Gardening, Landscaping, Agriculture Latest Topics

Information for Boquete Flower Lovers

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 18:04:16 +0000

I have known for a long time that colloidal silver is good for both cut flowers and potted plants, but just recently I received a long article with information from scientific studies that show strong differences in cut flowers immersed in colloidal silver. Here is an excerpt from a longer article about this subject. If you would like me to send you the full article, send an email to usn11958@gmail.com with the subject: FLOWERS.

In 2014, scientists from the Department of Horticulture at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran tested the hypothesis that silver-treated cut flowers in a vase would last up to twice as long as untreated cut flowers in a vase.

What they found was that in the untreated cut flowers, bacteria rapidly formed in the vase water, and quickly colonized the xylem of the flower, which are the tiny micro-tubular channels in the flower stem (similar to veins, in humans) that bring nutrients and moisture to the flowering head itself.

But in the silver-treated flower vases, the bacterial growth was dramatically reduced, and therefore the xylem remained unblocked by bacterial colonization for longer periods of time. This allowed moisture and nutrients to be effectively carried up the stem far longer than in untreated cut flowers. The result was beautiful fresh flowers that lasted up to twice as long as normal.

As explained in this August 21, 2014 press release from Inderscience titled "Cut Flowers Last Longer with Silver Nanotechnology":

"Once cut and dunked in a vase of water, flowers are susceptible to bacterial growth that shortens the length of time one has to enjoy the blooms.

A few silver nanoparticles sprinkled into the water, might be the answer to longer-lasting cut flowers according to research published in the International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation.

Once the stems are cut and flowers added to a vase bacteria start to colonize the open ends of the stems and block the channels through which water enters. This is the main cause of a short-lived display even for the most expensive flowers, such as lilies, roses and freesias.

Many florists provide a small packet of plant food with their bouquets, but this does nothing to prevent the stems becoming blocked with bacteria.

Adding a drop of household bleach is perhaps a useful tip, but not all flower lovers wish to have the odor of bleach in the vase spoiling the scent of their flowers.

Now, a team in the Department of Horticulture at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, have tested silver nanoparticles, which are known to have antibacterial activity, in extending the blooming life of cut lilies (Lilium orientalis cv. 'Shocking').

They used suspensions of silver nanoparticles in water at levels of 5, 15, 25, 30 parts per million (ppm) and compared the floral life against controls with untreated vase water.

Seyed Hossein Nemati and colleagues found that control blooms gave a bright flora display on average for just under a week. Whereas the lower concentrations of silver nanoparticles extended this period by a couple of days.

However, at 35 ppm their blooms were maintained with good color and healthy petals for almost twice as long as the controls (less than 12 days).

Analysis of the stems and water revealed that at this concentration of silver nanoparticles bacterial growth was stymied for the longest period compared with controls where bacterial growth began within the first two days."

[More information: Nemati, S.H., Esfandiyari, B., Tehranifar, A., Rezaei, A. and Ashrafi, S.J. (2014) "Improvement of Vase Life and Post-harvest Factors of Lilium orientalis Bouquet by Silver Nanoparticles," Notulae Scientia Biologicae.]

I make and sell colloidal silver in 10-15 ppm concentration and can produce it in 30 or 35 ppm concentration for anyone who wants to keeps some around for use with cut flowers. Though the cost is significant, it should be possible to save the water and use it two or three times. Send inquiries to usn11958@gmail.com Also, you could make a simple rig for making colloidal silver, using some nine-volt batteries. It would not be good enough for medical use but would work fine for use with flowers. Contact me if you would like information about this.

Fertilizers and Agrochemicals: Importation, Exportation, Consumption, Market Competition, etc.

Wed, 24 Apr 2019 18:01:23 +0000

Quote

Agrochemicals: New Competitor in Panama

Guatemalan Foragro, manufacturer of insecticides, fungicides and herbicides, opened a branch in Panama and aims in the short term to position 50 products in the local market.

Monday, April 22, 2019

The company reported that for the opening of its branch in the Panamanian market invested $300,000 and that this would have a presence in all Central American countries, as they already operate in El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

You may be interested in "Agrochemicals market figures up to1st Semester"

Hugo Nufio, general manager of Foragro, explained to Prensalibre.com that "... Panama was the only market that had yet to be covered in the region, in order to make the leap to other markets outside it."

Nufio added that "... Panama has an agricultural vocation in the production of rice and bananas and that is the market we seek to work. Much of the agricultural production is to serve the domestic market and another part is destined for the tourism sector and the service sector."

