Agenda

Brian Jackson

The growing media industry, like all aspects of horticulture, is facing many challenges in regards to cost, availability, and sustainability. With challenges come opportunities. This presentation will summarize the new developments, products, management strategies, and other innovations that are evolving within the growing media market.

JC Chong

The growing media industry, like all aspects of horticulture, is facing many challenges in regards to cost, availability, and sustainability. With challenges come opportunities. This presentation will summarize the new developments, products, management strategies, and other innovations that are evolving within the growing media market.

Garrett Owen

Nutrient disorders commonly occur during greenhouse crop production. This presentation will review the basics of nutrient disorders and factors that induce these disorders. In addition, Dr. Owen will highlight the different methods of in-house nutritional monitoring, routine and diagnostic plant sampling, and corrective actions so you can keep your greenhouse and nursery crops on track.

Evan Alderman

This presentation will provide an overview of the 2025 Iowa Pesticide Applicator Required Topics for Category 3G, with a focused examination of the environmental implications of pesticide use and an in-depth analysis of pesticide labeling.

Brian Jackson

Growers who choose to transition to peat-reduced or peat-free substrates are often faced with many questions regarding crop management strategies in these new mixes. This presentation will highlight current research, grower feedback, and management strategies for irrigation and nutrient management for greenhouse crops in peat-reduced substrates.

JC Chong

Thrips and mites are perennial pests, but their management can be difficult. This presentation will discuss the challenges in dealing with thrips and mites and the proven and new products and approaches to managing them.

Garrett Owen

In-house monitoring of substrate pH and electrical conductivity is essential for understanding the nutritional status of containerized crops, but other sampling procedures can provide a deeper insight into plant health. This presentation will share how to diagnose common plant problems by properly sampling irrigation water, plant leaf tissue, and substrate for routine updates and diagnostics. Be prepared to stop guessing and start confirming during the upcoming growing season.

Chris Currey

This presentation will share the results of two research projects Chris and his team have been working on this past year. First, we will look at how fertilization practices during the greenhouse production phase of containerized herb production affects plant performance in retail settings and for consumers at home. Second, we will take a look at how ethephon sprays affect flowering of vegetatively propagated flowering spring annuals to see if ethephon sprays can be used in shorter production schedules, like those used for four-inch containers.