NEW HAMPSHIRE PLANT GROWERS ASSOCIATION AUGUST & SEPTEMBER 1996 NEW HAMPSHIRE PLANT GROWERS ASSOCIATION AUGUST & SEPTEMBER 1996 w 'c ha\ c a special name for the trees that come fr(3m our famis — ArcticMistJ''' When you order ArcticNhst,'^' you arc not just buying a tree, hut all of the time, attention, and care — from seedling to shipping — that goes into creating a safe, healthy, and beautiful Christmas tree. \\'e plant from seed to achieve maximum qualit%' control. /Ml /VrcticMist'^' trees are hea\ ily needled and have dense conical shapes. Their lo\ ely blue color, rich fragrance, and gcx)d needle retention make them ideal Christmas trees. Eraser, balsam, white spaice, and pine (w iiite, scotch, and red) are a\ailable. In addition, we are introducing fralsam, a fraser-balsam crt)ss. Wreaths are also a\ailable. Since our famis are in New Hampshire and X'ennont, we har\est our trees later in the season than many other growers. XVe also do e\er\,thing we can to minimize moisture loss after harvest and during shipping. \'ou can order the number of trees that is right for you — from 25 to a trailer load. We can arrange shipping or you may pick up the trees yourself We respect your schedule and guarantee on time deliver^-. Our trees arrive indi\ idually w rapped and ready for sale. All you need to do is remo\e the wrappers and set the trees out — no broken branches, no last minute trimming. T lo place an order, or to receive specific information about this year's trees: Call us at 800/694-8722 or 603/237-5702. Send us a fax at 603/23 7-8439. Or write to us at 38 Bridge St., Colebrook, NH 03576. Our internet address is http://www.sibgotree.com SibgoTree Company VJe know what you want for Cttristmasl '^- CALENDAR CONTENTS ■i^ August AUGUST 17 Fifth Annual Plant Sale & Rare Plant Auction, The Fells, Newbury, NH; 603-763-4789. AUGUST 18 First Annua/ Rockingham County Open Farm Day, information,- Nada Haddad at 603-679-5616. AUGUST 21 VAPH Summer Meeting, Claussen's Florist & Greenhouses, Colchester, VT; Connie Gardner at 802-253-8565. AUGUST 23 Second Annua/ Horticulture Field Day, University of Maine, Orono; Paul Cappiello at 207-581-2918. AUGUST 29 UMASS Extension 1PM VJorkshop — "Recognizing and Diagnosing Problems of Turf," 3-5 pm, Waltham, MA; Kathleen Carroll at 413-545-0895. September WW* WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER I 1 NHPGA Twilight Meeting, Murray Farms Greenhouse, Penacook, NH; informa- tion: Dave Murray at 603-753-6781 SEPTEMBER 12 Massac^iusetts Nursery & Landscape Association (MNLA) Compost Conference — a Twilight Meeting (4-8 pm| at Laughton's Nursery, North Chelmsford, MA; Rena Sumner at 413-369-4731. SEPTEMBER 13-29 Eastern States Bi^ 'E,' West Springfield, MA; mailing address: 1305 Memorial Ave , W. Springfield, 01089; phone: 413-737-2443. SEPTEMBER 14 F/ore/ WorfaAop, Andover, MA; for registration and information: Dr. Peter Konjoian at 508-683-0692 (fax: 508-683-6962). SEPTEMBER 21 Granite State Land- scape Architects (GSLA) All-day Charretle, Russ Martin Park, Concord, NH; information: Bill Hoffman at 603-735-5827. SEPTEMBER 21-22 loint Meeting NH/ VT FTDA, "The Rose Bowl" at Sea- groatt Riccardi, Albany, NY (1-800- 724-1112), information: Betty Covey at 603-893-4578. October OCTOBER 1-5 Professional Plant Growers Association (PPG A) 29th Annual \nternational Bedding Plants Conference & Trade Show, Dearborn, Ml; 1-800-647-7742. OCTOBER 5-6 UConn's 50th Annual Horticulture Show, Hicks Arena, Storrs, CT; 860-486-3435. OCTOBER 19 FFA Horticulture Career Day, Thompson School, UNH, Durham, NH; Dave Howell at 603-862-1760 OCTOBER 19-21 The 24th Annual Conference of the American Horticultural Therapy Association, Sturbridge, MA; in- formation: Richard Shaw at 401-874- 5996. OCTOBER 20 Agricultural Expo '96, Hartford Armory, Hartford, CT; CT Dept. of Agricultural Marketing at 860-566-4845. OCTOBER 21-23 New England Greenhouse Conference, Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center, Sturbridge, MA; information: Henry Huntington at 603-435-8361. OCTOBER 27 FTDA District 1-C Meeting, 5-8pm, Searles Castle, Windham, NH; Betty Covey at 603-893-4578. November NOVEMBER 12-13 MNLA Business Short Course, co-sponsored by MNLA & UMASS Extension; Westboro, MA; Rena Sumner at 413-369-4731 or Kathleen Carroll at 413-545-0895. Looking Ahead... 1ANUARY8-10 Erna's Expo 97, The Meadowlands Exposition Center, Secaucus, Nl; to register: 1-800-376-2463 lANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 1 New England Grows, Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA; call 508-653-3009 or fax 508-653-4112. FEBRUARY 7-8 Farm & Forest Exposition, Center of New Hampshire Holiday Inn & Convention Center, Manchester, NH; 603-271-3788. DEPARTMENTS FORUM 3 NH NEWS 5 ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS 8 MEMBER PROFILE French Farm 17 DIAGNOSTIC LAB Dr Cheryl Smith 26 FROM THE BOARD 28 FEATURES For Kids: Gardeners of the Future Tanya ]ackson 13 The Internet Connection David Brock 15 The Controversy Surrounding Purple Loosestrife ]ohn VJeaver 21 COLUMNS The Griffin Guru 9 Z-notes liw Zablocki 14 The Green Spot Mike Cherim 20 Pioneer Pointers 24 About the Cover: For more information about the front cover illustration, please turn to the back cover The Plantsman Is published In early February, April, |une, August, October, and December with copy deadlines being the first of each prior month. While camera-ready ads are preferred, set-up assistance Is available at a nominal fee. Free classified advertising Is offered as a mem- ber service. We will carry a short message (no artwork or logos) for one or two Issues of The Plantsman. AD SIZE 6x Ix 3 3/8 "w X 2 1/4'h $120 $30 3 3/8'w X 4 3/4 'h $160 $40 7"w X 2 I/4'h $160 $40 7 "VI X 4 5/8"h $250 $50 7 "VI X 9 1/2'h $400 $100 For further Information, please contact the editor: Robert Parker at the UNH Research Greenhouses, Durham, NH 03824, 603-862-206 1 : or PC Box 5. Newflelds, NH 03856, 603-778-8353. AUGUST-*- SEPTEMBER 1996 THE WHOLESALE GROWER OF BALSAM & ERASER IN SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE Conley Farm Come on over and see the trees. Quality. All trees are basal pruned the third year in the field. They have clean handles and full skirts at harvest time. The freshness of our trees after harvest is insured by a custom designed shaded storage area. And, since we only sell trees grown on our farm, what you see is what you get. '^' -^ Service. Our convenient location, an elevator loading system, and roads that '" are accessible for any size truck in any weather make for on time pick up and delivery. Reliable trucking can be arranged. Limited Offer. Because we cut entire blocks of trees each year, we have some lower price trees available. These trees have good handles, good color, and straight leaders, but are one year short of reaching #1 or #2 grade. Call Marty at 603/332-9942, for more information or to schedule a visit Conley Farm 437 Meaderboro Road, Rochester, New Hampshire 03867 <-c Pleasant View Gardens viewers of Quality Liners ^& Finished Material 7316 PLEASANT STREET LOUDON NEU; HAMPSHIRE 03301 603-435-8361 OR 1-800-343-4784 FAX 603-435-6849 THE PLANTSMAN '^- FORUM -^ Notice Dear NHPGA Member: Your Association is currently explor- ing the possibility of purchasing electricity as a group, beginning in January of 1998. At this time, there is a pilot program allowing competi- tion among different electric utility companies in the state of New Hampshire. This pilot program has 17,000 participants throughout the state. If you are one of these par- ticipants, please contact Bob Rimol at 425-6563 to provide input on who you are using as a provider, how you chose your provider, and the service given. This information will help us in our search for different providers of low-cost energy for our future. Thank you. — Bob Rimol The Fact Is... In 1994, lawn & garden retail sales in New Hampshire totalled $272,000,000. This was more than Vermont ($151 million) and less than Maine ($335 million). The New England state with the most sales was Massachusetts ($1,780,000,000). The state nationwide with most sales was California ($6,936,000,000); the state with the least, Alaska ($128 million), (from Nursery Retailer, February/ March, 1996.) Fall Courses at the Thompson School This is a partial listing of horticulture courses offered this fall at the Thompson School. Some courses may have prerequisites (courses or experience). Additional courses of interest are offered at UNH in Plant Biol- ogy The fall semester runs from September 3 to December 13, 1996. You may enroll in these courses by phoning the Division of Continuing Education at 603-862-2015. Make sure you get on their catalog mailing list too. For more information on course content, the part-time associates degree program, or the diploma in landscape