tHRIve - WEB SERIES

Horticultural Research Institute helps you tHRIve with a new web-based series featuring key research findings. The tHRIve series covers research that is directly funded by HRI as well as research that is federally funded.

In announcing the new tHRIVe web series, HRI President Gary Knosher said, “HRI was created to improve the horticultural community through research that addresses critical issues and new innovations. HRI trustees recognize that research is critical to help our industry succeed and grow, and sharing new findings is part of that equation. I’m excited to be part of this focus of using videos not only to share new research but also to engage our community in another way.”

HRI supports research and outreach efforts that prepare the horticultural industry for challenges and opportunities for business success. Connecting the industry to the research is a key component in that endeavor. New tHRIve sessions will be posted throughout the year, with all content available online for free at any time. The tHRIve sessions will offer everything from bite-sized research clips to researcher interviews to short webinars to live Q&A with researchers.

The Horticultural Research Institute’s mission is to direct, fund, promote, and communicate horticultural research. The creation and launch of the tHRIve web series is another example of how HRI works to connect the industry to research-backed innovation.

Upcoming tHRIve Web Series

Understanding and Managing the Two-Spotted Cotton Leafhopper (Cotton Jassid)

Nov 14, 2025 11:00 AM

The two-spotted cotton leafhopper (also known as cotton jassid) is an emerging pest of growing concern for both cotton and ornamental plant production. This webinar will bring together leading experts to share the latest research and management strategies to help growers identify, monitor, and control this insect.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why it matters – An overview of the economic and production impacts of cotton jassid on cotton and ornamental crops.

• Host plants – Current knowledge of confirmed and potential hosts for this pest.

• Scouting & identification – Practical tips for recognizing symptoms and spotting infestations.

• Control strategies – Biological, mechanical, and chemical approaches to effective management.

This webinar is part of HRI’s mission to deliver science-based, actionable information that helps growers improve plant health, increase profitability, and stay ahead of emerging threats.

Nature's Best Hope

Dec 2, 2025 01:00 PM

Recent headlines about global insect declines and three billion fewer birds in North America are a bleak reality check about how ineffective our current landscape designs have been at sustaining the plants and animals that sustain us. Such losses are not an option if we wish to continue our current standard of living on Planet Earth. The good news is that none of this is inevitable. Choosing the right plants for our landscapes will not only address the biodiversity crisis but help fight our climate crisis as well. Tallamy will discuss simple steps that each of us can- and must- take to reverse declining biodiversity, why we must change our adversarial relationship with nature to a collaborative one, and why we, ourselves, are nature’s best hope.

tHRIve Web Series Recordings

Prospecting for Biocontrols

By Jennifer Gray • March 14, 2025

It is neither economically sustainable nor environmentally acceptable to make multiple fungicide applications to protect boxwood, a key nursery crop and iconic landscape plant, from boxwood blight.

Cleaning up Boxwood Blight with a Full Spectrum of Sanitizers

By Nina Shishkoff, Plant Pathologist with USDA-ARS • February 20, 2025

Tiny But Mighty! Unlocking the Microbiome Potential to Enhance Boxwood Resilience to Diseases & Environmental Stress

By Jennifer Gray • July 30, 2024

Explore the hidden world of boxwood microbiomes and how they impact plant health in this webinar summary. Learn about beneficial microbes, the effects of fungicides and antidesiccants, and how research on soil microbiomes is paving the way for sustainable boxwood cultivation. Discover how mycorrhizal fungi can enhance blight tolerance and why soil may be a reservoir for pathogens.

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Box Tree Moth Compliance Agreement Explained

By Jennifer Gray • July 2, 2024

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the Box Tree Moth Compliance Agreement, including its goals, implementation strategies, and the roles of various stakeholders. Attendees will also learn practical tips for complying with the agreement and mitigating the moth’s impact. Understanding the BTM Compliance Agreement - Join us for an in-depth webinar on the Box Tree Moth Compliance Agreement, designed to protect our boxwood plants from this invasive pest. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the agreement’s objectives, key provisions, and the roles of various stakeholders in its implementation. BTM Regulations and Regulated Areas - Explore the BTM regulations with a detailed analysis of how these regulations were designed to control this invasive pest, including an understanding of the BTM quarantines. Learn why these regulations are essential for protecting the nursery trade and the economy and how you can contribute to these efforts. What is the National Plant Board? A brief introduction to the National Plant Board and their role in BTM Compliance Agreements and other phytosanitary topics. Maintaining Training Records and What to Expect During Inspections - Learn why record-keeping is essential and gain an understanding of what to expect during BTM compliance inspections.

