The Plantsman NEW HAMPSHIRE PLANT GROWERS ASSOCIATION February & March 1993 Keep it simple. See page 23. The Plantsman NEW HAMPSHIRE PLANT GROWERS ASSOCIATION February 6? March 1993 w Keep it simple. See page 23. I AUTOFOG DRAM Chemical Applica* ^ No Run-Off ^ No Labor Cost gj No Exposure gf No Problem /Autofog'", a revolutionary low-volume chemical applicator. Apply ctiemicals automaticolly as ultra-fine fog particles. Eliminate wforker exposure and labor costs, vyrtiile providing uniform, consistant coverage. Complete space fumigation and leaf deposition is actiieved due to ttie extremely small particle size. Ttiere Is no costly cliemical run-off. Two models ore available: SLVH and LVH. Wtien tiorizontal airfons are used, ttie SLVH will treat up to 25,000 square feet; ttie LVH will treat up to 70,000 square feet. Contact your Dramm distributor today! DRAMM CALENDAR FEBRUARY February 24 Veimont Plants- men's Association Winter Meet- ing, Holiday Inn, Rutland, VT: Scott Pfister at (802] 244-7048. February 25-28 Haitford Flower Show, Civic Center, Hartford, CT; for information: the Con- necticut Nurserymen's Associa- tion at (203) 872-2095. February 27 TTje 4th Annual Con- necticut Organic Landscaping Confer- ence, Naugatuck Valley Community- Technical College, Waterbury, CT; for information: NOFA/CT at (203) 484-2445. February 28 "Grow Organic Food!" — a Winter Conference for Farmers, Gardeners, and Consumers, Nauga- tuck Valley Community-Technical College, Waterbuiy, CT: (203) 484-2445. MARCH March 1-3 62nd Massachusetts Turfgrass Conference and 17th Indus- trial Show, Civic Center, Springfield, MA (413) 549-5295. March 6 NH Pesticide Applicator Training Session, Fish & Game Building, Rte. 3, Lancaster, NH; for information: Faye Cragin at (603) 862-1169. March 6-14 Boston Flower Show, Bayside Expo Center, Boston, MA; for information: the Massa- chusetts Horticultural Society at (617) 536-9280. March 12-14 Seventh Annual Seacoast Area Flower &) Land- scape Show, the 'Old Channel Building', Lafayette Plaza, Lafay- ette Road, Portsmouth, NH; for information: Brenda Schure at (603) 436-0815. March 16-17 Third Annual New England Landscape Exposition, Cen- ter of New Hampshire Holiday Lin &. Convention Center, Man- chester, NH; for information: Guy Hodgdon at 1-800-639-5601. March 19-21 Second Annual New Hampshire Orchid Show, (AOS ap- proved). Center of New Hampshire Holiday Inn & Convention Center, Manchester, NH; for information: Gordon LaBonte at (603) 627-5397. March 27-28 FTD Region 1 Con- vention, Newton, MA; for information: Ray Savage at (603) 352-1155. APRIL April 2-3 Twenty-third Annual Uni- versity of New Hampshire Greenhouse Open House, Plant Biology and TTiompson School Greenhouses, Durham, NH; for information: George Estes at (603) 862-3205. April 29 NHPGA Twilight Meeting, 5:30 pm at Kathan Gardens, Newport, NH; for information: Dennis Kathan at (603) 863-1089. JUNE June 16 NHPGA Ttvilight Meeting, Michaud's Nurseries & Greenhouses, Exeter, NH; for information: (603) 772-3698. July 14 Connecticut Nurserymen's Summer Meeting: (203) 872-2095. AUGUST August 3 Massachusetts Nursery- men's Association Summer Meeting: (508) 534-1775. August 5-8, American Association of Nurserymen Convention, Dallas, Texas; for information: (202) 789-2900 August 12 New England Nmseiy- man's Association Summer Meet- ing, for information: Virginia Wood at (617) 431-1625. August 18 New Hampshire Plant Growers' Association Summer Meet- ing, Eliot & Williams Roses, Dover, NH; for information: Bob Demers, Jr., at (603) 625-8298. August 18-19 Pennsylvania Land- scape and Nursery Trade Show & Conference, ExpoMart, Monroeville, PA; for mformation: (717) 238-1673. August 26 Eighth Biennial Griffin Greenhouse and Nursery Supplies Open House, Tewksbury, MA; for information: (508) 851-4346. CONTENTS FROM THE BOARD 3 Overwintering Containerized Perennials Peter van Berkum FORUM 3 NH NEWS 9 ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS 13 EPA's Worker Protection Standard Leo Traverse Why Grow Orchids? Emmet Ross Your Logo Tina Saivtelle MEMBER PROFILE New England Anemones Soil Testing as a Management Tool Tom Buob BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS 32 The Plantsman is published in early February, April, June, August, October, and December with copy deadlines being the 5th of each prior month. While cam- era-ready ads are preferred, set-up assis- tance is available at a nominal fee. Free classified advertising is