Nursery and Flower Grower

Roots are often overlooked by horticulturists but deserve to get more attention. Of course, they are usually underground and out of sight so it's somewhat understandable why they can be ignored. But, roots play a critical role in the life of a plant.

The last post demonstrated the remarkable ability and unique features of aphids that allow them to rapidly boost their numbers and colonize their hosts in favorable conditions.

We are all familiar with aphids, especially in the spring when their populations seem to increase so rapidly and may require control before plant damage occurs. Aphids have unique strategies to flourish. The aphid mother you see this spring is actually a grandmother.

Gray mold caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea is one of the more destructive plant pathogens, and it attacks a wide variety of plants. It is a common springtime disease, favored by cool rainy periods and high humidity. Conditions just like we have seen in California recently.

The previous blog demonstrated that container organic and inorganic physical components have limited nutrient holding capacity, and therefore the soil mixes they compose must be supplemented with nutrients during crop growth.