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NEW -
Featured Plant and Flower of the Month
Click on this link to view our
Feature Plant and Flower
of the Month
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NEW!
UPS - Great rates!
Special Services
- UPS Hold for Pickup service is available for morning pickup by (8:30 am) to over 1000 UPS hubs at no extra cost.
- 50 Percent Discount off Effective Daily Pick up service.
- 50 Percent Discount off Saturday pickup surcharge.
- Flexible billing payment terms are available independently at the customer level.
- Tracking and Intercept services are available via UPS Quantum View which offers a suite of services to manage inbound and outbound package visibility, along with email alerts.
- UPS conveys all conventional floral box sizes including the full size flower box 48x20x12 in our sorting systems and does not need require off loading manual handling methods used by competitors which often causes damages to flowers.
- Various shipping systems, software and web services are available for all types of shippers.
Click Here for more details!
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San Diego County
Sheriff's Department
Crime Prevention Tip of the Month
Criminals look for easy targets...
Perimeter entry points are the most vulnerable. One method of crime prevention that is often overlooked is the use of prickly stemmed or leafed shrubs also known as "Security Plants." These shrubs or thorny plants are very dense and prickly, and most criminals do not like to tangle with them. Planted as a hedge around a property, along a fenceline, or against a wall can be a very effective deterrent against intruders.
Report Crimes or Suspicious Activity Immediately to Sheriff's Dispatch:
9-1-1 Emergencies
or Non-Emergency Lines
North County 760-749-1303
Countywide 858-565-5200
Advise B.J. Williams after calling Dispatch
Ag Crime Prevention 760-751-4408
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PUMPING WATER
WAYS TO HELP REDUCE THE ENERGY COST
Pumping water simply involves moving liquid from one location to another. Something so straightforward accounts for almost 20% of the state's energy consumption according to a 2005 Energy Commission study. Many growers agree that water pumping is energy intensive yet a very critical part of their business operation.
Although restrictions and water costs may be out of your control, something can be done so that water pumping happens as efficiently as possible. You can at least minimize the energy needed to pump water. Everyone agrees that the value of a pump test is a great source of information. It helps decide whether to upgrade, replace or fix an existing pump. SDG&EŽ is pleased to announce Optimum Pumping Utilization Systems or OPUS. OPUS is a no-cost pump test service available to qualifying businesses, including those in the agriculture industry.
The OPUS test:
ˇ Evaluates the normal operation condition
ˇ Evaluates the reading of Flows (GPM)
ˇ Measures GPM of output (gallons per minute)
ˇ Takes electrical consumption and demand readings, and
ˇ Sounds the well for static and water levels
Additionally, OPUS assists customers with the application if a pump replacement is recommended. SDG&E offers incentives and no-interest financing to customers who demonstrate a reduction in their energy use. This means that if the test shows energy savings for a pump replacement, customers may be eligible for an incentive. OPUS can help with the incentive paperwork.
To see if you qualify, contact OPUS at: (866) 774-4812.
The OPUS Program is administered by Pumping Efficiency Test Services under a contract awarded by San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&EŽ). This program is funded by California utility customers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. California customers are not obligated to purchase any of this program's products or services. The trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners.
The selection, purchase, and ownership of goods and services are the sole responsibility of the customer. SDG&E makes no warranty, whether express or implied, including warranty of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose, use or application of selected goods and services.
Arnie Garcia,
Energy Programs Segment Advisor San Diego Gas & Electric Tel(858)654.1115
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Here's the Dirt
 The San Diego County Flower & Plant Association is in the process of accepting nominations for our "Outstanding Person of the Year" a tradition since 1980. The qualifying candidate would be an individual who has dedicated extraordinary efforts and time unselfishly for the betterment of the floriculture industry. Click here for the letter and nomination form |
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Classified ads are FREE to members and run for three months unless otherwise specified. Ad text should be submitted no later than the 25th of the month to the Association office for the upcoming publication.
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Sincerely,
Jan Berry
San Diego County Flower & Plant Association
5600 Avenida Encinas, #108
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone: 760 431-2572
Email: info@flowerandplant.org
Website: www.flowerandplant.org |
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ICE Announces I-9 Audits
of Another 1,000 Employers
The Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced today it would begin delivering I-9 audit notices immediately to 1,000 employers across the country. This is the largest mass audit initiative since ICE announced a 1,000-employer audit in November 2009.
