Around the Industry
Floralife Acquires Crown Research Floral Products
With well-recognized floral products in the industry for many years, Crown Research & Chemical Corp. of San Antonio, Texas, has signed an agreement with Floralife, Inc. to manufacture, distribute and sell their products worldwide. The addition of these products is intended to strengthen Floralife’s commitment to advancing postharvest flower quality and increasing customer satisfaction.
“The well-known product brands, Clear Crowning Glory, Crowning Glory and FM Budmagic, complement the already extensive fresh cut flower postharvest products in Floralife’s stable,” said Jim Daly, vice president and general manager of Floralife, Inc. These floral liquid shields hold in moisture while allowing the plants to breath.
These products are now distributed and available for sale through Smithers-Oasis Companies to wholesale floral customers.
Visit www.floralife.com for more information.
New Board Member Appointed During Mid-Am Elections
The Mid-America Horticultural Trade Show (Mid-Am) recently held elections to determine new and reelected officers and board members for 2009-2010. The Board of Directors is comprised of representatives form Mid-Am’s three owner/sponsor organizations: the Illinois Green Industry Association (IGIA), the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA) and the Wisconsin Green Industry Federation (WGIF).
Richard Harms of Countryside Flower Shop & Nursery in Crystal Lake, Ill., representing IGIA was reelected to a one-year term as president. Barbara Rosborough of Rosborough Partners, Inc. in Libertyville, Ill., was reelected to a one-year term as vice president and was also reappointed to a three-year term on the Board representing ILCA. Bill Vogel of Spring Valley Turf Products in Jackson, Wis. Representing WGIF was reelected secretary, and Carsten Hoffmeyer of Hoffie Nursery in Union, Ill. representing IGIA was reelected treasurer.
A new member was appointed to the Mid-Am Board of Directors. Jim Melka of Jim Melka Landscaping and Garden Center in Mokena, Ill., will represent IGIA for a three-year term. Remaining on the Board were Steve Fiore of Rocco Fiore & Sons, Inc. in Lake Forest, Ill (ILCA), Terry Kurth of Weed Man Lawn Care in Middleton, Wis. (WGIF), and Dave Story of Bartlett Tree Experts in Northbrook, Ill. (ILCA).
Jiffy Products Adds to Staff
Jiffy Products of America Inc. recently announced the appointment of Rick Friedrich as North American sales manager.
With more than 25 years of experience in the horticulture, agriculture, and lawn and garden industries, his background and expertise in sales, marketing and operations management will strengthen the company’s North American sales force.
Friedrich earned a bachelor’s degree in horticulture from Cal Poly State University (SLO) and did masters work at the University of Phoenix. He will be based at Jiffy Products of America Inc.’s offices in Lorrain, Ohio.
Jiffy is a provider of propagation systems and substrates to the horticultural, nursery and forestry industries worldwide. It also supplies seed and seed starting kits for home gardeners worldwide. For more information, visit the company’s website.
New Mum Cloth Could Help Create Shorter Days and Higher Profits
Ludvig Svensson’s Obscura W/W mum cloth, featuring a multilayer structure of white/black/white films with black yarn creates a highly reflective, porous surface with very low light transmission, is designed to result in highly effective, cost-effective mum forcing.
“Getting mums to market faster increases growers’ chances of earning higher prices,” said Kurt Parbst, president of Svensson’s North and South American subsidiary. “Obscura W/W is the better way to force garden mums.”
To force garden mums with the seven weeks of short days (13 hours of night) they need, Obscura W/W solves many of the inherent challenges, such as high night temperatures and interrupted darkness. And unlike black plastic film, Obscura W/W won’t collect rainwater and crush plants, won’t absorb heat or humidity, and is lightweight and easy to handle.
Made with a porous yarn structure built to release rainwater and excess humidity, Obscura W/W allows less than 0.5 percent light transmission. Its reflective surface greatly reduces heat buildup and eliminates the need to pull back the cover on hot nights. Plus, its lightweight construction makes it possible to drape directly over mums or support with a simple post-and-wire structure.
Standard 13-, 14- and 17-foot widths are available, with wider widths easily accommodated by sewing half or full widths of standard sizes.
For more information on Ludvig Svensson, Inc., visit www.svenssonamericas.com.
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