horticulture, call 603-862-1035. HT205 Introduction to Plant Materials, 2 cr. Lecture F 10-11, Lab M 1-3 or F 1-3 HT207 Plant Structure and Function, 3 cr. Lecture MW 10-11, Lab T 10-12 or T 2-4 HT215 Soils and Land Use, 2 cr. Lecture MWF 1 1-12, Lab Th 10-12 or Th 2-4, (First 7 weeks only) HT217 Soils and Plant Nutrition, 2 cr. Lecture MWF 1 1-12, Lab Th 10-12 or Th 2-4, (Second 7 weeks only) HT219 Computers in Horticulture, 2 cr. W 3-5 HT237 Pest Management: Weeds, 1 cr. M 1-4, (First 7 weeks only) HT239 Pes! Management: Control Applications, 1 cr. M 1-4 (Second 7 weeks only) HT254 Water Management, 2 cr. F 10-1 HT257 Woody Landscape Plants, 2 cr. W 8-1 1 HT263 Landscape Construction and Maintenance, 4 cr Lecture MW 11-12, Lab W 1-5 HT275 Floricultural Crop Production, 3 cr. TTh 8-10 AM261 internal Comfeuslion Engines: Principles and Maintenance, 3 cr. Lecture F 9-10, Lab M 8-11 FT264 Arboriculture, 3 cr M 10-1 1 , F 8-12 In Salem — in the Woods Where the Birds Sing... Twilight meetings have always been an opportunity for NHPGA members to meet on a more personal basis — to visit neighbors and tour busi- nesses one might otherwise not get to see. Numbers vary — sometimes only a half dozen people attend; sometimes, a lot more. What's im- portant is the opportunity to meet and learn. The Twilight Meeting at Lake Street Garden Center on June 18 was especially instructive be- cause the changes Frank and Mary Wolfe and their staff have dealt with — population growth, warehouse chains — are ones that will affect ev- eryone in the business eventually. And Lake Street Garden Center has dealt successfully. We thank Frank and Mary and staff for their hospitality: the tour offered plenty of insights, the food was delicious, and the ideas the visitors brought hom-e with them will definitely be useful in the future. CLASSIFIEDS We are a wholesale greenhouse look- ing for an experienced grower Inter- ested In producing both florist quality potted crops for local sales and young plants for national distribution. Our growth has made It necessary to search for someone with solid knowl- edge in technical growing. The candi- date must be able to understand lab results and make recommendations based on these. Our two acres of both poly and Dutch glass houses are state- of-the-art, along with our goal of qual- ity production. Please send resume, with references, to: Mr. Douglas S. Cole, President, D.S. Cole Growers. Inc., 251 North Village Road, Loudon, New Hampshire 03301. FREE: hundreds of old clay pots, sizes 2 1/2-, 3-, 3 1/2-, and 4-Inch. Call Woodlawn Cemetery, Nashua, 603- 594-3354, ask for Howard or Dave. AUGUST ♦ SEPTEMBER 1996 When reliable service is just as important as the quality off evergreen seedlings and transplants you order, call 00-447-4745 WE ALSO OFFER: ■ contract growing of conifers ■ singly-wrapped plug seedlings for promotional events Homes • Bams ♦ Livestock Machinery ♦ Fanner's Liability Livestock Health & Mortality Workers Compensations • Auto Insure with New Hampshire's largest independent agricultural agency. 1-800-439-2451 will put you in touch with an agricultural insurance professional WHOLESALE SUPPLffiR OF NURSERY & WETLAND STOCK TO THE TRADE. I NURSERIES, INC. HERBACEOUS & WOODY WETLAND PLANTS -ORNAMENTALS -GROUNDCOVERS -PERENNIALS -VINES DEALER FOR BON TERRA WETLAND FABRICS CONTRACT GROWING AVAILABLE 24 BUZZELL RD, BIDDEFORD, MAINE 04005 (207) 499-2994 (207)282-7235 FAX: (207) 499-2912 CALL FOR A QUOTATION OR A COPY OF OUR CATALOG. -WE DELIVER- Northem Grown Trees Evergreens Shrubs Mon-Sat 7:00 - 5:30 Sun: 9:00 - 5:00 O'DONAL'S NURSERIES Loated at juncnon of routes 22 61 114 Gorham, Maine 04038 Phone (207) 839-4262 or 839-6364 Fax 207-839-2290 We specialize in growing specimen plant materials. THE PLANTSMAN -»!- -^ NEW HAMPSHIRE NEWS Fisher Selected The position of Dr. Owen Rogers, who recently retired from the De- partment of Plant Biology, has been filled. The new person is Dr. Paul R. Fisher, currently a post-doctorate re- searcher at the Department of Envi- ronmental Horticulture at the Uni- versity of California, Davis. Originally from New Zealand, his undergraduate and masters degrees were received there. He received his Ph.D. from MSU in 1995; his dis- sertation was on "Prediction and Control of Stem Elongation and Flowering in Poinsettia and Easter Lily;" Royal D. Heins was his advisor. Research activities noted on his resume included developing Green- house CARE System, "a computer extension tool that is the world's first commercially available simula- tion model and expert system for the ornamental greenhouse indus- try." He's presently working on crop modeling of ornamental potted plants — modeling the carbon budget of a rose plant stand and predicting harvest of lily populations. Research interests include: "ap- plied research on ornamental crop species, biological modeling, devel- opment of decision-making tools, and sustainability." Industry-oriented and seeing New Hampshire as a good place to raise a family, he began his work here in mid-August and is expected to make his presence felt throughout the Green Industry. Mautz Chosen (from Campus ]ournal, May 22, 1996) William Mautz, professor of wildlife ecology, is the new dean of the Col- lege of Life Sciences and Agricul- ture Mautz earned his bachelor's degree in biology at the University of Wisconsin and doctoral degrees in wildlife ecology and management at Michigan State University. He came to UNH in 1969 as an assistant professor of wildlife ecology and was responsible for establishing the Brentwood Wildlife Research Facil- ity, a state-of-the-art complex for studying wildlife energetics. He's served as interim dean since 1994 and in this role, has, among other things, continued the major planning effort begun by former dean Tom Fairchild and helped the UNH Foun- dation with fund-raising activities that have resulted in a $3.5 million endowment to benefit several pro- grams in the college. While interim dean, Mautz has at- tended several NHPGA functions and this promises an realistic under- standing of the Green Industry and its relationship to the college. A Major Restructuring Last winter, an outside review team looked at ornamental horticulture programs within the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture (COLSA). Programs in research, teaching, and extension were looked at. As a re- sult of the team's recommendations, the following changes have been made to more effectively identify, develop, and deliver Extension edu- cational programs to the Green In- dustry. The industry has been di- vided into four segments — turf, greenhouse, nursery/landscaping, and garden center. For each seg- ment, there will be a program coor- dinator responsible for working with an advisory group to identify and develop needed programs. These programs will utilize appropriate UNHCE staff as well as resources from outside New Hampshire. The following staff members have agreed to assume some additional respon- sibility for this new direction: NANCY ADAMS: Greenhouse (includ- ing outdoor cut flowers) RALPH WINSLOW: Nursery/Land- scaping (including perennials) DAVID SEAVEY: Garden Centers CHERYL SMITH: Contact with the Plant Biology Department and Campus Specialists |ohn Roberts will continue to pro- vide leadership for the turf industry, especially in the areas of municipal and recreational turf. Charlie Will- iams will devote more time to ap- plied research, demonstration sites, horticultural therapy, and informa- tion for consumer horticulture. The entire Ornamental Horticulture Team, which consists of all staff that is involved with the Green Industry, will meet on a periodic basis to look at the industry as a whole and insure coordination between the various segments. For more information, contact Bruce Marriott at 603-862-2033. Locating the Analytical Services Lab Stuart Blancfiard After over two decades in Nesmith Hall, the Analytical Services Lab has moved to the newly renovated Spaulding Life Science Center, Rooms G-54/55. Although our new facilities are much improved over those in Nesmith, Spaulding is less accessible to visitors, partly because it is located nearer the center of campus. We hope to eventually AUGUST ♦SEPTEMBER 1996 '^- -^ NEW HAMPSHIRE NEWS have two visitor parking spaces near an entrance, but right now, there is essentially no parking close-by. We strongly urge all homeowners (except local residents who are fa- miliar with the campus) to use our business envelopes when submitting samples These are supplied with all Homeowner Soil-Testing forms Cost for using these envelopes is an additional $2.00 for the first sample and $1.00 for the second in the same envelope. For commercial firms with mul- tiple samples, services such as UPS, Federal Express, etc., may provide the most cost-effective way of sub- mitting