CentralAmericaData reports state that from January to June 2018 the main buyer of insecticides, herbicides and fungicides in Central America was Guatemala with $86 million, followed by Costa Rica with $74 million, Nicaragua with $50 million, Honduras with $49 million, Panama with $47 million and El Salvador with $37 million.

https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Agrochemicals_New_Competitor_in_Panama

Tree Vines

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 14:35:21 +0000

We have a large tree at the front of our property that has tree vines. We need some one to cut them. We used a company, Boquete Gardens ,several years ago but, am unable to contact them. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ann Tim Kane

6766-7905

Landscaping

Wed, 13 Mar 2019 11:59:00 +0000

Looking for a reasonable and reliable landscape person

Mowing on a regular basis and some tree trimming

Caldera/LaEsrella area

Contact Paul 6913 3173 Wahtsapp

Panama inaugurates the "largest" organic nursery in Central America

Sat, 08 Sep 2018 12:37:54 +0000

Quote

Panama inaugurates the "largest" organic nursery in Central America

Fri, 09/07/2018 - 16:39

The authorities of Panama inaugurated yesterday the "largest" organic nursery in Central America, owned by the company Simply Natural, engaged in the production of mango, banana, lemon and avocado seedlings.

The organic nursery was inaugurated by the Minister of Agricultural Development, Eduardo Carles, who stressed that it is a project of "controlled agriculture, specifically for the production of high genetic fruit-growing seedlings".

"We have to innovate and we are working to transform the country's agricultural and livestock sector," said Carles, who led the opening ceremony along with Simply Natural president Alan Wentead.

The facility is located in the community of Los Olivos, province of Coclé, and this Wednesday the "first eight hectares of organic nurseries" were inaugurated, according to data from the Ministry of Agricultural Development.

He added that Simply Natural is engaged in the production of mango, banana, lemon and avocado seedlings, and under the country brand Panama Exporta will send banana and organic lemon to the Netherlands.

Technicians from the Ministry of Agricultural Development of Panama trained 20 volunteers from the United States Peace Corps in the establishment of organic gardens, reforestation and nurseries, the agricultural entity informed today.

The training of this group of professionals in their third and fourth months in the country is a valuable tool to execute these projects, said Sara Caez, program and training specialist of the Peace Corps.

The Peace Corps volunteers carry out various activities with community groups and educational centers.

The training of the twenty volunteers was given by the technicians of the MIDA extension agency in the town of San Andrés in the western province of Chiriquí, according to the information.

https://www.panamatoday.com/panama/panama-inaugurates-largest-organic-nursery-central-america-7794

UK scientists seek “Panama disease” solution

Tue, 19 Jun 2018 12:37:53 +0000

Quote

UK scientists seek “Panama disease” solution

Posted on June 18, 2018 in Panama

Post Views: 199

A team of UK scientists is exploring gene-editing technology as a potential solution to an unstoppable fungal disease decimating the world’s banana plantations.

A fungal disease called “fusarium wilt”, or Panama disease, “has been attacking plantations in Australia, south-east Asia and parts of Africa and the Middle East”, The Guardian reports – and there are fears it could spread to the banana-growing heartlands of Latin America.

Traditional fungicides are unable to prevent the spread of the virulent strain, and breeding a new variety of the fruit is not an option because banana crops are cloned rather than bred.

Start-up Tropic Biosciences, based in Norwich, has used cutting-edge gene editing techniques to develop a banana cell which it believes would be resilient to Panama disease.

“Gene editing makes a lot of sense, because the only way you can change the banana now is through genetics,” CEO Gilad Gershon told Fast Company.

“If we don’t [take] this type of role and save the banana, I’m not sure there’s any other way to do it.”

Field trials of the genetically engineered species are to begin this year in central America, the Philippines and Turkey.

When Panama disease last struck on this scale, in the 1950s, it wiped out the world’s dominant banana species, the Gros Michel – generally regarded as more flavourful than the Cavendish bananas we eat today.

The 1923 vaudeville novelty song Yes! We Have No Bananas is thought to have been inspired by the shortages caused by early outbreaks.

The disease spread beyond Panama, and by the 1950s, Gros Michel plantations had been decimated beyond redemption. A more resistant strain of banana, the Cavendish, quickly took over as the pre-eminent species.

Cavendish bananas now account for 99.9% of all bananas exported around the world. But monoculture – the cultivation of one variety of crop to the exclusion of all others – is a ticking time bomb, environmental scientist Jackie Turner warned earlier this month in digital magazine Aeon.

“When a population lacks genetic diversity, its members have a heightened risk of succumbing to disease,” she wrote. “Staking the fate of a fruit on monoculture is dangerous in the extreme.”

