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August 23, 2022

What’s Buzzing Me, Mosquito Be Gone!

From the coast to sandhills, pastures to homestead, dozens of mosquito species are found around Florida homes and neighborhoods. They ease through life in one of four forms – egg, larvae, pupa or adult. As adults, some transmit disease pathogen from infected animals to humans, companion animals, and livestock. Unlocking the life cycle mystery is…

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August 22, 2022

Corn Tissue Sampling

Jay Capasso, UF/IFAS Columbia County. Joel Love, UF/IFAS NFREC Suwannee Valley. Kelly Aue, UF/IFAS NFREC Suwannee Valley. Sampling corn tissue is an important practice to conduct during the growing season. Tissue testing can help diagnose nutrient deficiencies, which can limit yield or help to evaluate the efficacy of fertilizer management strategies. Tissue sampling during the…

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August 22, 2022

Better With Butterflies: The Atala

Welcome back to our monthly blog in which we discuss a few interesting facts about butterflies in general and a specific type of butterfly. Of the six known butterfly families, this month we will address the gossamer winged, also known as hairstreaks and blues and the metalmarks. Gossamer winged butterflies are so called because of…

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August 19, 2022

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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August 19, 2022

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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August 18, 2022

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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August 17, 2022

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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August 17, 2022

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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August 16, 2022

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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