Introduction & Justification
Ornamental plants are the fourth most economically important product in Puerto Rico. Over the past 25 years, they have consistently remained among the top five agricultural products in terms of total agricultural revenue across the island. Currently, there are about 303 farms dedicated to nurseries, greenhouse crops, and floriculture, including foliage and flowers, cut flowers, turfgrass, trees, palms, orchids, and poinsettias. Most ornamental plant growers have small to medium-sized farms.
Communities in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are beginning to demand more information about ornamental plants, gardening, agriculture, and the protection of pollinators and wildlife. Each year a variety of ornamental plants are produced, creating a challenge for plant production and the management of pests and diseases. Our main goal is to increase the knowledge of community members and home gardeners about Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Best Management Practices (BMP) in ornamentals.
To gather information on all common ornamental plants in production in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that benefit pollinators and wildlife.
To prepare educational materials about IPM and BMP to educate growers, homeowners, youth, and the community on identifying common ornamental plants, common pests and diseases, beneficial organisms, and the use of preventative practices and biorational pesticides to have healthy plants.
A list of ornamental plants that attract pollinators was prepared and is currently available on this link (https://www.uprm.edu/sea/ornamentales/polinizadoras/).
A pocket guide titled: Ornamental Plants in the Caribbean: General Care. Annuals, Shrubs, Groundcovers, Vines, and Herbaceous Plants has been created.
Community education during pollinator festivals and other activities.
More than 300 backyard gardeners in Puerto Rico have been directly impacted.
4H leaders, Agricultural Agents, and Family and Consumer Sciences educators have used the publications and materials in various community activities.
Public access to IPM and BPM for ornamental plants has increased through publications and presentations.
