Volume 64

Author: Geoff Langford

PP: 27

BACKGROUND

A number of crops have high health schemes to ensure that plants sold meet consumer
expectations. Fruit crops have tended to lead the way because of the risk of disease
spread, the relatively large number of units sold, and the importance of ensuring that
plants sold are subsequently productive and true to type. In recent years, New Zealand
government backed schemes have largely disappeared. This means that industry groups
have had to take responsibility for high-health schemes where this is considered desirable.
In berry crops, there are schemes for strawberries and blackcurrants and a blueberry plant
scheme is being developed.

At the moment, there are around 14 million strawberry plants sold annually in New
Zealand. Plant numbers peaked at 21.5 million in 1999 but fell as growers changed to new
cultivars that were more vigorous and needed more space. Despite lower plant numbers,
areas planted in strawberries have actually increased since 1999 and total production has
increased from an estimated 7100 tonnes to 8800 tonnes this year (2013-2014).

The Strawberry Runner Plant Scheme was set up in 1985 in conjunction with strawberry
runner growers by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. It was initially established
for the New Zealand Berryfruit Growers Federation but ownership has since passed to
New Zealand Berryfruit Propagators Ltd. (NZBP) which is a limited liability company,
100% owned by Strawberry Growers New Zealand Inc.

Author: Takuya Tetsumura, Shuji Ishimura, Chitose Honsho, Yukako Maeda a

PP: 373

INTRODUCTION

Miyazaki Kaki Rootstock No. 1 (MKR1), formerly named Rootstock-b and OD-1, are
promising dwarfing rootstock for kaki (Diospyros kaki Thunb.). We previously showed the
results of cutting propagation of MKR1 and growth of ‘Fuyu’ and ‘Hiratanenashi’ trees
grafted on MKR1 (Tetsumura et al., 2011, 2012, 2013). In Japan an evaluation test of kaki
rootstocks is planned and 17 prefectural research stations will participate in the test. In the
test, other promising kaki dwarfing rootstocks such as ‘Shizukadai 1 gou’, ‘Shizukadai 2
gou’, and SH-1 will be provided as well as MKR1. However, timing of rooting of MKR1
cuttings and growth of MKR1 nursery stocks soon after grafting have not been reported yet.
Hence, the objective of this study is to investigate the above-mentioned characteristics of
MKR1 and to discuss future experiments which are necessary for commercial use of the
kaki dwarfing rootstocks.

Author: Jon Peter

PP: 79

ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS

Mission

Royal Botanical Gardens’ mission is to promote the public’s understanding of the
relationship between the plant world, society, and the environment.

Vision

Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) to be a recognized and supported global leader in how
we use plants in bringing people, place, and sustainable behaviours together.

Funders

Royal Botanical Gardens is funded by the people of Ontario through RBG members, The
Auxiliary of RBG, many corporations, foundations, individuals, Ontario Ministry of
Tourism and Culture, City of Hamilton, and Regional Municipality of Halton.

Overview

The Royal Botanical Gardens has a long history in Canadian horticulture. Established in
1931, RBG is the most visited tourist destination between Burlington and Niagara. Royal
Botanical Gardens is also Canada(s largest botanical garden based on area at 1,100 ha in size.

Author: Bill Jones

PP: 459

This paper discusses the propagation of a number of native plants.

The name, New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus) was coined during the American
Revolution. The leaves were boiled and used as a substitute for tea. From personal
experience, as we boil the seed prior to planting, the aroma smells of tea. One problem we
have in the native plant business is finding liners that are not too large. Ceanothus
americanus has a maximum height of 1 m (~3 ft) and is drought resistant. It is an early-to
mid-summer bloomer.

As the demand of this plant became apparent to us, we were determined to figure out
how to best grow it. We certainly could not find a nursery growing liners, as is the case
with other plants we grow. We originally brought some to the nursery from a plant rescue
that took place in Henderson County, North Carolina. Those original 20 plants sold
quickly. So, as we have with many plants at Carolina Native we asked the question: to
propagate by seed or cuttings? Which was going to be quickest method to get a good
quality plant in the most cost effective timeframe? We have expertise in both methods,
where to look for research, and the patience to do it.

Author: Ted C. Yap, Brian E. Jackson and William C. Fonteno

PP: 467

INTRODUCTION

The wettability of a material intended for horticultural use is integral for high quality
plant growth and performance. The ability of a substrate material (organic or inorganic) to
capture and retain water (wettability) contributes to water-holding capacity and improved
plant growth (Plaut et al., 1973). Many horticultural substrate materials, such as pine
bark, experience hydrophobicity at low moisture levels (Beardsell and Nichols, 1982;
Fonteno et al., 2013; Michel et al., 2001) which in turn has deleterious effects on
irrigation efficiency and crop production. Further advantages of a substrate material being
able to capture water include maintaining plant quality in post-production retail
environments. Some research suggests that the variation in size and structure of milled
pine bark particles may contribute to water holding (Airhart et al., 1978). The purpose of
this study was to explore how processed pine wood, pine bark, and their resulting particle
fractions capture and retain water using the wettability method described by Fields et al.
(2014).

Author: Lee Bloomcamp

PP: 463

Many growers are incorporating some aspect of biological control in to their crop
management programs. Reasons include better pest control, resistance management, and
operational efficiency as well as marketing and customer-driven preferences. Several
suppliers have been active in the nursery/greenhouse biological control realm for many
years, and their websites are a great source of technical information. Syngenta Bioline
<http://www3.syngenta.com/global/bioline/en/Pages/home.aspx>, Koppert <http://www.
koppert.com/>, and Biobest <http://www.biobest.be/home/> are some of most wellknown
in our industry, and have field technical staff for grower support.

Most successful initial biological control programs are integrated in to existing pest
management protocols, with realistic expectations and a single target pest. Fungus gnat
control in propagation is a good starting point, since their biological control agents are
easy to use, relatively inexpensive, and the odds of success are good if the program is
properly executed.

Author: John Bonin

PP: 95

An optimum rooting substrate for propagation should always consist of the proper levels
of air and water (balanced levels), along with an adjusted proper pH level for nutrient
uptake. The base of this substrate can be peat, coir or a combination of both. By providing
an optimum rooting substrate for cuttings or finished growing containers, it will ensure
that these items will get off to a strong start, while reducing or minimizing cultural issues
that may arise over time in production due to the compaction of the substrate.

As with hydroponics, this holds true to the popularity that coir has gained in today’s
greenhouse and nursery industry, not only as a standalone growing medium for vegetables
and cut flowers, but for production and propagation due to its organic origin. It is
produced around the world in locations like Mexico, Dominican Republic, India, Sri
Lanka, and Central South America. Coir in its raw form must be treated differently than
other growing components. In its raw form, coir can have EC levels up to 8.0 mmhos

Author: Matt Mansfield

PP: 35

INTRODUCTION

In 2013 at the IPPS Australian Region Conference Karen Brock presented a paper on the
use of light-emitting diode (LED) lighting in her propagation facility. There was not
much detail on the potential benefits for a propagation nursery so a commercial trial was
set up with the following aims:

• To identify the difference in strike rate (the number of plants to successfully set roots)
  between an LED lit and an unlit bench. Making it easy to quantify the cost benefit such
  a system will provide by improving strike rates.


• To identify the length of time for root initiation in days between the LED lit and the
  unlit trays. This will outline the potential turnover and efficiency gains the LED lights
  will give the propagation house.


• To ultimately measure the cost benefits of installing lights to improve productivity of a
  green house compared with building more production space.

Author: Mark Bridgen

PP: 167

INTRODUCTION

Plants use sunlight for photosynthesis and are exposed to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation
that is present in sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation is divided into three classes: UV-C, UV-B,
and UV-A. The ultraviolet-C (UV-C) region of the UV spectrum includes wavelengths
from 200-280 nm; these highly energetic wavelengths are absorbed by ozone and are not
present in the sunlight at the earth’s surface. Under normal growing conditions, effects of
UV-C light are not seen on plants.

