1. Agricultural and Horticultural Enterprises

3. Natural Resources and Environmental Quality

Agriculture

Agricultura

4-H Agricultural Science

Natural Resources

Land Resources

Land

Suelo 

Recursos de la tierra

Leisure, Recreation and Tourism

Recreación y turismo

Economic Value

Valor económico 

THANKS TO ALL JOINING US FOR RONNIE STEPHENSON TOUR IN JACKSON COUNTY Thanks to all who participated in the tour at the property of Ronnie Stephenson, our 2024 Florida Land Steward of the Year, last week in Jackson County. We enjoyed a great day learning about Ronnie&#8217;s tireless contributions to wildlife and habitat management that [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_8713" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-8713" style="width: 176px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ffgs/files/2024/05/20240502_101841-scaled.jpg"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-8713" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ffgs/files/2024/05/20240502_101841-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="176" height="235" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-8713" class="wp-caption-text">Ronnie Stephenson, 2024 Florida Land Steward of the Year, by Chris Demers</figcaption></figure>
<h4>THANKS TO ALL JOINING US FOR RONNIE STEPHENSON TOUR IN JACKSON COUNTY</h4>
<p>Thanks to all who participated in the tour at the property of Ronnie Stephenson, our 2024 Florida Land Steward of the Year, last week in Jackson County. We enjoyed a great day learning about Ronnie&#8217;s tireless contributions to wildlife and habitat management that make him an exemplary land steward. His enthusiasm and dedication to active management have and continue to inspire the current and next generation of land stewards.  See photos and highlights from the tour on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FloridaLandStewardPartnership" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Florida Land Steward Facebook page</a>.</p>
<h4>HURRICANE SEASON IS AROUND THE CORNER</h4>
<p>This week is <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/hurricane-prep#:~:text=National%20Hurricane%20Preparedness%20Week%20is%20April%2030%2DMay%206%2C%202023." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hurricane Preparedness Week (NOAA link)</a>. We’ve learned the hard way in recent years that powerful storms can have significant impacts to inland agriculture and forestry operations. Don’t get caught unprepared for the next storm. Links to recorded presentations from our Hurricane Preparation &amp; Recovery webinar series are now available on the <a href="https://programs.ifas.ufl.edu/florida-land-steward/bulletin-board/events-calendar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Florida Land Steward events calendar</a>.</p>
<p>There are several UF/IFAS Extension publications providing hurricane preparation tips and other related information for agricultural producers and forest landowners. <a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/hurricanes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">See these Hurricane publications on EDIS</a>.</p>
<figure id="attachment_3515" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3515" style="width: 163px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ffgs/files/2021/02/Old-World-Climbing-Fern-4-Deluca-020521_reduced.jpg"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-3515" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ffgs/files/2021/02/Old-World-Climbing-Fern-4-Deluca-020521_reduced-225x300.jpg" alt="Old world climbing fern" width="163" height="217" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3515" class="wp-caption-text">Old world climbing fern, an aggressive invasive plant that grows as a vine. Photo by Chris Demers</figcaption></figure>
<h4>YOUR HELP NEEDED TO BOLSTER REGIONAL INVASIVE PLANT MANAGEMENT EFFORTS</h4>
<p>The University of Florida’s Invasive Species Extension Program is seeking your feedback to strengthen a proposed project to bolster regional invasive plant management efforts.  This survey is solely to estimate interest and does not constitute any type of commitment. You can <a href="https://arcg.is/114fG80" target="_blank" rel="noopener">share some information about your management and interests here</a>, Questions can be directed to Deb Stone at <a href="mailto:debitharp@ufl.edu">debitharp@ufl.edu</a>.</p>
<h4>FERAL HOG FENCING COST-SHARE PROGRAM FOR SANTA ROSA AND ESCAMBIA COUNTIES</h4>
<p><strong>Apply by June 14, 2024</strong></p>
<p>The Blackwater Soil &amp; Water Conservation District will be facilitating a cost share program for Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties from a grant funded by National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD). This program is for fencing in agricultural (forest, pasture, row crop) lands, and it is to help improve areas affected by feral hogs. <a href="https://www.santarosa.fl.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=9315" target="_blank" rel="noopener">See this Santa Rosa County page for more details and an application</a>.</p>
<p>For more information contact Levi Blackmon, Conservation Programs Coordinator, Soil Conservation Department, <a href="mailto:LeviB@santarosa.fl.gov">LeviB@santarosa.fl.gov</a>, (850) 480-9412.</p>
<h4>HURRICANE IDALIA SILIVICULTURE RECOVERY PROGRAM NOW OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT</h4>
<p><strong>Apply by June 30, 2024</strong></p>
<p>The Hurricane Idalia Silviculture Recovery Program is designed to ensure the long-term viability of Florida’s forest lands and restore the ecological and economic value of timberland damaged by Hurricane Idalia. The program offers landowners cost-share funding specifically for site preparation and tree replanting on classified agricultural lands. It is administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Florida Forest Service and funded by the state of Florida.</p>
<p>To be eligible for the program, <strong>practice sites must have been forested on August 30, 2023, and experienced significant timber damage that impacted the future viability of the stand as a direct result of Hurricane Idalia</strong>. Qualified applicants are limited to timber landowners in <strong>Charlotte, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee and Taylor counties</strong>, whose timber experienced significant damage from Hurricane Idalia.</p>
