CSU Extension Greenhouse Advisor

Poinsettias are not poisonous - Really!!

2009-11-12T14:45:00.000-07:00

Once again, it is time for my annual rant. Poinsettias are not poisonous! In a 1995 poll funded by the Society of American Florists, 66 percent of the respondents held the false impression that poinsettia plants are toxic if eaten. Research at Ohio State University in 1971 showed that rats fed unusually high doses of poinsettia plant parts were not adversely affected. The POISINDEX®

Can you make money with aquaponics?

2009-11-12T13:38:00.008-07:00

University extension faculty are responsible for the development and delivery of research information for their state within their expertise, and I am no different. Over the years, I get many requests for support and advice on various projects often using modern greenhouse technologies for local food production with the intention of providing a sustainable food supply. A sustainable food supply

Managing information overload and social media

2009-10-01T08:58:00.001-06:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation: Managing information overload and social mediaView more presentations from Steven Newman.

ceTwit eXtension Presentation

2009-09-11T14:29:00.001-06:00

Check out my latest SlideShare Presentation: Ce Twit eXtension PresentationView more presentations from Steven Newman.

Colorado State University 2009 Poinsettia Cultivar Evaluation

2009-08-28T12:03:00.000-06:00

At Colorado State University, we conducted poinsettia cultivar evaluations for 10 years. Our last year to conduct a trial was conducted in 2004 with 139 cultivars. (click here to see the report) For the production year of 2009, we have decided to return to conducting this trial. We have 80 cutlivars that have been submitted to the trial by our cooperators. The cultivars are listed below.

Myrtle Spurge in the Garden

2009-08-20T12:20:00.004-06:00

Last week, I responded to a request a question from the eXtension Ask and Expert system concerning unusual caterpillars on their Myrtle Spurge. The client also indicated that they realized that myrtle spurge is toxic. The question asked, "What is worse - the caterpillars or the spurge? And should I eradicate one or both?" Here is how I responded.Myrtle spurge or Euphorbia myrsinites, is a very

New Look for CSU Greenhouse and Floriculture

2009-08-19T17:16:00.001-06:00

I have just updated the appearance of my web site for Colorado State University Greenhouse and Extension. Your comments and suggestions are welcome.http://ghex.colostate.edu

Why would an Extension Specialist use Twitter?

2009-08-11T14:16:00.003-06:00

Earlier this month, Anne Adrian of Auburn University asked me to contribute to her blog on why I use Twitter.Here is the link: Why would an Extension Specialist use Twitter?

I Can't Afford Shade Curtains in my Greenhouse

2009-07-23T09:50:00.013-06:00

Greenhouse fuel costs for heating are competing with labor costs for the number one expense of operating a greenhouse enterprise. Natural gas price increases are stimulating greenhouse owners to consider alternative fuel sources or conservation tactics. Many often think of alternative fuels will cut their expenses. Natural gas is clean, easy and available, propane requires on-site storage, wood

Spring Aphids and Lady Beetles along the Colorado Front Range

2009-07-15T08:36:00.016-06:00

This seems to be a great year for lady beetles in Colorado, or at least their outbreaks are getting a great deal of press. There are some regions along the Front Range of Colorado that have seen massive outbreaks.There has been a great deal of chatter among the public, landscape and horticulture professionals, and university faculty about these observed outbreaks. To clear up some mis-conceptions

Cool off your landscape: Plant something!!

2009-07-10T12:15:00.008-06:00

It is difficult to think about water conservation and drought when you live in the semi-arid west and during this past June we had more than 5-inches of precipitation, which is more than 3-inches above average. Last June was the sixth wettest June in Fort Collins in the 121 years of recorded weather history. Yet, the hot and dry temperatures will be here soon.We all have seen those landscapes

Masked Hunters in the House

2009-06-25T15:03:00.014-06:00

My 16-year-old son spotted an interesting insect in our home last week. Actually the cats spotted it as they are always on the prowl for a miller moth, which, if a moth manages to get inside, they are doomed along with all of the items sitting on any counter.Anyway, at first glance I thought it some form of beetle and grabbed it to show my boys. This is my typical action while trying to ease the

Water Quality Testing for Greenhouse Growers

2009-05-14T14:43:00.014-06:00

One of the first things I ask any greenhouse grower who is having an issue with their water or fertility is, "When was the last time you had your water tested?" Of course you know the usual answer, which is "Test? We don't need no stinkin' test!" Oh contraire, I say, you need to send a water sample at least annually, if not more. And you need to send your sample to an agricultural soil and water

Do we really need all that water for quality bedding plants?

