George Elliott
George Elliott is an associate professor of horticulture at the University of Connecticut. You can e-mail him at [email protected]
April 26, 2012
Subirrigation: Watering From The Ground Up
The goal for any irrigation system is to deliver water to the growing medium as effectively and efficiently as possible. Effectively means getting the right amount of water into the growing medium. Efficiently means minimizing the amount of water that is lost from the system. In order to irrigate effectively, an irrigation system must deliver water uniformly to every pot in an irrigation zone. An efficient irrigation system will either deliver water with minimal leaching and runoff or capture and reuse all the water that is not retained in the growing medium. Sub-irrigation systems are generally both more effective and efficient than top-down systems. These systems include capillary mats, troughs, flood and drain trays and flood floors. Capillary Mats The simplest form of sub-irrigation, in these systems water is delivered to a porous mat that is in contact with the bottom of the container. This allows water to move from […]
April 24, 2012
Hand Watering, Booms, Sprinklers Or Drip?
The amount of water that can be held by the substrate in a given container with a specific irrigation method is the effective water-holding capacity (EWHC). It may be desirable to maintain the moisture content of the medium below EWHC in order to regulate plant growth or reduce the risk of soil-borne diseases. Overall, it is important to irrigate thoroughly. The amount of water applied must be sufficient to re-wet the entire volume of growing medium. If the medium is dry and not enough water is applied, only part of the mix will be re-wetted. In irrigating thoroughly, the method of delivery plays an important role. With top-down irrigation, water will be pulled downward by the force of gravity. As it moves downward, some will be held by the growing medium. Usually, some water will escape from the bottom of the pot before the medium is thoroughly wet. At the […]
June 11, 2008
Certifying Sustainability
The term “stakeholders” calls to mind a scene from a vampire movie, with angry villagers about to go after the monster that has been terrorizing them. At the National Sustainable Agriculture Stakeholders Dialogue, sharpened sticks were not in evidence, but several pointed opinions were expressed in presentations and discussions. The conference, held Feb 29 in Washington, D.C., was organized by the Leonardo Academy and Scientific Certification Systems (SCS). About 120 attendees represented a wide range of commodity groups, processors, agribusiness interests, government agencies and environmental advocacy groups. Floriculture and nursery interests were well represented, by OFA and ANLA, as well as representatives from production and distribution companies. Joyce Latimer from Virginia Tech, Jim Barrett from the University of Florida and myself were the floriculturists among a handful of academics. The meeting opened with a presentation by Michael Arny, president of Leonardo Academy. He explained how the American National Standards Institute […]
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April 21, 2018
How Researchers are Building Better Lantana Plants
Lantana might be beautiful, but the perennial plant has a tendency to escape confined spaces, spreading beyond control and even cross-pollinating with native species. Coming up with a solution for lantana’s invasive nature has been a passion project for UF/IFAS Plant Scientist Zhanao Deng. His mission was set forth after local industry stakeholders asked if it was possible to breed sterile, non-invasive lantana selections. After more than a decade of research, Deng successfully developed and delivered two new lantana varieties designed to accommodate nursery managers, retailers, and consumers. According to Deng, ‘Bloomify Rose’ and ‘Bloomify Red’ are not only visually appealing, but they also don’t produce fruit and seeds, don’t spread, and don’t cross-pollinate Florida’s native lantana, Lantana depressa. Rick Brown, Owner of Riverview Flower Farm in Riverview, FL, has sold the new varieties for about a year and can attest to their assets. “They are relatively a perpetually bloomer,” […]
April 20, 2018
Your Weekly Chance to Market the Positive Vibes That Fl…
Each week between now and the end of the year, American Floral Endowment will post a new video promoting flowers.
April 20, 2018
California Dreaming Takes on a Whole New Meaning at CAS…
At California Spring Trials 2018, the Greenhouse Grower team witnessed the revitalization of a company, plus some awesome merchandising displays, and efforts toward automation.
April 19, 2018
California Spring Trials 2018: New Intros from Syngenta…
Check out the newest 2018 plant introductions from Syngenta Flowers, Hishtil, Jaldety, Cohen Propagators, Nir Nursery, Bailey Nurseries, and Sunset Western/Southern Living Plants.
April 19, 2018
CAST 2018: Dr. A’s Favorites From Syngenta Flowers, Bai…
From an exciting perennial to a new white begonia, Allan Armitage says these showstoppers deserve recognition.
April 19, 2018
Spring Trials Rookie Inspired by Connections
The Allan Armitage Scholarship recipient has added a number of industry connections during his time at California Spring Trials, and discusses what that means to him and his career.
April 18, 2018
At CAST 2018, Sakata Captures Consumer Attention Spans,…
More than halfway through the California Spring Trials, the Greenhouse Grower team had a busy but fantastic day seeing dozens of our friends at American Takii and Benary, and spending time talking about the industry's past and its bright future.
April 18, 2018
California Spring Trials 2018: New Varieties to Watch F…
Check out the newest 2018 plant introductions from American Takii, Hilverdakooijj, Hem Genetics, Thompson & Morgan, Sakata Ornamentals, and Ernst Benary of America.
April 18, 2018
How the Horticulture Industry’s Past Shaped Its P…
Andrew Scheldorf, the winner of Dr. Allan Armitage’s California Spring Trials Scholarship, says the stories of plant origins help ground our industry to the people and places that have changed us.
April 18, 2018
Dr. A Weighs in on His CAST Favorites From American Tak…
Here are some of the top variety introductions for 2019 that have pleased Dr. A during California Spring Trials 2018.
April 17, 2018
Dümmen Orange’s New Gamechanger, Plants for All S…
Greenhouse Grower's California Spring Trials Team headed north on Day 3, with stops at Dümmen Orange in picturesque San Luis Obispo and Floricultura in fertile Salinas.
April 17, 2018
Syngenta Flowers Acquires Netherlands-Based Dahlia Bree…
Syngenta Flowers has reached an agreement with Verwer Dahlia BV to acquire the company’s dahlia assortment and breeding program. Both companies expect to finalize the acquisition in the coming weeks.
April 17, 2018
Armitage Scholarship Winner Weighs in on Plant Breeding…
Andrew Scheldorf, the winner of Dr. Allan Armitage’s California Spring Trials Scholarship, says breeders' persistence in making small and large breeding improvements is a testament to their passion and dedication to excellence.
April 17, 2018
California Spring Trials 2018: Stand-Out New Plants fro…
Check out these new plant introductions from the California Spring Trials 2018 trail featuring breeding from Dümmen Orange , Westhoff, Beekenkamp, and Plug Connection.
April 17, 2018
Allan Armitage’s Noteworthy 2018 Plant Intros fro…
Here are some of the top variety introductions for 2019 that have pleased Dr. A during California Spring Trials 2018.
April 16, 2018
California Spring Trials 2018: New Plant Intros from Gr…
New plants from Suntory Flowers, Terra Nova Nurseries, Prudac, Florist, PlantHaven, Anthura, Kapiteyn, Kientzler, 2 Plant International, and more on day two of California Spring Trials 2018.
April 16, 2018
CAST 2018 Provides Fresh Inspiration for Infusing Marke…
The second day of California Spring Trials took the Greenhouse Grower Team to GroLink in Oxnard, CA, and then up the coast to Windmill Nursery in Buellton. Here are some of the marketing, display, trend, and people highlights we saw at those locations, as well as some beautiful scenery from our evening in Pismo Beach.
April 16, 2018
Allan Armitage’s Spring Trials Favorites From Green Fus…
Here are some of the top variety introductions for 2019 that have pleased Dr. A during California Spring Trials 2018.