offered as a member 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 3/8"h $120 $30 3 3/8" w X 4 7/8"h $160 $40 7" w X 2 3/8"h $160 $40 7" w X 4 7/8"h $250 $50 7" w X 10 "h $400 $100 For further information, please conuct the editor Robert Parker at the UNH Research Greenhouses, Durham, NH 03824, (603)862-2061, or PC Box 5, Newfields, NH 03856, (603)778-8353. February (S? March 1993 1 GRIFFIN GREENHOUSE AND NURSERY SUPPLIES uality in a Bale! Customblen TM Until now, a baled mbc was regarded as an Inexpensive substitute for a qualit/ growing media. Grace/Sierra has revolutionized the bale nnlx concept — the quality of Metro- Mix* now compressed Into a 3 cu. ft bale. An Industry proven combination of Canadian sphagnum peat moss, vermiculite, perltte, a nutrient charge and wetting agent, at an economical price. Customblen Plus™ Growing made simplelConslstentfeeding every day, virtth the technology of Osmocote* combined with the quality of the new Customblen™ bale. Controlled release fertilizer Incorporated at different rates for all your needs — from bedding plants to hardy mumsl For more Information, call GRACE/ SIERRA Griffin Greenhouse Supplies at 508-851-4346. m 'Poinsettias •Annuals 'Perenials mm ^j^mwm&m& Wholesalers & Retailers 'Potted Plants 'Seasonal Crops 'Supplies Visit our 12 Greenliouses & Garden Center Claremont Hill, Newport, New Hampshire (603)863-1089 OPEN YEAR ROUND The Plantsman 2 FROM THE BOARD Overwintering Containerized Perennials Overwintering containerized perennials is probably the largest risk that a perennial grower faces. I think that more plants are lost during overwintering than during any other time in the season. Some plants just don't overwinter well in containers. Others do fine one year, than poorly the next, for no appar- ent reason. This makes identifying the problem much more difficult. As fall approaches, I consider six factors which I feel are the most crucial to overwintering: 1) General plant health going into the winter. 2) Excessive cold. 3) Excessive heat 4) Soil moisture. 5) Disease problems. 6) Rodent problems. V The health and well-being of the plant is the single most important aspect of its wintering successfully. An unhealthy plant probably won't overwinter no matter what you do to it. Tied in with the actual health of the plant is its condition in the poL Some plants, (Alchemilla and Heuchera for example), overwinter very poorly if they are pot-bound, or more specifically, if their dor- mant eyes are crowded. Conversely, unestablished plants generally don't overwinter well. If we are potting up plugs from seed or cuttings, we like to get them into their perma- nent container in August or the first two weeks in September. After that, the chance of the plant's root- ing-in diminishes, and they have a much harder time overwintering. Bare-root divisions with a hard crown (Hostas and Astilbes) can be planted into October and survive pretty well, but they won't be root- ed in for early spring sale. Bare- root perennials with loose crowns (Achillea or Asters) should be pot- ted up by mid-September. Peter van Berkum 2) TTte main point in overwintering hardy plants is protecting them from extreme cold temperature. Root-kill- ing temperature varies from plant to plant, but for plants hardy in this area, when the soil temperature gets below 20 degrees P., root dam- age becomes a threat There are generally four ways to overwinter perennials in containers: 1) Under foam blanket. (ie. polyfoam or microfoam) 2) Under straw. 3) In unhealed polyhouses, under foam blankets. 4) In polyhouses at low tempera- tures, (ie. 32 degrees F.) So far, we have done all of our overwintering under foam blankets. We find it satisfactory, but not ideal This entails putting all our plants j)ot-to-pot in beds that corre- spond wth the size of the foam that we use, rolling the foam over it, rolling white polyethylene sheets over this, and weighting town the edges with the windiest day of the winter in mind. Good objects for weighting the blankets down in- clude concrete blocks, old tires, logs, etc. A trick that we find help- ful is to try to create troughs be- tween the beds to hold snow and rain. When it freezes up it is the only secure means of holding the blankets down in high winds. We prefer to use the blankets that are 12 feet wide so we don't have to overlap narrower (6 ft. wide) blan- kets to cover the beds. Be sure that your beds are 3 to 4 feet nar- rower than your blankets so you have adequate