PPA names 'Rozanne' Plant of the Year
Perennial Plant Assoc. named Geranium 'Rozanne' as its 2008 Perennial Plant of the Year. The plant produces 2 1/2-inch, saucer-shaped, violet-blue flowers with white centers from early summer until frost. Plants reach 20 inches tall and 24 inches wide and have a mounding habit with slightly marbled, deep-green leaves. It is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-8. 'Rozanne' was discovered by nursery professionals Donald and Rozanne Waterer in their garden in Somerset, England, in 1989, and introduced by Blooms of Bressingham in 2000.
Daffodils could help with Alzheimer's
Daffodils produced in the Black Mountains of Wales could be a major source of the compound galantamine, which has been found to help treat Alzheimer's disease, reports the BBC. Galantamine, an alkaloid extracted from the bulbs and leaves, has been found to slow down progress of the disease. Scientists are studying whether there is a relationship between the elevation at which the bulbs are grown and the amount of galantamine produced. Trevor Walker, a researcher with Alzeim Ltd. in Powys, Wales, told the BBC his company is working to produce a less expensive generic version of the compound.
Biobest purchased by Belgian consortium
Biobest N.V., a Belgian company that specializes in biological control with beneficial insects and mites and pollination with bumblebees, has been acquired by a Belgium consortium consisting of Compagnie du Bois Sauvage (40%), Floridienne (via Florinvest 20%) and Domaine d'Argenteuil (40%). Founded in 1987, the company has grown into the 2nd largest company in its field. It has annual sales of 20 million euros.
Smithers-Oasis acquires Floralife
Smithers-Oasis Co., an int'l. manufacturer of floral foam and related products headquartered in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, purchased Floralife Inc., a manufacturer of postharvest floral products, from AgroFresh Inc. AgroFresh, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rohm and Haas Co. in Philadelphia, purchased Floralife in April 2006.
Seeley to focus on margins, lean horticulture
This year's Seeley Conference will focus on low margins and how the principles of lean manufacturing apply to horticulture. Charles Walton, chairman and CEO of Smithers-Oasis Co., is the coordinator of this year's conference at Cornell Univ., June 23-26 in Ithaca, N.Y.
Organics: Where to get current info
USDA developed a set of standards that food and plants labeled "organic" must meet. Leanne Pundt, ext. educator at Univ. of Conn., said growers wanting to become organically certified must have their operations inspected by a government-approved certifier. USDA Nat'l. Organic Program Web site provides a listing of certifying agencies. Organic Materials Review Institute is a nonprofit organization that specializes in the review of pesticides and fertilizers for organic production. OMRI has a list of approved insecticides and fungicides. Univ. of Conn. IPM Web site lists selected insecticides and fungicides for use on herbs.
Worth a visit
University of Connecticut extension educator Leanne Pundt talks about implementing and maintaining a successful IPM program. Only on GreenBeam.com.
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Produce better crops with Dazide®, the growth regulator containing 85% daminozide. Dazide stimulates flower production, enhances foliage color, and produces thicker stems.
New England Grows is scheduled for Tuesday, February 6 - Thursday, February 8, 2007 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Register online today!
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