<p>The program is currently open for applications at the online portal or by mail. Please visit <a href="https://idaliatimberrecovery.fdacs.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://IdaliaTimberRecovery.fdacs.gov</a> to apply. Applications will be accepted until <b><strong>June 30, 2024</strong></b>.</p>
<h4><strong><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ffgs/files/2024/04/PROFOREST-PODFOREST-logo.jpg"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-8385 alignright" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ffgs/files/2024/04/PROFOREST-PODFOREST-logo-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="191" height="191" /></a>CHECK OUT THE NEW PROFOREST “PODFOREST” PODCAST</strong></h4>
<p>Immerse yourself in the world of forestry through extension as ProForest coordinator Dr. Tyler Carney hosts guests to talk about all things forestry. Listeners can join each episode to listen to a new guest and learn about different forestry topics. Curated for private forest landowners but interesting to all, this podcast was created as an Extension product of the University of Florida&#8217;s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). <a href="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/proforestpodforest?fbclid=IwAR1zf3x-dUwQHHpJ2wZVtHSPV91Gq_5n7ndc-7pJupW9PC38r94O7O70sgA_aem_ATXsyqxefrHCYVeHVrzfeEFdcHL0GGYTC12PmvgXmXK1hpp-d7QEZSWcqsPRxjfQKfFdAfdLgstiES5-hGi5cUN6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more and listen to available PodForest episodes</a>.</p>
<h4><strong>GROUP ENROLLMENT OPTION NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE ONLINE FOREST LANDOWNER ACADEMY</strong></h4>
<p>Do you have a group of employees or clients that you’d like to enroll in the online Forest Landowner Academy? We now have a bulk registration option where you can purchase multiple “seats” in the course and assign those to people who want to take the course. For more details on how this works see these Canvas instructions on <a href="https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Catalog/How-do-I-reserve-multiple-enrollments-in-a-Catalog-course-or/ta-p/529652" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reserving multiple enrollments</a> and <a href="https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Catalog/How-do-I-invite-students-to-a-bulk-purchased-course-or-program/ta-p/529651" target="_blank" rel="noopener">how to invite students to a bulk-purchased course</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ffgs/files/2023/02/logoFLA-white.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-6365 alignright lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="151" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ffgs/files/2023/02/logoFLA-white-300x151.png"></a>Forest landowners, and others in need of forest management information, are encouraged to enroll in this <strong>self-paced, online</strong>, 7-module course to connect with forest management experts at the University of Florida and receive quality core educational content on forestry and multiple-use stewardship concepts.</p>
<p><strong>Single and bulk enrollment options are both available at the Forest Landowner Academy enrollment page:<br />
<a href="https://ifas-sfrc-for.catalog.instructure.com/courses/for-fla" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://ifas-sfrc-for.catalog.instructure.com/courses/for-fla</a><br />
</strong><br />
Questions about the course can be directed to Chris Demers, <a href="mailto:cdemers@ufl.edu">cdemers@ufl.edu</a>, (352) 846-2375.</p>
<h4>GET FLORIDA LAND STEWARD EMAIL UPDATES</h4>
<p>Don’t miss out on news and events! Sign up for the regular email updates! Send an email to Chris at <a href="mailto:cdemers@ufl.edu">cdemers@ufl.edu</a> to be added to the email listserv. Florida Land Steward email updates are sent once a week or every other week and include the latest calendar of workshops, tours and other events; a link to the current issue of the quarterly Florida Land Steward newsletter; updates on cost-share and other assistance programs, opportunities, and resources; and other stewardship related news and information.</p>
<figure id="attachment_4233" class="wp-caption alignright" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4233"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4233" class="wp-caption-text"></figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_5267" class="wp-caption alignright" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-5267"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-5267" class="wp-caption-text"></figcaption></figure>
<h4><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ffgs/files/2020/09/fls_logo_final_haggit080811_compressed.jpeg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-2920 alignright" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/ffgs/files/2020/09/fls_logo_final_haggit080811_compressed-300x293.jpeg" alt="Florida Land Steward Program Logo" width="197" height="192" /></a>UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES</h4>
<p>See our <a href="https://programs.ifas.ufl.edu/florida-land-steward/bulletin-board/events-calendar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Events Calendar and News</a> page for upcoming events and ongoing programs, initiatives, and opportunities.</p>
<h4>ACCESS THE QUARTERLY FLORIDA LAND STEWARD NEWSLETTER ONLINE</h4>
<p>Access the current and back issues of the <a href="https://programs.ifas.ufl.edu/florida-land-steward/about-us/newsletter/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">quarterly Florida Land Steward newsletter here</a>.</p>
<h4>HAVE AN EVENT OR RELATED NEWS TO SHARE?</h4>
<p>Drop a line with the details and link(s) to Chris at <a href="mailto:cdemers@ufl.edu">cdemers@ufl.edu</a>.</p>
<h4>CONSIDER A GIFT IN SUPPORT OF THE UF/IFAS FLORIDA LAND STEWARD PROGRAM</h4>
<p>The mission of the UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward Program is to help and encourage private landowners to actively manage their land resources for long-term environmental, economic, and social benefits. This program is largely supported by partners and donors. If this program has made a difference in your land stewardship efforts, please consider a gift.  <a href="https://programs.ifas.ufl.edu/florida-land-steward/about-us/give/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Support the UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward Program here</a>. Thanks!</p>


