Nov 29, 2015

Point Me to Gainesville By Tim Hodson

After getting hit with more than 19 inches of snow a week ago in the northern suburbs of Chicago, I’m really looking forward to heading down to Gainesville, Florida, next week for the University of Florida’s Poinsettia Field Trials Day.

The Field Day will take place Dec. 8, from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center and in the UF greenhouses. Attendance is open to anyone in the horticulture industry.

During the morning session, Roger Styer, Styer’s Horticultural Consulting, and Raymond Cloyd, Kansas State University, will be presenting education sessions on the latest growth strategies and pest management techniques for poinsettias.

In the afternoon, GPN’s consulting editor Jim Barrett and his research team will have on display more than 6,000 poinsettia plants in the UF greenhouses. This year, Barrett trialed 150 different varieties including the newest and most novel poinsettias. In the February issue of GPN, he will present the results of the 2015 trials.

Attendees also will have an opportunity to learn about the latest greenhouse research taking place at the University of Florida with Paul Fisher and Carrie Harmon on such topics as producing profitable poinsettias, practical disease diagnosis, growing container edibles and training your staff how to water.

Attendees at the Field Trials Day will be eligible to earn three pesticide credits approved for the state of Florida in the Ornamental and Turf category.

The University of Florida’s Environmental Horticulture Club also will be hosting a Poinsettia Fundraiser that will take place December 10 and 11, 2015. For additional information on the fundraiser, please visit https://sites.google.com/site/gatorpoinsettias/home.

If you’d like to attend the University of Florida’s Poinsettia Field Trials Day click here to register or learn more about the program.

I hope I see you there!

– Tim