At 254 nm wavelength, UV-C irradiation is germicidal. As a result, UV-C irradiation
has been successfully used in the food industry as an environmentally-friendly and safe
defense-inducible biological elicitor for meats and horticultural products such as juices,
fruits, and vegetables (Gonzalez-Aguilar et al., 2007; Vicente et al., 2005; Wilson et al.,
1997). Very recent research from Europe has demonstrated very promising uses of UV-C
to suppress diseases in ornamental plants, to extend postharvest life of cut flowers, and as
a pre-harvest treatment, to make plants flower quicker and grow with increased fresh
mass and lateral branching (Darras et al., 2012, 2013). Other potential uses of UV-C
irradiation have also been identified in the plant sciences, especially with plant tissue
culture (Aros and Bridgen, 2013).

Author: Evan Rafuse

PP: 315

INTRODUCTION

The Government of Canada, in its publication An Invasive Alien Species Strategy for
Canada, defines invasive species as alien plants, animals (fish included), fungi, and
microorganisms introduced by man into areas outside of their natural range or
distribution, where they become established and disperse, generating a negative impact on
the local ecosystem and species (Environment Canada, 2004).

The topic of invasive species is one of global concern. It is well-known that invasive
organisms are second only to habitat loss and degradation in endangering native plants
and negatively impacting our environment, society, and economy (Voller and McNay,
2007).

Invasive species are usually circulated via human-based pathways and are spread by a
wide array of vectors (Voller and McNay, 2007). They can significantly compromise
natural ecosystems as well as man-made systems by adversely altering biodiversity, food
sources, species at risk, crop integrity, and may threaten human and/or animal health and
introduce foreign parasites and disease. These negative effects often result in increased
management costs and lost resource productivity (Invasive Species Council of BC, 2012).
Finding both short and long-term, practical and effective solutions to prevent the
introduction and spread of invasive species is often overwhelming and challenging.
Prevention by education is critical to halting invasive spread. An important step to
making a difference in preventing invasive spread is to provide the necessary education
and tools to help businesses and the public understand the widespread impact of invasive
species.

Author: Joel Kroin

PP: 431

INTRODUCTION

To propagate plants from cuttings, Kees Eigenraam told me about the "foliar" (leaf)
application of rooting solutions with Rhizopon products. That was in 1989 when I came
to know Kees. Our introduction was associated with my company, Hortus USA,
importing his Dutch Rhizopon plant rooting products into the USA.

In those pre-Goggle Scholar days, I did extensive book and journal reading about plant
propagation. Nowhere could I find a reference to "foliar" use. Before growers used foliar
methods for applying rooting hormones, plant propagation from cuttings was limited to
basal methods. While he had written information, few growers outside Kees’ Dutch and
European customers knew of foliar methods.

Foliar application of rooting solutions has a recent history. The earliest extensive study
was Davies’ histological and physiological research comparing root formation in juvenile
and mature cuttings (1978, 1980, 1982). Davies and Joiner (1980) found foliar application
of water base IBA rooting solutions to be effective to induce roots. Kees developed the
first commercial foliar methods in 1985. At the time, Kees did not know the research by
Davies. The first commercial users were Dutch growers propagating chrysanthemum
cuttings.

Author: Bent Leonhard

PP: 265

The appearance and severity of pest infestations or disease epidemics are determined, at
least in part, by environmental conditions. Forecasting models may therefore be designed
based on occurrence of these conditions. Such models are best used as a support to crop
inspections to evaluate the risk of damage. Detecting the appearance of pathogenic fungus
at an early stage is often more dificult than detecting insect pests so models that predict
disease infection risks at the start of the season are particularly helpful.

Quality Monitoring System Boomteelt is a warning system developed by René van Tol
for nurseries in The Netherlands. It was introduced by DLV Plant Holland in 2012, and
already more than 40 Dutch nurseries use it.

Author: J.A. Wimer, C.A. Miles and D.A. Inglis

PP: 363

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) grafting is common in areas of the world where
production is affected by soil-borne diseases. One serious disease is verticillium wilt. The
pathogen, Verticillium dahliae, has a wide host range and produces microsclerotia (longlived
resting structures). Verticillium wilt has the potential to become increasingly
problematic for watermelon growers because watermelon does not have known resistance
and chemical control options are limited. This study investigated the reactions of 11 nongrafted,
commercially available watermelon rootstocks and 14 non-grafted, potential
watermelon rootstocks to V. dahliae in a field naturally infested with the pathogen.
Entries were obtained from various seed companies as well as the U.S. National Plant
Germplasm System (NPGS). One grafted entry was also included, as well as two nongrafted
watermelon cultivars that served as controls. The experiment was arranged as a
Randomized Complete Block design with three replications.

Author: Mike Dixon, Thomas Graham, Polina Bam, Josh Kervin, Newton Tran,

PP: 119

High mortality rates among most species of nursery trees after transplanting is
generally attributed to water stress imposed by a range of soil and other
environmental conditions. This study examined the efficacy of a consortium of
mycorrhizae (Root Rescue Landscape Powder), comprised of 20 species of both
endo- and ecto-mycorrhizae, in mitigating water stress when inoculated into the root
zone of recently transplanted trees [Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ (emerald
pyramidal cedar) and Acer rubrum ‘Brandywine’ (Brandywine red maple)]. The
water status of the trees was monitored with automated stem psychrometers
measuring stem water potential at 30-min intervals for at least 2 weeks after
transplanting. Treated trees exhibited a significant reduction in mid-day water
stress and enhancement of overnight rehydration, relative to control trees, when
inoculated with the consortium of mycorrhizae, as shown by diurnal patterns of
water stress and recovery.

Author: Kent D. Kobayashi and Teresita D. Amore

PP: 361

There is growing concern about food safety, environmental impact, and efficient energy
usage in agricultural production systems. Producing lettuce under artificial lighting can be
a solution addressing these concerns. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) offer the advantage of
a narrow light spectrum, low power consumption, and little heat production. Light
emitting plasma offer high light intensity, sun-like full spectrum, and long life. The
objective of this study was to determine the effects of different light sources on the
growth of miniature ‘Little Gem’ romaine lettuce in a non-circulating hydroponic system.
Lettuce seedlings were started in Oasis^® cubes that were transferred to net pots and put in
1.9-L containers containing a hydroponic nutrient solution. The solution was Hydro-
Gardens’ Hobby Formula 10-8-22 hydroponic fertilizer with added magnesium sulfate
(9.8% Mg). The lettuce was grown in a lab under different light treatments: red plus blue
plus white LEDs, light emitting plasma (LEP), and high-output T-5 fluorescent lights.

Author: J.A. LaMondia and S.M. Douglas

PP: 205

Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculatum Crous, J.Z. Groenewald & C.F. Hill [syn>
Calonectria pseudonaviculata Crous & al. L. Lombard & al., Cylindrocladium buxicola
(Henricot)] was recently reported infecting boxwood, Buxus spp. L., in North Carolina and
Connecticut. This was the first report of this disease in North America (Ivors et al., 2012).
The pathogen caused significant losses in container nurseries and in the landscape in both
states and a number of boxwood taxa were shown to be infected. Henricot et al. (2008)
reported that all Buxus spp. tested and a Sarcococca Lindl. (sweet box) sp. tested were all
susceptible to this pathogen. Plants in the Buxaceae that are either native or grown as
ornamentals in North America include Buxus, Sarcococca, and Pachysandra Michx.
Japanese spurge, Pachysandra terminalis Siebold & Zucc. is widely grown

Author: David Kerr

PP: 251

Weed control is one of the main production problems for growers of nursery stock
in containers. In Northern Ireland ornamental nurseries are family businesses
growing relatively small numbers of a wide range of plants for the local wholesale
market and direct sales to the public. The reduced range of chemical herbicides
available and the difficulty of applying them on nurseries with a diverse crop range
has encouraged adoption of alternative methods including loose mulches and
container mulch materials or pot covers.

As part of the knowledge technology transfer programme at the Greenmount
Campus, CAFRE, horticulture centre, container mulch materials have been assessed
under local conditions for a range of criteria including their performance in
reducing weeds and their influence on water management in the container. New
technology available to accurately record moisture levels in the growing media has
assisted in evaluations. This paper examines results for new types of container
mulches such as wool-based materials. Some of these materials have been shown to
give effective weed control and retain moisture in the container. The CAFRE
technology investigation programme has involved working in conjunction with local
growers who have adopted container mulches to share experience and results.