Ronnie Stephenson, 2024 Florida Land Steward of the Year, by Chris Demers
THANKS TO ALL JOINING US FOR RONNIE STEPHENSON TOUR IN JACKSON COUNTY
Thanks to all who participated in the tour at the property of Ronnie Stephenson, our 2024 Florida Land Steward of the Year, last week in Jackson County. We enjoyed a great day learning about Ronnie’s tireless contributions to wildlife and habitat management that make him an exemplary land steward. His enthusiasm and dedication to active management have and continue to inspire the current and next generation of land stewards.  See photos and highlights from the tour on the Florida Land Steward Facebook page.
HURRICANE SEASON IS AROUND THE CORNER
This week is Hurricane Preparedness Week (NOAA link). We’ve learned the hard way in recent years that powerful storms can have significant impacts to inland agriculture and forestry operations. Don’t get caught unprepared for the next storm. Links to recorded presentations from our Hurricane Preparation & Recovery webinar series are now available on the Florida Land Steward events calendar.
There are several UF/IFAS Extension publications providing hurricane preparation tips and other related information for agricultural producers and forest landowners. See these Hurricane publications on EDIS.
Old world climbing fern, an aggressive invasive plant that grows as a vine. Photo by Chris Demers
YOUR HELP NEEDED TO BOLSTER REGIONAL INVASIVE PLANT MANAGEMENT EFFORTS
The University of Florida’s Invasive Species Extension Program is seeking your feedback to strengthen a proposed project to bolster regional invasive plant management efforts.  This survey is solely to estimate interest and does not constitute any type of commitment. You can share some information about your management and interests here, Questions can be directed to Deb Stone at debitharp@ufl.edu.
FERAL HOG FENCING COST-SHARE PROGRAM FOR SANTA ROSA AND ESCAMBIA COUNTIES
Apply by June 14, 2024
The Blackwater Soil & Water Conservation District will be facilitating a cost share program for Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties from a grant funded by National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD). This program is for fencing in agricultural (forest, pasture, row crop) lands, and it is to help improve areas affected by feral hogs. See this Santa Rosa County page for more details and an application.
For more information contact Levi Blackmon, Conservation Programs Coordinator, Soil Conservation Department, LeviB@santarosa.fl.gov, (850) 480-9412.
HURRICANE IDALIA SILIVICULTURE RECOVERY PROGRAM NOW OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT
Apply by June 30, 2024
The Hurricane Idalia Silviculture Recovery Program is designed to ensure the long-term viability of Florida’s forest lands and restore the ecological and economic value of timberland damaged by Hurricane Idalia. The program offers landowners cost-share funding specifically for site preparation and tree replanting on classified agricultural lands. It is administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Florida Forest Service and funded by the state of Florida.
To be eligible for the program, practice sites must have been forested on August 30, 2023, and experienced significant timber damage that impacted the future viability of the stand as a direct result of Hurricane Idalia. Qualified applicants are limited to timber landowners in Charlotte, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee and Taylor counties, whose timber experienced significant damage from Hurricane Idalia.
The program is currently open for applications at the online portal or by mail. Please visit https://IdaliaTimberRecovery.fdacs.gov to apply. Applications will be accepted until June 30, 2024.
CHECK OUT THE NEW PROFOREST “PODFOREST” PODCAST
Immerse yourself in the world of forestry through extension as ProForest coordinator Dr. Tyler Carney hosts guests to talk about all things forestry. Listeners can join each episode to listen to a new guest and learn about different forestry topics. Curated for private forest landowners but interesting to all, this podcast was created as an Extension product of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Learn more and listen to available PodForest episodes.
GROUP ENROLLMENT OPTION NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE ONLINE FOREST LANDOWNER ACADEMY
Do you have a group of employees or clients that you’d like to enroll in the online Forest Landowner Academy? We now have a bulk registration option where you can purchase multiple “seats” in the course and assign those to people who want to take the course. For more details on how this works see these Canvas instructions on reserving multiple enrollments and how to invite students to a bulk-purchased course.
Forest landowners, and others in need of forest management information, are encouraged to enroll in this self-paced, online, 7-module course to connect with forest management experts at the University of Florida and receive quality core educational content on forestry and multiple-use stewardship concepts.
Single and bulk enrollment options are both available at the Forest Landowner Academy enrollment page:
https://ifas-sfrc-for.catalog.instructure.com/courses/for-fla

