NL: 3000 Delta Pro Pansies are coloring the entrance of Enkhuizen

At least twenty volunteers rolled up their sleeves over the past few days to plant 3000 Delta Pro pansies at 'De Garden' near the historic 'Koepoort' in Enkhuizen, Netherlands. De Garden serves as a testing ground for the seed industry and a discovery garden for the consumer. Thanks to an initiative by a…

US: Cut flower producers attend workshops across Tennessee

Recent cut flower workshops held across Tennessee provided practical production and business planning information for business success with local cut flowers, a popular new crop choice for Tennesseans starting or diversifying their farm. The University of Tennessee Extension Center for Profitable…

''What you need for a future-proof water management plan''

Drought was a major issue last summer, and more droughts are expected in the coming years. This will have an impact on growers. To help them prepare for this, ErfGoed is hosting a webinar on March 28: "What you need for a future-proof water management plan." This webinar will give an overview of the…

Germany: Research Center for Horticultural Crops at the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt receives project funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG)

The Research Unit for Horticultural Crops (FGK) of the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt receives project funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG). The research…

New PGR guide for annuals now available

The new 2023-24 Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) Guide for Annuals is now available from Fine Americas, Inc. (Fine), a specialist in PGRs. “For decades, Fine Americas’ technical specialists and university researchers have partnered to find solutions for ornamental growers’ challenges, and what we heard consistently…

50 varieties from ornamental growers tested in lower-temperature cultivation

To help ornamental growers change their cultivation strategies in times of energy crisis, the Ornamental Horticulture Research Centre in Destelbergen is currently carrying out…

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Where Vietnamese horticulture challenges meet Dutch solutions

On the way home from work, Van Pham, 40, stopped at a store of Dalat Hasfarm near her house to buy 2 bouquets of flowers. The single female office worker was happy to pay 150,000 VND (6 euros) for 10 roses. The newly-picked roses here are guaranteed to stay fresh for at least 4 days, while the same type…

UK: Dobbies announces nationwide 'Helping Your Community Grow' initiative

Back by popular demand, Dobbies, the UK's leading garden center, is launching its 2023 Helping Your Community Grow campaign. Designed to enhance communities local to its…

Helleborus orientalis shines at nursery Nachtvlinder

The dark winter months are the blooming season for Helleborus orientalis. Especially in these dark months, when little else blooms in the garden, this winter bloomer provides the color. Unlike the Christmas rose or Helleborus niger, Helleborus orientalis often blooms after Christmas. Reason for Frank…

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US: Floral pros get proactive to solve labor woes

When Chris Drummond, AAF, PFCI, talks with florists, wholesalers, and flower growers, everyone lists labor in their top three challenges "without exception," he says. "And we're not going to fix the labor shortage in our industry unless we all become very proactive in finding solutions to the problem,"…

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The pros and cons of indoor farms

The most compelling reason for growing in an indoor plant production facility is the complete control of the growth environment. Within the last five years, there has been an increasing number of indoor growing facilities, those completely enclosed and without sunlight, in the United States. Many of…

Clarity about Plant load, Assimilate, and Plant balance in ornamental crops

An optimal greenhouse climate enables ornamental growers to get the most out of their crops. They can control properties such as Plant load, Assimilate, and Plant balance. In discussions with fellow growers and advisers, it is important that everyone has the same understanding of these terms. In the…

Grower shares positive experience with LEDs in Phalaenopsis during winter '22-'23

Investing in LEDs means choosing which color spectrum to use. This was not easy. A year ago, the experience of growing Phalaenopsis under LEDs was still very minimal, and in terms of response to the spectrum, there was still very little information. The most efficient spectrum contains as much red and as…

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"Kashmir offers huge potential for Bulgarian rose cultivation"

Kashmir has a huge potential for Bulgarian rose cultivation, and it can become a huge income generation crop for the farmers, according to Dr. Anjum Rashid, a floriculturist at the Department of Agriculture Kashmir. “The rose is also known as the king of flowers, and there are many types of roses. The…

New Priva Irrigation Measurement helps growers to improve crop development

Careful water management will strengthen any horticultural business both in the short and long term. That is why Priva introduces an entirely new irrigation measurement system that provides real-time insight into plant water uptake and evaporation. Priva Irrigation Measurement enables growers to optimize…

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US (TX): Hoyas bring joy to grower Rhiannon Spaw of Burnet

At the end of a long dirt road in Burnet lies an Asian paradise maintained by Rhiannon Spaw, a horticulturist turned small business owner with a Texas-size green thumb. Inside her greenhouse, she cultivates a variety of hoyas, which are native to Southeast Asia and also known as wax plants, porcelain…

Control specialists swap UK greenhouses for African anaerobic digestors

Tomtech has been putting their technology to a new use, helping boost the circular economy in Kenya. More frequently found in UK and European greenhouses, Tomtech's technology is helping control an anaerobic digestor that is turning waste into biofuel on one of Kenya's largest flower farms. "Though we're…

What is the best LED strategy for freesias?