Author: Margaret Pooler and David Kidwell-Slak

PP: 227

The U.S. National Arboretum has implemented a new graphical database of all mapped
plants on the grounds of the arboretum. The new interface allows any member of the
public to locate over 30,000 plants using interactive maps, view thousands of plant
images, explore the grounds through featured tours, find dedicated trees and benches,
search for specimens in the herbarium, and plant a visit using the "my Visit" feature. This new interactive database is of significance to researchers and the floral and
nursery industry because it greatly improves access to scientific information about plant
material conserved at the U.S. National Arboretum. In addition, the database benefits
members of the public and educators by making information available that will improve
the quality of their visit and demonstrate the nature and details of preserved germplasm at
the Arboretum <http://usna.usda.gov/abe/>.

Author: Joel Kroin

PP: 149

Today growers worldwide successfully propagate plants from cuttings using foliar
applied aqueous (water-based) IBA rooting solutions. They use the Spray Drip Down and
Total Immerse Methods. Leafy cuttings are taken from annual, perennial, and woody
plants in the growing season. Compared with other propagation methods, foliar
application has significant labor and material cost savings. Cuttings are treated in bulk at
low rates.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF FOLIAR APPLIED IBA ROOTING SOLUTIONS

More than 25 years ago growers who wanted to propagate plants from cuttings by using
rooting hormones were limited to basal application. Scientists had known plants produce
growth substances (rooting hormones) in leaves. Charles Darwin, in his book The Power
of Movement in Plants (1880), described his study of the production and flow of these
substances from the leaves to the lower portions of the plant. Scientists later identified the
substances produced by plants. Called auxins, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and later indole-
3-butyric acid (IBA) have been identified as natural rooting hormones. Commercial
rooting hormones became available. As scientists and growers advanced procedures to
propagate plants from cuttings they only focused on basal application of rooting
hormones. They did not consider that foliar application of rooting hormones would
naturally translocate to the basal end of cuttings where it can induce root formation.

Author: Richard A. CrileyRichard A. Criley

PP: 349

With more than 600 public gardens in the USA, career opportunities abound in a diverse
range of occupations, from groundskeeper/gardener to horticulturist, arborist, pest
management specialist, and fund-raisers, education and interpretation, visitor services,
publicist, collections management, librarian, and many levels of administration. Public
horticulture opportunities are found in managing the design, installation, and maintenance
of landscapes in theme parks; hotel, resort, and municipal grounds; shopping malls;
convention centers; cemeteries and memorial parks; sports facilities, golf courses, and
parks and recreation facilities. University students are often unaware of these career
opportunities because their majors do not shine spotlights on them. The poster illustrated
a number of sites where interesting careers can be found under the headings Public
Gardens, Public Horticulture, and Turf Management.

Author: Anne Krogh Larsen

PP: 247

INTRODUCTION

In 2009 the Danish government introduced its long-term Grøn Vækst (Green Growth)
plan which defines environmental, nature, and agricultural development policies up to
2020. It aims to ensure that a high level of environmental, nature, and climate protection
goes hand in hand with modern and competitive agriculture, horticulture, and food
industries.

Among its targets are the minimisation of the environmental and health impacts of crop
protection products and wider adoption of more sustainable agricultural and horticultural
production practices such as integrated pest management.

In order to help growers achieve a reduction in the use of chemical crop-protection
products, the Danish Nurseries Association has started to look for alternative products and
methods to ensure ornamental crops can continue to be grown economically. To help with
this programme the association has been conducting trials on the application of
biostimulants, biopesticides, and compost since 2012.

Author: Steve Vallance

PP: 39

INTRODUCTION

Nursery owners can be considered as being on a spectrum from "factory owners"
producing large numbers of perfect plants of a low range of taxa to "plant lovers" who
love growing plants for others to enjoy. The former have capital intensive operations with
the prime consideration being profit per plant. This is good business but does not require
a particular affinity for plants, although that is not necessarily absent.

The plant lovers grow plants primarily because they have a passion for them and want
to see them grown and enjoyed by others. They are often running small nurseries and
compared to the past very few of them are left. Obviously to stay in business and to
continue growing and distributing the plants they love they must make a profit.

I consider myself to be more of a plant lover having grown up in Western Australia
(WA), one of the world&rsquos great biodiversity hotspots, with a huge range of species, many of which occur nowhere else and are also quite spectacular in flower.

Author: Megan R. Buhler and Larry A. Rupp

PP: 345

The selection and propagation of superior native plants for use in landscaping has
potential for water conservation in the Intermountain West. We examined the use of a
Nearing frame system for cutting propagation as a simpler, more economical alternative
to a greenhouse system. The rooting of three species [Cercocarpus ledifolius var.
intricatus USU-CLI-3 (CerLed), Shepherdia × utahensis ‘Torrey’ (SheUta), and Berberis
aquifolium var. repens (MahRep)] was evaluated in both Nearing frames and a glass
greenhouse. Greenhouse conditions were 18/15.5^oC D/N, bottom heat 22^oC, and natural
lighting (85% of ambient PPF at solar noon). Nearing frames were 104 cm² and 46 cm
deep with a plastic-film cover and oriented with the open side facing north. Frames had
bottom heat set at 22^oC with unheated air temperatures as low as 5^oC, and natural lighting
(2% of ambient under the plastic).

Author: Ronald C. Stephenson and Christine E.H. Coker

PP: 473

Evaluation and improvement of management techniques is important to increase the
viability of small scale vegetable production. Three management strategies,
including calendar spray schedule, integrated pest management (IPM), and organic
pest control, were evaluated in terms of their effect on yield and economic return for
‘Celebrity’ and ‘Bush Early Girl’ tomatoes in Mississippi. In Spring 2014,
significantly greater yields were obtained from the IPM management system for
both tomato cultivars studied. Significantly greater economic return was obtained
from ‘Bush Early Girl’ IPM than for other ‘Bush Early Girl’ treatments. Total
return from the ‘Celebrity’ IPM treatment was greater than that for the ‘Celebrity’
calendar treatment but not the ‘Celebrity’ organic treatment. When considered
across both cultivars, the IPM management treatment resulted in significantly
greater yields and total return than other treatments.

Author: Newton Tran, Polina Bam, Katie Black, Thomas Graham, Ping Zhang

PP: 129

Conventional irrigation practices are based on physical factors and observations,
however this fails to include plant water status measurements. This study examined
the relationship between cumulative water potential with concurrent cumulative
vapour pressure deficit (VPD) for the common nursery species Thuja occidentalis
‘Smaragd’ (emerald pyramidal cedar). Establishing the relationship for these plantenvironment
interactions will provide nursery growers with a rational irrigation
scheduling tool that indicates a more effective and efficient use of scarce water
resources. Plant water status and environmental conditions were monitored
throughout a growing season taking measurements every 15 min between irrigation
events. The overall relationship between cumulative water potential and cumulative
VPD exhibited a slope response of -2.2 MPa h/kPa h. This coefficient provides
growers with an objective tool for irrigation management for this species and leads
the way to exploit this approach across the spectrum of nursery commodities.

Author: Steve Castorani

PP: 99

BACKGROUND

With all of the new plants hitting the market these days how does a young plant
company/propagator figure out which plants are the best to add to their catalog and offer
to the marketplace? In recent years, there has been a proliferation of plant breeding
companies, plant breeder representatives, as well as, plant breeders themselves. All of
these companies are promoting their plants as being superior to existing cultivars. At
North Creek Nurseries (NCN), we have developed certain principals that define our
process for introducing plants. This practice helps us define which plants we will
ultimately introduce.

Our goal is to bring to market great new plants and offer the best value to our
customers. This objective is based on the following principles:

• Our plant introductions will be excellent garden and/or landscape performers in the mid-
  Atlantic region.


• Our plants are not invasive or aggressive.


• Once established in an appropriate site, our plants require no material input to maintain
  their ornamental value or garden worthiness.


• As part of our evaluation, we ask: Is it a "North Creek Plant"%

Other factors that we consider in making this determination are these:

• Is the plant garden worthy, hardy, and a performer: does it "stand the test of time"?


• Is there currently demand, or can demand for the product be established?;


• Does it have marketable qualities?


• Is propagation material available?


• Have propagation and production protocols been worked thorough to insure success?

Author: David Tracey

PP: 329

What’s the world’s biggest crisis?

If you said "energy" you wouldn’t necessarily be wrong. Our civilization is built on a
supply of cheap and plentiful oil that is no longer cheap or plentiful.

Or, you could have chosen "global warming." Climate change may threaten the very
ecosystem on which we rely, yet as political leaders fail to take significant action, our
situation seems increasingly bleak.

