February 2014

An Investment in the Future

There are a multitude of reasons why people get into this business. But if I had to guess, one of the main reasons is they really like to grow things. Bedding plants, perennials, tropicals, edibles, w... more

Cold-Intermediate Bedding Plants

Bedding plants that stop developing at moderately low temperatures can be labeled as cold-intermediate plants. This categorization of plants is based on estimates of crops' base temperatures deriv... more

Critique of the 2014 Poinsettia Introductions

This was the 21st year for the North American Poinsettia Trials, and results again illustrated the value of multiple trial sites. The trials are conducted at Homewood Nursery and Garden Center in Rale... more

Crop Culture Report: Petunia Littletunia Series

Littletunia, a miniature-flower petunia hybrid from Danziger "Dan" Flower Farm, is sensational for early spring sales and beyond. The series is a great alternative to calibrachoa, which can ... more

Disease Discussions: Only the Dose Makes the Poison — Timing is Everything

ARC: I've been thinking about rates and intervals and how important they can be. This always brings to mind some adage like "Only the dose makes the poison," which is often said with respect to chemi... more

Gardening with Containers

Rather than emphasizing individual pots, this new trend incorporates the use of containers in the overall design of the landscape.

Organic Fertilizers for Container Production

In the past, organic fertilizer options consisted of single sources of plant and animal by-products like bone and blood meals, composted manures and alfalfa meal (as examples) that varied in quality, ... more

Perennial Solutions: Begonia ‘Garden Angel Blush’

This cold-hardy begonia’s eye-catching foliage and strong garden performance are perfect for shady landscapes.

Sanitation Through Disinfecting Still a Front-Line Defense

Despite advances in plant genetics, fungicides (including biologicals), mechanization and our understanding of how diseases occur, sanitation remains critical in horticulture today. Even old diseases ... more