8:00-8:30AM

Registration, Coffee, Visit Trade Show

8:30-8:45AM

Welcome, Announcements, and General Updates
Nora Catlin, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County

8:45-9:30AM

How to Diagnose Abiotic Disorders in Spring Greenhouse Crops
Neil Mattson, Cornell University

Challenges in greenhouse production can come from living organisms (biotic disorders) such as disease or insect or mite problems, or from non-living factors (abiotic disorders) such as plant nutritional problems or environmental problems. In this session Mattson will discuss the identification of the most common abiotic problems in the greenhouse and their solutions.

Building Better Rotation Programs for Troublesome Diseases
Emma Lookabaugh, BASF

This presentation will cover how to approach developing the best fungicide rotations that will effectively manage your most troublesome diseases. How to choose products for disease management while talking efficacy and fungicide resistance into consideration will be discussed.

10:30-11:30AM

Coffee Break and Visit Trade Show

11:30-11:50AM

Policy and Legislation Updates
Rob Carpenter, Long Island Farm Bureau

Policy and legislation changes have the potential to greatly impact your businesses. This presentation will cover current issues at the local, state, and federal level.

11:50AM-12:35PM

Native Plants to Incorporate Into Your Greenhouse Production
Arden Pontasch, North Creek Nurseries

Native plants are gaining popularity as more and more people recognize they are both beautiful and functional problem solvers in the landscape. Learn which native plants can be incorporated into your annual production greenhouse to take advantage of this growing segment. Tips for growing from start to finish will also be covered.

12:35–1:35PM

Lunch

1:35-1:45PM

Announcements and Updates from LIFGA
John Auwaerter, Long Island Flower Growers Association

1:45-2:15PM

New, Old and Blue: What’s Up with Greenhouse Pests
Dan Gilrein, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County

This presentation will cover some new pest problems and old ones that are returning in greenhouse production, including Lewis mite, broad mite, ‘blue oat mite,’ Thrips parvispinus, and more. We’ll mention a discovery about Japanese beetle here that may (happily) explain our declining populations and touch on what the Birds and Bees Act may mean for ornamental growers and others.

2:15-3:00PM

Greenhouse Gremlins
Margery Daugthrey, Cornell University

There are creatures in your greenhouse that you didn’t invite. Microscopic pathogens can move in along with the plants. Learn about the diseases seen during 2024—their symptoms, prevention and management. Crops featured will include African violet, zinnia, poinsettia, chrysanthemum, geranium, and more.