samples. For those delivering samples in person, after entering Durham, pro- ceed to Main Street. Follow Main Street to the only traffic light in town (across from the new Whit- temore Center), and turn onto Col- lege Road. Follow College Road (which be- comes McDaniel Drive after Rudman Hall). Turn left onto Mitchell Way, then left again onto the "old" Col- lege Road (mostly reserved for pe- destrians), where metered parking is along its edge. Enter through the end of Spaulding, go down one flight of stairs, and proceed to G-54 at the end of the hallway. (The lab is in G-55. Submit samples in G-54, but if you need assistance, feel free to ask anyone in the lab ) Or, if you continue along "old" College Road, you will reach Spauld- ing's loading dock area, where there may be space for parking. Do not block fire lanes, dumpsters, etc. Again, enter through the end of Spaulding and down one flight of stairs, etc. You may also park at the UNH Visitors' Center (across from the Re- search Greenhouses), where you can request a map of the campus and information on parking and shuttle services. The Visitors' Center has visitor-designated parking, but it's a ten-minute walk to Spaulding. Stuart Blanchard is head of the Analytical Services Lab, Spaulding Life Sciences Center, Room G-54, 38 College Road, Durham. NH 03824-3544; the phone number there is still 603-862-3210. Other New Addresses Most Extension specialists have moved to Spaulding. Directions to the building remain, of course, the same for whomever you wish to see. J.D. Power and Associates ranks International Best conventional medium duty truck in customer satisfaction. wmm -^ ^ INnRNATIONAL Bum FOR YtouR Business. LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL TRUCKS, INC. 1400 South Willow Street, Manchester, NH 03103 (603) 623-8873 N E WATS : 1 -800-562-38 1 4 Fax #1-603-641-9486 .*?ii QUAIITT New England's Leading Full Line Seed House • Packet Seeds • Lawn Seed • Fertilizer • Grounds Maintenance Chemicals 1 (800) 326-HART FAST, COURTEOUS SERVICE The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. P.O. BOX 9169 WETHERSFIELD, CT 06129-0169 1 (800) 326-HART n *'Our goal, quality Our strength, our employees" FOR A GREENHOUSE VEflNULV VJFFERENT CONTACT: ELLIS B,SPRAGUE ORONO, HAJNE a TEL 207-866-7919 FAX: 207-866-4747 HPROOIS WINDING BROOK TURF FARM, '^'^ 240CrijwoUIU WelkenfieU.CT06JO9 KTIH KeuubuKk. ME 04043 . QUALITY BLVEGRA5S • BLUECRASS • FESCUE BLENDS . LOW MAINTENANCE BLENDS • PENNCROSS BENTCRASS li,CT203-529-6869 Disuibittor For: i^A Outside CT J-eOO-243-0232 • (In,Pavcrf Mb) •'IDEAL AUGUST ^SEPTEMBER 1996 The Moie You Grow, Ihe Mom You Know. (fi'^^ortheast Nursery^ Inc, We've been in this business a long lime. We know our customer's needs and demands. It dosen'i make a difference of the , ..^ time of year or the size of the project, Northeast Nursery covers it t ^3 all. With the widest selection in wholesale plant materials and ^^^ landscape supplies in all of New England it's no wonder many consider Northeast Nursery the best One- Slop shopping for all your landscape and green supplies. S Supplying Fine Plant Material ^SEPTEMBER 1996 15 '^- -^ Internet search tools, you can find almost any subject you are seeking. Type in a keyword at one of these web sites and the result of the search is a list of sites offering infor- mation about the desired topic. "Click" on one of the re- sultant sites from your search request and you are trans- ported to that site and presented with the information found there. Once you become familiar with these new "telephone numbers," you will find navigating the Internet is not as daunting as some suggest. Over time, you will build a frequently visited "address book" of sites that you want to keep up with. Most Internet browsers allow you to build this address book by placing a "bookmark" on sites of interest. These bookmarks can then quickly be visited in the future without having to seek them out us- ing a search tool or having to write them down on a piece of paper. Offering Your Contents to Others As a user of the Internet, you get to see other organiza- tions' "content" or information. What about putting your company, products or services on-line and allowing oth- ers to communicate with or order from you? If you're willing to make the investment, you can get a high- speed connection to the Internet (which must be con- nected 24 hours a day, seven days a week), dedicate a computer and a person to develop and communicate your pages of information, and "hang out your shingle" for other to see. For many, this cost is too high and they elect to join another site, such as the Horticultural Web, which amortizes these costs over many clients. By solic- iting the help of a company whose business is develop- ing and deploying content on the Internet, you are tap- ping into the organization's technology and marketing expertise. For a one-time development cost and a monthly hosting (or maintenance) fee, you can offer your content for others to see. It can cost as little as $400/year to have a one-page, four-color advertisement at one of these sites which provides information to users 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At The Horticultural Web, this charge also provides inclusion in marketing and promo- tional programs, free advertising of your site in industry trade journals, and inclusion at industry trade shows. Natu- rally , the more advances and sophisticated the site con- tents (i.e. multiple pages, databases, on-line ordering, etc.) the more cost involved, in some cases reaching tens of thousands of dollars When compared to traditional print advertising or catalog creation, Internet promotion is much less expensive, yet more far-reaching in its ability to attract clients and allow them to communicate and respond in real time Using the Internet in Practice Once the novelty of the Internet's vast hordes of infor- mation wears off, most users come to appreciate this tool as a far-reaching and expansive resource — whether for busi- ness, fun, learning, or communicating. Generally, this evolu- tion resolves itself to two uses of the Internet WWW. • For fun or education, most "surf the net" at will, gen- erally without structure, exploring the deep and rich crevices of information available, allowing their thoughts to take them where they will. The same is generally true for learning, although a more refined search is useful if a specific topic is required. • In business, where efficiency and productivity are time-constraining, most users seek out a handful of sites which offer accurate and up-to-date information about their particular needs. In horticulture, these few sites might include a general site for horticulture, such as The Horticultural Web, your local supplies dealer such as E.C Geiger, Penn State Seed, or McCalif Grower Supplies, a horticultural magazine, such as Greenfiouse Business or CrowerJalks, your local Cooperative Extension, and uni- versity and USDA/EPA representative sites. To this you might add secondary sites, such as for financial update (PC Quote or Wa/I Street journal), general news and infor- mation— local, regional, or national (such as The Boston Globe or USA Today), and the weather (National Weather Service). Embodied in "fun," but sharing scope with business use of the Internet are commercial transactions. These are growing at a quick pace. Goods and services ranging from theater tickets to LL Bean merchandise, Hillcrest Nurseries herb cell packs. The Exotic Seed Company's unique seeds. The McCormick Report from Greenhouse Business, Fulex Insecticidal Smokes, and hundreds of other horticultural products can be purchased on the Internet. Future financial transactions on the Internet for personal as well as business purposes are estimated by some as 60% of all commerce by the year 2000! By whittling down the number of sites you visit for business purposes, you can most efficiently find the re- sources or information you require and get back with the needs of the day — growing, shipping, satisfying cus- tomers, and making a profit. This is not to suggest that you should limit the number of Internet sites used in your business. But use your "free" time to explore and learn about other and new business sites and, if appro- priate, add a new site to your business list or replace an existing one with a better one, in order to keep these sites to a minimum and your use of the Internet as a business resource a productivity enhancer, not a time-waster If the few sites you have chosen are dedi- cated to providing you timely, accurate, and updated in- formation, you will be well rewarded by leaning on them to "surf the net" for you, saving you the time of keeping up with the enormous and ever-increasing amount of in- formation available. David Brock is business manager of "Web Develpers, Inc., 