Guest Column: New Edition of Scouting Manual Distills Decades of Horticultural Experience

“Get it in writing” is good advice for any endeavor that hopes for long-term success. To future-proof a UF/IFAS Extension program that’s fundamental to plant health, two seasoned faculty and their colleagues have just taken over 28 years of research and teaching experience and put it in writing. The result is the second edition of the Commercial Ornamental Nursery Scouting Manual — a comprehensive, field-tested guide designed to elevate scouting practices across Florida’s ornamental nursery industry.

Liz Felter, Ph.D., an Emeritus Extension horticulture agent in Orange County, spearheaded the effort to bring the 25-year-old manual back in print with in a new edition. Recognizing the growing need for structured scouting education and updated diagnostic tools, Felter led a thorough revision process. “We knew the industry needed this,” she said. “Scouting is the foundation of plant health, and this manual had to reflect the realities of today’s nurseries.”

Felter’s leadership brought together a team of IFAS experts, including plant pathologist David Norman, weed specialist Chris Marble, nematologist Billy Crow, plant physiologist Jianjun Chen, and entomologist Lance Osborne. Felter and Osborne’s professional relationship spans decades of Extension work, particularly in integrated pest management (IPM) and biological control. Their collaboration on this manual is a natural extension of their shared commitment to science-based solutions for Florida growers.

“This manual introduces you to IPM,” Osborne said, “And it also introduces you to some of people on the (UF/IFAS) team that can help you in the future.”

The second edition expands significantly on the original, covering the full spectrum of plant health diagnostics. It includes dedicated chapters on:

• Entomology: Identification of key nursery pests, beneficial insects, and scouting techniques for early detection.
• Plant Pathology: Recognition of fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases, with guidance on symptom differentiation and sample collection.
• Nematology: Understanding nematode damage, sampling protocols, and interpreting lab results.
• Abiotic Plant Problems: Diagnosing non-living stressors such as nutrient deficiencies, water quality issues, and environmental damage.
• Weed Identification and Documentation: Techniques for photographing and cataloging weeds, with tips for distinguishing invasive species from benign flora.

Each section is supported by full-color photographs, sample scouting forms, and field-tested checklists. “We wanted to make sure the manual wasn’t just informative—it had to be usable,” said Felter. “Every checklist, every photo, every example is something we’ve used in real nurseries.”

For those familiar with the Nursery Scout Training Program at the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC), this manual now serves as its core textbook. Since 1997, the program has trained hundreds of horticulture professionals, many of whom entered the industry from unrelated fields. “We’ve had students who were former teachers, mechanics, even a chef,” Felter noted. “This manual gives them the confidence to walk into a nursery and know what to look for.”

Its design supports field use — whether riding in a truck, sitting on a greenhouse bench, or being referenced during a site walk. The scouting techniques apply across production systems, including greenhouses, shade houses, container nurseries, and field-grown ornamentals. Even landscape maintenance professionals and home gardeners will find value in its diagnostic approach.

At UF/IFAS Extension, we believe in equipping our stakeholders with tools that work. This manual is a testament to that mission. It captures the insights of two of our most experienced faculty members and packages them in a format that’s accessible, actionable, and durable. “This manual is our way of passing the torch,” Felter added. “We want the next generation to have the tools they need to succeed.”

Available through the UF/IFAS Extension Bookstore, the Commercial Ornamental Nursery Scouting Manual, 2nd Edition, is an indispensable resource for any operation serious about plant health and production excellence. I encourage every nursery professional in Florida to make it part of their toolkit—and part of their future.

Andra Johnson, Ph.D., is the Dean of UF/IFAS Extension and a champion for science-based solutions that serve Florida's agriculture and natureal resources.