Diagnostic of Plant Problems

What is wrong with my tree?

If you hear this question from your customers, this workshop is for you.
The full-day session will review common diseases found on plants in the region.  We will review the diagnostic skills and the methods to make the best possible assessment.

The afternoon portion is hands-on with real plants.

Learning outcomes:

Differentiate between living and non-living symptoms of plant diseases

Review weather conditions that favour development of insects and diseases

Hands-on portion with real examples to practice concepts

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• Examples of recent deliveries

  Diagnostic of plant diseases
  A half-day workshop offered at the CanWest Seminars, the trade show of the horticulture industry in British Columbia.
  Held in Abbotsford, September 2017.

  Plant diseases and diagnostic of plant problems
  One-day training workshop for the Master Gardener program in the BC Interior region.  This training is done every two or three years since 2007 in Kelowna, Kamloops or Penticton.

  Diagnostic of plant problems
  One-day workshops organized by the “Horticulture Basics” program of the BC Landscape Nursery Association (BCLNA).
  Held in Kelowna and Kamloops in 2010.
  Copy of advertisement

  Plant diseases and diagnostic of plant problems
  A one-day workshop organized by the Vancouver Island chapter of International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
  Held in Nanaimo, BC in 2010.

Pest Management and IPM

A series of one-day workshops cover identification, typical damage and management methods for insects, diseases or weeds.  There is a strong emphasis on prevention, non-pesticide control and least-toxic pesticides.

A separate one-day workshop reviews the practical application of IPM in urban areas.  It is designed for landscape maintenance companies and pest management companies.  Participants review the IPM components of service programs they can offer their customers.

• Learning Outcomes:

  Review the life cycle and best practices for management of common insect pests

  Learn about new invasive insects that were recently introduced in the region

  Discuss common insecticide products and their modes of action

• Examples of recent deliveries

  Nursery Growers IPM workshops
  Organized annually by the BC Landscape Nursery Association
  2018: Insects and Management root weevil presentation
  2019: Weeds and Management program
  2020: Diseases and Management program
  2023: Rodent management and new provincial legislation

  Weed management without pesticides
  A one-day workshop organized as part of a training program offered at the College of the Rockies. The focus was on planted areas (shrub and flower beds) and hard surfaces (sidewalks and driveways).
  Held in Creston, BC in April 2014.

  Advancing the practice of IPM in your landscape operation
  A one-day training workshop organized by PlantHealth BC and the City of Kelowna.
  Held in 2011 and 2009 in Kelowna, BC.
  Copy of advertisement

Lawns and Turf Pest Management

This workshop reviews modern practices for pest management in lawns, either natural programs without synthetic pesticides, or conventional programs with a focus on cultural practices.

The contents are based on the 2019 publication Turf IPM Manual for British Columbia, prepared by our company and published by the Allied Golf Association of British Columbia.

• Learning outcomes:

  Diagnostic and field recognition of common insects, diseases and weeds found in British Columbia.

  Review the important requirements for fertilization, over-seeding, mowing and many more.

  Management of low impact pesticides typical of use under pesticide bylaws or organic programs.

• Examples of recent deliveries

  New lawn care manual for British Columbia
  Master Gardeners Association of BC annual AGM, September 2019 in Kelowna.

  The new Turf IPM Manual
  Presentation at Western Canada Turfgrass Association annual conference and trade show, February 2019, Richmond BC

  Lawn care without pesticides
  A one-day workshop organized for a commercial company operating in a municipality with a bylaw restricting the use of pesticides.
  Held in Whistler, BC in October 2014.
  

Pruning of Trees and Shrubs

This one-day workshop will review important concepts such as good tree structure,
what to cut and where to cut, as well as pruning tools and their maintenance.

There will be a strong focus on the modern thinking for pruning – minimizing cuts so the tree can heal rapidly.  As a bonus, we discuss pruning to increase production in fruit trees and flowering in shrubs.

• Learning outcomes:

  Understanding sound tree structure to determine the best pruning cut

  The importance of pruning to maintain plant health

  Hands-on afternoon portion to practice concepts discussed during morning

• Examples of recent deliveries

  Pruning and tree care
  A one day workshop held in Kaslo, BC in October 2017

  Pruning of trees and fruit trees
  A one-day workshop for home owners and back yard gardeners. Held at the Lillooet Golf Course in March 2014. Copy of advertisement

  Pruning of trees and fruit trees
  A one-day workshop organized by the Kootenay Land Association Society (KLAS).
  Held in Castlegar in March 2011.  Copy of advertisement

Planting Trees and Shrubs

Things that are done at the time of planting will have a big impact for years afterwards.

