University of FloridaSolutions for Your Life

EDIS Update

New and revised publications from the University of Florida Insitute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

    Florida Foliage House Plant Care: Adenium obesum (ENH1213/EP474)

    May 24th, 2013
    Topic(s):Lawn & Garden

    Figure 1. Adenium obesum 'Blooming Fool' in full flower growing in a 10-inch pot.Adenium obesum and its many hybrids are often seen in retail garden centers. They have vibrant floral displays in shades of red, white, pink, and yellow. Flowers average 2–3 inches in diameter and may be single, double, or even triple. The plants must be stationed in high light, 6 hours or more per day, to maintain flowering during the summer. Adenium obesum makes a dramatic specimen for a deck or patio but should be moved indoors in winter. This 2-page fact sheet was written by R. J. Henny and J. Chen, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, May 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep474

    Growing Potatoes in the Florida Home Garden (HS993/HS183)

    May 22nd, 2013
    Topic(s):Crops, Lawn & Garden

    Figure 1. Red and white potatoes are grown commercially in Florida. The Irish potato is a cool-season crop. A recently grown and harvested potato exhibits different flavor profiles from one that has been in storage or on a grocery shelf for an extended period. For example, in storage, the starches in potatoes convert to sugars, resulting in a less desirable texture and taste. “New” potato flavor can be achieved in the home garden by following a few growing recommendations. This 9-page fact sheet was written by Christian T. Christensen, Libby R. Rens, Jeffrey E. Pack, Lincoln Zotarelli, Chad Hutchinson, Wendy Dahl, Doug Gergela, and James M. White, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, April 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs183

    Biting midges, no-see-ums Culicoides spp. (Insecta: Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) (EENY349/IN626)

    May 20th, 2013
    Topic(s):Ecosystems & Species, Lawn & Garden

    IN626Biting midges can be a nuisance to campers, fishermen, hunters, hikers, gardeners, and others who spend time outdoors during early morning and evenings, and even during the daytime on cloudy days when winds are calm. They will readily bite humans; the bites are irritating, painful, and can cause long-lasting painful lesions for some people. A common observation upon experiencing a bite from this insect is that something is biting, but the person suffering can not see what it is. This 4-page fact sheet was written by C. Roxanne Connelly, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in626

    The mexican lac scale Tachardiella mexicana (Comstock) (Hemiptera: Kerriidae) (EENY552/IN990)

    May 16th, 2013
    Topic(s):Ecosystems & Species, Lawn & Garden

    Figure 1. Adult female tests of Tachardiella mexicana on wax myrtle.The Mexican lac scale is native to Mexico and Texas, but populations have been established in Florida. Adult female scales produce a high-domed ‘test’ or shell with four to six lobe-like projections that anchor the test to the plant surface. The test is hard and glossy with a reddish-orange tint around the edges, and darker toward the center. In some specimens, white string-like wax fiber extrusions project from the dorsum of the test, but these may break off. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Ian Stocks, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in990

    Nematode Management in Residential Lawns (ENY006/NG039)

    May 15th, 2013
    Topic(s):Lawn & Garden

    Figure 1. Diagram of a generic plant-parasitic nematode.Plant-parasitic nematodes are among the least understood and most difficult pests to manage on turfgrass in Florida. They are very small, and most can only be seen with the aid of a microscope. They use a stylet to puncture plant cells, to inject digestive juices into them, and to ingest plant fluids. The most reliable way to determine whether plant-parasitic nematodes are involved in a turf problem is to have a nematode assay conducted by a professional nematode diagnostic lab. This 6-page fact sheet was written by William T. Crow, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ng039

    Tuttle mealybug Brevennia rehi (Pseudococcidae) (EENY551/IN989)

    May 13th, 2013
    Topic(s):Lawn & Garden, Turf / Sod

    Figure 2. Population of adult and immature Tuttle mealybugs, Brevennia rehi, on a blade of zoysia grass. The Tuttle mealybug, Brevennia rehi (Lindinger), is a pest of many grass species and occurs nearly worldwide, especially where rice and sugarcane are grown. Because Bermuda and zoysia are important lawn grasses, especially in the southern United States, infestation by Tuttle mealybug should be considered whenever dieback is noticed, especially if the grass blades show white wax or are sticky from honeydew secretion. Both Bermuda and zoysia lawns are commonly installed as sod or plugs, which provide a ready route for the spread of infestations should the pest control practices of the grower fail to maintain a pest-free production environment. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Ian Stocks, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, April 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in989