22b 'Washington Street, Wofcurn, (VIA 01801 He can be reached at 1 -800-WWW-6WEB or at http://www.horticulture.combrock@horticulture.cont 16 THE PLANTSMAN '^- -^ MEMBER PROFILE French Farm Greenhouses & Garden Shop A TEMPLATE FOR "COUNTRY" "FRENCH POND," French Road," "French Pond Road" — the place names suggest that the family's been around awhile. The first French came here around 1868, right after the Civil War. Currently, Dur- wood and Barbara French live in the house at French Farm Greenhouses; IVlichael (Durwood's son) and Zoe French live in the original farmhouse at the beginning of the road. The presence of the family seems a constant, but the land itself has seen dramatic changes in use. Levi, Durwood's grandfather, planted the first commercial apple orchard in the state, producing 10,000 bushels a year before leaving the business with the decision not to put in a cold storage; Durwood raised chick- ens in the early fifties — the sudden preference for broilers — not fowl — ended that; he worked for the state as the first director of the division of pesticide control; then returned to dairy, but because of the eco- nomics of the milk market, he de- cided to sell the herd — just before the government buyout of small op- erations. The farm's current meta- morphoses is as a retail greenhouse and farm stand. These uses- — though varied — have all been agricultural and the rural feeling remains French Road is still dirt; the field abutting the green- houses opens onto other fields and a view of the hills in Weare. "We're out in the country and we want to preserve that feeling," Zoe says; "we pride ourselves on not paving the driveway and in having no cement or crushed stone in the green- houses." The first greenhouse — a home- made 20'x40' double-poly with fiber- glass ends — was put up 20 years ago. At least three additions have extended its length to sixty feet and put a 25'x50' addition known as "The Fuchsia House" (fuchsias are a specialty) onto and perpendicular to the end. Ten years later, a second house was built beside it. This is solar — I7'x30', with a vertical north wall, heavily insulated, and a broad, gen- tly sloping south-facing fiberglass roof In 1990, a 28x80' Ed Person hoop house was put up; the follow- ing year another, slightly smaller, Person house was added. In 1993, Zoe joined the business ((previously, she'd worked eight years as director of retail sales for the New Hampshire Audubon Soci- ety). The next year, Michael joined as well and it became important to expand to a size that could support two families. In April, 1994, a 28'xIOO' New Englander (a state-of- the-art house with biotherm bench heat) was put up; in April, 1995, a secondhand 30'xl00' inflation buster was added and later last year, two 14'x60' tunnels to be used for grow- ing tomatoes were put up as well. The only change now contem- plated is to tear down the original greenhouse/Fuchsia House and re- place it with two tunnel houses. This will be done for efficiency, not increased space, and will probably be done this fall. THE SEASON BEGINS in February when seed geraniums are started in a home-made germinator (3x12', 7- high; shelves, bottom heat, light on timers) in the barn; then plugs are begun in the solar house and more seed ("we buy in mostly plugs; some of the unusual things we can't find in plugs we start ourselves") on the heated benches of the New En- glander. Sometimes customer demand af- fects choice of plant material — white marigolds ("marigolds should be yellow") were not grown until this year — they sold out and will be grown again. But basically, "we grow what we like." They produce over 1000 hangers — all in 10" swirls — fuchsia, ivies, some Proven Win- ners— "nothing finicky- — we choose plants customers will have good luck with They do well because we make good choices." One house is kept cool for the Martha Washingtons (grown for the first time this year), pansies, ivies, vinca...by mid-April, most of the houses are full. "We're very low-tech, but this AUGUST ♦SEPTEMBER 1996 17 •^- MEMBER PROFILE -I*. makes us very labor intensive." All transplanting (606s, 4 1/2" pots, some 3 l/2s — green whenever pos- sible— aesthetics are important) is done by hand; a bench, pots, and bags of Promix are moved to each house All watering is done by hand ("we are looking into some automa- tion, but we're not sure what yet"); feed is applied with a dosatron They do buy in some perennials and nursery stock, but "all the annu- als are our own " The houses are only twelve feet apart ("just wide enough to get a tractor with a bucket loader in for snow removal") and the tightly spaced range frames two sides of the central selling area. Material brought from the houses is set out on weed control mat. Under an old Macintosh apple and a Black Tartatian cherry — "which is in full bloom — and just beautiful — around Mother's Day," is a table with a cashbox and a couple of chairs. There are no little wagons, but a pile of trays people can use to carry their purchases. There's signage — right now it's name and price in magic marker, but signage "saves a lot of time spent in answering questions" and next year it may be commercially made, with basic cultural informa- tion and a color photo of the plant in flower. Durwood and Barbara are enthu- siastic gardeners and their own gar- den is right across the driveway. Personal and obviously not a show garden — the feeling is "country," of an overgrown cottage garden, with lots of roses and iris and a long bank of delphiniums about to come into bloom. An unintended result is in sales: "people buy what they see blooming — they know they can grow it here." There's very little spraying — Durwood dusts the seed with Cap- tan before sowing and Subdue is in- corporated into the soil mix. There may be some Captan applications (for botrytis) — but unheated green- houses in winter are an excellent in- sect and disease control. IN MID-SUMMER, the farm stand opens. A wooden frame painted red and covered with a canvas roof, it's built onto a trailer that's hitched onto the back of their truck and driven each day to the Country Spirit Plaza in downtown Henniker. "We sell what we grow — we don't buy in" and emphasis moves to their three acres of vegetable pro- duction. The land is a ridgeline of clay/ sand/gravel. Every spring, they pick up rocks, then spread cow manure and broadcast 23-12-18. Crops ("everything but peas") in- clude three varieties of potatoes, several of lettuce (the number is ex- panding) and peppers, herbs, Indian corn — and lots of sweet corn. They grow "outstanding" cantaloupe and watermelon — "People don't believe they're grown here. We start the plants in the greenhouses and trans- plant them around Memorial Day." (This year, the corn was started in the greenhouses as well.) Everything's grown on plastic; 8- 16-16 is applied to the row and transplants are given a start of wa- ter. The land holds moisture well and there seems to be no need for irrigation; insect control consists of "a lot of hand-picking of squash and potato beetles." Ultrasweet tomatoes ("we tried five varieties — we all agreed these were the best") grown in hoop houses are ready in mid-|uly. Through mid-September, veg- etables are harvested every morn- ing, cleaned with a hose on an out- side table ("we are very particular"), and packed onto the farm stand by 8:30. They set up in the plaza park- ing lot and are open at nine. They stay open until six five days a week; on Saturdays, they close at one Barbara and Zoe take turns at the stand (the other is selling plants at the farm). If the stand runs out of an item, the person there calls the farm; whoever's there picks, cleans, and gets it down to the plaza. They sell to restaurants as well and deliv- eries are made in the afternoons... it's a busy time. Unsold produce is stored over- night in a bank of refrigerators in the barn, but, as Zoe says, "we are very particular." In the fall, they sell mums at the stand — along with squash, pump- kins, corn. ..when the corn runs out, the season ends and Durwood and Barbara go to Florida until February; Zoe and Michael stay to sell hay (they mow 50 acres), maintain the animals (some "all-natural" chickens raised for meat and Scottish High- land beef cattle — "very thrifty: they grow well on just grass"), and keep ! the snow off the empty houses. Un- \ sold perennials — and mouse bait boxes — are laid between two layers of weed control mat; snow is < counted on for insulation. EXPANSION IS CAUTIOUS— without debt and without violating a firmly- held aesthetic of "country." They ac- ,i quire "old stuff" — used furnaces, for ') example: each house has two — a main furnace and a backup — most are second-hand, any needed re- pairs being done by Durwood and Michael. Not everything's second- hand— there are backup propane units