Greenhouse Technician Sources

Integrated Pest Management is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. Its programs use current and comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interactions with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.

"Managing Alternative Pollinators: A Handbook for Beekeepers, Growers and Conservationists is a first-of-its-kind, step-by-step, full-color guide for rearing and managing bumble bees, mason bees, leafcutter bees and other bee species that provide pollination alternatives to the rapidly declining honey bee. Written by Eric Mader of the Xerces Society Pollinator Conservation Program; Professor of Entomology Marla Spivak; and Elaine Evans, author of “Befriending Bumble Bees,” the book includes expert information on the business and biology of pollination and how-to guidance on raising the alternative bee species.

Currently, the vast majority of North America’s container-grown nursery crops are produced using soilless growing substrates and fertilized with controlled-release fertilizers (CRF). The most commonly used CRF include Polyon, Nutricote, Osmocote, and Acer. Each brand has different products, or fertilizers with different nutrient component ratios (e.g., N:P:K), with applications aimed towards different crops and regional environmental situations (e.g., water quality). Different growers, and even the same grower when producing different crops, often vary the fertilizer frequencies, rates, and application methods (e.g., incorporation, top-dressing,dibble, or combinations).