WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7

BLOCK 1 (9:00 AM - 9:50 AM)

Margery will cover the basics for diagnosis and treatment as well as some recent research about the different Xanthomonas bacteria that affect begonias or geraniums or ivy. She’ll also cover the latest problems due to Ralstonia and Pseudomonas species. Speaking of hard-to-control diseases, she will also teach the symptoms of tospoviruses (INSV and TSWV) and their kin showing up in flower crops. Knowing what plants to throw out can save you a world of trouble later.
LOCATION: FEDERAL ROOM
CREDITS: (NY) .75 credits, categories 1a, 24 (NE) 1 credit, categories 26,29,31 (PA) 2 credits, categories PC,06,18,22,23

The greenhouse environment has a large effect on plant growth and development. Light (daily light integral and day length), temperature (average daily temperature, DIF, and extremes), carbon dioxide, and humidity all impact how our crops grow. Fortunately, we have the opportunity to manage and manipulate these factors as well. This session will focus on how the greenhouse environment affects growth and how you can control it to get the results you want.
LOCATION: COLONIAL

Want to join the local food movement so you can enjoy fresher, tastier produce, but don’t want to have to pay a premium for it or go miles out of your way? Meet Little Leaf Farms. We grow our nutrient-packed lettuces year-round in a pristine, state-of-the-art New England greenhouse using Mother Nature’s best ingredients (fresh air, sunlight, filtered water) and nothing else—no pesticides, no herbicides, no chlorine baths. And because we service local New England markets, we can get our greens onto your grocer’s shelf the same day it’s harvested, and at a reasonable price.
LOCATION: COTILLION

There’s a revolution occurring in the world of substrates. It’s being driven by sustainability, availability, transportation, and most importantly, cost. Although growers have more choices of components and amendments, pressure to reduce production costs limit which options will provide good value. We will explore the options for components and amendments. The components include peat, bark, coir, wood fiber, wood chips and cow fiber. We will also discuss many popular amendments, including biologicals (biofungicides, mycorrhizae, etc.), polymers, fertilizers and “exotics”. We will briefly discuss organic and hydroponic options. Tomorrow’s substrates will be similar but probably very different from today’s in many ways. It’s time to join the revolution.
LOCATION: DIRECTOR’S ROOM

En esta presentación discutiremos los beneficios de entrenamiento continuo. La educación continua de empleados es esencial para la seguridad del empleado, la calidad de las plantas, y la sostenibilidad de una empresa.
LOCATION: SEMINAR

BLOCK 2 (10:30 AM - 11:20 AM)

Cheryl will cover the essentials on recognition and management for many of the fungal and water mold diseases that continually challenge growers. Growers of bedding plants or flowering potted crops will learn about the kinds of fungi that can be your crop's nemesis: powdery mildews, Botrytis, Thielaviopsis, Phytophthora, Pythium, and Rhizoctonia will all be featured in this rogue’s gallery of fungal pathogens.
LOCATION: FEDERAL ROOM
CREDITS: (NY) .75 credits, categories 1a, 24 (NE) 1 credit, categories 26,29,31 (PA) 2 credits, categories PC,06,18,22,23

Training employees how to water crops is an important and difficult task. Inadequate watering leads to crop loss caused by excessive or insufficient water in the container. In this presentation, we will discuss the importance of tracking moisture in the media and understanding the water needs of the crop species at different stages.
LOCATION: COLONIAL

Every year breeders introduce hundreds of new plants to the market. With so many choices, it can be difficult to separate the top-performers from the flops. Plant performance in real-world conditions is often the dividing line. This presentation will highlight some of the new, top-performing plant intros for 2018, based on field trial results from the Northeast region. It will cover plant performance, breeder and field trial manager feedback, and ways to position the plants in the market.
LOCATION: COTILLION