and, most recently, a new gen- erator ("five or six years ago, power was off for five days — we're at the end of the road and the last to be fixed") An extreme example of "old stuff" is the shop. A new neighbor reno- vating an old house decided to re- move a three-season porch. The structure was jacked onto a flatbed truck and brought to its present lo- cation. This year, it's in place; next year, it'll have electricity. Both Zoe and Barbara have expe- ls THE PLANTSMAN ■^- MEMBER PROFILE -i^ rience in retail marketing and the shop is their project. Again — very sure of their taste |"if we wouldn't want it in our own gardens, we don't buy it"), they specialize in contain- ers and garden ornaments. High-end and out-of-the-ordinary, much of it imported; stone and terra cotta seem to dominate. Since Zoe's been working here, marketing efforts have increased. A logo's been chosen (from a book of copyright-free art); official directional signs are on the main roads and "greenhouse" signs at several crucial turns. French Farm now advertises in seven local publications ("for an op- eration of our size, this is a lot") and plans to increase the number But the real marketing is done on a customer-by-customer basis. "We work hard to keep them through education and personal contact — we know many by name and many more by face — there's always a friendly greeting." And customers — no longer just local — are loyal. "They return year after year — they just like it here." What attracts them? The quiet, the view, the lack of obvious technology, the field of vegetables coming right up to the lawn, and the range of ma- terial that seems to be growing every- where naturally; the sense of continu- ity— the feeling that the farm has been around awhile — these aspects reflect current perceptions of what en- tails "country" in New Hampshire. People want this for themselves and French's supplies both a template and some of the material. And the peacocks — if the vista to- ward Weare dominates the left, pea- cocks penned in a weathered stor- age shed dominate the right. Amaz- ingly, peacocks have been a part of the place for a long time — a pair were given to Durwood and Barbara on their fifth wedding anniversary. The birds mated and prospered and currently there are nine. ("They're simple to care for — they eat game bird crumbles and water and, in winter, live in the barn.") Perhaps the peacocks say some- thing about the romantic side — the conscious choice to live a "rural" lifestyle, the emphasis on aesthet- ics— of what's basically a pragmatic, labor-intensive business. But a bal- ance between these opposing as- pects— "romantic" and "pragmatic" — seems to have been found and the result is neither sentimental nor contrived. In fact, it's very refresh- ing. (B.P.) French Farm Creenkouses & Garden Shop is at 27 French Road [follow the signs from Rtes. 202 & 9) in Henniker, NH 03242. The phone number there is 603-428-3383. PRUNERS LADDERS SPRAYERS FORKLIFTS PUMPS OBCH^ ROUTE 116, P.O. BOX 540 CONWAY, MA 01341 413-369-4335 For Friendly, Courteous, Efficient, Technical Service CALL US AT 1-800-634-5557 FOR INFORMATION AND CATALOGS HOSE ■ TANKS ■ REELS ■ MOWERS ■ SAFETY EQUIPMENT SPECIALIZING IN Heatli. . .Heather. . .Bearbeny. Herbs... Seashore Plants... also, afuR line of quality nursery stock 1028 Horseneck Boad Westport, BIA 02790 608-636-6615 na AUGUST ^SEPTEMBER 1996 19 ■^- -i%- THE GREEN SPOT J^ Delicate Destroyers Way, way up, out of our line of sight, in some tree somewhere, an aphid colony is forming. Through the efforts of its key family members, the colony is growing fast — exponentially. Soon — in no time at all, the tree will be covered with aphids, some of which will have wings. "All the better to fly to the next tree with, my dear," said the big, bad, winged aphid. Also amongst the aphids will be an assortment of their natural enemies: ladybugs, lacewings, parasitic wasps, predatory flies and midges. Many of these are commercially available. However, it is the predatory midges which seem to work the hardest for the concerned arborist. A New Hampshire nurseryman reported tremendous suc- cess using the commercially-produced aphid-predatory midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza last year on a wide variety of his nursery stock. An apple grower from Washington regaled with the story of her success combatting the problem of aphids in her orchard. A large Texas-based bedding plant/ornamentals produc- tion facility wiped out aphids in the pecan trees in front of its administrative offices in as little as three weeks. The midges are supplied in a moistened vermiculite me- dium as soon-to-hatch puparia (the third major stage of metamorphosis). Upon completing the pupal stage, the frag- ile-looking, mosquito-like adults are released under the tree to be treated. The adults, being the very accomplished and nomadic searchers that they are, fly up into the limbs to seek gatherings of aphids. Once they find them, the midges don't eat the aphids — nor do they discuss the weather. They do, however, lay eggs. The eggs hatch and the larvae (the second major stage of metamorphosis) simply go to town. "Bite an aphid in the (knee) leg; inject a paralyzing toxin; eat the doomed aphid or leave it to die while going on to the next one — that's all we ever do," complains the small, dull orange, worm-like larva. It's true. That's all they do. And they do it well. Assuming no sprays have been used yet, give the native midges a hand by allowing the Aphidoletes aphidimyza to roam free. ..in your tree. The Green Spot, Ltd., Department of Bio-\ngenuity: 603-942-8925. Christmas Tree Association Wreaths • Trees • Boughs • Cones ^ Over 250 Members 4 Over 200 Growers 4- Christmas Trees 4 Christmas Wreaths 4 40 Years of Service For a FREE Brochure of wholesale producers and vendors, contact: Pam Dwyer, Executive Secretar\j RR#1, Box 470 Wolcott, VT 05680 802-888-7255 800-873-3845 WSi 20 THE PLANTSMAN The Controversy Surrounding Purple Loosestrife John Weaver M Witc ■^L beaut urple loosestrife, or Lythrum salicaria, (Figurel) has two things in common with the Wicked Witch in Snow White: it is very beautiful (the witch's beauty was second only to that of Snow White) and it Is very wicked (the Wicked Witch was — well, a wicked witch and didn't have much choice). Opinions on purple loos- estrife vary: some view it as a harmful non-indigenous spe- cies; to others, it is a beautiful perennial plant. My opinion is that, like the Wicked Witch, purple loosestrife is very ma- ligned and only acting in character. In Europe and Asia, it is a respected citizen of its environment. Only in North America, without its natural en- emies, is it a problem. Opinions as to the effects that purple loosestrife has on the environment also vary. A large group of wildlife biologists presently contend that it has an obvious detrimental effect and present the following scenario: purple loosestrife invades natural wetlands and displaces many native plants, such as cattail and sedges. This, in turn, causes an exodus of the herbivores (muskrats and other animals) who eat these plants. Purple loos- estrife has very little nutritious value to most species of wildlife. Many species of birds, in- cluding marsh wrens, least bitterns, ducks, and geese, join the exodus as well. The dis- placement of waterfowl, especially, has raised the concerns of the Department of Interior's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) also recently decided to recognize purple loos- estrife as an agricultural pest on the bases of its presence in a few agricultural crop situa- tions. However, not all scientists share this opin- ion. A small group of ecologists, led by Mark G. Anderson, a former graduate student at the University of New Hampshire, argue that the wildlife biologists' scenario may be blown out of pro- portion or is at least lacking strong supportive data. Many people enjoy purple loosestrife just for its beauty. In fact, the first plants noted in New Hampshire (Conway, August 1875) probably originated from cultivation. Commercial bee- FlGURE I. Purple loosestrife (after Bailey, 1916) keepers like the plant as well and benefit from it by plac- ing their hives in fields of purple loosestrife in late sum- mer. Most of their preferred hive sites in July and August are near loosestrife because, before goldenrod and asters bloom, many other honey-productive summer flowers have faded. