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March 18, 2003
There is always considerable discussion over what poinsettia
cultivars growers should produce and about which cultivars consumers prefer.
The new cultivars and their success at retail have changed the industry's
mindset of what a poinsettia should...
March 18, 2003
Poppy anemone, lily-of-the-field and windflower are names commonly
used for plants and flowers of Anemone coronaria L. As the name poppy anemone
suggests, the flowers are similar to poppies and come in various shades of
white, red, scarlet, blue and...
March 18, 2003
In Columbus, Ohio, on February 21-23, The Ohio State
University, the American Floral Endowment (AFE) and a group of national
sponsors hosted the National Floriculture Forum (NFF). This event changes
location and subject matter each year, and 2003...
March 18, 2003
There is much talk about how we as a society must stop
cloning at all costs. Just think about what would happen if humans were to
become like aphids. Sexual reproduction would no longer be necessary, and all
females would be born pregnant.
Well all...
March 18, 2003
This is the season when every grower starts worrying about
how to control plant growth, whether plugs, bedding flats, pots or baskets. All
growers should be doing whatever they can to control temperature, provide more
light, reduce humidity,...
February 28, 2003
It's been such a long time since we've had a new plant growth regulator (PGR) in floriculture. Actually, flurprimidol, the active ingredient in the new SePRO product being labeled in the United States as Topflor, is not a new compound. In fact, Paul...
February 28, 2003
B-Nine and Cycocel tank mixes have been effectively used by
growers for many years. However, there are still many growers who have not yet
taken full advantage of this useful tool. The primary advantage of the
B-Nine/Cycocel tank mix is that it...
February 28, 2003
Managing plant height, insects and mites, and the many
diseases that affect greenhouse-grown bedding and potted plants are some of the
many challenges that face today's growers. Most pest and plant growth problems
are controlled by using a variety...
January 28, 2003
Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are commonly applied to
container-grown plants to control stem elongation and produce high-quality,
compact plants. Flurprimidol was a molecule discovered more than 20 years ago
by Eli Lily and Company. It was...
January 28, 2003
Slippery! Slimy! Creepy things, yuck! This pretty much
describes the general opinion of what a slug or snail is. These pests fall
under the general responsibility of entomologists when it comes to who has to
deal with calls and questions concerning...
January 28, 2003
Ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus L.), with the common name Persian
buttercup, has primarily been produced as a field-grown cut flower, thanks to
extensive breeding work in England during the 19th century that resulted in
more than 500 varieties....
January 28, 2003
Getting an early start on spring sales is critical to
growers around the United States. The problem is finding plant material that
can be grown under cool conditions, will flower under early spring short-day
photoperiod, and has some tolerance of...
January 28, 2003
Weeds compete for water, nutrients and light, resulting in
reduced flower yield and increased threat of serious insect and disease
problems. A successful weed management program utilizes cultural practices such
as cultivation and mulching, or a...
January 28, 2003
Dianthus 'Bouquet Purple' has been produced as a bedding plant or cut flower for a few years, and it is still underutilized as a perennial crop. Bouquet Purple has many desirable perennial characteristics such as: quick finishing time from plugs,...
December 31, 2002
Leucanthemum 'Becky' is quickly becoming one of the most common varieties of Shasta daisy in commercial production today. This cultivar has many distinguishing characteristics, such as shiny, deep-green leaves that hold up well in heat and humidity...
December 31, 2002
Plant nutrient management requires a thorough understanding
of the relationships between irrigation practices, fertilization programs and
root medium selection. Everything is connected. Even a minor change in any of
these cultural practices impacts...
December 31, 2002
Somewhere between the explosion of the foliage industry in the
70s and the changing of the interiorscape market, many of us lost touch with
what was happening in the world of foliage. I have recently been working on
renovating our conservatory/...
December 31, 2002
The first place to automate should be one that is highly repetitive, employs multiple laborers, requires substantial time and/or introduces variability. For many growers, this translates into a replugging line.
Many growers question whether or not...
December 31, 2002
Year after year, the Annual GPN/Summit Plastics State of the
Industry Report provides the most comprehensive data available about the past
year in floriculture. The big question is, what has changed so much in one
year? New trends, higher sales,...
November 05, 2002
Coreopsis 'Limerock Ruby' is destined to become one of the most sought-after perennials for growers and gardeners across the country. Limerock Ruby yields abundant, 1 1/2-inch, ruby red, daisy-like flowers with yellow eyes, above neat, narrow...