material to hold down. For a nursery trying to overwin- ter a small number of perennials, straw or salt-marsh hay would be ideal Just sandwch 8 to 10 inches of straw between two layer of white poly and you have a good blanket But on a large scale, the time needed to apply it and the question of what to do with the straw in the spring makes it impractical. Unhealed poly houses are get- ting much more use now. This en- tails narrow hoop houses (12 to 17 feet is usual) with white poly on them. Inside, the plants are set out just like before with the foam blan- kets. However the blankets don't have to be weighed down. Perhaps the biggest benefit to this is that there is air circulation under the blankets. This will be addressed in the disease discussion. University tests have found this method to be slightly more effective than straight blankets, perhaps giving a 1 or 2 percent better survival rate. Overwintering in poly houses at minimal temperature, usually 32 de- grees, can be effective, but the cost of heating the greenhouses makes it uneconomical. 3) Excessive heat build up brings up the question of when to cover and uncover the plants. This is the hard- est decision of the whole process. If the plants are covered too soon, heat can build up under the blan- kets and damage the plants. If they are left on too long in the spring, heat buildup will cause the plants to put on a soft flush of growth un- der the blanket Then, when you do uncover, this growth will be tender and will be killed by any freezing temperatures. (This soft growth can be hardened off by uncovering be- fore 3 or 4 days of cloudy frostless weather or by rolling the blankets back over the plants before the nightly frosts for several days. This can be an immense task, depending on the size of your nursery.) What makes this all complicated is that if you wait too late in the fall or un- cover too early in the spring, you run the risk of severe low tempera- tures that could cause root damage to the plants. February & March 1993 3 In New Hampshire, covering is done between the 1st and 3rd week of November, depending on the year and the grower. Uncovering is usually between the 1st and 3rd week of March. A rule of thumb that I follow is: in the fall when in doubt, cover early, and in the spring when in doubt, uncover early. Something that always wor- ries me is quick drops in tempera- ture in the fall— say, into the mid- teens. At what temperature do you risk root damage? This fall we kept a soil thermometer in some pots, with the sensor 1 inch below the soil line. When night temperatures dropped to 12 degrees in Novem- ber for two nights, the soil tem- perature only went down to 29 de- grees. Since this I've become much less concerned about sudden dips in temperature. 4) The wetness of the soil at the time of covering is important. Water is the main insulator around the roots. It is important that the soil be wet when the plants are cov- ered. It is often suggested that the plants be irrigated the day before covering. Each time I try this, I end up with a bunch of frozen sprinklers. Lately I have depended on fall rain to wet the plants. I try to time the covering within 2 or 3 days of a good rain. 5) Disease can be a big overwintering. Under the blankets there is plenty of moisture and no air circulation. This is one of the big advantages to overwintering in unheated poly houses with blan- kets. Since the blankets are out of the wind, they don't have to be weighted down, so the edges can be left open to allow air circulation. The first step to disease preven- tion is to remove as much of the foliage as is possible. We use a string trimmer and cut all the de- ciduous plants back. Be sure that the person running the string trim- mer is familiar with the plants: you don't want them cutting back your evergreens or the above-ground eyes on plants like Heuchera. After cutting back, we rake all the beds. Some nurseries use backpack blow- ers for this. The other thing we try to do is to keep the blankets off the ever- greens. We do this by either laying the plants on their sides if they are tall or rigid (Iberis), or by putting inverted plant trays over the foli- age. I choose trays with a mesh bottom to allow more light to get through. We do this on Vinca, Phlox stolonifera, and other low- lying evergreen plants. Fungicides are also widely used. However we have found no appre- ciable benefit from using them. I would like to experiment with using anti-desicants on the evergreens. This is being used successfully by some nurseries. 