California growers assess freeze damage
The freezing temperatures that hit California last week affected growing areas statewide, and most exposed crops were hurt, reports Calif. Farm Bureau Federation. A number of growers expect to take a total loss. Along with oranges and lemons, the freeze damaged avocados, strawberries, winter vegetables and outdoor nursery and flower production. Calif. Dept. of Food and Ag. officials said damage totals are expected to reach the hundreds of millions of dollars. Nursery plants and field-grown flowers, ŭincluding production scheduled for Valentine's Day, ŭsuffered losses. Greenhouse-grown plants and flowers weren't expected to be affected. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared an ag. emergency in 10 counties: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura.
Consumer Reports tests online floral delivery services
Consumer Reports provides details on its test of 4 online delivery services for long-stem red roses. All 4 companies delivered by the promised time. Proflowers.com and Hallmark.com rated very good for vaselife and consistent product. Testers were less impressed with Organic Bouquet and Jungle Roses. CR tells consumers to consider ordering from a florist near the recipient by checking for local retailers online. Full results are in the February edition of CR magazine.
Chemical disease controls listed on wall chart
A Chemical Disease Controls for the Greenhouse Industry wall chart can help you determine which fungicides are labeled for specific diseases. Written by Mich. St. Univ. plant pathologist Mary Hausbeck, the 22-by-34-inch chart contains info on 74 fungicides including trade name, common name, company name, labeling on vegetables, REI, labeled diseases and comments for use. It costs $4 plus postage.
California considers leafy green marketing agreement
Calif. produce handlers and processors are considering a leafy greens marketing agreement aimed at enhancing food safety. Calif. Farm Bureau Federation says this is an important step for growers because it would provide cultural practices to sell leafy greens such as lettuce, spinach and chard to participating handlers and processors. The agreement would go into effect before the next growing season. The agreement, which would include a trace-back system, would apply to companies that handle, process, ship or distribute leafy green products. A separate marketing order would be created for producers. The order would adopt best management practices for leafy greens production and would be overseen by Calif. Dept. of Food and Ag.
Ball Hort. launches Ball Innovations
Ball Hort. Co. has created a new business division called Ball Innovations, which emphasizes the role of today's and tomorrow's end consumers. The company will develop initiatives to help growers and retailers expand their business in traditional markets and emerging areas like sustainable horticulture and lifestyle plants. Two programs currently offered by Ball Innovations are Circle of Life, which addresses consumer demand for eco-friendly products, and Plant Passport, which focuses on lifestyle plants marketed for indoor decoration. Ball's former director of marketing Bill Doeckel has been named general manager of the new division.
Worth a visit
David Kuack, GMPRO editor, reminds growers to be diligent in inspecting plant material from offshore producers. Only on GreenBeam.com.
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Produce a perfect crop with Piccolo®, the PGR with 0.4% paclobutrazol. Piccolo produces more compact, sturdier plants for more consistent quality and encourages earlier flowering.
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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