More and more crops are switching to LED lamps. They use considerably less energy than SON-T lamps. In the cultivation of freesia, LED has an additional advantage: the lamps hardly produce any heat and therefore fit perfectly with colder cultivation such as that of freesia. The Greenhouse Horticulture…

Researchers develop first nanotube sensors capable of detecting and distinguishing gibberellin plant hormones

This is the first time that nanosensors capable of detecting and distinguishing gibberellins (GAs), a type of plant hormone that regulates plant growth, have been developed and validated in living plants. The nanosensors can be infiltrated into the roots of different living plants to evaluate the plant’s…

Flowers growing in hydroponic towers

Most types of flowers can be grown hydroponically. Essentially the elements that they would typically get from the earth and sun can be replaced in an indoor farm or a home system like the ZipGarden. There are no seasons with indoor hydroponics, so you can enjoy a bounty of blossoms all year long. It’s a…

Lycoris radiata, a late summer blooming bulb

Lycoris radiata, commonly called red spider lily, is a late summer-blooming bulb of the amaryllis family. Strap-like grayish-green leaves appear in fall only after bloom is finished. Leaves overwinter and remain in the landscape before eventually disappearing in late spring. Naked flower scapes emerge…

Workshop in South Africa helps nursery growers conserve irrigation water

Over 120 nursery growers came from around South Africa to attend an irrigation workshop in the Cape Vineland area this month. The two-day program included demonstration stations at leading blueberry propagator Fall Creek® South Africa and lectures at Stellenbosch University. Hands-on workshop hosted at…

UK: "Why we're going peat-free?"

Amateur gardeners in England and Wales will no longer be able to buy peat-based compost and growing media from 2024. In the video below, Rosy Hardy of Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants explains how peat became a popular product, why they're going peat-free, and what the amateur gardener can do and look for to ensure they're peat…

HTA response to the launch of the Scottish Government’s peat consultation

Responding to the Scottish Government’s launch of its consultation on ending the sale of peat in Scotland, Fran Barnes, CEO of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA),…

Is your water tank well secured?

When your water tank is empty, it absolutely needs to be secured. To protect the liner against wind damage or deformation of the circular shape, we recommend to install tank base brackets. These little tools create a whole lot of extra support. What do they do? It is really important to have a proper foundation. Preparing your…

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Improving rooting uniformity with rooting hormones

Many growers propagate unrooted cuttings, but propagation success varies among species, cultivars, and environmental conditions. Rooting hormones can be used to ensure and improve the rooting success of vegetative shoot-tip cuttings. Many annual and herbaceous perennial bedding plants can successfully be…

The ins and outs of Plant Empowerment presented in free online webinar

After the success of the two-day workshop in Canada last May, which was attended by more than 100 growers, investors, and other horticulture professionals, the organizers host another multi-day Plant Empowerment course in Canada in March 2023, this time in Niagara Falls. To explain the program so…

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Cut flower exporters decry high cost of doing business

Cut flower exporters in the country have raised concerns over increased water charges and payroll costs that have raised the cost of doing business, eroding their competitiveness. The exporters say the increasing taxes and charges, logistical difficulties, and additional operational costs have drained…

"Our succulents need to be strong enough to survive all weather conditions"

The rising energy costs are no joke. All across the world, growers fight to keep their businesses running due to the increased cost of gas and electricity. And it's not just the growers who are hurt by these increases; the whole market is influenced. A trend is making way for opportunities in sustainable…

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Creating a mutually beneficial internship program

It’s no secret that labor continues to be a challenge in the greenhouse industry. Not only is it difficult to find employees to work on transplant lines and in shipping, but it is also a challenge to find new employees to move through the ranks to become the future leaders of your company. According to…

NL: Climate system installed at plant propagation lab

KP Holland is a renowned family-owned Dutch breeding and propagation company, operating globally. To stay at the forefront of the business, KP Holland has built an innovation laboratory. With it, molecular breeding technologies come within reach. The new lab also creates possibilities for growth in…

Feeling stressed? Go gardening!

Feeling a bit stressed? Do you need to relax, unwind, or take a break from the day-to-day business? Go gardening, researchers say. Overload and arousal are consistently experienced in modern life,…

Mastering the elements: the challenges and triumphs of specialized cultivation

Claremont is one of Marginpar's farms. Eugene Matseketu started her career in flowers there 25 years ago. She started there as a packhouse supervisor and was promoted to production manager in 2003. In 2007, she went to work at Michiru flowers in Tanzania for a few years and returned to Zimbabwe in 2012.…

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Soil health and management matters: A survey of field tree nursery producers

Extensive calls for increased tree planning worldwide are highlighting the need for management changes in the field tree nursery sector. Healthy soil is the foundation for sustainable agricultural systems, and best practices for soil management confer tangible benefits to producers as well as broader…

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US (MO): Ste. Gen lavender farm shows loss just happens in lavender farming

The MU Extension Program in Ste. Genevieve has seen some interesting results coming from their lavender farm. The Ste. Genevieve lavender farm is one of three planted in the state as part of a $39,274 grant through the Missouri Department of Agriculture to help determine how to grow lavender as a…