6) Mice can cause devastation to overwintering plants. Our first line of defense is to keep mouse traps set in the nursery for a month be- fore the cover-up. We feel that this greatly reduces the populations. We put a trap every 15 or 20 feet. Just before covering, mouse bait should be spread. Either poisoned grain or paraffin blocks of rodenticide can be used. In summary, the most important thing seems to be getting familiar with the different plants. I think in the future we will overwinter some difficult plants in poly houses with foam blankets. Also getting familiar with the sensitive evergreens and learning which form of overwinter- ing works, or how to best keep the blankets off the foliage, will be valuable to us. Advice from other growers and professional journals has helped us a lot. But trial and error has been our best teacher, and each year we learn a few more tricks, t^ Peter and Leslie van Berkum own and operate van Berkum Nursery, 4 James Road, Deerfield, NH 03037. For further information, call them at (603) 463-7663. CANTERBURY, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03224 EXIT 18, 1-93, 1/2 MILE TELEPHONE 1 -800-287-471 6 SOD FARMS & WHOLESALE NURSERY, INC. ,0 §F GROWERS AND DISTRIBUTORS: • NURSERY STOCK ^^^ ... • GARDEN SUPPLIES ^^^i^.^l • CHRISTMAS TREES • SOD The Plantsman 4 AUSTRIAN PINE, 5-8' height Beautiful, Heavy, Connecticut Valley Nursery Grown. Growing 500 Acres of New England's Finest Trees & Shrubs ,#, 91illane 9Itirs€Kries,%c. 604 MAIN STREET, CROMWELL CONNECTICUT 06416 / PHONE (203) 635-5500 / FAX (203) 635-3685 Ground Hog Day February 2, 1993 . . . The appearance of a celebrated rodent and a great perennial catalog! VAN BERKUM POJRSERY (603) 463-7663 Peter & Leslie Van Berkum 4 James Road Deerfield, MH 03037 Fax (603) 463-7326 February 6)" March 1993 5 DOSMATIC PLUS HIGH PERFORMANCE FERTILIZER INJECTORS ■ RATED 30 GPM @ 12 PSI LOSS ■ MIXING CHAMBER BUILT IN ■ DUAL INLET-1" NPT OR 3/4" HOSE ■ SIMPLE PATENTED DESIGN LOW COST $250 MADE IN THE USA CALL YOUR GREENHOUSE SUPPLY CO. IF THEY DO NOT STOCK THE DOSMATIC PLUS CALL FOR A SUPPLIER WHO DOES DOSMATIC USA 896 NORTH MILL ST. LEWISVILLE, TX 75057 1-800-344-6767 DOSMATIC HARNESS THE SUN!!! SUN-MATE FOR THE 90'S! 1, 2, 3 TEMPERED GLASS SKINS OR G.E. LEXAN OR ACRYLIC PLASTIC PANEL SKINS. SINGLE TEMPERED GLASS LEAST COSTLY AND PERMANENT. TEMPERED GLASS ARCH RE-SKIN A SPECIALTY See our tempered glass re-skin at UNH. We were chosen for high light, low mainten- ance, and permanent performance re-skin. G.E. LEXAN AND ACRYLIC PLASTIC PANELS NEWOR RENEW. 10 YEAR WARRANTY BY MFGR. Lexan Re-skin packages for old glass or plastic re-skin, prefabbed instructions, and plans for easy installation or labor installed. THIS IS THE HEART OF SUN-MATE SINGLE TEMPERED GLASS LOWEST COST AND PERMANENT!! ADD 2ND OR 3RD SKIN LATER!! "PIGGYBACK' Re-skin 1, 2, 3 tempered glass skins on old alum, glass greenhouses. Prefabricated package easy to install with plans & instructions or labor installed. Area Code 31 7 935-2111 NEW WINANDY GREENHOUSE COMPANY INC 2211 Peacock Road. Richmond, Indiana 47374 SUN -MATE TEMPERED GLASS "LOW SNOW" GREENHOUSES FROM $3.00 SQ FT. EASY TO ERECT AND LIVE WITH! COMPLETE PREFAB. AND INSTRUCTIONS YOU CAN RE-SKIN OR ERECT WITH INEXPERIENCED LABOR AND "SAVE"!!! . No. 4,658,339 RENEW SUN-MATE RE-SKIN AND REPLACEMENT VENTS LESS INVESTMENT THAN WOOD The Plantsman 6 Welcome, New Members! James Ban* Valent USA Corp. 25 Drew Court Dover, DE 19901 (302) 697-8877 Briar Patch Greenhouse PO Box 525 MUton, NH 03851 (603) 6524553 Kenneth Gosselln 207 Cranwell Drive Manchester, NH 03109 (603) 627-6599 Amy Juchatz, New Hampshire Division of Public Health 6 Hazen Drive Concord, NH 03301 (603) 271-4664 LAN Nurseries 259 College Street Magog, Quebec J1X2K4 (819) 843-5071 Miltimore's Greenhouse 64 Jenkins Road Bedford, NH 03110 (603) 472-5092 Petty Brook Nursery Box 79 Woodsville, NH 03785 (603) 838-6312 Plants Alive, Inc. Rte. 202 Bennington. NH 03342 (603) Pheasant Hill Nursery, Inc. 4 Sanders Road Hudson, NH 03051 (603) 889-2934 Rodney C. Woodman 475 Nashua Street Milford, NH 03055 Sew Advertisers Dosmatic USA 896 North MUl Street Lewisville, Texas 75057 Sharon Sales Company, Inc. 275 Turnpike Street Canton, MA 02021 Vermont Natural Ag Products, Inc. 559 Lower Foote Street Middlebury, Vermont 05753 Winandy Greenhouse Company, Inc. 2211 Peacock Road Richmond, Indiana 47374 