The announcement comes as Republicans are pushing for mandatory use of E-Verify by all U.S. businesses. As reported today in The Wall Street Journal, "The enforcement approach allows both Democrats and Republicans to argue that they're tackling illegal immigration even in the absence of major new legislation on the issue. Both sides can tout enforcement as an effort to protect American workers from illegal immigrants, perceived as creating unfair competition for scarce jobs."
Federal agents are expected to visit the impacted companies in the coming days. Members who are approached by ICE agents or receive audit notices should make careful note of the date by which a response must be submitted to ICE and contact their immigration or employment counsel as soon as possible to review the subpoena and coordinate their responses. Members should avoid any detailed discussion of their I-9 processes with the ICE representative.
Employers found with I-9 violations could face large fines or be subject to criminal investigation and prosecution. This is a good reminder for members to conduct an internal I-9 audit and initiate corrective actions on noncompliant I-9s that comply with ICE and civil rights requirements and initiate an internal review of I-9 processes and procedures. Members who are subject to an ICE audit should consider:
ˇ Responding promptly to the audit notices or obtaining an extension from ICE;
ˇ Maintaining copies of all documents presented to ICE; and
ˇ Refraining from taking any action that may be viewed as intentional tampering of the Form I-9s and supporting documents.
In addition, Western Growers has developed a Form I-9 job aid to assist human resources staff in correctly processing the employment eligibility verification form which is available. For information about the job aid, contact WG's Anthony Magno (amagno@wga.com) at (949) 885-2297. In addition, company representatives responsible for immigration compliance should review the latest edition of the Handbook for Employers (M-274) available here.
For more information, contact WG's Jason Resnick (jresnick@wga.com) at (949) 885-2253.
"Reprint from WESTERN GROWERS SPOTLIGHT Newsletter
dated Feb. 17, 2011"
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President's Message
I hope a Happy Valentines day was had by all. I love this time of year because it is usually one of the first indicators as to what sales will be like for the first six months. According to most of the people I've talked to business was up for retail as well as wholesale. There are lots of new ideas in merchandising. That's what it all seems to be about lately and that's why our Association is thrilled over the new idea by Darrell Ades and Jay Sughroue with their new "Feature Plant and Flower of the Month". Each month they show something that is popular for that time of the year and post an informational background on it with a link to where it can be found in our Directory Product Listing. This is posted on our web site, face book, and email. The word is obviously spreading because this news release appeared in last week's Greenhouse Management e-newsletter Greenhouse Management This is such a great example of an idea that benefits all; consumer, marketer, grower, and the Association! Spread the word.
At the Board meeting this month we had the pleasure of meeting the new President of the CANGC, Chris Zanobini. With his formal background in floriculture it was interesting to hear how he worked his way up to become a key leader in an Association Management Company which manages 27 different agriculturally related organizations. The list is long and diverse yet it makes perfect sense that through shared management they have a much greater pool of manpower and resources to work on issues that effect the individual group as well as those that hit all of them, i.e. pesticides. The CANGC will have greater financial, legal, and lobbing capabilities as a member. As the new President, Chris is interested in seeing the California Grown show continue to grow with its new location and new team of management. They extend the invitation to our association to exhibit with our special member pricing. We wish him and CANGC much success. No matter what association you belong to or how many, whether you are a true farmer {growing for nourishment} or a "glorified farmer" {growing for beauty} we all need to respect and work toward the common goal that we all want to hold on to, the ability to stay in California and make a viable living. Work together, stay informed and remain strong!
Susan MacFarland - Valley View Nursery Inc.