US: Florida leads the world in caladium bulb production, thanks in part to UF/IFAS scientists

Terri Bates knows that if she wants to sell a good caladium, she can count on University of Florida scientists, including Zhanao Deng. “We grow 12 UF/IFAS varieties developed…

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US: Grower in Englewood grows tulips indoors

There’s an unusual sight popping up on the South Side: Tulips are blooming — in the middle of a Chicago winter. Southside Blooms, the flower shop of Englewood-based nonprofit Chicago Eco House, 6250 S. Morgan St., is growing 18,000 tulips indoors for a good cause. The program — which has been featured on…

Flower Sustainability Initiative gears up for more transparency and accountability

FSI members, including flower producers, traders, and retailers, gathered at IPM Essen for the General Assembly of 2023 on Thursday, January 26, to reflect on the Floriculture…

Mimicking autumn in a lily greenhouse

By propagating lilies in a greenhouse, cleaner outdoor cultivation is possible. In the greenhouse, the bulbs are less or not bothered by viruses or leaf mold, for example, and can therefore start cultivation in a cleaner way. As a result, fewer plant protection products are needed during cultivation.…

"Cutting-edge nanobubble technology sustainably increases violet production"

Harster Greenhouses operates an indoor, climate-controlled, state-of-the-art 15-acre greenhouse with fully automated and regulated air temperature and flow, soil moisture, and shade controls. Each crop of flowers and ornamental plants at Harster needs very specific conditions. Therefore each section of the…

HortiFootprint Calculator welcomes Hoogeveen Plants as 100th participant

Since the launch of the HortiFootprint Calculator (HFC), a tool developed jointly by MPS and LetsGrow.com, in April of last year, interest has only grown. The interest coming from the market and the press is beyond expectations. Several articles on the HFC appeared in North America, and we are getting…

"Better root development through air root pruning"

With the ever-growing labor shortage along with increasing environmental awareness, Blackmore has launched Air Tray® Technologies to improve plant quality, production efficiencies, and reduce waste. Air Tray Technologies for Ellepot, developed by Blackmore Company, are designed for practical…

Unraveling large and polyploidy genome of the Crucifer Orychophragmus violaceus in China, a potential oil crop

The genus Orychophragmus in the Brassicaceae family includes the types with 2n = 20, 22, 24, and 48. The species O. violaceus (L.) O. E. Schulz has 2n = 24 and is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in China. This review summarizes the research progress of its genome structure and evolution in the…

Argentina: Ornamental meadow plants in the Institute of Floriculture

Sustainable landscaping proposes systems that reduce energy consumption, minimizing the carbon footprint. The possibility of replacing the traditional lawn with an ornamental meadow composed of spontaneous, native, and non-native vegetation constitutes one of the most beneficial design opportunities for…

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Vietnam: Unusual rains affect flower production for Tet holiday

January 10 is the third day in a row that the Mekong Delta has seen heavy rain, making flower farmers extremely worried when the time to sell Tet flowers is near. At the ornamental flower capital of Sa Dec City in Dong Thap Province, Mr. Tran Van Tiep, Chairman of the I Love Purple Club, worriedly said…

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US (MO): Missouri Extension reports results of lavender study

A team of MU Extension Field Specialists received a Missouri Department of Agriculture Specialty Crops Block grant in January 2021 to fund a lavender research project at three sites in Missouri: Kirksville, Springfield, and Ste. Genevieve. The purpose of the project is to learn which cultivars of…

Water balance and hydrangea

 The term ‘water balance’ as it relates to cut flowers refers to the amount of water that evaporates from the leaves and flowers through the process of transpiration vs. the amount of water taken up by the stem. Transpiration occurs through microscopic pores called stomata – these are normally found on the undersides of the leaves…

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A new Miconia (Melastomataceae) from Cusuco National Park, Honduras

Miconia kellyana is described as a new species that is known only from a limited area of montane tropical forest in Cusuco National Park in northwestern Honduras. Line drawings, field photographs, a distribution map, a recommended conservation assessment, and a discussion of morphologically similar…

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Illegal orchid trade threatens Nepal’s special orchids

Thousands of pilgrims from Nepal and India visit a garden in Siraha in eastern Nepal on the first day of the Nepali New Year (around the second week of April) to catch a glimpse of a special flower. According to folklore, the pale purple flowers, which bloom hanging from trees in the garden known as the…

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An efficient in vitro callogenesis from various explants of Passiflora vitifolia kunth: An important medicinal and ornamental plant

An efficient In vitro protocol was established for callogenesis from various plant parts (Leaf, stem, flower bud, and tendril) of Passiflora vitifolia Kunth. On Murashige and Skoog (MS), basal medium supplemented with various concentrations of auxins (NAA, IAA, 2,4-D) and cytokinins (BAP and Kn ).…

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Tulips growing well in AP's Chintapalli - first in south India

The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden and the Mughal Gardens in Srinagar attract lakhs of tourists every year. The exotic flowers there, one of nature's bounties, represent the world's largest cultivation of ornamental plants. The Netherlands is the largest producer of Tulip flowers. In India, grown so…