New Heunpshire Orchid Society FORUM Thanks Go To.... ...the speakers who donated their time and energy to make the NHPGA's Pesticide Applicator Re- certification Program on November 12 a success. These include Donald De Wess, OSHA; Jeffrey Gagnon, NH Dept of Safety; Amy Juchatz, NH Division of Public Health Services; James Zerblocky, Grace-Sierra; and Steve Zimmer- man, Valent USA Corporation. Also thanks go to Bob Demers, Jr., who played a major role in organizing the whole thing. There was no offi- cial head count, but it over fifty people attended and received cred- its. For NHPGA members, the pro- gram was free. ...Don and Dave Murray, hosts of a NHPGA Twilight Meeting at Mur- ray Farms Greenhouses, Penacook, on November 19. Over thirty people visited, saw the innovative benching, the chip-burning boiler, the climate control system.... Co-host Don Murray said he felt it went really well. He was pleased with the turnout and said that people lingered long after the event was officially over, talking about DIF and raising poinsettias. ...Jolly Farmer Enterprises for plant material donated to decorate the NHPGA booth at the Eastern Re- gional Nurserymen's Association Trade Show at the Concord Hotel, Kiamesha Lake, New York, this past January. And thanks go to Chris Robarge, who brought the display out there and manned it for the three days of the show. Flower Show 1994 Real Fallu, Vice-President GSGFS As vice-president of the Granite State Garden and Flower Show, I received a letter several weeks ago from the board of directors of NHLA stating that the association wants to withdraw from the flower show corporation. Don Tordoff and I attended a NHLA board meeting to address the issue. One of the reasons given for the possible with- drawal was lack of interest on the part of NHLA members, financial responsibilities, volunteer time limi- tations. Is this lack of interest real, or are there NHLA members still interested in being part of the Granite State Garden and Flower Show? GSGFS is going through a tran- sitional period. There has not been a show in two years. We are cur- rently planning the 1994 show. The days of large, expensive exhibits are over. We recommend smaller exhibits, 200 to 400 square feet, perhaps in conjunction with another exhibitor. With reimbursements from the receipts of the show, it is possible to do such an exhibit with very little cost to the exhibitors. Workshops on construction of exhibits and forcing plant material will be offered for first-time exhibitors. Another major concern of the GSGFS board is funding the show itself. Several members are investi- gating the possibility of corporate sponsorship. A plant sale fair has been scheduled for July, 1993, with proceeds going to the GSGFS. Other fund-raisers will be held to raise the necessary money. Why should you participate in the flower show? These are just a few of the reasons... • The challenge « The competition • To promote plant and construc- tion materials . Working together with other companies in your profession • Great advertisement and exposure • Educational growth • Giving something back to the community • If for no other reason, just for the fun of it during the off-season. Let's keep the flower show local. Great efforts have been put into the flower show over the years. We don't want it to become extinct. We welcome new ideas and new faces. Please contact Real Fallu, 4974060, or Don Tordoff, 6234313, for mor information about our next meeting. »*• February 6? March 1993 7 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 Mikicelsen & Eclce New Guine Impatiens MRCH/VlONr IRRIGATION/SNOWMAKING in Manchester, NH Providing all your irrigation needs. Design Services also available. 180 Zachary Rd. Unit«3 Manchester, N.H. 03101 (6031 622-8825 >*s\vv\\\V 1-800-558-9888 IN NH ONLY "The Qeranium Specialists" Wholesale Growers 2 111" Geraniums (year round) 4" Pre-finished Geraniums 2 1/2" Ivy Geraniums & Fuchsia Martha Washington Geraniums Spring Hanging Baskets, LiUes/Bulbs Azaleas, Cyclamen, Poinsettias, Foliage JOHN B. CARPENTER, President ROBERT J. CARPENTER, General Manager 603/659-3391 220 SOUTH MAIN STREET NEWMARKET, NH 03857 Winter Spring Summer or Fall. Northeast Nursery's One-Stop Shopping Covers It All. It doesn't make a difference what the time of year, or the size of the proiect. Northeast Nursery has supplies and materials for all your needs. North- east Nursery has the widest selection in the wholesale plant materials