Questions about the course can be directed to Chris Demers, cdemers@ufl.edu, (352) 846-2375.
GET FLORIDA LAND STEWARD EMAIL UPDATES
Don’t miss out on news and events! Sign up for the regular email updates! Send an email to Chris at cdemers@ufl.edu to be added to the email listserv. Florida Land Steward email updates are sent once a week or every other week and include the latest calendar of workshops, tours and other events; a link to the current issue of the quarterly Florida Land Steward newsletter; updates on cost-share and other assistance programs, opportunities, and resources; and other stewardship related news and information.


UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
See our Events Calendar and News page for upcoming events and ongoing programs, initiatives, and opportunities.
ACCESS THE QUARTERLY FLORIDA LAND STEWARD NEWSLETTER ONLINE
Access the current and back issues of the quarterly Florida Land Steward newsletter here.
HAVE AN EVENT OR RELATED NEWS TO SHARE?
Drop a line with the details and link(s) to Chris at cdemers@ufl.edu.
CONSIDER A GIFT IN SUPPORT OF THE UF/IFAS FLORIDA LAND STEWARD PROGRAM
The mission of the UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward Program is to help and encourage private landowners to actively manage their land resources for long-term environmental, economic, and social benefits. This program is largely supported by partners and donors. If this program has made a difference in your land stewardship efforts, please consider a gift.  Support the UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward Program here. Thanks!