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) began an aggressive program to control purple loosestrife, especially in the Midwest, about 20 years ago. Their early control methods included the physical removal of plants, mowing and regu- lating water levels in marshes, and the appli- cation of herbicides registered for use in wet- lands. All of these control methods were very labor-intensive and expensive and, in most situations, did not provided a very successful or long-term solution to the problem. About ten years ago, some states passed legislation officially recognizing purple loos- estrife as a noxious weed, thus restricting its sale and distribution. However, the new law for many of the states became a "regulatory nightmare," because it applied only to Lythrum salicaria, which could not be distin- guished from L. virgatum or the many cultivars of Lythrum (most of which have resulted from various crosses between these two species). Thus, no one could effectively enforce the ban on loosestrife. Many states consequently broadened their regulations to include all cul- tivars and non-native species of Lythrum so that their previous restrictions on purple loos- estrife could be enforced. (Winged lythrum, or Lythrum alatum, is our only native species of Lythrum.) Commercial growers and nurserymen pro- tested, claiming that several of their cultivars were sterile, and that the broad ban on loos- estrife was unjustified and would hurt their business. The experiences of some gardeners seemed to justify their reaction: "Despite the profuse blooms on my jDropmore Purple], I have never seen any seedlings develop around them." But other gardeners had different stories: "A few years ago, 1 purchased several varieties of [loosestrife] . AUGUST ■*■ SEPTEMBER 1996 PmducehealMerlaum, gafdem^tyeesavid^rubs wikMGnJ''cmposL I Increase nutrient and water retention. I Provide natural fertilization /or Umg term growth. I Increase organic matter to reduce compaction and erosion. I Provide slow release of nitrogen and trace minerals. I Prevent turf diseases from forming. I Improve soil aeration and consistant root development I Be assured that it is a weed free product. I Save money over using topsails, peatmoss and manures. Bulk delivery throughout the Northeast. For price and information on AlKJro"' products, please contact: <^ > '/quality; > SELECTION : ■',& SERVICE" ^ This Is What We Grow At Millican Nurseries. Gro .The Compost Company AllGro Inc., liberty Lane, Hampton, NH 03842 800.662.2440 BARK MULCH DIVISION P. O. Box 527. Route 122 Poland Spring, Maine 04274 NURSERY DIVISION: P. O. Box 56, Route 10 East Lempster, N.H. 03605 WHOLESALE SUPPLIERS Jolly Farmer PRODUCTS WHOLESALE GROWERS Bark Mulch - Hemlock . Mix & Cedar... by the Tractor-Trailer load. Bagged Mulch - Our own bark muteh now available In 2 and 3 cu.tt. bags. ..Hemlock, Pine-Spruce, Cedar, Spruce-Hemlock & Dark Bark Also.. .Pine Bark Nuggets & Mini Nuggets. Bagged Soils & Manures - Top Soii, Potting Soil, Peat Humus, Peat Moss, Composted & Dehydrated Cow Manures. Cut & Split Firewood Telephone: 1-800-879-2275 1-207-998-5580 FAX: 1-207-998-2006 Annual Plugs Rooted Cuttings Geraniums Bedding Plants Potted Annuals Hanging Baskets Fail Mums Cyclamen. ..Liners, Finished Poinsettias...Cuttings, Finished Telephone: FAX: "Integrity, quality and reliable service since 1967" 1-800-695-8300 1-603-863-3370 1-603-863-7814 THE PLANTSMAN '^- -iM. Figure 2. Trimorphic flowers of purple loosestrife only one kind of flower on an individual plant, each with one pistil, and two whorls of stamens, being either long, medium, or short, seed-set is higher when the pistil receives pollen from stamens of similar length, as shown by arrows (after Heywood, V. H. ed., 1993, Flowering Plants of the World). ... All were guaranteed to be sterile ... I closed my home in October while they were still in bloom. Imagine my surprise the next spring when, upon re- turning to the house, I found hundreds of volun- teer seedlings in every bar- rel, planter, and surround- ing garden." It would ap- pear that loosestrife follows no rules. However, there is an ex- planation to these seem- ingly contradictory observa- tions, and it is found in the plant's specialized method of reproduction. Purple loosestrife (Figure 2) has three types of flowers, with only one type per individual plant. These trimorphic flowers each differ by having the pistil varying in length (heterostyly), being either short (3-5 mm), medium (7-8 mm), or long (9-12 mm). Each type of flower also has two different whorls of stamens that also vary in length, but are never the same length as the pistil or each other. These can be observed easily without magnification. Seed-set is highly favored when a pistil receives pollen from stamens of similar length (these kinds of crosses are called "legitimate"!; if pollination occurs in a different man- ner ("illegitimate crosses"), seed-set is extremely sup- pressed. Therefore, the pollination strategy of L. salicaria strongly favors outcrossing among individual plants having different flowers, and this reproductive barrier is called self- incompatibility, or SI. This interesting facet of nature was first recognized by the Dutch botanist, Clusius, in the 1500s and later became the fascination of a certain English biologist named Darwin. The natural selective advantage of having three flower mor- phs, as opposed to only two, is that all individuals will have two-thirds of the population available for successful outcrossing, instead of only half, thus increasing the odds of each flower bearing a maxi- mum seed-set. Perhaps the difference between two-thirds and half of the population may not seem like a lot, until you consider that an indi- vidual plant can have as many as 3,000 flowers. It is now clear how some people may have had differ- ent experiences with "sterile" varieties of Lytkrum. However, you still would be justified in asking if it isn't possible that some of the available culti- vars of Lythrum might actually be safe and sterile. To ad- dress this question, Drs. Neil O. Anderson and Peter D. Ascher, Department of Horticultural Science, University of Minnesota, have conducted thorough investigations on the fertility of purple loosestrife and several of the cultivars of Lytkrum. I contacted Dr. Anderson and he was very glad to share his results, as well as explain the misuse of the term "sterile:" The confusion regarding whether or not these culti- vars are "sterile" arises from a misunderstanding of terminology. All Lylhrum species and cultivars possess self-incompatibility (Sl| An old term for SI is "self-ste- rility" Unfortunately, when this latter term is used, it is easily confused with true genetic sterility We now have enough evidence to say that no purple loos- estrife cultivar is sterile Most cultivars are SI, but they produce large quantities of seed when used as either male or female parents in crosses. In several cases, the cultivars are as fertile as the L salicaria populations Some growers still might protest that it is absurd to con- sider a few garden specimens of purple loosestrife a threat to the environment. However, they should consider that ev- ery plant has the potential of producing 1.5 million seeds Distributor of: Tree o Saver supplying Nursery stock for Landscape contractors & Garden centers from many excellent growers Call us to Discuss Your Needs P.O. Box 64 Mdndoe Falls, VT 05050 Tree Staking System Finally, a staking system that solves all your staking problems. Safe Reliable Safe for Tree Quick to Install Cost-effective Tel. 800-639-1722 FAX 802-633-2349 AUGUST ♦ SEPTEMBER 1996 23 ^ ■ annually that are easily dispersed and remain viable for at least five years. Bees and wasps are effective pollinators of loosestrife and provide the means for legitimate crossing, perhaps even for isolated plantings. A few plants can quickly become a large infestation that is virtually impos- sible to eradicate and a one-acre field of loosestrife can produce 24 billion seeds per year Researchers are still looking for ways to restore balance to our marshlands. For the past five years, Dr. Richard Malecki, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and participants in DNR have been investigating biological control methods. The Biological Control Program of USDA has joined the fight against loosestrife as well this year. Six herbivorous insects from Europe have shown potential as effective biocontrol agents of purple loosestrife: two leaf-feeding beetles, one root-feeding weevil, and three flower-feeding insects. Some of these insects have been released in infested areas in North America, and others are now being reared in lab insectaries for future releases. Purple loosestrife is rather formidable, and it may take the combined efforts of all of these insects to displace loosestrife from areas where it has become a dominate plant. Last year, some of these beetles were released in New Hampshire for the first time. All witches are not bad witches. All loosestrife is not bad loosestrife. We are hopeful that biological controls will bring a happy ending. ]ohn 'Weaver is Survey Entomologist in the Plant Biology Department at the University of New Hampshire in Durham. His phone