The story of the Parlor Palm

The Parlor Palm, whose Latin name is Chamaedorea elegans, has been cultivated as a houseplant for about 50 years. Worldwide, the plant is now part of the standard assortment of flower stores and in the trade, and among consumers there are numerous local names* in use for it. Arthur Spruit, in pre-COVID-19 times, looking for the…

Winners road show GrootGroenPlus 2020 announced

This week, the winners of the Road Show of GrootGroenPlus 2020 were announced. People were able to cast their votes for their favourites in the free trade fair app up until Monday 30 November 2020. And now, the top 3 has been announced.  Menhir This top 3, it consists of four plants: the Ginkgo biloba 'Menhir'…

US: First-time gardeners will return in 2021 – will you be ready?

Experts like Katie Dubow, president of the award-winning lawn and garden public relations agency Garden Media Group, are predicting that 80% of last year’s first-time gardeners will return to the soil in the spring of 2021. The reason for this prediction (and it is just a prediction at this time) is…

Debate on how to shape the future of the AHDB continues

The UK Horticulture & Potatoes Future Statutory Levy Working Group has been established voluntarily by concerned statutory levy payers from within the UK Horticulture and…

"Future-proofed full season security against vine weevil"

A new Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme developed by ICL to control the most destructive of pests – vine weevil – delivers future-proofed, season-round control. “As…

Kenya: Astral Aviation announces strategic plan for new B767F

Following the acquisition of the B767-200F from Air Transport Services Group, Inc. in October 2020, Astral Aviation will deploy the freighter on the Nairobi – Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE) route, with effect from 3rd February 2021, thus offering unrivalled capacity for 80 tonnes per week of flowers…

AU: Searing temperatures part of flower farming life in north-west Victoria

Growing flowers in one of the hottest parts of Victoria might seem like a doomed enterprise. But Sunraysia temperatures are not sizzling enough to stop producers Joe and Jacquie Wright from living out their colourful, summer dream. "We grow lisianthus predominately," Mr Wright said. "Lisianthus can…

Royal FloraHolland: Various products require a pre-export certificate for export to the UK

Until 1 January 2021, a mandatory pre-export certificate for the UK was not required as it concerned intra-traffic. Now that the UK is a third country, the Netherlands may not…

Dümmen orange poinsettia collection is ready for 2021

The 2020 holiday season just wrapped up and Dümmen Orange has its poinsettia collection ready to go for the 2021 holiday season.   Dümmen Orange has unveiled its extensive poinsettia program with the theme being simple, modern and inviting. The company recently paired up with fashionable home décor brand West Elm…

US: Cultivating beautiful flowers and greenhouse vegetables at Castle Hayne Farms

Growing up in the Netherlands, Mark Hommes was raised on horticulture and a love of Dutch iris. Current co-owner of Castle Hayne Farms, Mark always knew he would become a commercial-flower grower, learning the trade from his father, but what he didn’t realize is the amount of rich history both his…

US (NJ): Lucas Greenhouses awarded horticultural professional of the year

The Horticultural Professional of the Year award is given to an individual or a company who is recognized for outstanding contributions to the commercial horticulture industry…

CC BY-SA Wayne Boucher

New variety of paintbrush lily in Japan developed by a novel technique

Scientists at Hokkaido University and Chiba University have developed simultaneous triploid and hexaploid varieties of Haemanthus albiflos by the application of endosperm culture, thus extending the use of this technique. In plants, the number of chromosome sets in cells (ploidy) affects a large number…

UK: Horticulture industry comes together to promote a roadmap for a peat-free future

Unlocking the complexities of the peat debate by encouraging collaboration of the broad range of industry stakeholders to produce a roadmap the removal of peat from growing media is the focus of a new taskforce, coordinated by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA).   It aims to reinvigorate efforts to tackle…

