Hines reports loss, will sell Northeast nurseries
Hines Hort., headquartered in Irvine, Calif., plans to sell 4 nursery facilities in the Northeast and properties in Miami, according to the company's 10-Q report filed with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Aug. 14. The company reported a net loss of $5.2 million for the 6-month period ending June 30, compared to a net income of $13 million during the same period in 2005. The company said its net sales in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast have declined since 2004 while sales in the rest of the country have remained stable. Declining sales and market share in the East were blamed on competition, pricing pressures and customer consolidations.
Pay-by-scan, hurricanes contribute to Hines woes
Hines Hort.'s 10-Q report also stated that 2004 and 2005 hurricanes hurt sales in the Southeast by as much as $10 million. Increased cost of goods and labor and rising distribution expenses have also contributed to the company's losses. In January 2005, Hines implemented a pay-by-scan program with its largest customer. Through this system, Hines receives payment for a product only after it is purchased by a consumer at the retail site. Annuals, perennials and groundcovers are the only products included in this agreement, but Hines reported that pay-by-scan is responsible for a reduction in revenue and increased shrinkage. Hines is implementing labor productivity initiatives intended to improve gross profit margins.
Group offers Costa Rican rooted cuttings
Costa Rica Cuttings and McGregor Plant Sales are offering a new line of Nursery Now liners to U.S. and Canadian growers. Costa Rica Cuttings is a propagation specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica, and McGregor Plant Sales is a brokerage company headquartered in Carlsbad, Calif. Liners available through Nursery Now include boxwoods, Caryopteris, Ceanothus, cotoneaster, dogwood, honeysuckle, Loropetalum, potentilla and Spiraea. Cuttings are harvested weekly and shipped via FedEx.
Monrovia launches Holiday Collection
Monrovia Growers, headquartered in Azusa, Calif., launched its Holiday Collection of premium plants. The products (hollies, junipers, spruces, camellias, yuccas and ponytail ferns) will be shipped in silver or gold European ceramic pots, and are designed to be gift items. Container sizes available are quart, No. 1, No. 2 and No. 5. Shipping to garden centers begins Oct. 15, and Monrovia is offering corresponding promotional posters and tags.
Botrytis poses threat to hostas
Mich. State Univ. confirmed several cases of Botrytis cinerea on hosta this year. Preventing the accumulation of foliar moisture for extended periods is critical for Botrytis management, said Tom Dudek, Mich. State ext. specialist. With hosta, immature lesions typically appear as water-soaked spots that increase in diameter, then become circular spots with dark haloes around the outside of the lesions. Botrytis requires free water on the leaf surface to cause disease. Maintain relative humidity to less than 85%. Space containers far enough to allow adequate air circulation.
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