New orchid discovered in Yosemite Nat'l. Park
Yosemite bog orchid (Platanthera yosemitensis) has been identified as a new orchid species by 2 botanists from U.S. Geological Survey and a botanist at the N.Y. State Museum. Specimens of the plant had been collected in Yosemite Nat'l. Park as early as 1923 and rediscovered in 1993. The plant's identity had remained a challenge to taxonomists. The orchid has been found in only 9 sites in the park. The plant, with a wandlike shape and tiny flowers, has a strong odor. Seven other rare plant species, including Yosemite onion, Yosemite woolly sunflower, short-leaved hulsea, Yosemite ivesia and Bolander's clover, had previously been found in the same area.
Suffolk County, N.Y., enacts invasive plant law
In June, the Suffolk County Legislature passed a resolution forbidding the sale of certain invasive plants. Most plants on the do-not-sell list are aquatics or are not commercially valuable. However, there are a few plants, including purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and some honeysuckles (Lonicera spp.), that Long Island growers must remove from inventory. The law creates the Suffolk County Water and Land Invasives Advisory Board. One of the 9 members will be a representative chosen by L.I. Nursery and Landscape Assoc.; another will be a representative of L.I. Farm Bureau.
Ball Tagawa Growers receives sustainability certification
Ball Tagawa Growers in Arroyo Grande, Calif., has been certified under the VeriFlora sustainability certification program for fresh cut flowers and potted plants. The company, a joint venture of Ball Hort. of Chicago and Tagawa Greenhouses of Colorado, produces plugs and liners. Ball Tagawa products earning certification include annuals and perennials. There are 6 U.S. growers operating 18 locations that are VeriFlora certified or soon to be certified.
Pacific Plug & Liner holds summer perennial trials
Pacific Plug & Liner in Watsonville, Calif., expanded its plant trials to include a summer outdoor perennial trial of echinacea, heuchera and sedum varieties. The comparison trials, open through Aug. 17, include more than 30 echinacea varieties from seed, tissue culture and bare root; more than 50 varieties of heuchera from seed, tissue culture and bare root; and more than 15 varieties of upright-type sedums from bare root and cuttings.
IR-4 survey solicits grower input on pests
IR-4's Survey of Grower Needs helps establish the direction for more than $1 million dedicated to pest management research on new and standard tools to manage diseases, insects and weeds and to manage crop growth using plant growth regulators. Preliminary rankings show that top diseases are Phytophthora, Pythium, Anthracnose, leaf spots, crown and root rots and powdery mildew; top insect groups are scale, mealybugs, mites and aphids; top weeds are spurge, bittercress, nutsedge, oxalis and liverwort. IR-4 will accept survey responses through Aug. 31.
Worth a visit
The 12-month Solutions Source series provides solutions to the challenges growers face today. This month: government regulations. Only on GreenBeam.com.
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• Yoder
• Goldsmith Seeds
Check out the new consumer website for 2008's Perennial Plant of the Year, Geranium 'Rozanne,' at www.geraniumrozanne.com
Think...Cora™ Vinca for strength and beauty in the garden! To order, call your favorite supplier. Bred by Goldsmith.
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