But, ask the same question on a worldwide basis and a large number would answer
differently. The more than 800 million people who are hungry and the 1.4 billion who are
overweight and at risk of eating-related diseases, would more than likely have answered
that our main problem is "food" (FAO, 2014; WHO, 2014). Even here in Canada, close to
850,000 people are assisted each month by food banks (FBC).

Urban agriculture has emerged in the public eye as a potential antidote to all three of
these crises or, at least, a positive step in the campaign to overcome them and guide us
onto a greener path. Media accounts feature glowing depictions of the earnest
practitioners driving this trend along with their supporters crowding farmers’ markets.
But media popularity and trendiness are no guarantees for longevity or success. Does
urban agriculture really have a major role to play?

Author: Buddy Lee and Maarten van der Giessen

PP: 399

The 39th Annual Meeting of the International Plant Propagators’ Society-Southern Region
of North America convened at 7:45 am at the Hickory Crowne Plaza, Hickory, North
Carolina with President Buddy Lee presiding.

PRESIDENT BUDDY LEE

President Lee welcomed everyone to Hickory, North Carolina for the 39th Annual
Meeting of the International Plant Propagators’ Society-Southern Region of North
America. He thanked Local Site Committee Chair, Anthony Lebude and his committee
and volunteers for the long hours in arranging the excellent tours, hotel, other planning
activities and all their attention to detail. He welcomed students, first time attendees and
new members, asking them to stand and be recognized. Saunders thanked the Executive
Committee, and Maarten van der Giessen’s Sponsorship Committee, which raised
$40,750 in cash sponsorships; this was outstanding for the challenging economic times.
Lee encouraged the membership to visit and show their support of our sponsors during
the meeting. He encouraged all members to make new members and first-time attendees
feel welcome — share with them and seek from them. He pushed for good questions and
enthusiastic participation at the Tuesday night question box.

Author: Murray Dawson

PP: 55

This paper outlines the creation of a plant collections register and an associated cultivated
plant names resource for New Zealand. This project was officially launched at the "Up
the garden path" conference in Wellington on 3 March 2015.

WHAT IS THE PLANT COLLECTIONS REGISTER PROJECT?

The project provides a free online system to manage and deliver information on living
plant collections throughout New Zealand. It is available for use by botanic gardens,
arboreta, garden groups, plant societies and private collection holders for entering and
updating information on plant collections. These records are viewable and shared online
with anyone interested in cultivated plants, both native and exotic.

In addition to managing living (and historic) plant records, the project has provided an
extensive source of cultivated plant names — more than 40,000 — including botanical
names (e.g., genera, species, subspecies, varieties and cultivars), synonyms and common
names. These names are sourced from New Zealand nursery catalogues and other
horticultural literature.

Author: Fred T. Davies

PP: 455

By the middle of the 21st century, the world population will increase 30% to more
than 9 billion. Food production will need to increase 70% to meet increased
demands. The numbers do not add-up how the world can realistically meet the
increased demand for food. For the first time in human history, food production will
be limited on a global scale by the availability of land, water, and energy. Food
issues could become as politically destabilizing after 2050 as energy issues are today.
More efficient technologies and crops will need to be developed to address this
challenge — and equally important, better ways of applying these technologies
locally for farmers. Simply put: technologies are not reaching enough smallholder
farmers. A greater emphasis is needed in high-value, horticultural crops which
create jobs and economic opportunities for rural communities, enables more
profitable, intensive farming of small tracts of land in urban areas. Better
information delivery (extension), reducing high crop losses and improving the valuechain
from farm to fork are critical.

Author: Gregory Clarke

PP: 161

As business owners, you are constantly faced with challenges in your business that affects
your profitability. The main factors affecting your profitability consist of the following:

1. The price you charge


2. The quantity that you sell or volume


3. The direct costs you incur to produce your product (i.e., direct costs)


4. The costs you incur regardless of whether you make any sales (i.e., fixed or indirect
   costs)

Profitability is impacted by a change in any one of these factors. Due to the dynamic
business environment that we operate in today, it is likely that there is a change to
multiple factors at any given time. Although you may have a positive impact in one factor
such as an increase in sales volume, the effect of the profitability impact is only realized if
there isn&rsquot an offsetting increase or decrease in one of the other factors. Also, some of the
factors you have control over such as price whereas other factors are not in your control
such as fixed costs like property taxes.
When conducting a review of your

Author: Jill Reader

PP: 67

INTRODUCTION

Glycine betaine (GB) is a compound naturally synthesised by some higher plants in
response to abiotic stresses. Its role when produced in these plants is an osmoprotectant,
helping protect cells, proteins, and enzymes from stress due to drought, salinity, heat, and
freezing temperatures. In addition, GB has been proven to protect the Photosystem II
complex in some plants under various abiotic stress situations (Papageorgiou and Murata,
1995; Murata et al., 1992). Glycine betaine is synthesised in the chloroplasts, and research
has proven it to be a nontoxic, non-perturbing, very water-soluble, and electrically neutral
compound with a molecular weight of 117.15 g

Author: R. Harvey, D. Davis and J. Pecchia

PP: 211

BOXWOOD BLIGHT: AN OVERVIEW

Boxwoods (Buxus spp.) have been a staple ornamental in both Europe and the United
States for hundreds of years (Bir et al., 1997; Henricot and Culham, 2002; Varela et al.,
2009). Controversy exists surrounding the current naming of the pathogen responsible for
boxwood blight. This stems from the pathogen being isolated and proposed as a new
species independently by two different lab groups in 2002. The first of these reports
(Crous et al., 2002), documented a new species of fungus infecting boxwoods in New
Zealand and described it as Cylindrocladium pseudonaviculatum. Shortly thereafter,
Henricot and Culham (2002), published a paper documenting their findings and named
the fungus Cylindrocladium buxicola. Although the teleomorph has yet to be observed,
the name Calonectria pseudonaviculata has been proposed for the sexual stage by
Lombard et al. (2010(. However, within the research community Calonectria
pseudonaviculata is becoming the preferred name, and will be used in this paper.

Author: Thomas Ranney and Dominic Gillooly

PP: 441

It is a fascinating time to be growing magnolias. Recent developments, including a
refined understanding of the evolutionary relationships, availability of new germplasm,
and a formidable group of plant breeders, propagators, and aficionados are synergizing a
magnolia renaissance. These forces are leading to exciting new hybrids, improved
production methods, and a resurgence of interest in magnolias.

SYSTEMATICS AND CYTOGENETICS

With the advent of molecular phylogeny, flow cytometry, and the continued reassessment
of morphology and taxonomy of the subfamily Magnolioideae, the understanding of the
evolution, genetics, and relationships among magnolia species has improved considerably
(Azuma et al., 1999, 2001, 2004; Figlar, 2000, 2006; Figlar and Nooteboom, 2004; Kim
et al., 2001; Kumar, 2006; Nie et al., 2008; Parris et al., 2010, Qiu et al., 1995). The now
widely-accepted taxonomic treatment of this group has Magnolia as the sole genus in the
subfamily Magnolioideae with former genera Manglietiastrum, Manglietia, Michelia,
Pachylarnax, and Parakmeria embedded within sectional ranks.

Author: Suzette P. Galinato, R. Karina Gallardo, and Carol A. Miles

PP: 355

Cider apple production is increasing in Washington State where an estimated 204 acres
were produced in 2010 and 256 acres in 2011. Growers are seeking trees to establish new
orchards and need information to help determine potential cider orchard profitability and
scale of production. Common cider apple cultivars grown include ‘Kingston Black’,
‘Yarlington Mill’, ‘Brown Snout’, ‘Dabinett’, ‘Porter’s Perfection’, among others. Fewer
pesticide inputs are used for cider apples than for dessert apples, as minor surface
blemishes are tolerated if yield and internal fruit quality are not affected. In western
Washington, cider apple production is not limited by environmentally induced diseases
(e.g., scab) which otherwise limit apple production and yields. The objective of this study
was to provide information on: 1) The costs of equipment, materials, supplies, and labor
required to establish and produce a cider apple orchard in western Washington; and 2)
The ranges of price and yield levels at which cider apple production would be a profitable
enterprise.