Learn how beneficial symbiotic soil fungi, known as mycorrhizae, can benefit your professional growing operation and, ultimately, your business' bottom line. The benefits of mycorrhizae are vast and long-term: expanded plant root mass, increased soil nutrient efficiency and improved water acquisition and storage. These primary benefits transform to improved shelf life, drought tolerance, improved fruiting and flowering, enhanced transplant success and landscape survivability. Whether you are a skeptic, a believer, or not sure where you stand, this seminar will help you to better understand this cutting edge greenhouse, nursery and landscape technology. Blair will explain the science behind these beneficial microbes, as well as give recommendations on their usage in your greenhouse, nursery or landscape.
LOCATION: DIRECTOR’S ROOM

Esta charla cubrirá los fundamentos de monitoreo de plagas del grupo llamado artrópodos. Los participantes aprenderán a monitorear e identificar plagas importantes en los invernaderos.
LOCATION: SEMINAR
CREDITS: (NY) .75 credits, categories 1a,24 (NE) 1 credit, categories 26,29,31 (PA) 2 credits, categories PC,06,18,22,23

BLOCK 3 (1:30 PM - 2:20 PM)

To run a successful biological control program you must know what pests you are dealing with. This class will cover the basics of insect ID as well as detailed ID information on common greenhouse pests.
LOCATION: FEDERAL ROOM
CREDITS: .75 credits, categories 1a, 24 (NE) 1 credit, categories 26,29,31 (PA) 2 credits, categories PC,06,18,22,23

Join us as we cover advanced fertilizer strategies to control substrate pH and nutrients in container crops, and how to prevent and correct nutritional problems. We will also discuss new substrate components and how they impact your fertility program.
LOCATION: COLONIAL

Fill your marketing tool kit with information and ideas that will take your business to the next level. Walk with us through the front doors of businesses and check out the do's and don'ts of merchandising. Get the skinny on digital marketing tools you may not be using like geofencing, video pre-rolls and hear why you should be on Instagram. Think outside the window box and increase traffic and sales during challenging seasons like fall.
LOCATION: COTILLION

Many factors play into selection of your hydroponic system: cost, maintenance, ease of use, and automation. Learn the pros and cons of the two most common systems for growing leafy greens and herbs: deep water culture (DWC) and nutrient film technique (NFT). We will show common commercial systems and example do-it-yourself setups. The basics of using each system and care and management will be discussed.
LOCATION: DIRECTOR’S ROOM

Uno de las tareas más difíciles y más importantes de aprender es como regar los cultivos a un nivel óptimo. El riego inadecuado resulta en perdida de plantas a causa de mucha o poca agua. En esta presentación vamos a discutir la importancia de monitorear la humedad en el sustrato y entender las necesidades de cada cultivo.
LOCATION: SEMINAR

BLOCK 4 (2:30 PM - 3:20 PM)

Historically, the greenhouse industry has relied on synthetic insecticides to meet its pest control needs. However, growers are increasingly faced with the loss or failure of pest control products, declining access to new chemistries, stricter environmental/health and safety regulations, and the need to produce plants and vegetables in a manner that meets the demands of a retail/consumer driven market. Microbial biopesticides can play a critical supporting role in IPM. Their unique modes of action, safety and activity against a range of challenging pests makes them ideal companion products. Applied at strategic points in the production cycle, biopesticides can strengthen biologically-based IPM programs, providing more robust, efficacious and cost-effective control. This presentation documents trials carried out to define best practices around the integration of microbial insecticides into greenhouse production systems, outlines current use practices, and identifies opportunities to improve efficacy in ornamental crops.
LOCATION: FEDERAL ROOM
CREDITS: (NY) .75 credits, categories 1a,24 (NE) 1 credit, categories 26,29,31 (PA) 2 credits, categories PC,06,18,22,23

One of the biggest challenge with containerize crops is controlling growth. Controlling unwanted and excessive growth is often needed to produce aesthetically pleasing plants, while also allowing for increased planting and shipping densities and reduced water and fertilizer inputs. This session will discuss a range of approaches to controlling growth, including scheduling and cultivar selection, modifying fertilization and irrigation, manipulating temperature and light, and applying plant growth regulators.
LOCATION: COLONIAL

