Sep 22, 2006

No Consensus On Pot StandardizationSource: GPN/OFA

According to a recent survey done by GPN and OFA – an association of floriculture professionals, pot standardization continues to be a hot issue for many growers. Earlier this year, more than 570 growers were polled to find their opinions on a range of issues affecting the green industry. The resulting study, the 2006 GPN/OFA State of the Industry Survey provides a current, detailed assessment of the floriculture industry.

When asked if the industry needed to standardize on container sizes, 60 percent were in favor, while 40 percent were not. One grower said standardized container sizes would “benefit the industry by leveling the playing field.”

Ease of automation, less confusion for consumers and improved overall consistency were some of the other reasons cited for the industry to move to standardized pot sizes. Another grower said standardized pot sizes “would make ordering materials easier across the board.”

On the other hand, one reader feared that the cost of switching to standardized pot sizes “could cripple the industry.” Another respondent said pot standardization “is just another regulation and we already have enough of them.”

A full-length feature article on the GPN/OFA State of the Industry Survey appears in the September issue of GPN. Contact Judy Paul at jpaul@sgcmail.com to purchase the complete results of the study.