Author: Ann Dillard, Rita L. Hummel and Julie Gentzel

PP: 351

Phosphorus (P) is one of the major elements essential for plant growth. Commercial P
fertilizers are typically derived from phosphate rock, but the world’s supply of mined
phosphate is limited. Biosolids and animal manures are rich in P that can be reclaimed to
produce struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate). Struvite has the
potential to replace mined fertilizer P in the soilless substrates used for container plant
production. Utilizing struvite from wastewater could enhance nutrient use efficiency and
sustainability of container production systems.

Electrical conductivity (EC), a measure of soluble salt levels, and pH are two important
chemical properties of plant growth substrates that influence plant nutrition and growth.
Substrate pH and EC should be tested prior to planting. In order to measure pH and EC,
liquid must be extracted from container substrates. There are several commonly used
extraction methods and they typically give different results. Using one substrate amended
with different P sources, we compared three common methods for liquid extraction: the
saturated media extract (SME) method and the 1:2 and the 1:5 dilution by volume
methods. There were four replicate samples of each method. This comparison will
provide useful information for interpreting pH and EC results.

Author: Dharam P. Sharma

PP: 273

Plant tissue culture, the art and science of growing an organelle, cell, tissue, or organ
on a defined medium under controlled conditions in an aseptic environment, has
come a long way since it was discovered over a century ago. The obvious advantages
of extra-rapid multiplication while maintaining genetic uniformity and freedom
from pathogens and pests brought this technique into the plant propagation industry
after Morel successfully cultured orchids in vitro in 1960. Since then, thousands of
plant species have been micropropagated and more of them, once thought
recalcitrant, are being multiplied through this method. This article gives a brief
history and description of the various techniques that are still relevant and
beneficial, especially when used with conventional breeding and modern molecular
methods.

Author: Alice Buschl

PP: 75

I haven’t been overseas before, so to find out that I had been chosen to visit Japan on an
exchange trip was an exciting chance of a lifetime. I left Nelson on Sunday 5 Oct., flying
to Auckland then to Hong Kong before arriving in Narita, Japan. I was met by Mr. Ishii, a
member of IPPS Japan; we travelled from Narita through Shinagawa to Nagoya. There I
was met by Mr. Uchida and we drove to his farm in Suzuka, where I stayed for 3 days. I
worked on his strawberry farm, deleafing, weeding, and planting strawberries ready for
Christmas harvest. Mr. Uchida grows strawberries two ways; the traditional way in the
ground inside greenhouses, and the more modern way in raised polystyrene troughs also
inside a greenhouse. I left Suzuka on Wednesday and travelled to Tsu where I met Mr.
Fujimora from Akatsuka group. The next day I travelled to Makuhari Messe to visit the
International Flower Expo (IFEX), what a huge expo! It took a whole day to walk around,
with stalls ranging from cut flowers and nursery plants to horticultural products, tools,
water purifying systems, irrigation, and machinery.

Author: Thomas D. Landis and R. Kasten Dumroese

PP: 299

The number of monarch butterflies, charismatic nomads of North America, is rapidly
declining. Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.), which are the sole food source for monarch
caterpillars, have also experienced a decline throughout the breeding range of this
butterfly. Milkweeds can be grown from seeds or vegetatively from root cuttings or
rhizomes. Seed germination is often improved with stratification and plants are easily
grown with standard propagation methods. However, some species require
adjustments to the substrate to reflect unique soil conditions of their natural habitat.
We encourage you to grow and outplant milkweeds to create habitat for monarch
butterflies and help restore their populations.

Author: J. Scott MacIvor and Liat Margolis

PP: 185

Green facades made of metal wire screens and mounted to the walls of buildings to
support trellised vegetation is increasingly looked to as a means of urban greening
and as a sustainable building technology. Here we examine the thermal cooling
performance of three candidate vine species (hops, Virginia creeper, and riverbank
grape) on a 3-dimensional welded wire frame against a south-facing wall in a
temperate climate. We found that from May to September, the green facades kept
the wall surface on average 1.84^oC (3.31^oF) cooler, with grape as the best performer
reducing surface temperatures by 2.91^oC (5.24^oF) in September. In all three species,
wall cooling increased with vegetated cover, which increased over the growing
season. The effect of vegetated cover on wall cooling was most apparent in hops
which re-grows from root stock and basal stems to cover much of the trellis by the
end of the growing season, whereas grape and creeper foliage re-grows from stems
that remain attached to the trellis, achieving more heterogeneous covering earlier in
the growing season. These findings contribute to a growing body of research on
green facades and their functional performance as components of the building
envelope and as architectural materials.

Author: Masahiko Fumuro

PP: 377

INTRODUCTION

Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus Britt & Rose) is a climbing cactus that is cultivated across a
range of countries, including Vietnam and Nicaragua (Merten, 2003). In the Japanese
archipelago, pitaya cultivation has been largely concentrated in the subtropical landscape of
Okinawa Prefecture. However, many forms grown in the domestic warm region are cold
tolerant and do not require greenhouse heating to prevent frost damage. Fumuro et al.
(2007) and Fumuro and Sakurai (2013) reported that pitaya cultivation was possible on the
Kinki University experiment farm located in Yuasa-cho, Wakayama Prefecture where daily
minimum temperatures fell to about -4^oC on four or five occasions during winter.

Pitaya forms flower buds on the cladodes (flattened leaf-like stems) when plants stop
growing, but not during the period of elongation. Cladodes grow vigorously when young; if
their growth is suppressed, flowering and yield increase incrementally. However, the
cladode elongation rate declines during aging and yields are reduced in consequence.

Cultivated tree vigor is frequently controlled by application of plant growth regulators.
Paclobutrazol, daminozide, and other agents are used as dwarfing agents, while gibberellin
and other bioactive molecules are applied to promote growth. Little is known of the effects
of these regulators on the vegetative growth of pitaya. Consequently, this study was
conducted to measure the effects of growth regulators on pitaya cladode growth either
through spraying plants or by application to the soil medium.

Author: Palle Jespersen

PP: 261

INTRODUCTION

Floralabels A/S was established in 2005 to provide flexible, customised labelling for
nurseries, garden centres and other horticultural companies. The system enables users to
create labels, tags, signs and banners, in colour, on demand and is available through our
partners in most European countries, Africa, USA, and New Zealand.

The ideas presented in this paper draw on my knowledge from previous work in the
marketing and packaging of what are known as "fast moving consumer goods" and my
knowledge of recent research on consumer behaviour in garden centres and other retail
outlets where plants are sold. I have supplemented this with non-scientific interviews with
consumers visiting garden centres in Denmark, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Author: David Ward

PP: 45

INTRODUCTION

My wife Claire and I have a small nursery. It is not big and grand, more like small and
pokey. But it is profitable relative to its size. A big turnover is not important to me —
what matters is a profit, because no business big or small will last long without a profit.
Our nursery is located on State Highway 3 in central Te Awamutu in the South Waikato. The property is less than 2 acres; about a quarter acre out the back is waste land,
so the nursery only uses about 1½ acres.

A few years ago we sold wholesale and retail but now it is almost only retail. Our retail
customers come from all over the Waikato and beyond, but primarily from south of us,
including from as far away as Taupo, the Ruapehu area, and New Plymouth. We do not
advertise. All we do is arrive at work, open the gate, and make it up as we go along.

Prior to the global financial crisis (GFC), our annual profit almost reached $200,000 per
year. When the GFC happened profit dipped a bit but lately things have normalized. In
recent weeks sales have been record breaking. This is probably much the same for
everyone here.

So what is it that makes us — or any of us profitable? There are of course many
reasons. One of those reasons is management, and in our case, our management approach,
and business model, is based on economics.

Author: Yasuhiko Koike, Atsuhiko Yamazaki, Yozo Mitarai and Ryo Norikosh

PP: 389

To develop a mass propagation method for Hardenbergia violacea L., new shoots
were prepared and used to compare the effects of rooting medium, temperature,
photoperiod and concentrations of IBA (3-indolebutyric acid) and surfactant on
rooting. The upper nodes of one-node cuttings bearing two leaves were cut half
and placed in 16 ppm IBA solution for 1 h. The cuttings were then placed in
rockwool cubes and maintained under 16-h photoperiod at 20^oC on 4 weeks from
the time of cutting to assess the extent of root formation. High percentages of
rooting were observed, with the highest observed in the solution containing IBA
and 0.05% surfactant.

