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Tiny and Mite-y

Stumped is not something we often admit to being. As a new horticulture agent, I am still delighted when I get a chance to learn something. Recently, myself and others in my area, began to notice a fuzzy white growth on Ruellia simplex, a ubiquitous though invasive and not recommended landscape plant. It’s been particularly rainy,…

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Bugs, Drones, and Trees! Oh, My!

Introduced in the 1840s as an ornamental, the Brazilian peppertrees (Schinus terebinthifolia) are one of Florida’s most widespread invaders. They are abundant throughout the south, central, and parts of northern Florida, spanning canals, coastal dunes, pastures, and urban landscapes.   Mechanical and chemical methods are typically used to control the spread of Brazilian peppertree. Florida’s Noxious…

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Magnesium Deficiency in Palms

Magnesium (Mg) deficiency is very common in palms in Florida. Why is that? It’s because our soils have very low cation exchange capacity (CEC) and are highly leachable. CEC is a measurement of the total negative charges in the soil particles, thus allowing adsorption of positive charged nutrients such as Magnesium (Mg +2), Calcium (Ca +2), and…

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Backyard Vegetable Growing

Saturday, September 10TH 9:30A.M.-12:00P.M. Centennial Park Recreation Center 1120 Centennial Blvd. Port Charlotte, FL 33953 This program is sponsored by UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County and will cover the basics of vegetable gardening and pests. The focus is on practical information which can be put-to-use immediately in the homeowner’s backyard. There is a $5.00 fee to…

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The Silk Floss Tree

Photo: Hannah Wooten The Silk Floss Tree commands attention in every season. From a stunning floral display, to the trunk laden with menacing spines, to the palmate foliage, it is no wonder this rainforest tree has found a place in managed landscapes around the world! Silk Floss, Floss Silk, palo borracho aka drunken stick, toborochi are…

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First Fridays with Florida First Detector

What is Florida First Detector? Florida First Detector is a multiagency educational effort focused on enhancing the early detection of invasive pests that threaten agriculture, nursery industries, and natural areas. We offer in-person and virtual classes. The Florida First Detector website also provides scripted presentations for educators and on-demand CEU opportunities for licensed professionals. Our…

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Florida Farm Pests: Terrestrial Slugs and Snails

When people think of plant pests, the first thing that comes to mind are arthropods, specifically insects. Unfortunately, there are more than just arthropods that are considered plant pests. One of these examples are terrestrial slugs and snails. Asian Tramp Snail (bradybaena similaris), an exotic snail pest in Florida. Credit: Luis O. Rodriguez, UF/IFAS, Polk…

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New tool helps strengthen local food systems

Effective food systems– which include the people, processes and places involved with moving food from local farm to plates – provide equity, sustainability, profitability and resiliency to communities. UF/IFAS researchers conducted a study to define key elements of community food system models and how to overcome the obstacles they face. Researchers used their findings to…

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Cane Toads: A Toxic Threat to Family Pets

About this cane toad webinar Invasive species, like cane toads, are species that (a) are nonnative to a specified geographic area, (b) were introduced by humans (intentionally or unintentionally), and (c) does or can cause environmental or economic harm or harm to humans. Cane toads, also known as bufo toads, can: cause illness or death if…

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