The green industry has been historically one of the fastest growing sectors of the U.S. economy, but recent reports show that some segments have become stagnant or declined. As technologies evolve and become more accessible, green industry operations can use e-commerce (online sales) and e-marketing (online marketing campaigns) to boost sales, build new partnerships, and pursue up- and down-stream integration strategies. This presentation will address the impact of e-commerce and e-marketing on green industry businesses and will characterize drivers and barriers to adopting technology in the Amazon era.
LOCATION: COTILLION

Learn how to manage nutrient solutions and pH for leafy greens, herbs, and vine crops. Discuss common tips and pitfalls when designing nutrient solution recipes and optimizing nutrient management practices.
LOCATION: DIRECTOR’S ROOM

En esta presentación discutiremos el uso seguro y efectivo de pesticidas. También discutiremos como las cosas han cambiado ahora que no podemos usar neonicotinoides.
LOCATION: SEMINAR
CREDITS: (NY) .75 credits, categories 1a,3a,24,25 (NE) 1 credit, categories 26,29,31 (PA) 2 credits, categories PC,06,18,22,23

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8

BLOCK 1 (9:00 AM - 9:50 AM)

Resistance management for diseases is especially important when the pathogens, like you, are ace propagators. . . making lots and lots of spores. The most notorious examples are Botrytis cinerea and the downy and powdery mildews. There are documented cases of fungicide resistance to each of these, so your IPM programs should always emphasize rotation when these are the plant enemies you care about. Learn about instances of resistance development in these pathogens, and how to use FRAC group information to outwit them. And don't forget that bacteria, too, say "Resist!"—so your management strategy for bacterial diseases also needs to incorporate resistance management.
LOCATION: FEDERAL ROOM
CREDITS: (NY) .75 credits, categories 3a,24 (NE) 1 credit, categories 26,29,31 (PA) 2 credits, categories PC,06,18,22,23

While lighting can be among the most expensive greenhouse costs, supplemental lights can help you produce higher quality crops with shorter crop cycles and may actually make you money. This session will discuss what to look for when purchasing new lights for flower or vegetable production. Examples will be presented of upfront cost and operating cost comparing LEDs to traditional HID fixtures. We will also discuss how lighting control (time clock, light threshold, daily light integral targets) can substantially impact crop quality and cost of lighting.
LOCATION: COLONIAL

Using the right varieties can make a big difference in greenhouse vegetable production. The first step is choosing crops that will be profitable in a greenhouse. For this reason most of the breeding, and our focus, will be on tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, greens, peppers, eggplant, and basil. We will discuss what criteria to use to evaluate varieties of these crops for greenhouse production.
LOCATION: COTILLION

This hands-on workshop will provide businesses with the best practices to start and plan your social media marketing strategies. The workshop will also provide participants with applications of key marketing concepts and how to use them to draw customers and increase sales.
LOCATION: DIRECTOR’S ROOM

Perennials can be both challenging and rewarding to propagate. In this session, you will learn about a variety of techniques for vegetatively and reproductively propagating popular perennials for spring forcing. You'll also understand how to manage light and substrate moisture in the propagation environment in order to improve rooting.
LOCATION: SEMINAR

BLOCK 2 (10:30 AM - 11:20 AM)

The development of insecticide resistance is a straightforward example of evolutionary principles in action: intensive selection combined with genetic variability in pest susceptibility leads to our pest populations becoming unmanageable with insecticides. There have been several methods suggested for managing pest populations once they have become resistant, including use of pesticide rotations and mixtures. However, these strategies may be based on flawed assumptions that resistance is due to target site insensitivity. I will examine this subject to provide a more complete understanding of insecticide resistance and ways in which it can be managed. Topics will include (1) synergists to restore insecticide effectiveness, (2) how spiders venoms work, (3) "resistance-proof" insecticides, and most importantly, robust IPM strategies to avoid insecticide resistance in the first place.
LOCATION: FEDERAL ROOM
CREDITS: (NY) .75 credits categories 1a,2, 3a,24,25 (NE) 1 credit, categories 26,29,31 (PA) 2 credits, categories PC,06,18,22,23

Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) using sole-source electric lighting has been emerging as a new type of crop production independently from climate conditions. Warehouse-based crop production in fact began in the U.S. decades ago, but recent advancement of efficient lighting technology made this type of production system more efficient in a small footprint especially in urban settings. This presentation will review types of controlled environment technologies currently used in these systems as well as research areas needed for making the production more efficient and profitable. Characterizations of these indoor CEA systems compared with more traditional greenhouse, tunnels or field production and how these systems can be integrated effectively in US food/plant production will be discussed.
LOCATION: COLONIAL

This talk will focus on management of the plant growth environment in order to optimize crop production with a focus on greenhouse tomatoes. Crop management factors that the grower can control to influence plant response include light, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, water, nutrition as well as crop scheduling and pruning.
LOCATION: COTILLION

Join us as we discuss how to monitor and control environmental factors (light, temperature, CO2, and relative humidity) and improve irrigation practices using a variety of low-cost sensor technology.
LOCATION: DIRECTOR’S ROOM

With 30 years of experience growing natives, Peter will help define what a native is (not as simple as we all thought), and talk about some of the challenges of growing them.
LOCATION: SEMINAR

BLOCK 3 (1:30 PM - 2:20 PM)

Learn how to think critically about proposed biological control programs, to see if they are really going to work for you.
LOCATION: FEDERAL ROOM
CREDITS: (NY) .75 credits, categories 1a,3a,24 (NE) 1 credit, categories 26,29,31 (PA) 2 credits, categories PC,06,18,22,23

Join Erin and discover why financial benchmarking is a powerful tool to help your business achieve more. When you put this tool to work for you, you’ll be able to evaluate ongoing performance, manage more efficiently, and most importantly, increase profits. And, best of all, you’ll leave this session with real-life ways that you can start benchmarking in your business today.
LOCATION: COLONIAL

Substrate-based strawberry production under controlled environment (greenhouse, high tunnels) is a fast growing sector in North America. Along with the increasing interest in local production, several greenhouse industries as well as traditional field producers began to produce strawberries under controlled environment. Production systems range from Dutch-style Venlo greenhouses to single layer polyethylene tunnels with "table top" production systems. This presentation will review key physiologies (e.g., photoperiodic response for flowering and photosynthesis for production), and technologies that enable off-season or year-round production of strawberries under controlled environment.
LOCATION: COTILLION

Herbaceous perennials are a diverse group of plant species and cultivars. Some commercial growers of perennials list over 500 varieties in their offerings. A fertilization plan in such operations can be a tricky management puzzle. The grower works to deliver the optimum rate of nutrients to the diverse species and cultivars being produced. This plant diversity can get more complicated with differing ages of plants, or based on the time of the year during which the plants are being produced. Light and temperature play a role along with insect and disease pressures. Fertilizer rates and formulations need to be changed to meet growth stage, desired growth rate, and shifts in pH level. Water quality should be considered first due to its impact on fertilization programs. Fertilization secondly, with the three methods of application: pre-plant incorporated, liquid applications, and slow release fertilizers applied to the growing media. Finally, nutritional monitoring via tissue testing, substrate testing, and visual observation are all important aspects of a sound nutrient management program.
LOCATION: SEMINAR

Whether you're writing for a company blog, newsletter, or marketing, there are specific ways you can improve your communications in order to sell the excitement about plants and gardening. Learn how to quickly connect with your customers, capture the attention of the public, and convey your message clearly. Discover how to use the power of storytelling, easily edit your work and overcome writers block. Hear how in the digital age writing skills that compliment your visuals are vital to the promotion of plants and horticulture.
LOCATION: DIRECTOR'S ROOM

BLOCK 4 (2:30 PM - 3:20 PM)

Human Resources is more than about keeping your business out of hot water and is more about creating a company culture that makes your business a place where employees want to work. This helps your bottom line by reducing turnover, increasing job satisfaction, and increasing productivity. Your business enters the world of HR as soon as you hire your first employee. In this session we will discuss some basic HR functions that you are already doing and find out how to do them better, as well as discussing ways to keep your business out of trouble. Topics include recruitment and selection, harassment, terminations, laws that affect your business, and worker's compensation.
LOCATION: COLONIAL

There is significant growth in demand for biocontrol agents and biopesticides around the world, and expansion in the biostimulants market shows no signs of abating. Biological control has moved from being a curiosity and into the mainstream. Innovations in formulation and delivery methods for various natural enemies now allow biocontrol agents to be successfully used in crop settings where traditionally they have had limited impact. Novel biopesticides are coming to market whose capacity to regulate pests and diseases is not predicated on the old pesticide paradigm of 'contact and kill', but through their ability to induce plant defenses.