and landscape sup- plies in all of New England. We direct ship throughout all of New England and offer many other services. Stop by today and see why many consider us the best in suppling the landscape and green industries with quality products and services. We're Northeast Nursery, your one-stop nursery for all your shopping needs. rfk, ^^JSlortheast Nursery, Inc. Supplying Fine Plant Material if; luindscape Supplie 234 Newbury Street, Rt. 1 South Peabody, MA 01960 (508) 535-6550 Fax (508) 535-5247 VJS^I^*^ Siipplyi I The Plantsman NEW HAMPSHIRE NEWS NHPGA Scholarships Awarded This year's New Hampshire Plant Growers' Association scholarships, of $750 each Qarger than usual, thanks to a very successful auction at the summer meeting), were awarded at the association's Winter Meeting on January 13. One recipient is from the four- year plant biology program at UNH; the other is from the two- year Thompson School program. This year the Plant Biology recipi- ent was Jobriah Anderson, from Barrington, NH. Jobriah's a junior in the Horticulture/ Agronomy pro- gram "gearing my education toward ornamental plants as I would like to go into that field, either by doing landscape design and implementa- tion or by eventually starting my own nursery and greenhousc.up to this point I have paid my way through school through student loans and paid my student living expenses through a series of part- time jobs. As part-time work in this field is hard to come by in the winter months, this scholarship would be extremely timely and greatly appreciated. Your contribu- tion would help me in achieving my goals and quite possibly add a fu- ture member to your organization." The Thompson School recipient is Madeleine Duhamel, also fi-om Barrington. She wrote, "My experi- ence and personal discoveries in the field directed me toward green- house propagation.. .upon comple- tion of the Thompson program, I hope to transfer into the four-year Plant Biology program." Upon fin- ishing there, "I hope to pursue a greenhouse operation of my own fo- cusing primarily on growing cut flowers, perennials and wildflowers. And begin attempts with hybridiz- ing. When financially solvent, I will focus my commitment on the devel- opment of a successful hybridiza- tion operation." Congratulations to both recipi- ents and thanks to everyone who made this year's auction so successful. Pesticide Applicator Tralnlne For those of you who wish to ob- tain a private pesticide applicator's permit, UNH Cooperative Extension is holding two training sessions this winter. The first (which may have already been held by the time you receive this) is on February 13 from 8:30 to 4 at the UNH campus on Commercial Street in Manches- ter. The second will be held on Sat- urday, March 6 from 8:30 am to 4 pm at the new Fish & Game build- ing on Route 3 in Lancaster. The cost (including the training manual) is $50. If you already have the manual, the cost is $25. These sessions are designed to instruct people who have not been certified to apply pesticides. They can also serve as refreshers for people who have let their permits lapse and need to retake the exam. An exam, given by a representa- tive from the New Hampshire Pesti- cide Control Board, will need to be taken following the training session. Passing this exam will allow you to purchase and apply restricted-use pesticides in the state of New Hampshire. Exams will be given at 7 pm on February 22 at the Pine Is- land 4-H Outdoor Education Center, 2849 Brown Avenue, Manchester, and on February 25 in Durham, March 15 in Lancaster, and March 17 in Woodsville. For information on registration and the purchase of a manual, contact Faye Cragin, Department of Entomology, UNH, at (603) 862-1159. An SBA Grant for a Third Tear for the State of New Hampshire On December 16, 1992, US SmaU Business Administration (SBA) Dis- trict Director William Phillips an- nounced that a grant totaling $68,560 had been awarded by the SBA to the State of New Hamp- shire for the third year of the fed- eral government's national tree planting program. The amount of the grant is based on the state's to- tal population. Under the Natural Resources Development Program, an amend- ment to the Small Business Act, federal dollars for tree planting on state or local government land are made available to states which agree to match at least 25% of the federal grant In addition, any state or local government which partici- pates must utilize small businesses as