New formulation: beneficial nematodes in capsules

The biotech companies e-nema GmbH and Katz Biotech AG have started a cooperation to develop a new, innovative product for biological pest control: Beneficial nematodes, formulated in capsules, offer long lasting efficacy against sciarid gnats and are ideal for preventative treatments. Beneficial…

Selecta One presents bedding and pot plants highlights 2021

Unfortunately, Selecta One will not be able to meet attend this year as usual at the IPM in Essen at the end of January. Here they present their bedding and pot plant highlights 2021 that would have been on show at IPM: Verbena series DrumsA new Verbena series and the first very early flowering and very…

Vitro Plus introduces 7 new hardy fern varieties

Vitro Plus recently added 7 new garden ferns (hardy ferns or perennial ferns) to its assortment. Besides around 80 tropical fern varieties, the number of hardy ferns now totals over 70. Vitro Plus produces starting material at customer's request. Depending on the variety, it will take between 13 and 25 weeks…

Pharr International Bridge plans for major expansion in coming years

The Pharr International Bridge, which provides a direct connection between the US and Mexico and is located in Pharr, Texas, has been seeing major expansion in recent years with more plans for expansion and innovation currently being carried out. The bridge services three major sectors: produce, energy…

US: garden nurseries were overwhelmed in 2020

You know that nightmare where you’re running as fast as you can, but you just can’t keep up? Then you’ll totally understand the sleep-deprived, breakneck ride that Southern California’s plant nurseries and growers went on in 2020, and are bracing for today. On the face of it, 2020 was a great business…

Canada: There is still time to apply for covid-19 funding

Have you applied for OMAFRA’s Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program (EAWPP), to help mitigate risks and costs from COVID? If not, there is still time.  Funding continues to be available until February 26th, 2021 on a first come, first serve basis. Funding up to $15,000 per farm is available for preventative…

Canada: Abbotsford Tulip Festival says farewell to the Fraser Valley

After four years of hosting one of the Fraser Valley’s largest and most colourful outdoor events, the organizers of Bloom, The Abbotsford Tulip Festival are saying thank you and farewell to the communitywhere it all started with plans to eventually rebloom in Northern Okanagan. “It’s a bittersweet…

Millcreek gardens organises virtual spring seminar

All new varieties will be presented to help customers find the latest and greatest plants. Also the new offerings for June will be presented. The virtual session will be…

Will the 2021 flower season flourish?

Ahead of Africa’s biggest flower season, there is a major doubt about whether there will be enough air freight capacity to carry the flowers from the continent to Europe. Interestingly, while Covid-19 vaccines are looking to take up most of the capacities, the stakeholders are prepared and are ready to…

US: Optimizing the greenhouse environment for cut flowers

Steve and Gretel Adams operate Sunny Meadows Flower Farm in Columbus, Ohio. Their dahlia tuber sales go live in late November. In this article, they describe their findings…

New study on postharvest quality of cut Zinnia flowers

The quality of floral stems depends on a set of pre-harvest factors which can influence their postharvest longevity. Although the identification of visual signs of senescence through scales is decisive in assessing the loss of floral quality in the postharvest period, this scale does not exist for zinnia…

The various meanings of Valentine's flowers

Flowers can represent various emotions. Flowers play a prominent role in many and holidays, perhaps none more than Valentine’s Day.Valentine’s Day is a busy day for florists. ProFlowers says it accounts for most of the industry’s fresh flower sales. Around 78% of the flowers purchased for Valentine’s Day…

Study on effects of postharvest treatments with nanosilver on senescence of cut Lisianthus

Lisianthus is among the most popular cut flowers. Regarding the postharvest losses, these experiments were designed to compare the effects of a nanosilver (NS) based…

Study on environmental health and willingness to compost fresh cut floral waste

In the United States, there has been a push to convert industries to a more environmentally sustainable business attitude in recent years. Environmentally sustainable practices are not only good for the environment, but there is increasing evidence these practices lead to an increase in customer loyalty.…