Author: Alan Petravich

PP: 207

Longwood Gardens, in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, has recently released three
cultivars of Clivia miniata from their breeding program which began in 1976. At the
beginning of the program, most existing C. miniata were orange flowered cultivars, and
yellow flowers were rare and very desirable. The original goal of the breeding program
was to produce a superior yellow flowered Clivia. Thirty-four years after the program
began, in 2010, C. miniata ‘Longwood Debutante’ was released at the North American
Clivia Society Show at Longwood Gardens. "Debutante" is a fitting name as this plant
was the first release from Longwood’s breeding program to enter into Clivia Society. It
was revealed in the grandeur of the Longwood Ballroom. Clivia miniata ‘Longwood
Debutante’ produces slightly fragrant, buttery yellow flowers, with overlapping tepals, in
an umbel set on a sturdy scape, that rises nicely above the dark green foliage.

Author: Yujie Yang, Zhihui Li, Xiaoling Jin, Donglin Zhang, and Jinying

PP: 493

INTRODUCTION

Holly (Ilex) is a large genus in Aquifoliaceae, which is comprises of 400 to 600 deciduous
and evergreen species. This genus is cultivated as important medicinal and ornamental
plants in the temperate and subtropical regions (Galle, 1997; Hu, 1989). The great
diversity and adaptability of hollies make them as the king in gardens and landscapes.
They can be used as shade trees, dividing lines, hedges, and groundcovers. They have
beautiful effects of fruits in autumn, masses of evergreen foliage, and bright glistening
color of variegated cultivars (Robinson, 1984). Ilex crenata Thunb. is native to eastern
China, Japan, Korea, Kuril, Sakhalin, Philippines, and the Himalayas. Now it is widely
planted as an ornamental plant in the southeastern US for its dense evergreen foliage and
various forms (Dirr, 2009). Many cultivars have been released for commercial production
such as I. crenata (Fastigiata Group( ‘Sky Pencil’, which is popular in the landscape for
its strongly upright habit and lustrous, dark evergreen foliage (Dirr, 2011).

Author: Yutaro Matsumoto and Hiroaki Ohashi

PP: 383

Selections of Primula × polyantha hort. are important pot flowers in Japan, which are
complex hybrids of P. elatior (L.) Hill, P. veris L., and P. vulgaris Hudson, commonly
called polyanthus. In addition, hybrids of polyanthus and P. juliae Kusnetsow were called
Juliana hybrid or Julian, and they were produced as well as polyanthus. Homogeneous seed
production is difficult because they are allogamous plant.

Callus induction and regeneration from vegetative organs has not been successful in
polyanthus and Julian types, although in P. juliae callus was induce easily and a few
adventitious shoots were abtained from flower bud culture.

In this study, we studied the induction of adventitious shoot formation by flower bud
culture of P. veris, P. vulgaris, and P. juliae. Primula veris, P. vulgaris, and P. juliae plants
were divided into into explants containing 2-3 buds, and planted in plastic pots (diameter 9
cm) containing pumice for growing (called "kanuma" soil), in the autumn of the year before
flower bud culture. These were placed on subirrigation trays in February, and the flower
buds (length: 10-15 mm) were harvested in late March to early in April.

Author: C. Grahn, C. Benedict, T. Thornton and C.A. Miles

PP: 357

Leafy green crops such as lettuce (Lactuca sativa), kale (Brassica oleracea), arugula
(Eruca vesicaria syn. E. sativa), and mustard greens (Brassica juncea) thrive in the cool,
humid climate of the maritime Pacific Northwest, particularly in the spring and fall
seasons when farmers in the region experience decreased income relative to the main
summer growing season. Thus, baby-leaf salad greens are a popular direct-market crop
for producers in northwest Washington. To identify salad greens best-suited for shoulderseason
production, 10 leafy green salad greens were grown in replicated trials in a
randomized-complete-block, split-plot design with three replications at two locations in
the fall and spring for 2 years in northwest Washington. Salad greens were evaluated for
marketable yield, leaf length, days to harvest, and associated weed pressure. Results from
Fall 2012, Spring 2013, and Fall 2013 reveal that brassica crops have a higher yield: daysto-
maturity ratio than lettuce, spinach, or beet crops (P=0.0234), suggesting that leafy
green brassica crops are better suited for baby-leaf salad green cultivation in northwest
Washington than lettuce, beet, and spinach.

Author: Nina Shishkoff, Scott Aker, Richard T. Olsen, and Margery L. Dau

PP: 231

INTRODUCTION

Boxwood (Buxus) is a very important landscape staple in the Northeastern United States
in part because it is an evergreen that is not prone to deer browse. The new disease
boxwood blight is caused by Calonectria pseudonaviculata (= C. buxicola), an invasive
pathogen first noticed in the mid-1990s in the United Kingdom (Henricot and Culmam,
2002), spreading through Europe and to New Zealand (Crous et al., 2002) thereafter. The
disease was first detected in the United States in 2011 in North Carolina and Connecticut
(Ivors et al., 2011; Douglas et al., 2012). It has caused serious concern in the
nursery/landscape industry not only because it can weaken and disfigure plants,
destroying their aesthetic value, but also because infected leaves and stems contain
microsclerotia that might persist in soil and organic debris for years (Weeda and Dart,
2012; Dart and Shishkoff, 2015).

Author: Eugenie-Lien Louw

PP: 9

Arnelia Farms is a potted plant nursery as well as an export cut flower farm close to
the town of Hopefield on the West Coast of South Africa. The nursery specialises in
Proteaceae although the range is slowly expanding to complementary plant families.
Except for two species which are propagated from seed the other cultivars currently
in production are vegetatively propagated from mother stock. The mother stock is a
high value section in the nursery and irrigation (fertigation) needs to be monitored
very closely as these plants are sensitive to increased levels of nitrates and phosphate
as well as water-logged conditions in winter and drying out during summer.

Irrigation monitoring takes place by continuous logging soil moisture probes, weekly
measuring of the total drainage water, and daily total irrigation water supplied,
measuring the EC and checks by the nursery manager. Similar irrigation
monitoring is done in the retail section (15-cm pots). Temperature is recorded by an
automated weather station. The difference in EC calculated between the EC of the
drainage water and EC of the irrigation water, as well as the soil moisture recorded
with the probes, correlated well with mean daily and mean daily maximum
temperature. Over time, analysis of data will improve the manager

Author: David Hancock

PP: 21

OVERVIEW

This presentation will cover the following:

• Background to natural area business.


• Propagation in our market and our experience and approach.


• Propagation and treatment methods.


• Success to date and some future targets species.


• Nursery financial and performance implications.


• Relevance to IPPS and this audience.

BACKGROUND

This presentation is about the ways in which we have pursued propagation of recalcitrant
and difficult species, mainly from seed and the benefits that have accrued to the business.
For us, it’s been about deciding that standing still is not an option and non-stop product
development is the way to drive our market, motivate our staff, and enhance our broader
environment business.

Author: Lesley A. Judd, Brian E. Jackson, William C. Fonteno, Michael R.

PP: 421

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, biochar (BC) has attracted attention for use as a horticultural substrate
amendment due to its potential benefits, such as promoting substrate/rootzone biology
and nutrient holding/exchanging capacity. Biochar also has the potential to be a local and
renewable substrate component produced from waste products and regionally available
material (Peterson, 2013). The potential for horticultural use of BC in soilless substrates
with greenhouse crops is clouded, however, because initial reports of BC in substrates do
not show consistent results or benefits. There is a need to explore the impact of the vast
range of BC properties on their potential use in greenhouse and nursery container
production (Altland and Locke, 2012).

Biochar has been shown to be a potential use as a replacement for perlite in greenhouse
mixes (Northup, 2013), because it is lightweight, porous, and it is thought to have
potential economic benefit (cost savings) over perlite. Increased root growth has also been
reported when BC was amended to a peat-based substrate (O’Hara, 2013); however
quantification of increased root growth in biochar amended substrates has not been
published.

Author: J.C. Poythress and J.M. Affolter

PP: 487

Many gardeners concerned over recent declines in biodiversity in suburban areas
are attempting to improve the ecological functioning of their landscapes by
incorporating native plants. Native plants are important food sources for native
herbivorous insects, and insects are in turn important food sources for animals in
higher trophic levels. But do the native plants available in nurseries, typically
cultivated varieties (cultivars) of a single genotype, fill an equivalent ecological role
as the local, wild-type plants? For two herbaceous perennials, we observed
significant differences in both total insect abundance and total number of insect
species. However, there was a significant interaction between plant species and plant
origin, suggesting that insect abundance and diversity does not depend on the source
of the plant material per se, but rather on the particular characteristics of the
cultivar that distinguish it from the wild form. We also observed significant
differences in the insect communities among treatments, though only a small
proportion of the total insect species collected contributed to these differences.
Identifying which characteristics of cultivars might predict a loss of ecological
function will not only help gardeners make the best choices of plants for their
landscapes, but also will enable horticulturalists to select cultivars that potentially
outperform the wild-type plants in terms of the ecological services they provide.