contractors. A total of more than $30 million was divided among the fifty states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Co- lumbia during the first two years. New Hampshire received almost $130,000. Alton, Beriin, Concord, Dover, Hampton Falls, Manchester, Mont Vernon, New Ipswich, North Woodstock, Northumberland, Orford, Portsmouth, Rochester, Rumney, Somersworth, Amhersf s Souhegan Valley School District, Wolfijoro, and Woodstock were the communities that applied for and were selected to receive these funds. The deadline for fiscal year 1993 funds was February 12, 1993. Ques- tions should be directed to Mary Reynolds of the NH Division of Forests & Lands at (603) 271-2214. Information Sheets Available Two information sheets on on-farm composting are now available from UNH Cooperative Extension. Com- piled by Nancy Adams, Extension Educator, Rockingham County, one is a general fact sheet; the other, a checklist reviewng aspects of the site, local regulations, organic mate- rials, and equipment needed. For further reference, both sheets recommend the On-Farm Composting Handbook, NRAES-54, Northeast Regional Agricultural En- February & March 1993 9 NEW HAMPSHIRE NEWS gineering Service, 152 Riley-Robb Hall, Cooperative Extension, Ithaca, NY, 14853-5701. This 186-page book costs $15.00. First Draft Reviewed A first draft of the New Hampshire State Pesticide Management Plan (SPMP) for the Protection of Groundwater was recently sent to various NH state agencies and pri- vate horticultural organizations for their comments and suggestions. Mandated by EPA in response to the federal government's groundwa- ter policy, state management plans of this type will be required in or- der to continue the use of certain pesticides. The EPA is providing fi- nancial and technical assistance, but is allowing each state to take the lead role in developing a man- agement plan tailored to meet its own specific conditions. The NH plan, the result of ef- forts of the Pesticide Control Board, the State Pesticide Manage- ment Plan Advisory Committee, and the Division of Pesticide Control, is a compilation of topics reviewed in committee and presented to the Board over the last two years. The first draft of this plan is a hefty, nearly 200-page document with chapters on such topics as 'Re- sponse to Detection of Pesticides,' 'Monitoring,'and 'Public Awareness and Participation.' Members who might like to look it over should contact either Jeff Huntington (603- 435-8361), Chris Robarge (603-862- 1074), or the NH Division of Pesti- cide Control (603-271-3550). Although if s too late to comment on this draft, there will be other drafts and other opportunities to comment Showtime '93 The road to spring, usually marked by a smoothly-spaced series of flower shows and expositions, seems to have a few more frost heaves than usual this year. The efforts to revive the Granite State Flower Show continue, in spite of new obstacles. In Novem- ber, the Board of Directors of the NH Landscape Association voted to withdraw from the corporation of the Granite State Garden and Flower Show. Limitations in time and money were cited as reasons. The NHLA was being asked to reconsider by the two other corpo- ration members, the NHPGA and the NH Federation of Garden Clubs. A quorum did not attend a corporation's meeting on January fifth, and a new meeting was called for January 28. For more information — and if you would like to participate — by exhibiting— or by volunteering some of the time and effort needed to create a successful 1994 show, contact Bob Demers, Jr., at (603) 625-8298. It wasn't until January 15 that the Seventh Annual Seacoast Area Flower & Landscape Show finally had a home. With a theme of "Springtime in New England," the show will be held on March 12-14 at the 'Old Channel Building,' in Layfayette Plaza, Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, NH. Until mid-January, most of the energy had gone into finding a lo- cation (two locations at Pease Air Force base and a variety of empty commercial properties had been ei ther unavailable or too expensive) , so there wasn't much information then about other aspects. There will be "more than adequate park- ing" and a big retail space and there are plans to be "bigger and better than ever." A lot can happen in two months and the show promises to be a ma- jor horticultural event in the Sea- coast Region. For updates and information, call Brenda Schure at (603) 436-0815. if The Third Annual