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Pest Advisor
 Twice we have found problems with OHP's Shuttle O. Everyone loves this product - it works great on spider mites. But there was a manufacturing issue once and a defective batch was delivered. The product fell out, settled and refused to re-dissolve. If you use it that way, and I'm not sure why you might, other than a great grower and good friend did, it burn plants. We sent all that poorly made product back to manufacturing with a friendly but nasty note of dismay. And that should be end of story. But wait, for just 19.99 they'll send it back through distribution. We are all people and mistakes happen. The take-home point here is note the quality of products you use for changes or inconstancies. And don't use it if it looks fishy or different. Call and check with others who might know the way it should be if you are unsure. New, and coming to your California Pest Control Distributers March 21st, the first day of spring, Valent Professional Product's long anticipated thrips control product; Overture. Do we need more thrips control products? Dumb question, of course we do. In point of fact, I'd say rather desperately. Valent's information says with no bias, that Overture Insecticide consistently and effectively controls thrips, including our own Western Flower Thrips, preventively or curatively! Oh, it does it in a 'Novel Mode of Action' too. They say it is soft on most beneficial insects but finds time to modify living habits of many lepidopterous larvae, you know, like worms! Sounds a little like Dow's Conserve SC, but it is different. Rotational partnering is your new way of life. (I am referring to insects here, not personal partners. My wife would trade me up in a flash.) Looks like Overture Insecticide will be usable on most flowering and foliage plants as long as they are in a greenhouse. We will take it - even though field growers will shriek "not-fair". David Pattison, PCA, CaCCA
Crop Production Services
760 522-8349 |
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Ask the Advisor
Mosquito Eaters 
I knew the title would get your attention. Soon, I will be getting calls and answering emails from people (even colleagues) about the great mosquito eaters that are showing up at their lights, windows and doors at night. Sometimes in very great numbers. They go by many names such as mosquito eaters, mosquito hawks, or daddy long legs. People tend to confuse them as giant mosquitoes or think they actually eat mosquitoes, but none of that is true. They are actually called crane flies (Order:Diptera, Family: Tipulidae). There are more species of crane flies (>4000 species) than any other group of flies described so far. Since they are called mosquito hawks, some people have suggested mass rearing them as a biological control agent to reduce mosquito populations. Unfortunately, that is a complete misnomer. They do not eat mosquitoes. Some adult crane flies feed on nectar but most do not feed at all. They emerge as an adult, mate, lay their eggs and die. The adults are very fragile and tend to release their legs when threatened. I have some experience with this because my wife wants them immediately removed from the house when present, and when I grab it, it usually ends up being a crane fly with two less legs. They make good food for pet lizards or spiders of your sons and daughters. One caller wanted to know what was causing so many of them this year. Like any other organism, there are booms and busts in their population dynamics caused by abundance or lack of food supply or natural enemies, or some other natural factor. In addition, exceptional conditions may occur locally causing a local event. This is true for most insects and other animals in our area. Where I live, we had such an event about 5 years ago and it continued the following year, but it hasn't happened since then. I suspect it will happen again at some point. And no! It is not because of global warming! It's natural. The immature form, like other flies, is called a maggot, but they also go by the name 'leatherjacket' because they look like their skin is made of leather, dry and thick looking. They typically live in the duff or leaf litter or other organic matter. They feed at the moist leaf litter soil interface on decaying organic matter. Some species live in wetland areas. Adult can get quite large, from leg tip to leg tip can be as much as 3-4 inches in tropical climates. We have a species here that is easily 3 inches. I've collected some of these big ones in southern California, but when I put them in my collection they usually end up being a crane fly body and a pile of legs in the bottom of the box. Crane flies can actually be a pest insect. It's too arid here, but the European crane fly is a serious pest of turf or lawns in the wet northwest. They are also considered an occasional pest of tobacco production on the east coast. A few years ago, I was called in on a problem in hydroponic cut gerbera in Coir where leafminers were causing havoc, but I also noted that many of the plants were lacking roots. Upon further inspection I found large numbers of maggots that looked like monster sized fungus gnat larvae. When I took some of them back to rear them out, I found that they were a common small species of crane fly. They were not the main cause of the problem, but being as big as they were, they were causing some of the root loss. I recently found something similar on potted poinsettia in Pindstrup. For those of you interested in trivia, there is information about European crane flies as pests of potted marijuana in Denmark (Hemp Diseases and Pests: Management and Biological Control By John Michael McPartland, Robert Connell Clarke, David Paul Watson). Oh well. It might be good information since CA will annually place legalizing marijuana on the ballot for years to come. And, if you need help with your crop, I can refer you to other Farm Advisors with that coverage area. I only cover floriculture and nursery. I remember a Master Gardener telling me once that there were so many of these big mosquitoes around her house at night, she was afraid they would sneak in and suck them all dry before dawn. She was kidding of course... she really was... I think. If after you read this and you still believe you are going to die by Crane fly, Bug zappers will work for those of you that find satisfaction from the occasional ZAP that you hear when a bug finds its unfortunate end. James A. Bethke UC Cooperative Extension San Diego jabethke@ucdavis.edu 760 752-4715 |