THANKS TO ALL JOINING US FOR RONNIE STEPHENSON TOUR IN JACKSON COUNTY Thanks to all who participated in the tour at the property of Ronnie Stephenson, our 2024 Florida Land Steward of the Year, last week in Jackson County. We enjoyed a great day learning about Ronnie’s tireless contributions to wildlife and habitat management that […]

Florida Land Steward Update, May 10, 2024

Wild Weeds – Weed of the Month Spring Ladies Tresses Spiranthes vernalis &#160; Spring Ladies Tresses is a plant native to Florida, blooming in spring and summer. You can find this somewhat rare plant in grasslands, prairies, and disturbed areas. This plant is a type of orchid, a perennial that produces small white flowers each [&#8230;]

<h2 style="text-align: center">Wild Weeds – Weed of the Month</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center">Spring Ladies Tresses</h2>
<h4 style="text-align: center"><em>Spiranthes vernalis</em></h4>
<figure id="attachment_2541" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2541" style="width: 200px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-2541 size-medium lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="200" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/bakerco/files/2023/11/spring-ladies-tresses-200x300.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2541" class="wp-caption-text">©Larry Allain. Provided by USGS National Wetlands Research Center (NWRC)</figcaption></figure>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Spring Ladies Tresses is a plant native to Florida, blooming in spring and summer. You can find this somewhat rare plant in grasslands, prairies, and disturbed areas. This plant is a type of orchid, a perennial that produces small white flowers each year in a spiral formation along the stem.</p>
<p>Learn more about the plant characteristics here: <a href="https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/spiranthes/vernalis/">https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/spiranthes/vernalis/</a></p>
<p>Check out other Wild Weeds Here: <a href="http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/bakerco/tag/wild-weeds/">http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/bakerco/tag/wild-weeds/ </a></p>


Wild Weeds – Weed of the Month
Spring Ladies Tresses
Spiranthes vernalis
©Larry Allain. Provided by USGS National Wetlands Research Center (NWRC)
 
Spring Ladies Tresses is a plant native to Florida, blooming in spring and summer. You can find this somewhat rare plant in grasslands, prairies, and disturbed areas. This plant is a type of orchid, a perennial that produces small white flowers each year in a spiral formation along the stem.
Learn more about the plant characteristics here: https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/spiranthes/vernalis/
Check out other Wild Weeds Here: http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/bakerco/tag/wild-weeds/

Wild Weeds – Weed of the Month Spring Ladies Tresses Spiranthes vernalis   Spring Ladies Tresses is a plant native to Florida, blooming in spring and summer. You can find this somewhat rare plant in grasslands, prairies, and disturbed areas. This plant is a type of orchid, a perennial that produces small white flowers each […]

Spring Ladies Tresses – Wild Weeds

Coontie Plant Care South Florida’s Wet and Dry Seasons: Coonties start to flush out new growth with warming temperatures in March through May and continue to do so during our rainy season, which runs June through September. Each plant will vary, some flush out once and others two or three times. Afterward the new growth [&#8230;]

