Overview (All sessions)

Weeds belonging to the lower group of plants include liverwort, horsetail, algae, moss, nostoc etc. These groups represent some of the oldest organisms on Earth and play an important part in the ecosystems. However, often in ornamental production systems these weeds can cause severe loss due to high competition for limited resources and also reduction in the aesthetic values of the crops. Growers can learn about various non-chemical and chemical strategies to control these lower groups of weeds in ornamental production.

Raymond will provide an overview of resistance and then discuss the mechanisms of resistance and the biological parameters that promote resistance developing in insect and mite pest populations. He will then address the importance of rotating pesticides (insecticides and miticides) with different modes of action to delay the prospect of resistance developing in insect and mite pest populations. This presentation will be “hard to resist”.

Raymond will discuss the biology, ecology, behavior, and damage associated with redheaded flea beetle adults. Raymond will then address the management strategies, based on his research, that can be implemented to mitigate plant damage caused by redheaded flea beetle adults. He will highlight the use of systemic insecticides as an effective management strategy against redheaded flea beetle adults.

The shift away from peat moss carries both challenges and opportunities. Our speaker will guide growers through the intricacies of this transition, addressing key considerations, potential pitfalls, and successful strategies for reducing reliance on peat moss in cultivation. From alternative substrate options to practical implementation techniques, this session equips attendees with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions and optimize growing practices. This session offers invaluable insights to ensure a smooth and successful journey toward a more resilient greenhouse operation.

As landscapers and gardeners we typically spend most of our time thinking above ground. We spend countless hours selecting the right plant, considering the right exposure, combinations, size, color, and textures.  Woody plant success is equally dependent on what is going on below ground. A scientific understanding of soil chemistry, biology, physics, and fertility makes us all better at our craft. 

This talk will address basic soil principles, and how we can use them to build and maintain “healthy” soils that maximize woody plant success.

Herbicide injury has traditionally been evaluated as a visual observation of percent injury to the shoots of desired plants, known as phytotoxicity. But what about the damage that can't be seen? This talk discusses the full consequences of herbicide injury, including those not easily visually observed such as root damage, negative impacts on growth index, damage to photosynthesis, and long-term injury.

Workers, new growers and some landscape customers have increased concerns about glyphosate. We will look at the alternatives to glyphosate that we have been researching through MNLA and combining post- alternatives with preemergence herbicides.  Additionally, although the use of glyphosate may seem like a cost-effective measure, combining pre- and post- controls is usually a far less expensive approach.

This presentation will cover key aspects that impact labor in your landscape maintenance business. In this fast-paced world of constant demand for production and less labor to perform that work, it is critical to use product technologies to your advantage over competitors in the Green Industry, which allows your business to adapt and innovate. Unfortunately, 71% of Green Industry companies indicate that skilled labor is becoming scarcer, compromising companies' abilities to grow.

In his role as Michigan’s Plant Doctor, aka “The Tree Doctor”, Dr. Dave is called upon every year by Nurserypersons, Arborists, Landscapers, Suppliers and the Public to solve perplexing plant problems in the landscape and nursery. These plant problems range from pests to diseases and from environmental issues to dilemmas from cultural inputs. In this interesting session, a variety of problem-solving scenarios will be presented in his interesting story-telling style that will not likely lull you to sleep.

In recent years, it has become a growing priority to establish and maintain resilient urban forests. This has been motivated, in part, by significant tree loss following varied pest and pathogen infestations, and in part due to concerns regarding urban tree survival in changing climatic conditions. Plans for urban forest resilience are rooted in principles of urban forest biodiversity, begin with comprehensive inventories of urban tree cover, and are often laid out in urban forest management guidance documents.