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Just Sprouted
 William Moore The Moore Firm 5755 Oberlin Drive, Ste., 301, San Diego, CA 92121 The Moore Firm advises clients in all aspects of starting and maintaining their businesses, including: formation, employment, regulatory compliance, contract negotiation and drafting and litigation. Phone: 858.750.1909 Email:wmoore@themoorefirm.net Website: TheMooreFirm.net
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Farmers Almanac
 March 6, 2011 Wedding in the City - National Orange Show Event Center, 690 South Arrowhead Ave., San Bernardino, CA 92408. Contact Derrick Vasquez, AIFD for more information at (909) 888-6788 x 411. Reservations contact Michael Quesada, AIFD at (888) 962-0032. March 10, 2011 Web Traffic Marketing - San Diego County Flower & Plant Association is holding an introductory Session and lunch at the Center for Applied Horticultural Research beginning at 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. Cost is $20.00 per person. Click here for flier. March 17, 2011 Ask the Advisor - Jim Bethke, Tank Mixing: Benefits and Risks. The benefits and risks of tank mixing will be discussed. Tank missing should only be used sparingly, especially when insects and mites that are prone to become resistant are present. The best tank mix options will be discussed, and how best to use them. Center for Applied Horticultural Research, 3742 Blue Bird Canyon Rd., Vista, 92084. NEW TIME: 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Lunch provided. March 19-20, 2011 Spring 2011 Wedding Bouquet "Hands-On" Workshop by Rene van Rems, 9am to 4 pm $295 all inclusive. RENE VAN REMS INTERNATIONAL,3260 Corporate View Drive, Vista, CA 92081 For further information, call 888.824.7363 or rene@renevanrems.com. March 23, 2011 The Cut Flowers Innovation Event presented by Ball Seed Company and San Diego International Floral Trade Center, 5600 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad, CA 92008. Time of Event is 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. We will show you what is new and exciting in the world of cut flowers. The newest cutflowers varieties available in the market, supplied by Ball. The newest European trends, lecture by the internationally known Dutch designer Pieter Landman. RSVP to Glee Schmidt glee@floraltradecenter.com 760.438.5595 or Joan Mazat jmazat@ballhort.com 630.588.3485. April 9, 2011 California Agricultural Leadership Foundation invites you to an Ag Leadership Recruitment Event hosted by Tony & Sue Godfrey at 1990 Green Canyon Rd., Fallbrook, CA 92028. Mingling begins at 1 p.m and informational meeting at 3:00 pm. R.S.V.P. to Anne Atkins (760) 219-2016 email one_masterpiece@hotmail.com or Denise Godfrey (760) 728-0781 email denise@olivehill.net.
April 9, 2011 Community Resource Center -Annual Charity Garden Tour & Ecke Plant Sale. Please register online at www.crcncc.org or by phone at
(760) 230-6305. Tickets will also be available at Weidners' Gardens through the day of the event while supplies last.
April 14, 2011 -San Diego County Flower & Plant Association Spring Meeting at Armstrong Garden Center, 32382 Del Obispo, Ste. E, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. Mark you calendar now. Our Guest Speaker will be Luawanna Hallstrom. She will be speaking on the subject of immigration reform. May 18,2011 San Diego County Flower & Plant Association's 47th Annual Golf Tournament at The Crossings st Carlsbad, 12:00 shotgun start. See attached flier for details and Sponsorship Opportunities! We can't do it without you! |
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Advertisements
 For Sale or Lease Option - 6,000 SF greenhouse on nearly 3 acres, panoramic views, FOR SALE - WORKING NURSERY, 72,000SF greenhouse, 3br home, plus detached guest quarters, office, workshop, and packing shed, established business and inventory available. FOR LEASE -approximately 4 acres zoned Ag, slight slope, cheap in Vista. WANTED TO LEASE, WILL PAY UP TO $3000/MO - 3 to 10 acres, level or slight slope, with or without a home in North San Diego County. Contact Stan McNiel, Associate Broker, Windermere Exclusive Properties, 760-224-2292, stanm@windermere.com, Help Wanted: Mountain View Nursery is seeking a Full Time Nursery Employee/Part Time Driver. You should have a clean driving record and a valid driver's license. You should have experience in the following areas: shipping/receiving, forklift operation, driving a 30 ft bobtail, working in a nursery environment, must speak Spanish. $10 an hour, no benefits. Please call Cassandra @ 760-744-5080 or email cassandra@mountainviewnursery.com Wanted for Renewable Biomass Energy Demonstration-- small space in greenhouse and also small outdoor growing area to propagate and demonstrate potential of a high yield dedicated, nonfood energy crop suitable for electricity production and biofuels. See www.VIASPACE.com for more details. Prefer within one hour driving distance of South Orange County. Call 626-695-9250. Classified ads are FREE to the membership. If you have anything you would like to advertise please contact the Association office at (760) 431-2572 or email info@flowerandplant.org |
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