy and lanky and spindly growth may take place.  Due to higher relative humidity dew could easily be formed inside the greenhouse and botrytis gray mold could become devastating.  I received many phone calls about geranium flowers showing botrytis infections and also pythium root rot.  So here are few things you can do with the plants so that when good weather returns and customers come back, good quality plants greet them, not yellow, leggy, pale looking plants. Customers like good green, flowering plants with lot of buds on them.

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Cucumber Grower Alert (August 2007)

Poinsettia Alert (August 2007)

Submitted by Dr. M. Mirza (March 2007)

Grey mold could devastate your crop very quickly. It multiplies rapidly due to water sitting on the plants and condensation due to cooler temperatures. Many growers would remove those leaves which causes spores to spread the settle on new growth. Try to avoid humid conditions and many times you have to depend on fungicides.