<h3><em><strong>Coontie Plant Care</strong></em></h3>
<p><strong>South Florida’s Wet and Dry Seasons:</strong></p>
<p>Coonties start to flush out new growth with warming temperatures in March through May and continue to do so during our rainy season, which runs June through September. Each plant will vary, some flush out once and others two or three times. Afterward the new growth slows down or stops and the plant switches gears to produce its male or female seed pods. The coonties appear to be resting from all this productivity from October to February. <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/miamidadeco/files/2024/03/atalas-emerging-from-pupa-on-coontie-BR.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-7425 alignright lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="250" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/miamidadeco/files/2024/03/atalas-emerging-from-pupa-on-coontie-BR-250x300.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Established Atala colonies are active during this time, but at a much-reduced volume. They are their busiest in the spring and summer months when they lay their eggs on soft succulent new leaves. The caterpillars’ eating frenzy is at its peak. Whereas, in our dry season, they lay their eggs on older, hardened leaves. These caterpillars have no choice but to eat what is available even though they prefer tender new growth. During these lean months, I worry it may be my garden&#8217;s last year-round colony. They continue to surprise me and pull through! I purposely do not apply any extra watering during this time to let the plants rest.</p>
<p><strong>The Hail Mary Pass:</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/miamidadeco/files/2024/04/atala-eggs-on-coontie-pod.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-7459 alignleft lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="192" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/miamidadeco/files/2024/04/atala-eggs-on-coontie-pod-192x300.jpg"></a>It is during these lean times that I notice the Atalas laying eggs on the coontie seed pods. This past winter, I witnessed some of the eggs on the pods develop into caterpillars. I do not know how far along they got as they either moved away from that spot or perished. I find this Atala behavior, to borrow a football expression, as their Hail Mary pass. A last-ditch effort to foster the next generation.</p>
<p>The coontie is a hardy plant, but it can succumb to environmental stressors. As butterfly gardeners we may overlook or forget that caterpillars stress the plants. It is a good idea to keep an eye on the coonties&#8217; overall health and stay on top of the weeds. Pinch out and remove weeds that grow around its crown, crowding the plant’s ability to grow healthy. Waiting until the weeds take over makes it harder on you and them. <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/miamidadeco/files/2024/04/2-atala-cats-on-coontie-cone-2.1223-BR.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-7461 alignright lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="199" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/miamidadeco/files/2024/04/2-atala-cats-on-coontie-cone-2.1223-BR-300x199.jpg"></a></p>
<p><strong>Scales and Mealy Bugs:</strong><br />
Check the underside of the leaves for scales and mealy bugs. These insects are easily squished without hurting the plant. The earlier these insects are detected and addressed the better. I nip potential plagues with a combination of controls, such as manual squishing, water rinsing infected stems, and disposing of super infected stems. In worst-case scenarios I spray the plant with insecticidal soap. The UF/IFAS articles listed below address the scale and mealy bug issues and the use of insecticidal soaps. Throw out mulch and ground debris with powdery white matter that is part of the infestation. Keep the plant as healthy as possible. I have not come across eggs or caterpillars on coonties with scales or mealy bugs infestation. The Atala spends a lot of time scouting where to lay its eggs, they most likely avoid doing so on infected plants.</p>
<p>(UF/IFAS Extension: Natural Products for Managing Landscape and Garden Pests in Florida, Matthew A Borden, Eileen A. Buss, Sydney G. Park Brown, and Adam G. Dale)<br />
(UF/IFAS Extension: Florida Coonties and Atala Butterflies, Daniel F. Culbert)</p>


Coontie Plant Care
South Florida’s Wet and Dry Seasons:
Coonties start to flush out new growth with warming temperatures in March through May and continue to do so during our rainy season, which runs June through September. Each plant will vary, some flush out once and others two or three times. Afterward the new growth slows down or stops and the plant switches gears to produce its male or female seed pods. The coonties appear to be resting from all this productivity from October to February. 
Established Atala colonies are active during this time, but at a much-reduced volume. They are their busiest in the spring and summer months when they lay their eggs on soft succulent new leaves. The caterpillars’ eating frenzy is at its peak. Whereas, in our dry season, they lay their eggs on older, hardened leaves. These caterpillars have no choice but to eat what is available even though they prefer tender new growth. During these lean months, I worry it may be my garden’s last year-round colony. They continue to surprise me and pull through! I purposely do not apply any extra watering during this time to let the plants rest.
The Hail Mary Pass:
It is during these lean times that I notice the Atalas laying eggs on the coontie seed pods. This past winter, I witnessed some of the eggs on the pods develop into caterpillars. I do not know how far along they got as they either moved away from that spot or perished. I find this Atala behavior, to borrow a football expression, as their Hail Mary pass. A last-ditch effort to foster the next generation.
The coontie is a hardy plant, but it can succumb to environmental stressors. As butterfly gardeners we may overlook or forget that caterpillars stress the plants. It is a good idea to keep an eye on the coonties’ overall health and stay on top of the weeds. Pinch out and remove weeds that grow around its crown, crowding the plant’s ability to grow healthy. Waiting until the weeds take over makes it harder on you and them. 
Scales and Mealy Bugs:
(UF/IFAS Extension: Natural Products for Managing Landscape and Garden Pests in Florida, Matthew A Borden, Eileen A. Buss, Sydney G. Park Brown, and Adam G. Dale)
(UF/IFAS Extension: Florida Coonties and Atala Butterflies, Daniel F. Culbert)

Coontie Plant Care South Florida’s Wet and Dry Seasons: Coonties start to flush out new growth with warming temperatures in March through May and continue to do so during our rainy season, which runs June through September. Each plant will vary, some flush out once and others two or three times. Afterward the new growth […]

How to Maintain Atala Butterflies in Your Garden Year-Round, Second Blog

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