Around the Industry

Configure Now Available for Use in California

The ornamentals industry has a new product for California growers who want to produce fuller, more marketable plants with improved blooms – Configure plant growth regulator from Fine Americas, Inc., according to a press release from Pen & Petal, Inc.

Configure increases lateral branching and promotes flowering in certain ornamental crops. Additionally, applications of Configure may also reduce the overall height of the plant. Combined, the results are beautiful, compact plants filled with blooms and full of life.

Configure is registered for use on ‘Christmas Cactus’, ‘Plantain Lily’ and ‘Purple Coneflower’. For more information on Configure, visit Fine Americas’ website or call (888) 474-3463.

Rancho Tissue Technologies Takes Steps Toward Sustainability Certification

Rancho Tissue Technologies (RTT), a plant-tissue culture facility serving the horticulture industry, has begun taking steps toward sustainability.

According to RTT owner Heather May, the plant-tissue culture lab has started working with VeriFlora, the sustainability certification program for fresh cut flowers, potted plants and other horticultural items, according to a press release.

“Certification through VeriFlora will allow us to state our micro-cuttings are ‘certified sustainably grown,'” May said.

Pack Trials: Fides Floral Experience

During the upcoming Pack Trials 2008, Fides, a breeder and propagator, will present its visitors with “an exciting floral experience.” According to a Fides press release, the latest novelties will bloom in “beautiful and inspiring garden displays” next to existing top products, ready to be judged by experts. Besides the products, Fides will demonstrate effective marketing strategies, thus creating a retail experience as well. Opening hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Fides will present the new Dahlinova Grandesse series with large flowers and vigorous growth, the new Geranium Grand Idols Series and the latest breeding results of Fortunia, Begonias and Inticancha Alstroemeria. The fragrant and uniform Nemesia Angelart series will be on show, as well as the popular Geranium Summer Idols and Dancing Idols series. Kalanchoe and Calandiva will also be flowering.

Pack Trials 2008 will take place from March 29 to April 4 in various sites throughout California.

Contact Diana Dickenson at d.dickenson@fidesnorthamerica.com for more information about the trials. For background on Fides, click here.