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/uk-scientists-seek-panama-disease-solution

Organic gardening supplies

Sun, 13 May 2018 13:08:21 +0000

Long ago I bought neem at a store in David that stocked organic gardening supplies. Darn it, I can't remember the name or where it was/is. Does anyone know where to buy organic gardening supplies? Thanks!

Avocado tree/leaf problems

Mon, 30 Apr 2018 13:15:07 +0000

I have a sick-looking avocado tree. (Grafted, bought in Volcan, March of 2016. It's about 10 feet tall now.) Please see the attached picture of some of the leaves. If any of you expert gardeners know how to treat this situation, please advise! I have sprayed with a neem solution twice. I don't find any sign of insects, but something is obviously wrong. Thank you!

Grafted Hass Avocado Tree

Fri, 09 Jun 2017 12:38:32 +0000

Looking to buy a Grafted Hass Avocado Tree. Any suggestions as to where?

Thanks!

Climate Change and Coffee

Sat, 03 Mar 2018 02:37:36 +0000

Panama: $28 million for Agriculture

Tue, 27 Feb 2018 01:02:30 +0000

Quote

Panama: $28 million for Agriculture

With a loan from the Andean Development Corporation, part of the master plan for agriculture in the Western region will be financed, which consists of the improvement of productive infrastructure, acquisition of equipment and supplies and management of water resources.

Friday, February 23, 2018

The program comprises seven components in its first stage: research, extension and technical assistance; associativity and entrepreneurship; agricultural health and food safety; metrology and laboratories; water management and water harvesting; productive infrastructure, equipment and supplies; institutional development for the execution of PMARO.

From a statement issued by the Ministry of Economy and Finance:

The National Economic Council (CENA) issued a favorable ruling on a loan contract for B /. 27.6 million, to be subscribed between the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and the Andean Development Corporation (CAF), for the partial financing of the Master Plan for Agriculture of the Western Region (PMARO) stage I.

The plan will be developed in the Western Region of Panama, in the provinces of Bocas del Toro, Chiriquí and the Comarca Ngäbe Bugl; it will last seven years and will benefit some 15 thousand organized producers.

Read full release (in Spanish).

https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Panama_28_million_for_Agriculture

Source for Neem oil?

Sat, 24 Feb 2018 12:42:46 +0000

I have bought Neem oil for use in my garden. I need some more but, for the life of me, I can't remember where I bought it. But I do remember that there was some running around involved. To avoid that running around again, can anyone please tell me where it's available?

WEF Delegation to Holland Studying Agricultural Methods

Sun, 21 Jan 2018 13:24:05 +0000

President J.C. Varela and VP Isabel St. Malo de Alvarado are both in Holland for the World Economic Forum.

With an eye to improving methodology and production in Panama., the delegation is spending time learning how the Netherlands has become the agricultural hub of Europe and the world's second largest exporter of food.

WEF video clip explains.

Coffee: New Variety Resistant to Rust

Wed, 13 Dec 2017 13:39:44 +0000

Moderator comment: This topic discusses coffee varietals in and from Costa Rica. Informal conversations with local coffee growers leads us to believe that some Boquete coffee growers are considering these two varieties. Further, we were led to believe that there are two coffee varieties from Colombia that are also being looked at closely. The trailing comments from those informal conversations were to the effect that local specialty coffee growers likely will not use these bug resistant varietals because the resulting coffee is "not competition quality".

Quote

Coffee: New Variety Resistant to Rust

The new variety of Catiguá MG2 coffee that was released in Costa Rica after several pieces of analysis were carried out, is up to 60% higher in productivity compared to the Catuaí variety.

Monday, December 11, 2017

From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Coffee Institute:

In an investigation that began seven years ago at the experimental farm in Barva de Heredia, the Genetic Improvement Program of the Coffee Institute of Costa Rica, ICAFE, managed to determine the excellent quality of the final product, high resistance to rust and the high productive potential of the Catiguá MG2 variety, one of the eighteen varieties that the Institute has for study and comparison.

See also: "Figures on Crops in Central America"

The official announcement of the release of the variety took place during the Forty Sixth National Ordinary Coffee Congress, held this Sunday, December 3 at the ICAFE facilities in San Pedro de Barva de Heredia.

Read full release (in Spanish).

https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Coffee_New_Variety_Resistant_to_Rust

Grubs? Nematodes?

Sat, 30 Sep 2017 15:51:57 +0000

Grubs are destroying my organic sweet potatoes! The grubs are way beneath the surface of the ground. Online research indicates that nematodes will kill grubs. Does anyone know if nematodes are available locally? I am hesitant to order them online because I question whether the live nematodes would survive the time and heat between arrival in Miami and then sent to Panama via my package forwarding service. I'll appreciate any ideas! Thank you!

