Houston Texas Green Industry Seminar

Jim Casey
South Central Territory Manager, Rainbow Ecoscience

• Welcome & Introductions
• Safety brief
• Housekeeping
• Review of the agenda and expectations

Francisco Sicilia
Landscape Horticulturist Specialist, Rainbow Ecoscience

As landscapes face increasing environmental stress from drought, storms, limited irrigation, pest pressure, and intensive maintenance demands, landscape professionals are seeking solutions that improve plant performance while maximizing operational efficiency. Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) have emerged as a valuable management tool that supports landscape and tree resiliency through improved root development, enhanced stress tolerance, reduced growth surges, and more sustainable maintenance practices.

This session will explore how PGRs can be incorporated into comprehensive landscape and tree care programs to improve plant health, maintain aesthetics, and help landscapes better withstand environmental challenges. Through real-world case studies from commercial landscapes, attendees will learn how PGRs can reduce pruning requirements, extend maintenance cycles, improve resource utilization, and create value-added enhancement opportunities for clients.

By the end of this session, participants will understand how PGRs contribute to resilient landscape systems, identify opportunities for implementation in both landscape and tree care programs, and develop strategies for communicating the long-term benefits of PGR use to property owners and stakeholders.

Francisco Sicilia is the Horticulture Specialist for Rainbow Ecoscience. Francisco’s role is to design protocols with the R&D team and Territory Managers at Rainbow Ecoscience for RES customers while working with industry leaders to integrate these protocols into their business. Francisco began working with Rainbow Companies in 2020, after working 18 years in the Landscape Maintenance Industry in various roles. Francisco graduated from Zamorano University, Honduras, with a degree in Agronomy in 2000, then pursued a degree in Agribusiness at Louisiana State University, graduating in 2002 before starting a career in the green industry in Florida.

Yorvin Moreno
Area Specification Manager, Rain Bird Corporation

This presentation explores the critical connection between irrigation practices and tree health, focusing on the risks of overwatering and its impact on root systems, soil oxygen, and overall vitality. It will outline common signs of overwatered trees to help identify issues early, followed by general guidelines for determining proper tree water requirements based on site conditions. The session will then present practical solutions and best practices for efficient irrigation, including the use of appropriate emission devices such as drip and bubblers, as well as the role of central control systems in optimizing scheduling and water management. Attendees will gain actionable insights to improve tree health while promoting more efficient and sustainable water use.

Yorvin Moreno is a registered landscape architect and licensed irrigator in the state of Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture, with a minor in Landscape Irrigation Science, from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. With over 16 years of experience, Yorvin has worked with landscape contractors and design firms across multiple states. His expertise spans landscape maintenance, water management, construction, design, and construction administration. He has contributed to a wide range of project types, including K–12, civic, industrial, commercial, multi-family, and park developments. Currently with Rain Bird, Yorvin oversees the Texas and Oklahoma markets, providing design support and educational resources focused on irrigation best practices.

Dr. Todd Watson
Plant Pathologist & Landscape Horticulturist, Tree Preservation Group

Understanding plant diseases is essential to maintaining healthy landscapes and trees. In this session, Dr. Todd Watson, Plant Pathologist and ISA Board-Certified Master Arborist, will provide a science-based overview of how to accurately diagnose and effectively manage plant diseases in urban and landscape environments. Attendees will learn how to identify common disease symptoms, distinguish between biotic and abiotic disorders, and apply integrated pest management (IPM) principles to improve plant health outcomes. This course is designed for arborists, landscape professionals, and plant health care specialists seeking to expand their diagnostic skills and implement responsible, evidence-based disease management programs.

Dr. Todd Watson earned a BS degree in Horticulture and a PhD in Plant Pathology from Texas A&M University. He was an Assistant Professor, Senior Lecturer, and Adjunct Professor at Texas A&M University, where he conducted research on trees and authored and co-authored several articles in research journals and professional publications dealing with a wide array of arboriculture topics. He also taught arboriculture and urban forestry classes at Texas A&M for over 20 years. In addition to his academic career, he has worked in the public and private sectors in tree and landscape consulting and management for over forty years. He is an ISA Board-Certified Master Arborist® and a TRAQ-Qualified Tree Risk Assessor. He has served as Vice President of the Arboricultural Research and Education Academy, Secretary of the Texas Urban Forestry Council, and a member of the editorial boards for ISA’s Arborist News and the Journal of Arboriculture and Urban Forestry.

Jon Oren
Regional Sales Manager, Horticultural Alliance

Over the past few decades, microbial research has steadily increased for the green industry. The market has also recently trended upward with several large-scale acquisitions of microbial companies by synthetics manufacturers. The increased use of the biostimulants (both derived and naturally occurring) appears to be a permanent fixture for several reasons: increasing costs of synthetic fertilizers, environmental concerns, regulatory demands and consumer health issues.

Jon Oren has been with Horticultural Alliance for five years, interacting with beneficial micro-organisms and biostimulants in treecare, landscape and agriculture. Prior to joining Horticultural Alliance, Jon worked in the healthcare chemical industry. Jon is passionate about doing more with less by growing plants in proven, safe and sustainable ways for humans and their environments. His favorite tree is the liriodendron tulipifera (tulip tree). Jon and his wife Rachael live in an old schoolhouse with their five kids. In 2017, Rachael and Jon co-founded a collaborative, university-schedule, classical school in greater Indianapolis which Rachael runs full-time and four of their children attend. Jon holds an M.Div. from Clarks Summit University and a B.A. in International Business from Cedarville University.

Francisco Sicilia
Landscape Horticulturist Specialist, Rainbow Ecoscience

This session provides an updated overview of pesticide laws and regulations, with an emphasis on current state and federal compliance standards. Attendees will gain clarity on the regulatory framework governing pesticide use, including Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) requirements.

We’ll cover essential components of pesticide labels signal words, PPE requirements, storage, and disposal instructions and explain how these details protect applicators, the public, and the environment. Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of how to apply products safely, responsibly, and in full compliance with modern pesticide laws.

Francisco Sicilia is the Horticulture Specialist for Rainbow Ecoscience. Francisco’s role is to design protocols with the R&D team and Territory Managers at Rainbow Ecoscience for RES customers while working with industry leaders to integrate these protocols into their business. Francisco began working with Rainbow Companies in 2020, after working 18 years in the Landscape Maintenance Industry in various roles. Francisco graduated from Zamorano University, Honduras, with a degree in Agronomy in 2000, then pursued a degree in Agribusiness at Louisiana State University, graduating in 2002 before starting a career in the green industry in Florida.

Jim Casey
South Central Territory Manager, Rainbow Ecoscience

• Collect CEU and TDA credentials