Always read the label and follow the instructions exactly. Never eat, drink or smoke while using a pesticide. Keep all pesticides in original containers with their labels clearly visible. You should store the containers in an airtight box to prevent breathing of the fumes. Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks, rubber shoes, goggles and gloves. Gloves [...]
Sooty mold is gross. It forms a black deposit on the leaf surface that blocks out light and air movement. Severe attacks can turn entire leaves completely black. Eventually, it can cause a plant to die from lack of light. I've seen 20' Ficus with 50% of their leaves sticky, black and falling off. These then [...]
Hoya leaves hold on to water Water is one of the key elements for any landscape business. You need water to keep plants alive, and during the long, hot days of summer you use plenty of it. When water supplies get tight, your customers may look to you to make adjustments to cut back [...]
The horrors of low light, offices too warm or too cold, and the indecisions of whether the Ficus really needs a drink this week are starting to fade as we enter early spring. Plants, in general, are coming out of their winter dormancy and we are on the cusp of the growing season for our [...]
Learn how to take a step back If you feel you’re on the verge of being stressed because of your job, take a step back. You might be burning out. Before it becomes full-blown, take these steps to avoid burnout: 1. Find time to play Even if it means forcing yourself. People on the [...]
Do you make the grade? Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Account Check-up...no matter what you call it, it’s still a report card. These reports can show up in your message box without warning. There is no time for cramming, you didn’t even know there was going to be a “test." They go straight to your [...]
Healthy Back Tips for Plant Technicians It's important to avoid back injuries while working Work shouldn’t be back breaking. A plant technician’s job can be strenuous. A typical day will involve lifting water buckets, carrying replacement plants, moving ladders and climbing up and down, crawling on your knees, moving chairs out of the way [...]
Writing a list will help you stay on track There's always so much that needs to be done and it's easy to be overwhelmed when you have so much on your plate. Don't worry, there are 11 helpful tips below to help you make the most of our time. Break down major tasks into [...]
When horticulturists in your company begin to "talk shop," do you sometimes feel like you're standing on foreign soil? Do you frown in puzzlement when they toss out phrases like vascular bundles, air layering and sucker growth? If so, you're not alone. The language of horticulture, while sometimes confusing, is essential for effective communication. To tackle [...]
Over the years, rising overhead costs have forced interiorscapers to delay replacing plants in order to control expenses. Old plants, hanging onto life by one or two leaves, will ruin an account; but, aging plants, maintained properly to stay full, can be beautiful for many years. To extend a plant's life without sacrificing plant quality, it [...]