Looking for New Gardener in Volcancito

Wed, 14 Jun 2017 02:01:45 +0000

My gardener decided to take a 1 month vacation ... again... without even telling me about it. I'm looking to hire a new gardener for 3 days per week in Volcancito. Any recommendations?

Plants and Trees of Boquete

Sun, 12 Feb 2017 21:29:36 +0000

Please find a PDF format of a PowerPoint presentation on the Trees and Plants of Boquete. Watch for announcements on News Boquete.

Note: this 100 page PDF document is quite large (~20MB) and so it may take a while to download. This PDF version has been optimized for web access from its original ~198MB PowerPoint file size, but with essentially no loss in fidelity of the images.

Trees and Plants of Boquete - Feb. 2017 - optimized.pdf

Tierra Negra

Tue, 11 Apr 2017 00:13:06 +0000

We are looking for a source for several yards of good topsoil to be delivered. Any leads?

Lu Lu's Nursery

Fri, 04 Nov 2016 15:41:10 +0000

Where is this Nursery?

Plastic 55 Gal Drums - Where to Get Them?

Tue, 28 Feb 2017 21:59:04 +0000

Need 6-8 plastic 55 gallon drums. Any suggestions on where to get them?

I think I might start a winery!!

Jaramillo Gardeners Trip to Finca Tangara, January 18, 2017, Wed, 10 am.

Wed, 11 Jan 2017 21:23:26 +0000

Jaramillo Gardeners Trip to Finca Tangara, Palmira
January 18, 2017, Wednesday 10 am.
$5 donation (benefits the Library) per person for informative tour and consulting by Peter Sterling.
Met up at San Francisco Plaza to car pool 9:45 am sharp

Join us for a trip to Peter Sterling's beautiful farm - citrus, coffee, and native plant nursery, overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Palmira, Panama. The garden club went here a couple years ago and it remains one of our most popular trips ever!

Plants - trees, shrubs, fruiting, flowers, etc will be for sale - all proceeds benefit the Boquete Library.

Met up at San Francisco Plaza to car pool 9:45 am sharp. Bring small bills for the donation and to purchase plants. Wear long pants and closed shoes or you will be bug lunch! FYI - there is mud on farms...

Directions if not carpooling: Finca Tangara is about 6.5 kilometers from Alto Boquete, Plaza San Francisco.
Turn right at Plaza San Francisco onto Palmira road; go straight and continue through Palmira Centro (past the Jungla).
Keep going past the Hacienda Esmeralda dairy and beneficio (on the left).
Our driveway is the first left after the beneficio.
There is a small roofed bus stop just before our drive.
The sign is before the bus stop but hard to see.
Come down the drive past the caretaker’s house 200m to the main house.

Plant Swap at La Villa BCP Dec 17

Wed, 14 Dec 2016 23:41:19 +0000

Plant Swap Sat Dec 17 2016 at La Villa Cafe, BCP

Come get cuttings, brings some, swap seeds, etc!

Jaramillo Gardeners Trip Jan 17

Wed, 14 Dec 2016 23:38:37 +0000

Save the date.
Jaramillo Gardeners Trip to Finca Tangara, Palmira on
January 18, 2017, Wednesday 10 am.

Peter has a ginormous farm with plant nursery. Many landscape trees and shrubs available in soil bags and pots ready to purchase.
$5 donation (benefits the Library) per person for informative tour and consulting by Peter Sterling.
More info to follow as we get closer to the date.

Check out Jaramillo Gardeners Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/JaramilloGardeners/

Are GMO foods good for Panama?

Tue, 22 Nov 2016 10:53:48 +0000

This might be the most interesting (and controversial) topic we've ever had at the Tuesday Talks. 3 guys who are eminently qualified will discuss the pros and cons of the GMO products in Panama. Yes, Virginia, there are "pros". Dianne Heidke will moderate and will bring her pepper spray and tazer to control the protesters.

10:30 this morning (Tuesday) in the BCP theater.

Expert wonderful gardener

Wed, 16 Nov 2016 20:38:30 +0000

Franklin has been my neighbor for 11 years. It seems he knows everything worth knowing about gardening and landscape maintenance that there is to know. He is looking for work and you would be fortunate to have him come even once to do your gardening. He sees everything! Every bug, fungus, plant disease...he can tell you about your soil just from looking at your plants and he can tell you how to fix it...organically or otherwise. He knows which "weeds" are medicinal and how to use them. He is punctual, hardworking and modest in what he charges. He does not speak English but I am happy to interpret for him. Call me if you think you could give him some work. Evelyn 6752-2283