number there is 603-862-1737. -i^ PIONEER POINTERS Time to Play Catch Up! August is here. For some growers, your season is behind you and for some, the final months of your season are just ahead, with mum and poinsettia sales around the corner. Now is the time to begin as- sessing/estimating your year-end financial results. So if you are a little behind on your book-keeping, now is the time to play catch-up. It's important to do this exercise so you know about where you stand. Good records are essential to your business. They do not have to be fancy — they can be kept manually, through a mail-in service, or inputted in an accounting soft- ware on your business computer, in order to do year- end tax planning, consider capital purchases/improve- ments, thoroughly analyze operations (i.e. labor and gross sales), or submit a loan proposal for bank fi- nancing, current and accurate records are needed for you to make well-informed management decisions. (S.W.) First Pioneer Farm Credit has an experienced staff willing to assist you in the area of recording-keeping . For information, call the Bedford Office at 1-800-825-3252. RED HEMLOCK DOESN'T GET MULCH BETTER THAN THIS Morse Bros, is offering very special pricing on our guaranteed Hemlock Bark Mulch from Maine per yord I per yord Prize Hemlock Deluxe Hemlock Burgundy Hemlock Call for Details All prices FOB Windham. Effective Date: 5/23 1-800-866-4991 MORSE BROS. 32 Gombo Rd., Windham, ME 04062 (Tel) 207-892- UOO (Fax) 207-892-3400 24 THE PLANTSMAN Insurance ProtHems? No PrOblGm' wun a janenoon Greenhouse Your Insurance Comes Built-in Jaderloon's Gutter Connect Greenhouses have the leading structural & polyethylene gutter design in the industry All aluminum extruded gutter provloes practically unlimited life compared to galvanized gutters Unique structural design of the gutter gives I-beam type support for extra strength Deadmen bracing provide extra wind & snow load Kwic-Klip'^'' polyethylene film fastening system is extruded as an integral part into gutters providing watertight seal and efficient installation of poly coverings Jaderloon's Quonset Greenhouses • Quonsets have a truss with every bow, providing superior strength over other types of greenhouse structures. • Unique system of cross connectors maintains 100% of structured integri- ty. Most other greenhouse companies bolt their purlins to the bows resulting in a 25% loss of strength where the connection occurs • Free-standing greenhouses include 2x4 endwall brackets, a tremendously helpful feature in framing out your endwalls Qalliecl QualllyGreenlifluses&EquipniEnl Contact Your Northeast Product Specialist: BobRimol 1-800-258-7171 '1-603-425-6563 NORTHERN NURSERIES WHOLESALE HORTICULTURAL DISTRIBUTION CENTERS U.S. Route 5, White River Junction, VT 05001 16 Pinkham Road West, Banington, NH 03825 SERVING THE PROFESSIONAL WITH ABOVE GROUND PLANT MATERIAL Distributon in the following lines: • Lofts Seeds , Biidunder Sprayers • DeWitt Weed Barrier . Lebanon Turf FcrtilizeR • Corona Hand Tools • Mulch & Grow Hydrosccding Fiber • Earthway Spreaders • Nursery 8c Landscape Supines Contact: Jim Babb, Mgr., White River Junction, VT, (802) 295-2117 Bob AvercU, Mgr., Barrington, NH, (603) 868-7172 GOOD SER VICE - DEPENDABLE QUAUTr . CONVENIENT LOCATION AUGUST ■¥ SEPTEMBER 1996 25 ■^- -i^ DIAGNOSTIC LAB □ I guess the saying about change- able New England weather is holding true for this season. The con- ditions have certainly been wetter than last summer (at least as of |uly 5), and the number of samples re- ceived during May-|une is indicative of the environmental conditions favor- able for disease development. The cool temperatures and high moisture levels during June were favorable for the development of botrytis blight, leaf spots, anthracnose diseases, needle-cast infections, root rots, and bacterial blights. Problems related to drought stress are still common on nearly all woody ornamentals (tip die- back, small leaf and needle size, and sudden wilting during high tempera- ture periods). Hemlocks and white pines are showing significant needle yellowing and browning as well as needle loss. Fungal tip blights and cankers, in- cluding DIPLODIA (SPHAEROPSIS) TIP BLIGHT and CYTOSPORA canker on conifers, kaba- TiNA TIP BLIGHT On junipcrs, and phomop- sis TWIG BLIGHT (junipers, rhododen- drons) are more common this year. The effects of drought stress predis- poses plants to infection by these (and other) fungi. Anthracnose has been diagnosed on maples, dog- woods, and oaks. (The wet weather during leaf expansion was ideal for in- fection.) Fire blight has been common on crabapples and severe scab infec- tions are beginning to cause early de- foliation on susceptible cultivars. The wet conditions during needle emer- gence was also ideal for needlecast in- fections (cyclaneusma on Scotts, plio- derma on Austrian, rhizosphaera on spruce), so we can expect to see symptoms in 6-9 months. Symptoms of Dutch elm disease are beginning to show on elms (DED is accelerated by drought stress. The same pattern de- veloped in the 1993 growing season). Birches, particularly B pendula cultivars, have been hit hard by bronze birch borers (drought stressed trees are more prone to attack). Check for the characteristic raised areas beneath the bark. Several turfgrass diseases appeared 'on-cue,' while others appeared earlier than usual. Snow mold was a common problem, particularly on home lawns. Damping off or seedling blight caused by pythium was a problem in newly seeded areas. In most cases, the dis- ease was exacerbated by over-water- ing. Brown patch is already evident in some home lawns. The major problem in greenhouse crops was botrytis blight. The high hu- midity and cool temperatures were ideal for fungal development. Remem- ber: sanitation and good air circulation go a long way in management of botrytis . One case of bacterial blight on geraniums was confirmed (refer to earlier issues of The Plantsman for symptom descriptions and controls). Bacterial leaf spot on impatiens, caused by pseudomonas, was de- tected in two samples. The leaf spots are tan with a light center; infections may also appear as dark, water- soaked areas between the veins. In- fected plants should be removed. Powdery mildew was a prob-lem on New Guinea impatiens and petunias. Increasing air circulation and fungicide sprays held the problem in check. The usual diseases have begun to appear on annuals and perennials, but in greater intensity than last year. Botrytis blight was diagnosed on pop- py, tulip (tulip fire), peony, and roses. ScLEROTiNiA STEM ROT was identified on artemesia. Sclerotinia is characterized by white, fluffy mold near the base of the stem and hard black sclerotia that form in the collapsed stems. Infected plants should be removed immedi- ately, as well as the soil surrounding the roots. A few interesting problems have shown up on vegetables. Bailing twine that was treated with a petro- leum-based preservative caused twisted and distorted growth on any portion of the plant that came in contact with the twine. Once the twine was removed, there was no further development of symptoms on subsequent growth. Several cases of growth distortions (elon- gated leaves, curling) on tomatoes grown in high tunnels was attributed to uneven distribution of granular fertilizer prior to planting. Most of the diseases that occurred during May-|une will continue to cause problems during the rest of the grow- ing season, especially if we continue to have frequent rainfall. As the tem- peratures rise, additional diseases such as BROWN PATCH and pythium blight on turfgrasses usually become more prevalent. Sclerotinia root rot on her- baceous plants is also more severe with moist soil conditions and warmer temperatures. If you have had a problem with needlecast on spruce in the past, re- member that rhizosphaera often has a second infection period during late- August through early-September, so you should apply a fungicide at this time. Slime molds begin to appear (lit- erally overnight) during moist periods in )uly and August. They are most commonly seen growing on bark mulch. The fungi don't pose a threat to plants, but they are unsightly. They can be removed by raking or with a strong stream of water. (But you can expect them to reappear elsewhere!) Remember to begin your sanitation ef- forts during August. A little effort goes a long way to prevent disease and in- sect problems. 