Boxwood Blight Insight Group (BBIG): Sanitation and Nursery Practices

By Jennifer Gray • June 3, 2024

his educational session aims to equip nursery producers, gardeners, and plant health professionals with vital knowledge and strategies to combat the pervasive threat of Calonectria pseudonaviculata, the fungus responsible for the devastating boxwood blight. Boxwood blight, a serious concern for the horticulture industry, jeopardizes the health and viability of boxwood plants, significantly impacting the ornamental plant market. Addressing this issue, the webinar will delve into the critical control points in nursery production, emphasizing effective sanitation practices to prevent and manage the spread of this disease. Attendees of the webinar can expect to gain: An understanding of the lifecycle and spread of Calonectria pseudonaviculata. Insight into the latest research and developments in boxwood blight control. Practical guidance on implementing effective sanitation and preventive measures in nursery production. Strategies for identifying critical control points to mitigate the risk of boxwood blight in their operations. This webinar is essential for anyone involved in the cultivation, care, or management of boxwood

Box Tree Moth Demystified

By Jennifer Gray • May 20, 2024

Are you seeking to fortify your expertise in identifying and managing Boxwood Tree Moth (BTM)? Watch the recording for an in-depth webinar focused on the nuances of BTM identification, lookalikes, controls, trapping, and scouting.

Unveiling Vascular Streak Dieback: Insights, Surveys, and Solutions

By Jennifer Gray • April 16, 2024

This webinar dives into the emerging nursery problem of Vascular Streak Dieback (VSD). In this session, experts will provide a comprehensive overview, sharing insights gleaned from surveys, research updates, and practical management strategies. From understanding the timeline of recognition to discussing the fungus associated with VSD, its range of hosts, and symptoms, our speakers will cover it all. Delve into the latest research findings on identifying causal agents, fungicide efficacy trials, and cultivar screening. Whether you're a nursery owner, researcher, or simply interested in plant health, this webinar offers valuable knowledge and a platform for addressing your queries. Join us as we tackle VSD head-on and explore effective management approaches to safeguard woody ornamentals.

In the Lab and the Landscape at the National Arboretum: Boxwood Genomics and AI Solutions for Blight Detection and Protection

By HRI • February 2, 2024

The Boxwood Blight Insight Group (BBIG) invites horticulturists, researchers, and plant enthusiasts to join an insightful webinar titled, "In the Lab and the Landscape at the National Arboretum: Boxwood Genomics and AI Solutions for Blight Detection and Protection." This webinar will offer an exploration of the latest boxwood research from the National Arboretum, with a focus on the intersection of boxwood breeding, genomics, and machine learning.

Wood-Boring Ambrosia Beetles: Management Tactics to Reduce the Risk of an Infestation

By Dr. Christopher Ranger • October 10, 2023

Dr. Christopher Ranger - Research Entomologist·USDA Agricultural Research Service

BBIG Boxwood Seminar Series: Battling Boxwood Blight

By James LaMondia • August 28, 2023

The Boxwood Blight Insight Group is pleased to host the next webinar in their on-going efforts to assist the industry manage boxwood health in the nursery and in landscapes.

Pollinators, Plant Trials, & People: Discovering & Sharing The Best Pollinator Plants

By HRI Research • June 26, 2023

Presented by Steve Foltz, Director of Horticulture, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden What happens when you mix a desire to support pollinator health with a passion for growing beautiful, high-performing plants? What if you then added in a commitment to sharing information with and assisting a community of gardeners? For more than two decades, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has trialed plants with the goal of determining what plants work best in the Mid-West region. Over the last three years, they’ve paid particular attention to which plants bring in and support the most pollinators. Their renowned plant trials and expertise, combined with their impressive position within the surrounding gardening community, has created a unique program where gardeners and pollinators work hand-in-hand helping the horticultural industry thrive. Join us for an exciting look into this unique program, the best pollinator plants, and the people behind it all with the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s own director of horticulture, Steve Foltz. Inspiring every visitor, every day with plants!

Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management for Ornamental Plants

By HRI Research • June 21, 2023

Thrips Parvispinus: Identification, Scouting, And Potential Controls

By HRI Research • May 11, 2023

Thrips parvispinus may lack a universally accepted common name (some refer to it as Pepper Thrips, others as tropical tobacco thrips), but by whatever name you might call it, it is one destructive little pest. Native to the Asian tropics, T. parvispinus has been reported in or intercepted from five continents in the last 30 years and has a wide range of host plants including vegetable, fruit, and ornamental plants.