Author: Angus Stewart

PP: 53

INTRODUCTION

If I were to advise you to dig a planting hole one metre deep and bury the stem of a new
planting of a shrub or tree way below ground level, most horticulturists would be
horrified. The conventional wisdom is that this would be a death sentence for the plant,
dooming it to demise by collar rot of the submerged stem. A few years ago I would have
agreed wholeheartedly, but a meeting with electrical engineer and amateur horticulturist
Mr. Bill Hicks a few years ago has completely changed my thinking on establishing
plants in areas where supplementary irrigation is difficult or non-existent.

A RADICAL NEW IDEA

About 20 years ago Bill Hicks developed a technique called "long stem planting" through
his interest in environmental restoration projects in the New South Wales Hunter Valley.
Eroded river banks had traditionally been stabilised by planting exotic willow trees (Salix
species) in the degraded areas. Alarmed at the way these willows had been seeding
themselves and spreading like wild fire as environmental weeds, Bill experimented with
indigenous native plants as a substitute. To overcome the problem of the native plants
being washed away by floods, he experimented with planting them much deeper than
normal. To the surprise of the professional horticulturists, not only did the trees survive,
they thrived and in most cases the establishment rates and subsequent growth far
outstripped that of conventionally planted trees of the same species.

Author: Suzanne Sharrock and Abby Hird

PP: 221

INTRODUCTION

Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) maintains two free, online databases
to support plant conservation in botanic gardens: GardenSearch and PlantSearch.
GardenSearch is an on-line directory of the world’s botanic gardens and related
institutions while PlantSearch provides an account of the plant species held by these
institutions. Information included in these databases is provided by each institution which
is responsible for regularly updating its own record, using an on-line log-in facility.

Some Statistics GardenSearch

• Records (institutions): 3,200


• Number of countries represented: 176


• Breakdown of institutions per region

Author: Glen P. Lumis

PP: 165

Nursery growers and other landscape horticulture professionals never cease to amaze me
by their extensive knowledge of plant botanical names. Most of us learned botanical
names from an early age, perhaps hearing them from our parents, in an educational setting
or, in the workplace. Both botanical and common names are a requirement for us to be
fluent in our profession. Who among us has not had the temptation to rattle off a long,
tongue-twisting name for someone not so well versed in botanical Latin? I have used
Ampelopsis brevipedunculata var. maximowiczii. Apparently the currently accepted name
of that plant is Ampelopsis glandulosa var. heterophylla. Perhaps botanical taxonomists
just try to increase our vocabulary.

Plant names come easily for us as we work with plants every day. Thousands of
botanical names, many with unusual sounds like Trachelospermum, Eleutherococcus, and
glyptostroboides, roll off our tongues like water over Niagara Falls. However, there is one
word that should rarely roll off our tongues. That is the word "variety". What we mean
and should say is "cultivar".

Nursery catalogues and trade magazines are filled with plant names correctly enclosed
in single quotes. Those marks denote a cultivar. However, when speaking, many
professionals say variety for those names. Many respected gardening personalities on
radio and television incorrectly say variety when they mean cultivar. Even some nursery
catalogues, trade magazines, and promotional materials use variety when they mean
cultivar.

Author: Suzette P. Galinato and Carol A. Miles

PP: 353

Lettuce and tomato are popular warm-season, fresh market vegetable crops grown in
western Washington and both are produced in open-field and high-tunnel production
systems. The objectives of this study were to examine the economic feasibility of growing
lettuce and tomato under both production systems by comparing their economic potential
and identifying the main factors affecting profitability within each production system.
Data for this study were collected through focus groups of experienced tomato and lettuce
growers in western Washington. Costs of production varied by crop and production
system. The findings indicated that it was five times more costly to grow lettuce and eight
times more costly to grow tomato in a high-tunnel than in the open-field system in
western Washington. Labor per square foot of growing area was found to be greater in a
high-tunnel operation than in the open field. Total labor cost comprised more than 50% of
the total production costs of lettuce and tomato in both the high-tunnel and open-field
systems. As a percentage of total production cost, total labor cost was similar in both the
high-tunnel and open-field production of lettuce, but higher in high-tunnel tomato
production than in open-field tomato production. Tunnel-grown lettuce and tomato had
three and four times greater marketable yield compared to field-grown, respectively.
Given the base crop yield and average price, it was 43% more profitable to grow lettuce
in the open-field than in the high-tunnel system, while in contrast, high-tunnel-grown
tomato was three times more profitable than open-field tomato production.

Author: Steve Castorani

PP: 83

"The three rules of work:

• Out of clutter find simplicity;


• From discord find harmony;


• In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity."

Albert Einstein

In 2008, North Creek nurseries had its best year ever. Having built a business over a 20-
year period, we had grown rapidly, eventually working on two farms. Realizing this
growth, and being cramped for space, we felt that we needed to expand our operation. We
knew this would allow us to remain relevant in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
We felt the need to increase our production capacity and efficiency. In exploring our
potential for expansion, we worked with a friend, Robert Hayter, a landscape architect.
After pertinent discussions, he asked this question of us: "Had we ever analyzed our
processes?" Our answer was that we had not done a thorough analysis, or the due
diligence necessary to understand our work processes, product movement, or work flow.
We came to the conclusion we needed to delve deeper into understanding our
manufacturing processes.

Author: Christine E.H. Coker

PP: 401

As the farm to table movement takes hold across America, home gardeners and
landscapers are becoming more aware of the local food movement. Local food may mean
from a specified geographic region or even from a home garden. An edible garden does
not necessarily have to be relegated to a separate plot in the backyard. Edible plants can
easily be incorporated into any landscape design. A well-rounded landscape design
includes several elements including: trees, shrubs, flowers, groundcovers, and foliage.
There are many examples of edible plants that fulfill each of these landscape elements.

FRUIT TREES

Citrus

Since citrus trees are particularly sensitive to cold temperatures, they are not well-suited
for most home landscapes. The kumquat, calamondin, and satsuma have the greatest
degree of cold hardiness. However, most gardeners can successfully enjoy citrus trees in
patio containers. Any type of citrus tree can be grown in a container, but navel oranges,
grapefruit, and most other oranges are very vigorous and outgrow all but very large
containers.

Author: Rita L. Hummel, Gwen K. Stahnke, and Virginia I. Lohr

PP: 293

Low impact development is an emerging concept for treating urban stormwater.
Bioretention, an important tool to address this, utilizes the properties of plants, soil
media, and microorganisms to infiltrate water and filter pollutants. Rain gardens, a
form of bioretention, are shallow depressions in the landscape filled with soil media
and plants. Plants are an essential rain-garden component. In order to expand the
list of plants recommended for rain gardens in the Pacific Northwest, an Atlantic
ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Center Glow’) was planted in three rain-garden
hydrologic zones: the wetter bottom, the dryer top, and the sloped transition zone.
The Pacific ninebark (P. capitatus) was planted in the wet zone for comparison.
Results after three growing seasons showed rain-garden zone did not affect growth
or survival of Atlantic ninebark and there were no differences between the Pacific
and Atlantic ninebarks. All plants grew well during the study.

Author: Daniel W. McKenney, John H. Pedlar, Kevin Lawrence, Pia Papadopo

PP: 139

INTRODUCTION

The subject of potential species distributions has long been of interest to ecologists (e.g.,
Elton, 1927; Scott et al., 2002), but the subject is also important to agriculturalists,
horticulturalists, and gardeners as it relates to plant hardiness. Plant hardiness is often
thought of as the mortality or dieback of plants caused by temperature stress (mostly cold
but also heat). In practical terms, hardiness zones are intended to help define the potential
distribution of perennial plant species. The United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) extreme minimum temperature model (and related map) has been a useful
surrogate for plant hardiness and is widely used throughout North America
(<http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/> see also <http://www.ars.usda.gov/
Main/docs.htm?docid=15616&#62 for a heat stress model).