2009-04-27T15:53:00.017-06:00

Water conservation is becoming an increasingly pertinent issue throughout the U.S. There is a great deal of information reported in the literature quantifying the water requirements of food crops and turfgrass; however, data quantifying the irrigation requirements of ornamental plants required to maintain healthy growth and acceptable quality is minimal at present. Past reports have classified

Municipal Water Restrictions and Water Conservation

2009-04-17T15:07:00.010-06:00

Drought conditions occur on a regular basis throughout the U.S. In 2002, Colorado and most of the western U.S. experienced one of the worst drought years in 110 years of records (see Doesken and Pielke's report). Drought conditions in Georgia have only recently been alleviated by recent rains (see the 3 April 2009 report). Drought conditions often have many economic impacts and the greenhouse and

No Leach Irrigation Strategies for Greenhouse Poinsettia Production

2009-04-17T14:19:00.011-06:00

For a commercial greenhouse operation to remain sustainable, irrigation practices should be modified to better manage limited water resources as well as manage non-point source pollution issues. We have the technologies to do this in many forms, including waste water capture and recycling water in greenhouses, yet acceptance is low due to the costs of implementation as well as inadequate

No Leach Irrigation Strategies for Easter Lily Production

2009-04-15T11:53:00.038-06:00

This is a continuation from the previous post on No Leach Irrigation Strategies for Easter Lily Production. In addition to studying no leach irrigation on poinsettia production, Sean Moody also did a follow-up study using 'Nellie White' Easter lilies (provided by the Fred C. Gloeckner & Company, Inc.), which were subjected to three irrigation strategies: 10% leach, ebb-and-flood and no leach or

Colorado State University Extension Greenhouse eMail List

2009-03-11T12:30:00.004-06:00

Consider joining the Colorado State University Extension Greenhouse Listserv. The purpose of this discussion list is to provide interested individuals a point of information exchange among other greenhouse professionals. This service is provided by Colorado State University Extension and Academic Computing and Networking Services (ACNS) of Colorado State University. As a list member of one of the

CSU Extension Greenhouse Blog Feedback

2009-03-10T22:06:00.004-06:00

I am looking for some feedback on my blog postings on this site.I created this blog a few years back to cover commercial greenhouse issues, which more or less sat on a back burner in my extension programming. Back in October of 2008 I rekindled my efforts with some new blog topics. To promote these efforts, I have been forwarding the blog postings through my CSU Extension Greenhouse listserv as

Sustainable Greenhouse Production

2009-02-21T00:19:00.002-07:00

Sustainable Greenhouse Production Wgga February 2009View more presentations from Steven Newman. (tags: greenhouse sustainablity)

Valentine's Day - Say it With Flowers

2009-02-13T16:50:00.004-07:00

"Say it With Flowers" We all know the phrase and many use it, but do you know where it came from? It all started on August 18, 1910, where a group of fifteen American retail florists agreed to exchange orders for out-of-town deliveries. This organization was originally called "Florists' Telegraph Delivery." We now know this organization as FTD.John A. Valentine was the first president of FTD

Nitrogen Source During Production Impacts Water Use of Bedding Plants

2009-02-11T15:09:00.003-07:00

N Source On Bedding Plant GrowthView more presentations from Steven Newman. (tags: nitrogen fertilizer)

Alternative Heating for Greenhouses

2009-02-11T07:57:00.002-07:00

Rising fuel costs are becoming a greater and greater challenge for commercial greenhouse growers. This slide presentation illustrates some ideas for alternative fuels and energy conservation practices. Alternative Heating Opportunities For Heating GreenhousesView more presentations from Steven Newman.

Mortality of Pythium Zoospores in Chlorinated Irrgation Water

2009-02-05T11:28:00.004-07:00

In October of last year, I published a blog, Disinfecting Irrigation Water for Disease Management, where I pointed out that plant disease can be introduced through irrigation water. In that blog, I described alternative disease control strategies that could be used when using recirculated irrigation water. Probably the easiest water disinfection, or more appropriately, disinfestation technology

Become an ASHS Certified Horticulturist

2008-12-16T14:25:00.003-07:00

Submitted on behalf of Dr. Karen Panter of the University of WyomingOn February 18, 2009, be among the first in the country to take (and hopefully pass) the test to become a Certified Horticulturist! The national CH program is geared toward working, paid, professional horticulturists who may or may not have any formal horticultural education.The goals of the program are simple:To promote