Study shows positive impact of flowers
A behavioral study conducted at Harvard Univ. shows people feel more compassionate toward others, have less worry and anxiety, and feel less depressed when flowers are in the home. Throughout 2006, Society of American Florists/Flowers Promotion Organization Alliance partnered with psychologist and faculty member Nancy Etcoff of Mass. General Hospital and Harvard Medical School to determine the effects of flowers in the home environment on humans' well-being. The Alliance is publicizing the findings to consumers through an ongoing strategic public relations campaign that will launch this month.
2006 sales expected to show modest gain
USDA Floriculture and Nursery Crops Outlook forecast the greenhouse and nursery industry should expect a modest 2% gain in sales during 2006. Ornamental crop sales are expected to rise from $16.2 billion in 2005 to $16.5 billion this year. Accounting for this gain, $100 million will come from floriculture and $200 million from nursery crops. USDA reports the sales gain is not expected to cover increased grower costs. Although plenty of product is available, crop prices won't be able to rise enough to offset higher production costs. The 2006 Floriculture Crops Summary will be released in April 2007.
Inspector finds chrysanthemum white rust in Pennsylvania
On Sept. 15, during a routine survey, a Pa. Dept. of Ag. inspector detected chrysanthemum white rust symptoms in 7 potted mums at a large national retailer in Pittsburgh. This rust detection was confirmed by USDA Plant Protection and Quarantine as the fungus Puccinia horiana P. Henn. PDA issued a stop-sale order and PPQ issued an Emergency Action Notification to prevent sale of infected plants. The plants came from a Lehigh County, Pa., farm where CWR was discovered in a single block of a 10-acre field. CWR was also confirmed in mums at another retailer in Pennsylvania. Activities are being expedited to determine the extent of exposure of mums to CWR in the U.S.
SAF awards Polar Star Best in Show
Polar Star standard rose was named Best in Show at the 2006 Outstanding Varieties Competition during SAF's annual convention. The rose was bred by Rosen-Tantau and entered by Eufloria Flowers in Nipomo, Calif. Best in Class winners include: Jana spray rose, 'Atlantis Pink' chrysanthemum, 'Mozart' calla lily, 'Dune' gerbera, 'Orange Queens' alstroemeria, 'Rum' dianthus, 'Fashion' mini pot rose, 'Australian Pine' pine and 'Jumbo White' hydrangea.
Outreach seminar to focus on pest management
OFA is conducting a Pest-B-Gone Outreach Seminar in cooperation with Mich. Greenhouse Growers Expo, Nov. 7 in Lansing, Mich. It will be presented by Kansas St. Univ. entomologist Ray Cloyd and N.C. St. Univ. plant pathologist Colleen Warfield. The seminar will cover identification of major plant-feeding insects, mites and pathogens; major pests' biology and life cycles; and current cultural, physical, chemical and biological management strategies. Pesticide recertification credit is available for Mich., Ohio and Ind. participants.
Worth a visit
Follow along as we take you to Garden Centers of America's Fashion in Bloom on the Eastern Seaboard. Only on GreenBeam.com.
|
Fine Americas, Inc. offers you a complete range of plant growth regulators to improve your crop quality and increase profit margins. Contact your distributor today.
Inaccurate thermostats COST MONEY! Save on your heating costs with Dramm's ACCURATE, DURABLE, and RECALIBRATABLE thermostats.
Something’s keeping you awake at night. You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers. 3 intense days. 75 business changing sessions. 1000 green industry professionals.
The focus of the OFA Scholars Program is on professional development, including attending educational sessions, networking, and working with an industry mentor.
|