The Basics of Box Tree Moth

By HRI Research • April 11, 2023

Boxwood producers and boxwood plantings are facing a new threat—the invasion of the box tree moth (BTM-Cydalima perspectalis), an invasive insect from East Asia. With total annual value of U.S. sales at an estimated $141 Million, boxwood is an important revenue source for plant producers. Boxwood plantings are among the oldest plantings in the United States, with living plants dating back to the 1700s. The triple threat of box tree moth on revenue for boxwood producers, on the viability of historic boxwood plantings, and on the health of boxwood plantings throughout North America makes this pest high-consequence. In this webinar, Dr. Jeanine West will provide background on the box tree moth best management practices developed in Canada, where the pest was first detected in 2018. Dr. Alejandro Del-Pozo will share updates from Western New York, where the pest was first detected in 2021, including phenology, biology, and ecology. Phenology of the Box Tree Moth in Western New York This presentation, led by Dr. Alejandro Del-Pozo, will discuss the data collected on this invasive pest in Niagara County, New York from June to October in 2022. A Virginia Tech research team documented the fluctuation of densities for this insect utilizing adult trapping and visual examinations. Additional field observations on the biology and ecology of this insect in its new US invasive range will be shared during this presentation. Managing BTM in the Nursery Immediately following the first report of BTM in Toronto, Canada, the nursery growers’ association formed a best management practices document. Over the last few years, these “BMP’s” have evolved along with the science, and nurseries across Canada are using this information to guide BTM management and/or prevention at their farms. Dr. Jeanine West will share experiences and challenges of boxwood producers in the regulated area

BBIG International Webinar Series: Calamities of Georgia’s Boxwood Forests

By HRI Research • December 21, 2022

Presented by Iryna Matsiakh - Doctor of Biological Science - Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Iryna Matsiakh will be rounding out our seminar series with a talk on the unique boxwood forests (Buxus colchica) in the Caucasus: their habitat, ecology and biodiversity. Dr. Matsiakh is Dr. in Forestry at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre and in the Forestry Department of the Ukrainian National Forestry University. Boxwood trees growing in the Caucasus Mountains are threatened by habitat loss and defoliation by an introduced disease, boxwood blight, and an introduced insect, the box tree moth Cydalima perspectalis. Dr. Matsiakh’s story will include invasive species introductions, actions taken by forestry authorities against box tree moth, research studies and the current situation in boxwood forests.

IPM Strategies for Invasive Insects from FNRI

Whitefly has emerged as a major insect pest. Whitefly Biotype Q is particularly ominous, as conventional insecticide control options are limited. When Biotype Q was first identified as problematic, it was flagged as a regulatory concern threatening cotton and vegetable production. A collaboration of industry, regulatory agencies, and researchers was able to show that Biotype Q could be contained without restricting the movement of ornamental plants. The studies conducted by Dr. Cindy McKenzie and Dr. Lance Osborne as part of FNRI were critical to in that first effort and continue to improve management strategies.

But whitefly is not the only pest tackled by Dr.’s McKenzie and Osborne. One to two new insect species are identified in Florida every month, and some of these have the potential to become serious pests. These researchers also develop and optimize management guidelines for new invasives as they emerge.

HRI Coffee Chat: FNRI Research on Potential Invasive Insect Pests

By HRI Research • November 15, 2020

The Horticultural Research Institute is pleased to share a roundtable discussion and Q&A with the researchers representing USDA's Floriculture & Nursery Research Initiative (FNRI)'s Whitefly & Thrip Group. Bring your coffee and questions!

Dr. Lance Osborne

By HRI Research • June 26, 2020

Dr. Osborne recognizes that conventional insecticides are the best control option in some circumstances, but that reduced dependence on them is desirable. Much of his lab’s research centers around biological controls, such as screening for pesticide interactions, efficacy, and quality control. Listen to an in-depth discussion of the benefits of modified banker plant systems and view some amazing video clips of biological agents in action! Spoiler alert: the Mealy Bug Destroyer is real, and it is fierce.

Dr. Cindy McKenzie

By HRI Research • June 26, 2020

Dr. McKenzie was part of the whitefly action from the very beginning and continues to monitor populations nationwide. She shares some of that history and why it’s still relevant today. Her lab’s rapid detection and implementation of improved control strategies targeting Biotype Q has so far prevented establishment of this pest beyond the greenhouse. She shares some of the data from nearly 70 trials testing 44 control products over several years; come find out what works and what doesn’t.

Resilient Plant Research from FNRI

This set of videos focuses on research supported through the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative (FNRI) program administered by USDA ARS, the research agency for USDA. FNRI is a noncompetitive, national grants program that greatly benefits environmental horticulture. FNRI plays a critical role in generating scientific research on high priority issues that affect all segments of the floriculture and nursery industry, including postharvest technology, water quality, and pest management.

The set focuses on the FNRI “Resilient Plant Group”, including Dr. John Erwin, University of Maryland, Dr. Jim Faust, Clemson University, Dr. Paul Fisher and Dr. Celina Gomez, University of Florida, Dr. Charlie Hall, Texas A&M, Dr. Roberto Lopez, Michigan State University, and Dr. Erik Runkle, Michigan State University. This group collaborates to benefit greenhouse production through practical, applied research in areas such as energy inputs, water use optimization, resource efficiencies, economic efficiencies, and lighting.