Understanding what these new materials can do, how to use them, how they fit into an IPM strategy, and what can be done to enhance crop resilience will allow us to utilize biocontrol in an increasing array of crops and crop settings, and capitalize on the benefits that these agents can bring. These aspects will be discussed, using working examples wherever possible to help illustrate the opportunities and challenges we face in the new era of biological control.
LOCATION: FEDERAL ROOM
CREDITS: (NY) .75 credits, categories 1a,24 (NE) 1 credit, categories 26,29,31 (PA) 2 credits, categories PC,06,18,22,23

Water quality for irrigation is determined by chemical, biological, and physical parameters that affect plant health and irrigation efficiency. These parameters individually or in combination affect nutrient availability, and the incidence and severity of plant diseases and clogging of irrigation emitters in fresh water and recirculated nutrient solutions. In this presentation, we will discuss how to monitor and manage water quality and recirculated nutrient solutions in hydroponics.
LOCATION: COTILLION

Roger will discuss how to start and maintain a biological control program for indoor and outdoor production of perennial plants. He will talk about Pioneer Garden’s lessons and innovations to monitor and apply beneficial insects.
LOCATION: SEMINAR
CREDITS: (NY) .75 credits, categories 3a,24 (NE) 1 credit, categories 26,29,31 (PA) 2 credits, categories PC,06,18,22,23

Discussion will focus on strategies to save money and resources, growing better plants and creating more valuable crops employing water soluble fertilizers, wetting agents and controlled release fertilizers. Topics will include fertilizer selection, best management practices, optimizing water use, decreasing shrinkage in the retail environment and offering a better performing plant at the consumer level. Please attend to hear useful tips to improve your nutrient management program. Note: attendees to this talk will be entered into a drawing to win a free audit of their fertilizer program by ICL Technical Service. Winner will receive a comprehensive report and some free product samples to try based on this report.
LOCATION: DIRECTOR’S ROOM

BLOCK 5 (3:30 PM - 4:20 PM)

A business evolves from the moment it’s established. Join Erin Pirro for a great discussion on the steps you can take today to strategically position your operation for the changes to come, build a sustainable business, and enjoy doing the job you want to do (not just the one you have to do)! Imagine what you could accomplish if the day-to-day happened without you lifting a finger. That dream becomes reality when you empower your team, and you’ll leave with your next first step in making this happen.
LOCATION: COLONIAL

In this session, Ronald will focus on the keys to successfully implementing BCA's into a pest management program. Timing, choice of BCA's and how to introduce them, planning the program, and the question 'what can I still spray?' will be discussed.
LOCATION: COTILLION
CREDITS: (NY) .75 credits, categories 1a,3a,24 (NE) 1 credit, categories 26,29,31 (PA) 2 credits, categories PC,06,18,22,23

Deer feed on certain plant species, including ornamental plants used in landscapes. This presentation will cover the plants that deer generally don't browse, plants they browse some of the time, and plants deer browse frequently, with emphasis on the plants that the deer generally don't eat. The best way to minimize deer injury is to grow those plants that deer don't like to eat. Deer will eat plants based on experience, deer nutritional requirements, plant palatability, seasonal factors, weather conditions, and what other plants are available for them to consume. Deer often prefer native species, but also have developed a taste for some invasive plants in some locations. These preferences can shape plant communities, as preferential browsing can reduce some plant community components while increasing others. Learn which plants to grow successfully in heavily deer encumbered areas so as to minimize damage to a landscape by deer.
LOCATION: SEMINAR

2018 CONFERENCE | Session Details

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8

Pesticide Recertification Credit

Thank you to our 2018 sponsors!

Thank you to our 20118 exhibitors!

Location of 2018 Northeast Greenhouse Conference & EXPO

Stay Connected