More Plant Breeders and Host Sites Pull Out of California Spring Trials
March 16, 2020 ** Updated March 18 to reflect Ball Horticultural pulling out of CAST**
Concerns about COVID-19 (coronavirus) continue to disrupt plans for the 2020 California Spring Trials (CAST). Here are the latest updates the Greenhouse Grower team has received as of Thursday, March 12.
Green Fuse Botanicals
Jim Devereux, Vice President of Green Fuse Botanicals, sent out the following statement on behalf of Green Fuse and its CAST partners:
“Due to the World Health Organizations (WHO) classification of the coronavirus as a global pandemic, Green Fuse Botanicals and its partners, Westhoff, Shoneveld Breeding, One Floral Group, and T.O. Plastics, have decided on the cancellation of California Spring Trials event for 2020. The safety of all attendees and their families is of our utmost concern and the basis of all decisions made this week.”
American Takii
American Takii confirmed its withdrawal from CAST 2020.
“While this is not what any of us had wished for, after nearly reaching the finish line, in the end, we must be concerned about each other’s health and safety,” said Mike Huggett, National Flower Sales Manager for American Takii. “I am confident that soon, we will bring the new products we have been growing for the 2020 CAST to our customers via digital or other means as we regroup and move forward.
American Takii will provide information about how it will highlight these new genetics to registered attendees in the coming weeks.
Dümmen Orange
“Dümmen Orange regrets to inform you that our company’s California Spring Trials 2020 has been canceled. In order to limit the spread of COVID-19, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued a policy that limits public gatherings of more than 250 people and that smaller events need to adhere to the six-foot separation approach. Given these immediate public health recommendations, Dümmen Orange is canceling its on-site appearance at CAST.
“We are in the process of producing a series of videos that will highlight all Dümmen Orange products that were originally scheduled to be shown during the 2020 Spring Trials at the end of March. Instead, there will be a video presentation in the coming weeks to allow our California Spring Trials program that was supposed to be displayed at Avila Beach, CA, to be experienced through a virtual tour. Dümmen Orange is making every effort to bring our CAST efforts to you in a safe and responsible manner.”
Speedling
The following announcement is from Greg Davis, President and CEO of Speedling, Inc.:
“Speedling Incorporated is closing Breeders Avenue out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of all involved. Encouraging visitors from all over the world simply generates too much risk to the visitors themselves, to our team, our customers, our exhibitors, and to their families.
Last night’s announcement of an EU travel ban coupled with local warnings against large gatherings due to ongoing concerns regarding coronavirus require Speedling to cancel its California Spring Trials (CAST) event hosting multiple world-class breeders at our San Juan Bautista, CA, farm.
We and our fellow exhibitors don’t take this action lightly and while we apologize for the inconvenience, we must limit exposure in the interest of everyone’s health.
2020 Exhibitors at Speedling include Hem Genetics, Plant Source International, Inc., Ameriseed, Vista Farms, Beacon Hemp and Lambert Peat Moss Inc.”
PlantHaven
From Amanda Flint, Plant Product Manager at PlantHaven:
“We regret to inform you that our California Spring Trials 2020 has been canceled. In order to limit the spread of COVID-19, the Governor of California has issued a policy that limits public gatherings of more than 250 people and smaller events need to adhere to the 6-foot separation approach. Needless to say, this leaves us no choice but to cancel our California Spring Trials event in Santa Barbara.
We will follow up at a later date with information to inform you about all of our new varieties.
We appreciate your understanding and look forward to seeing you at a future event.”
Beekenkamp Plants
From Sirekit Mol, Marketing Manager with Beekenkamp Plants:
“To our regret, we would like to inform you that Beekenkamp, Monrovia, and ABZ seeds cancels their participation for CAST 2020, which was supposed to be held at the Floricultura location in Salinas.
In this way, we want to reduce overall risk associated with the coronavirus.
In the near future, we will make sure that you will be informed via an alternative way of what Beekenkamp was supposed to present.
Providing this global situation will be under control in the near future, Beekenkamp would like to welcome you at the Flower Trials 2020 in week 24, at our location in Maasdijk, the Netherlands.”
Windmill Nursery
From Marc Englert, FLOREP at Windmill Nursery:
“Regretfully, due to COVID-19, we are forced to cancel our Spring Trials at Windmill Nursery this year. Kientzler, J. Berry Nursery, Dramm Corporation, and Smithers Oasis look forward to welcoming our visitors at Spring Trials next year.”
Suncrest Nursery
From Susan Liou, Global Plant Source:
“Due to the rising concerns of COVID-19 and public safety, we are canceling our annual CAST show at Suncrest Nursery. This decision was made with heavy heart, but necessary for public and personal safety for all of our visitors and exhibitors/host.
Our annual Flower Trials in The Netherlands happening in week 24 is still on. Cohen, Hishtil. and Jaldety nurseries are exhibiting at MNP Flowers in Aalsmeer. We invite all of you to come and see our new varieties introduction for 2020/21 at this show.
Benary
From Benary:
“Due to the recent developments in the U.S. as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic we have decided to cancel our upcoming CAST event, which was slated to take place at our facility in Watsonville, CA from March 28-April 1. This was a very difficult decision for us to undertake. Every year we very much look forward to welcoming all of you; showcasing our new products; providing training and information; and having some fun along the way while we all enjoy celebrating our wonderful industry together.”
Danziger
From Danziger:
“In light of the current events concerning the spread of COVID-19 in North America and around the world, Danziger and Headstart have made the decision cancel their participation in CAST 2020. The health of our customers and employees is our top priority in this rapidly evolving situation. Though we will not be displaying this year, our sales and marketing teams will create different materials (photo, video, webinar) that will allow us to share with you all of the information that would normally be presented at CAST. As always, we thank you for your support and look forward to seeing you at future industry events.”
Ball Horticultural Co.
The company officially pulled out of CAST on March 16.
Subscribe to eNewsletter