In Canada, a plant hardiness map has also been developed (Oulette and Sherk, 1967a, b,
c), and has become a standard and familiar source for Canadians. This model employed
seven climatic parameters, and was thought to better represent the plant hardiness
situation in Canada, where long winters and snow cover can dramatically affect plant
survival and performance.

Author: J.A. LaMondia

PP: 203

Calonectria pseudonaviculata causes leaf and stem lesions resulting in defoliation and
dieback of boxwood. Trials were conducted to evaluate fungicide management of
boxwood blight under greenhouse and container nursery conditions in Connecticut using
fungicides previously determined to have in vitro activity against conidial germination or
mycelial growth. Plants of different boxwood cultivars were inoculated 48 h after
fungicide application. Disease progression was monitored over 6 weeks and progressed
from leaf and stem lesions to defoliation. The level of disease control achieved by
fungicides was generally good, with the most efficacious treatments averaging from 95%
to nearly 100% control.

Author: Mark Windham

PP: 409

INTRODUCTION

Rose rosette is caused by rose rosette virus (RRV) which is transmitted by the eriophyid
mite Phyllocoptes fructiphilus. Rose rosette was first observed in 1940 in Manitoba,
Canada and in California and Wyoming in 1941. The disease has become widespread in
regions of north-central, south-central and southeast USA. The incidence of rose rosette
has grown exponentially in cultivated roses in the mid-South USA due to increased use of
mass plantings of shrub roses in residential and commercial landscapes.

All cultivated roses (shrub type, hybrid tea, floribunda, grandiflora, and miniature roses)
are thought to be susceptible to the disease. Other roses reported to be susceptible are:
Rosa woodsii, R. bracteata, and R. rubiginosa (syn. R. eglanteria).

Many articles have been written on rose rosette and described the variable symptoms
associated with the disease. However, few articles have offered management strategies for
combating the disease other than rogueing symptomatic plants. In the few cases where
control recommendations have been made (such as the use of miticides); the
recommendations were based on observations made for other virus diseases of roses or on
virus diseases and/or eriophyid mites on other crops.

Author: He Li, Yujie Yang, Xiaoling Jin, Zhihui Li, Donglin Zhang, and J

PP: 483

INTRODUCTION

Zelkova serrata is a deciduous tree in Ulmaceae from Japan, Taiwan, and eastern China.
It is used for bonsai, shade tree, or park landscape because of its attractive habit, foliage
colors, and heat and drought tolerance. Typically the plant reaches to 15-24 m tall with a
spreading, upright-branching, vase-shaped crown (Fleme, 1983). Zelkova gained
popularity because it was utilized to substitute American elm for its Dutch elm disease
resistance and no elm leaf beetle (Dirr, 2011).

How to propagate this beautiful plant? Seed germination does not require pretreatment,
and germination percentage would increase with prechilling at 4^oC for 60 days (Ishii,
1979). However uniform Z. serrata seedlings can rarely be obtained by seed germination.
Tissue culture had been successful, leaves and axillary buds were cultured on Murashige
and Skoog (1962) medium containing half strength nitrogenous compounds to regenerate
Z. serrata plants (Tomita, 1991), but tissue culture usually has high production cost and
high technical requirement.

Author: Paul Bartley III, Glenn Wehtje, Anna-Marie Murphy and Charles Gi

PP: 415

SIGNIFICANCE TO THE INDUSTRY

A number of factors over the past several years have forced container-grown plant
producers to alter production practices. Increasing labor cost and new immigration laws
have forced growers to rely more on herbicides for weed control. Problems associated
with herbicide use in container production include non-target loss, achieving correct
calibration, and the expense of repeat applications a year (Case and Mathers, 2006). Nonchemical
weed control methods could diminish non-target herbicide loss and reduce
potential environmental concerns. Data from this study reveals that one application of
various mulch species at a depth of at least 5 cm (2 in.) will provide long-term control of
spotted spurge, phyllanthus, and eclipta.

Author: Ryo Norikoshi

PP: 395

The annual meeting of IPPS-Japan this year was held in Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
The excursion was arranged to visit a botanical garden, research institute, and educational
farm.

On 4 Oct. PM, we visited botanical garden at Tokyo University of Agriculture, which is
located in Atsugi City, where the aim is to collect Zingiberaceae, tropical fruits, rare
endemic plants, and traditional Japanese plants. All the participants learned something
important about plant protection from explanations by technical staff.

On the second day, 5 Oct. AM, we visited bio-systems and bio-functions research center
at Tamagawa University, where the aim is development of a novel agricultural production
system using optical semiconductor devises and development of a plant cultivation system
in space. All the participants studied new technologies and techniques.

After a lunch break, our last visit was the Meiji University Kurokawa Farm, which is an
educational farm. We learned about organic farming and high-quality, high-yield
production techniques.

Author: Mario Lanthier

PP: 325

Scientists working in their respective disciplines will meet on a regular basis to exchange
notes, report on current projects, and raise questions for future research. These meetings,
although technical in nature, are open for all to attend. It is a good place to catch up on the
latest thinking from the people most involved on any given topic.

This presentation covers three scientific meetings attended by our company in the past
two years. All events were sponsored by the International Society of Horticulture. By
coincidence, the common thread was soils and management of organic matter. For this
report, an emphasis is placed on information most useful for practical use in horticulture,
especially nursery production of trees and shrubs and greenhouse production of
vegetables.

Author: Diane Blazek and Eugene K. Blythe

PP: 499

Ten cultivars became All-America Selections (AAS) National Award Winners for 2014.
All-America Selections includes a network of over 75 trial grounds all over North
America where new, never-before-sold plants are "Tested Nationally and Proven
Locally^®" by skilled, impartial AAS judges. Only the best performers are declared AAS
Winners. Once these new varieties are announced as AAS Winners, they are available for
immediate sale and distribution.

An additional nine plants were selected as All-America Selections (AAS) Regional
Award Winners for 2014. With heightened public interest in locally produced products
and recognition that some plants can truly perform well in specific regional climates,
AAS has established awards for plants with superior regional performance. Regional
winners undergo the same trialing process as national winners.

Author: Christiana Conser and Joseph M. DiTomaso

PP: 243

Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) methods for evaluating invasiveness in plants have
evolved rapidly in the last two decades, but none were specifically designed to screen
ornamental plants prior to being released into the landscape. For a WRA tool to be
accepted as an evaluation tool by the nursery industry, it must be able to accurately
predict non-invasiveness without falsely categorized them as invasive. We used a sciencebased
and systematic process to develop a new Plant Risk Evaluation (PRE) tool for
screening ornamental plants as part of a prevention strategy. The final PRE tool included
19 questions, which was narrowed down from 56 original questions obtained from other
existing WRA tools. We evaluated the 56 WRA questions by screening 21 known
invasive and 14 known non-invasive ornamental plants. After statistically comparing the
predictability of each question and the frequency the question could be answered for both
invasive and non-invasive species, we eliminated questions that provided no predictive
power, were irrelevant in our current model, or could not be answered reliably at a high
enough percentage. We also combined many similar questions. The 19 question PRE tool
was further evaluated for accuracy using 57 additional known invasive and 37 known
non-invasive ornamental plant species.

Author: Brienne Gluvna Arthur

PP: 437

"Bridging the Generation Gap" is an International Plant Propagators Society (IPPS)
specific lecture discussing ways to increase and retain membership and attendance at
annual meetings. Inspired from the questions asked in the "Membership Proposal" for
2014/2015 by the International Board, the strategies presented are aimed to reach a new
generation while maintaining the long standing integrity of IPPS.

REINVENTING THE PROPAGATOR

Mechanization has changed the face of plant production. With the integration of efficient
technology nurseries can operate with fewer employees. These advancements have
enabled plants to be produced very consistently with a high level of quality. However,
this shift has impacted the employment of many nurseries and the membership of
professional association’s worldwide.

Box store trends have also contributed to a major shift in the green industry. Through
the mass market economic structure the green industry has fallen prey to a dangerous
trend of devaluing our products and accommodating unnecessary warranties. The
expectations and responsibility of the end consumer have changed dramatically in the last
decade. Plant warranties eliminate the consequence of not learning how to grow plants.
The mass market has also created a bottle neck with regard to available plant material. By
limiting the selection of plants down to a few genera we have devalued the diversity that
makes horticulture such a broad and interesting opportunity.