Troubleshooting Tricky Crops

We're up to our elbows in Aster Yellows with fungus among us! Failure is a part of farming, but what can we learn?
In this episode of "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," Bailey thinks like a plant to troubleshoot common problems with Asters, Cosmos and Chocolate Cosmos, annual Phlox, Snapdragons, Stock, Strawflower, Scoop Scabiosa and more.
But first, Bailey shares a sneak peek of upcoming additions to our lineup, like:
3 Porch Farm Heirloom Mums (10/2);
Plug Connection plugs = more affordable shipping for Western growers (10/2);
Woody perennials & peonies from Kolster BV of the Netherlands (11/1);
For those keeping up with book suggestions, visit ascfg.org/shop/books/ to order:
Specialty Cut Flowers, Second Edition, by Allan Armitage & Judy Laushman.
Woody Cut Stems, Production and Postharvest Handling of Branches for Flowers, Fruit, and Foliage, by Lane Greer & John M. Dole.
Pre-ordering on Amazon is now open for our friend Lennie Larkin's essential new book, Flower Farming for Profit. Pre-orders are critical for any book's success; please join us in ordering now if you can. Lennie is the farmer behind B-Side Farm, an excellent teacher and savvy businesswoman. Follow @FlowerFarming.forProfit on Instagram to learn more & find the preorder link.
It's Five O'Clock Somewhere with Farmer Bailey is an educational video series for flower farmers that broadcasts Live on Instagram every second and fourth Wednesday of the month at Noon ET/9am PT/5pm GMT. Every episode is available on our KZbin Channel. We're standing by at [e-mail], ready to receive cultural questions and topic suggestions for Bailey and expert guests.

[@cbak1819]

I had aphids for the first time in my garden on Sylvia, I initially sprayed them off with water, but I was reminded that ladybugs eat them so I suffered through these black aphids being on my salvia and lo and behold ladybugs came in and took care of the problem.

[@farmerbaileyplugs]

Love the beneficials! Preparing with beneficials before you have pest outbreaks is the pro move. ~felicia

[@heatherbright7214]

I found that the cupcake zinnias show up when the nights start to get cooler in late summer or fall depending on your zone.

[@farmerbaileyplugs]

Great insight, thank you! ~felicia

[@cbak1819]

Love the shirt with your eyes.. or is it the reverse? 😘

[@Lavender_May_American_Rooted]

What three cut flower books would you recommend for growing and harvesting?

[@farmerbaileyplugs]

These are all available at www.ascfg.org/shop/books/ Principles of Floriculture, by John Dole Postharvest Handling of Cut Flowers and Greens, various. Specialty Cut Flowers, Second Edition by Allan Armitage

[@Lavender_May_American_Rooted]

You're awesome! Thank you

[@cbak1819]

I made a flower bed that gets early morning and then afternoon sun.. ( trees need trimming ) my flowers were very tall not budding or low and they seemed stressed.. cosmos finally bloomed in September. I thought it was from too much shade they were struggling. Well I'll have to see what happens after I trim the tree.

[@farmerbaileyplugs]

Yes, it sounds like they needed more light. Pretty much all flowers need full sun, unless specified otherwise. ~Felicia

[@cbak1819]

Was that a humming bird flying behind you?