US: Top six floral trends for 2021

The start of a new year inspires fresh ideas in many creative fields, and floral arrangements are no exception. 2021 is bringing unprecedented changes to our lives and the world at large, and it’s no surprise that many of these changes are represented in the ways we enjoy flowers.   What can you expect to see…

Flower village in Vietnam gears up for Lunar New Year

As Lunar New Year approaches, farmers at the Sa Dec flower village, the largest flower supplier in southern Vietnam, gears up for Tet, the country's biggest national holiday. Flowers are a key part of the festival, with millions used to decorate homes and public buildings throughout the country.

US: A visit to Sego Lily Flower Farm, an urban micro farm in Utah

There’s a lot going on in Utah, an area that is only recently embracing local flower agriculture and sustainable design. Journalist Debra Prinzing visits Sego Lily Flower Farm, an urban micro farm in Utha. Here she talks with Fawn Rueckert, vice president of the burgeoning Utah Cut Flower Farm…

UK: New biostimulant boosts stress tolerance in ornamentals

Hicure, a powerful, natural and flexible biostimulant, has been launched by Syngenta and will be distributed by ICL. The liquid formulation contains a blend of easily absorbed…

HortiContact 2021 moves to 2022

The upcoming edition of the greenhouse horticulture exhibition HortiContact, which was planned on 23, 24 and 25 February 2021 in Evenementenhal Gorinchem, will be moved to 22, 23 and 24 February 2022. Event organizer Easyfairs has decided this in consultation with its exhibitors. “We have noticed in the past period that more…

In vitro hardening of Dendrobium plantlets to enhance acclimatization

Orchids are one of the most important cut flowers and ornamental plants in the floriculture industry with a high commercial and medicinal value. Successful establishment of in vitro derived orchid plants under ex vitro conditions is a challenge. When transferring from in vitro to ex vitro conditions,…

Worldwide volumes of refrigerated trade reached a new high of 169.2 million tons in 2019

Following the release of its eleventh annual reefer analysis, Dynamar Shipping Information and Consultancy indicates that worldwide volumes of refrigerated trade reached a new…

Soparco thermoformed range is now fully circular

In the context of the circular economy, more and more companies are working towards a more eco-responsible approach. Also French pot manufacturer Soparco is, and they are constantly researching to reduce or eliminate the use of virgin plastic material (in the manufacturing). Already over 80% of their…

US: Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem invokes flowers

Prior to hearing Amanda Gorman’s Inaugural poem, I had asked floral artist Jackie Kramer for a photograph that conveys a joyful sense of hope. Here is what she gave us.…

Starting a nursery: where to begin

Flowers and plants are an indispensable part of our lives. In fact, whether it is our home or workplace, the presence of flowers and plants accentuates the overall beauty of the ambience. If it’s your hobby to cultivate flowers, you can turn your passion into your occupation by starting a nursery…

"Business is blooming at flower shops in Canada amid pandemic"

Flower shops report business is growing steadily during the COVID-19 pandemic, attributing the sales boost to people wanting to brighten up their homes. "Everybody's home, everybody is working from home and they want to see nice things, when they come by that's what they tell me," Kathy Ninaka, owner of…

"Proud that I can lead the breeding process of the Delta Pansies"

Delta® celebrates its 25th birthday. But how did the Delta Pansies become such a great success over the years? "Our breeders observed the market in order to sense or create trends with innovations, at a time when they are still far away in the future. In the last 6 years alone, over 40% of the Delta…

Vicky & Richard Fox

Heuchera Cranberry covered in snow & frozen solid outsideHeuchera Lime Marmalade frozen solid inside (pleased no snow! lol)Both will come through, Cranberry will need a trim in Spring to tidy up but will grow back so fast!Orders taken now shipped March #heuchera#hardyplants pic.twitter.com/SH45DP9NFh — Vicky & Richard Fox🌱 (@plantagogo) January…

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