    Urban Turf Fertilizer Rule for Home Lawn Fertilization (ENH1089/EP353)

    May 3rd, 2013
    Topic(s):Lawn & Garden

    turfgrassWhile a healthy lawn typically takes up and uses applied fertilizer for growth and protein production, nutrients may leach or run off into water bodies or groundwater when fertilizer is overapplied or applied to an unhealthy lawn. In an attempt to reduce this nonpoint source pollution, FDACS developed a rule to regulate the amount of N and P applied to lawns as fertilizer. The Urban Turf Fertilizer Rule regulates what can be sold and marketed as an urban turf fertilizer and requires specific wording on the fertilizer bag. This rule was enacted in response to concerns over potential pollution of water resources resulting from the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in these fertilizers. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Laurie E. Trenholm, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, March 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep353

    Whiteflies on Landscape Ornamentals (ENY317/MG254)

    May 3rd, 2013
    Topic(s):Lawn & Garden

    Figure 1. Spiraling whitefly adult.Whiteflies are common pests on many ornamental plants. Some of the most economically important species in Florida are the silverleaf whitefly, fig or ficus whitefly, citrus whitefly, and the rugose spiraling whitefly. The most frequently attacked plants include allamanda, avocado, chinaberry, citrus, fig, fringe tree, gardenia, gumbo limbo, ligustrum, mango, various palms, persimmon, viburnum, and many annuals. This 4-page fact sheet was written by E. A. Buss, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg254

    Developing Urban Community Garden Projects (WC139)

    March 29th, 2013
    Topic(s):Lawn & Garden, Program Development, Sustainable Community Development

    image of print publicationCommunity gardens are pieces of land where groups of people grow and maintain vegetable and flower plants. They exist in all types of areas, including neighborhoods, at schools, or on other public or private lands. Community gardens grow food for local consumption or sale and can also be used for teaching gardening and other skills This 7-page fact sheet provides a guide to individuals or groups interested in starting urban community gardens and includes information about how to identify garden sites, build partnerships, engage community members, and develop a project overview. Written by Austen Moore, Amy Harder, and Norma Samuel, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, March 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc139

    Enemigos naturales y control biologico (ENY866/IN977)

    February 22nd, 2013
    Topic(s):Agriculture, Ecosystems & Species, Lawn & Garden, Spanish Language

    Figure 1. Estadíos de la mariquita común: adulto, pupa y larva (arriba), un conjunto de huevecillos (abajo).Hay muchos insectos benéficos pero solamente hay algunos que son enemigos naturales de plagas. Los enemigos naturales más comunes de encontrar son: mariquitas/tortolitas, crisopas, antocóridos (Orius), ligaéidos, sírfidos, avispas de agallas, hormigas, avispas parasíticas, moscas parasíticas y ácaros depredadores. La importancia relativa varía de acuerdo con cada insecto plaga, el hábitat y la estación o época del año. This 7-page fact sheet was written by Hugh A. Smith y John L. Capinera, traducido por Ana Lucrecia MacVean, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in977

    Design and Implementation of Edible Plant Demonstration Gardens: A Case Study of the Putnam County Extension Edible Garden (ENH1205/EP466)

    December 12th, 2012
    Topic(s):Lawn & Garden, Program Development

    Figure 11. Lattice and hanging baskets in area #2 of the Hastings gardenDemonstration gardens are a collection of plants assembled and organized in a manner that allows garden visitors to access and study them. Most gardens are designed with a particular focus and include plants that support the purpose and educational theme of the garden. This case study features an edible plant demonstration garden that was designed and installed in Hastings, Florida, on the Extension office grounds. The UF/IFAS program and the Partnership for Water, Agriculture, and Community Sustainability (FPWACS) designed and implemented the demonstration garden using a step-by-step process that is discussed in this 15-page fact sheet written by Gail Hansen, Joseph Sewards, Rebecca Almeida, and Andrew Dunn, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, November 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep466

Next Page »

Links
  • EDIS Website - EDIS is the Electronic Data Information Source of UF/IFAS Extension, a collection of information on topics relevant to you.
Topics
Archives
Meta