This one-day workshop reviews the practices that make a difference – the planting hole, the soil to add, the mulch to apply, and methods to conserve water after planting.

Of special interest, we will examine root systems on plants received from the nursery and discuss the corrective actions ahead of planting.

• Learning outcomes:

  Preparation of the planting area to match modern industry standards

  Examination of the root system at the time of planting and correction of problems

  Hands-on afternoon portion to practice concepts discussed during the morning

• Examples of recent deliveries

  Soil management to conserve water
  Presentation at BC Recreation and Parks Association annual spring training, February 2017 in Langley, BC

  Compost to improve plant health
  Workshop sponsored by the Okanagan Kootenay Cherry Growers Association, May 2012 in Summerland BC.

  Planting Trees and Shrubs- The Modern Practices
  A one-day workshop organized by the “Horticulture Basics” program of the BC Landscape Nursery Association (BCLNA).
  Held in 2010 in Kamloops and Kelowna.  Copy of advertisement

Management of Plant Roots

Trees can arrive at our facility with defects that will impact the long-term survival. This 90-minute session will review the most common defects and methods to correct them. We will examine the practices that trigger these root defects and their importance for longer term survival. Part of the session will be with real plants showing circling roots, ascending roots or kinked roots.

• Learning outcomes:

  Identify the main root defects found on trees and methods to correct them

  Recognize the impacts of each root defect on tree health, survival and stability

  Discuss nursery production practices that lead to root defects

• Examples of recent deliveries

  Managing tree roots at planting
  BC Golf Superintendent Association. Professional development days, Victoria BC, November 2019.

  Managing tree roots in nursery production
  Green Industry Show and Conference
  Edmonton AB 2016 Landscape Alberta Nursery Landscape Association

  Root defects and advances in nursery practices
  ISA Prairie chapter conference. Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, October 2017 copy of handout

Nutrient Deficiencies

Why are the leaves yellow? What fertilizer would help achieve a healthier plant?

This intensive one-day workshop will provide answers to these questions and more.  We will examine symptoms and nutrient deficiencies that are common on plants growing in this region and methods to correct those problems.

All nutrients will be covered—from nitrogen to iron to zinc.

• Learning outcomes:

  Common visual symptoms when plants are lacking specific nutrients.

  Recipes to correct nutrient deficiencies.

  Reading laboratory reports of plant samples.

• Examples of recent deliveries

  Nutrient deficiencies and fertilization of landscape plants
  A  half-day workshop offered at the CanWest Seminars, the trade show of the horticulture industry in British Columbia.
  Held in Abbotsford in September 2019. copy of handout, copy of program

  Fertilization and nutrient deficiencies for Christmas trees
  A half-day workshop with the Christmas Tree Growers Association of BC.
  Held in Kelowna in September 2013.

  Typical symptoms of nutrient deficiencies in conifer plants
  A presentation at the “Nutrient Workshop for Seed Orchards” organized by the B.C. Ministry of Forests.
  Held in Vernon in October 2011 and repeated in June 2014.

Compost and Compost Tea

Proper management of organic matter can make plants healthier.  How is it done?  Join us as we discuss this fascinating subject.

Workshop 1
Topics include preparation and testing of compost with locally available ingredients to ensure a finished product that is suppressive of plant diseases.

Workshop 2
A second full-day workshop is hands-on for preparation of aerated compost tea.

• Learning outcomes:

  Understanding the preparation and use of compost in various horticulture situations.

  Preparation of compost tea to improve soil biology.

  Hands-on afternoon portion to practice concepts discussed during morning.

• Examples of recent deliveries

  Compost preparation and use
  A full day workshop organized by Harvest Share, a community organization. Held in New Denver in 2017. Copy of advertisement

  Soil biology and compost tea clinic
  A half-day workshop offered at the CanWest Seminars, the trade show of the horticulture industry in British Columbia.
  Held in Vancouver in September 2013. Copy of advertisement

  Preparation and use of high quality compost
  A full day workshop delivered within a program of horticulture training for First Nations participants.
  Held in Lillooet, BC in December 2013.