1 also want to thank everyone for their patience during our move to Spaulding Hall. We are nearly settled into the new facilities, although we're still trying to locate a few 'lost' items. Parking is a problem, but there is a 30-minute loading zone space at the south end of Spaulding Hall (and an elevator for those large samples). If you wish to submit plant material to the UNH-PDL lor diagnosis, send samples [with a check for $12 00) to. The UNH Plant Diag- nostic Lab, C/O Dr. Cheryl Smith, Plant Biol- ogy Department, 241 Spaulding Hall — UNH, Durham, NH 03824 Samples should be accompanied by an identification form [available from your county Cooperative Extension office}. Cheryl Smith is the UNH Cooperative Exten- sion Specialist in Plant Health, and can be reached at (603) 862-3841 THE PLANTSMAN Call us for your natural pest control needs In your greenhouse or nursery. 603/823-8500 750 ROUTE 18, SUGAR HILL, NH 03585 We accept MasterCard, Visa. &. Discover (./o: luji mfm KiyiAll. ■ IIOLl.SAl.l Newton Greenhouse 32 Amesbury Road, Newton, NH 03858 603-382-5289 Quality Plants green & flowering from 3" to 10" pots Holiday, bedding plants &. dish gardens Year round cut Smaps, Gloxinias, &. African Violets Seasonal Cut Tulips &. Iris Liscensed propagator of Mikkelsen &. Ecke New Guinea Impatiens Biological Control Works! And here's who to contact so it can work for you: The Green Spot, Ltd., Dept. of Bio Ingenuity 93 Priest Rd.. Nottingham, NH 03290 6204 Tet 603/942-8925 Fax: 603/942-8932 Let Rough Brothers' expertise turn your greenhouse into a powerhouse — for profits. Call the experts at Rough Brothers for information and technical assistance on these quality products. Manufacturers of; • WhiteHouse • The International • Harvest House • The "2100" gutter-connected house • Free-standing poly arch houses • Techlite glazing • Ro-Flo benches • Ebb & Flo benches Distributors of • Alcoa Aluminum Fin Heating • Heating and ventilating equipment • Maintenance supplies, glass, parts ...and more Rough Brothers P.O. Box 16010, Cincinnati, Ohio 45216 rem ROUGH BROTHERS err I 1-800/543-7351 AOCUST ♦ SEPTEMBER 1996 27 ■^- -^ FROM THE BOARD Dear NHPGA Members-. One issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible is the greenhouse taxation and use laws. Several months ago, I drafted a letter to Representative Leighton Pratt (r, Lancaster), who is very interested in pursuing this issue. Recently this letter was submitted, along with those from several other agricultural groups, in order to begin the process of legislation in this area. —Bob Rimol Dear Representative Pratt, On behalf of the New Hampshire Plant Growers Association and in con- junction with other agricultural groups, we are requesting that you intro- duce legislation regarding the classification of temporary plastic covered "hoop houses" as personal property or equipment; the exemption of such equipment from taxation; and reinforcement of RSA21:34-A, the state's definition of a "farm," which includes the production of greenhouse crops. Presently, New Hampshire has no state laws or guidelines on "temporary greenhouse structures", and there is a great deal of inconsistency between the towns within the state. iVlany towns do not allow "by right" either temporary or permanent greenhouse structures in agricultural zones. While some towns are more remote or agriculturally oriented, there are some towns that just do not understand or encourage greenhouses for agricultural use. Our Association represents over 250 greenhouse operators in the state of New Hampshire, and is a segment of ornamental horticulture that is the state's leading agricultural industry with revenues exceeding $100 million dollars Several states in the Northeast currently have laws regarding greenhouse permits and taxation for temporary structures. If a plastic- covered greenhouse is not constructed upon a concrete foundation and can be moved without damage to itself, it should be characterized as personal property or equipment. Temporary greenhouse structures are very important to agriculture and the New Hampshire economy. Typically, quonset/coldframe greenhouses are the starting point for most horticultural operations, since they can be built on a small scale and are more affordable. This is a very key element for small businesses starting out. Over the years, several New Hampshire operations have grown to be quite large, creating many jobs for New Hamp- shire workers. Plastic hoop houses are used for many types of agricultural use, including flower production, propagation of all types of plant material, calf barns, vegetable growing, fruit growing, and over-wintering of nursery stock. Therefore, greenhouses are a vital element in increasing agricultural output. If their use is understood, both small business owners and local communities can benefit. We feel that the timing is right to introduce legislation, since New Hampshire is primed for growth and towns have to cope more with taxation and building issues. We would be willing to offer our services/ input to help you write the correct legislation. When government and industry can work together, we can all benefit in the long run. Sincerely, New Hampshire Plant Growers Association Association Officers President BOB DEMERS, |R. Demers Nursery & Garden Center 656 South Mammoth Road Manchester, NH 03103 625-8298 Secretary I Treasurer CHRISTOPHER ROBARGE UNH / TSAS Horticultural Facilities Manager Durham, NH 03824 862-1074 Directors KENNETH COSSELIN 207 Cranwell Drive Manchester, NH 03109 627-6599 TAMMY HATHAWAY 61 Squamscott Road Stratham, NH 03885 778-3912 ANN HILTON 4 Karacull Lane Pittsfield, NH 03263 435-6425. HENRY HUNTINGTON Pleasant View Gardens RFD #3, PO Box 3701 Pittsfield, NH 03263 435-8361 ROBERT RIMOL 17 Wyndmere Drive Londonderry, NH 03053 425-6563 PETER VAN BERKUM 4 lames Road Deerfield, NH 03037 463-7663 28 THE PLANTSMAN At VAN BERKUM NURSERY. 500 varieties including an expanded line of herbs and native wild/lowers f 4 James Road • Deerfield, New Hampshire 03037 For catalog or inquiries (603) 463-7663 • Fax (603) 463-7326 LAN NURSERIES^ 259 College Street, Magog JIX 2K4 Phone & FAX: (819) 843-5071 Lan is owneci by a group of Quebec growers In order to present a large variety of hardy flowering shrubs and perennials show'mt^ THE NORTHERN BEAUTY Dogwood - Forsythia -Hydrangea Honeysuckle - Lilacs - Ninebark Potentilla - Rugosa Rose Spirea - Sumac Viburnum - Vine & ;^^ ^ ^ ^ 45? ■^■Mt . WL.JM • I of choice for the Northeast. GRIFFIN GREENHOUSE & NURSERY SUPPLIES «ASSACHUSETTS«MiWyORK*MAINE«CONNECTICUT CALL 508-851-4346. X TWILIGHT MEETING Wednesday, September 1 1 Murray Farms Greenhouse River Road Penacook, NH The third Twilight IVIeeting of the year will be at Murray Farms Greenhouse in Penacook. It's been nearly four years since the New Hampshire Plant Growers' Association has been the guests of Murray Farms Greenhouse and now there are four years of change and improvement to see. The most spectacular change is their new wood chip gas- ification heating system (they load it with wood chips only once a weekl, but other aspects are equally interesting: trough watering for 1020 trays, a Wadsworth environmental control system, a new mum irrigation system, poinsettias in production, and much, much more. The meeting begins around 5:30. There will be a tour; refreshments will be served. For information, contact Dave Murray at 603-753-6781. DIRECTIONS: Take Exit 15 West off 1-93 to Rte 3 North; Go 3.2 miles (past state prison) to Bog road on your left. Go 2.2 miles on Bog Road to a four-way intersection. Go right onto River Road. Murray Farms is 1/2 mile on the right. About the Cover Prudence (detail) Engraving based on design by Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1525-1569) In sixteenth-century Belgium and Holland, Prudence was regarded as the first and most important among the cardinal, or non theological, virtues. It was not merely caution or circumspec- tion; it was wisdom, good sense, "foresight in the service of virtue." Prudence herself stands surrounded by objects symbolizing aspects of this virtue: the ladder and buckets (obviously fire-fighting apparatus: the prudent person quenches any conflagrations of passion before damage occurs), the colander (for sifting good from evil), the mirror (self- knowledge), the coffin. The virtue of foresight — an aspect of Prudence — is illustrated by the women preparing meats and other foods for storage; the great wooden tubs, when packed, will go into the cellar; behind the women, a man hoists twigs into the barn to serve as fuel during winter. Farther back, a group of men repair a house, prudently providing against its fall. And still closer to the horizon, men repair a dike so that it may not crumble and let in the ever-threatening sea. To the left of Prudence, a man pours coins into a chest for safekeeping. This is not Avarice, but Sense — precaution in protecting one's rightful possessions. In New England, Prudence seems appropriate to early fall, when the first actions are taken to temper the effects of winter. (B.P.) NH PLANT GROWERS ASSOCIATION The Plantsman Editor UNH Research Greenhouses Durham, NH 03824 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 43