Have you ever wanted to dig into your micro irrigation system and make sure that it is running at optimum efficiency and learn more about how the substrate dictates irrigation management? How about brushing up on your irrigation calculations and fine-tuning your drip system to get more productivity per plant?

 

Well, you’re in luck. Just this month, Gerry Spinelli of University of California and I published a GrowerTalks magazine article with science-backed information that can help improve your irrigation practices, and provide all the expertise you need to master your craft. Gerry is an irrigation guru and he approached me with a problem he was seeing when teaching drip irrigation: not everyone intuitively understands how to use their drip system and how to determine timing. Truthfully, not everyone does the math, and we wanted to make it easier and more straightforward. 

 

In this article, we wanted to develop a quick reference guide to help you get the most out of your irrigation system. We regularly talk about drip and micro irrigation as the most efficient methods, but if you don’t understand your flow rates and substrate water-holding, you cannot make the most informed decisions. 

 

 

Good horticultural practices require informed decisions, and irrigation management requires calculations. Luckily these calculations are not that hard once you know what you are doing. Measuring leaching fractions and distribution uniformity will help, but when you combine this with emitter flow rate and substrate water-holding, you can maximize your efficiency and performance.

 

Check out the article HERE, and feel free to let us know if you have any questions or other ideas. 

 

As fall begins to merge with winter, it can sometimes be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel, or in this case the spring at the end of the winter. That being said, it is always a good time to start thinking about next year’s crops. I am sure we can all use a bit of a refresher on nutrient management to ensure healthy and uniform plants, while avoiding costly setbacks.

 

If you agree, be sure to tune in next Tuesday for the next installment of American Floral Endowment’s Grow Pro Webinar Series with Dr. Brian Whipker of NC State University. Dr. Whipker will be discussing “Nutrient Management Strategies for Spring Crops,” where he will share his insights gained over a career of improving nutrient management practices and help you make your plans for this upcoming spring. 

 

 

Every time I hear one of Brian’s lectures I come away with new tips or ideas to try and implement, and I bet you will, too. Actually, I’ve been learning from his lectures since I took his Plant Diagnostics class in graduate school!

 

His session is Tuesday, November 18 at 1:00 p.m. EST. The webinar is free, and you can register HERE. While you are at it, you might as well browse through all the past Grow Pro Webinars HERE. I am sure you will find something that can help your business or spark interest. 

 

Regardless of what sector of the industry you consider home, there are plenty of educational opportunities. In my opinion, conferences and trade shows are one of the best and most efficient ways to gain practical information and boost our productivity. This is the case because experts are willing to share their knowledge to help others out. Some might consider this helping competition; however, I like to think of it as supporting the entire industry to ensure that we continue to grow and elevate. Remember, rising tides lift all ships. 

 

I mention this because the Plug & Cutting Conference, which is hosted by AmericanHort, has requested proposals for sessions. Undoubtedly there will be several academics, myself included, submitting talks to drone on about our own research—I mean, have I told you about our substrate trials? However, I feel that often the most informative talks come from you. The industry has a wealth of knowledge and information that academics only dream of possessing.

 

I’ve learned so much from growers who specifically stated “nobody wants to hear what I’m doing at the nursery.” One of the most exciting parts of our industry is the diverse innovation that can be found in every business. If you are still successful in this industry, you’re doing something right. So why not share? If you want to share your story or something you think can help the industry, consider submitting a topic. It’s very easy. Also, if you have an idea for a session you would like to see, you can also submit those, even if you are not the presenter. All information is helpful. 

 

You can submit your proposals HERE. They are due December 31, so think about what you have to share. By the way, the Plug & Cutting Conference is always a fantastic stop. The location for the show will be announced very soon. Fingers crossed for somewhere exciting!

Speaking of trade shows, the Tropical Plant International Expo—or TPIE as it is better known—just announced its educational lineup and tour stops. If you sell, buy, install or just like tropical and foliage plants, this is your show. Plus, there is no better place to shake off the winter fog than a trip to South Florida in January. Each year TPIE is hosted in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where the beaches are beautiful 12 months out of the year. Plus, you can find some of the most unique and exciting plants you can imagine at this show. 

 

The educational lineup features speakers from around the country, all invited for their vast knowledge and passion for tropical plants. From information on plant materials to business strategies, there is a whole list of informational tracks to choose from—or join them all.

 

What excites me the most is the TPIE Road Show, which is the unique production tour that takes place a day before the show. On this full-day tour, attendees will hit the road and head to Homestead (what I consider to be the foliage industry capital), where the tour will highlight the unique production systems that are built to produce some of the most exclusive plant materials around. I’ve encountered many plants and production systems in my travels, and the South Florida tropicals industry is one of the most unique and intensive production areas out there.

 

The full lineup for the tour can be found HERE, along with registration. These spots will fill up quickly, so make sure to book now if you’re planning on attending. 

 

 

TPIE is hosted by the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA) and is a sister to the Landscape Show, which is hosted in Orlando every summer. You can find out more about the show HERE.