New England Landscape Exposition, sponsored by the New Hampshire Landscape Association, is being held in Manchester on March 16-17 at the Center of New Hampshire Holiday Inn and Convention Center in Manchester. Highlights include the trade show, a variety of educational lectures, raffles, a buffet on Tues- day, the Pearson Awards (with slides of the actual work being hon- ored) at a more formal dinner on Wednesday, pesticide recertification credits (for all six NE states), and RR 1 • TYLER BRIDGE ROAD • HINESBURG, VERMONT • (800) 525-9405 • FAX (802) 482-4056 CALL US FOR COMPLETE LISTINGS • FAX US YOUR WANT LIST • HAND PICK YOUR TREES •WE'LL DIRECT SHIP • QUANTITY DISCOUNT PRICING GROWERS OF FINE QUALITY SHADE TREES The Plantsman 10 NEW HAMPSHIRE NEWS an expanded time to view the trade show and exhibits. The keynote speaker (on Wed- nesday afternoon) is James van Sweden, a member of the design firm of Oehme/van Sweden Associ- ates of Washington, DC, and sub- ject of a book entitled. Bold Roman- tic Gardens: the New World Land- scapes of Oehme and van Sweden, published in 1990. Qn 1991, the book was given two Awards of Ex- cellence by the Garden Writers of America.) van Sweden's topic will be, "Bold Romantic Gardens." Other speakers include Steven Frowine of White Flower Farms speaking on, "What* s New for American Gardens." Preregistration for both days is $45 ($50 at the door); preregistra- tion for one day is $30 ($35 at the door). For more information, contact Guy Hodgdon at 1-800-639-5601. • Right after this, orchids are spot- lighted. Buoyed by the success of last year's American Orchid Society (AOS)-approved New Hampshire Orchid Show, the New Hampshire Orchid Society is planning a second show. It will be held at the Center of New Hampshire Holiday Inn & Convention Center in Manchester on March 19-21. This year there's 25,000 square feet of space — as opposed to last year's 4000. Gordon LaBonte, the show's chairperson, says he expects a lot of the people who showed last year to come back — "and therell be a lot of new people from all over the country here as well." New ex- hibitors will include The New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs, Teleflora, and Garden Clubs of America. Representatives— and hopefully, exhibitors— from orchid societies in Ottawa and Montreal are also expected to attend. For information, contact Gordon LaBonte at (603) 627-5397. (This is the Tenth Anniversary year of the New Hampshire Orchid Society. It was begun in June, 1983, by Paul Sawyer, operator— with his wife Elaine — of Sawyer's Exotic Greenhouses in Grafton. The original membership of ten people has grown to today's 150. And Paul is still organizing— he recently started the Twin-States Orchid Soci- ety, which meets in Rutland, Ver- mont, and caters to orchid growers in eastern Vermont and western New Hampshire.) • The Twenty-third Annual UNH Greenhouse Open House, spon- sored by the Plant Biology Depart- ment and the Thompson School of Applied Science, will be held April 2-3 at the greenhouse complex on Mast Road in Durham. Although perhaps somewhat lower-key than in the past, the show's theme is "Biology in Action" and there will be a mix of lectures, displays, a free soil-testing service, and plant sales, with instructors from both schools there to answer questions. For information, contact George Estes at (603) 862-3220. »^ Jolly Farmer Products East Lempster, New Hampshire 03605 WHOLESALE SUPPLIERS • Bark Mulch - Hemlock & Mix • Bagged Mulch - C^ar & Pine • Landscape Ties • Cut & Spilt Firewood We are here to fulfill your needs.... Call Toll Free today! New Hampshire: 1-603-863-3311 New England: 1 -800-537-0031 WHOLESALE GROWERS Annual & Perennial Plugs Rooted Cuttings Tuberous Begonias Bedding Plants Potted Annuals Hanging Baskets Cyclamen - Liners, Prefinished. Rnished Polnsettlas - Cuttings, Prefinished, Rnished Nationwide: 1-800-695-8300 Local: 603-863-3370 "Integrity, quality and reliable service since 1967" February & March 1993 11 EASTER LILIES Pre^finished REGAL GERANIUMS D.S. COLE Growers! 240 North Vaiage Road, Loudon, NH 03301 (603) 738-9561 Fax (603) 738-9562 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 nmni ROUGH BROTHERS I , I 1 •800/543-7351 • TOP LINE TURF SEEDS • QUALITY GRANULAR GMF FERTIUZER • CUSTOM MIXING - OUR SPECIALITY • DOLOMITIC LIME • DELIVERY THROUGHOUT NEW ENGLAND I« NE 800-624-2952 In VT 800-244-4628 FAX 802-893-2194 Grow witfi the Best L.D INC. OLIVER SEED CO. P. O. BOX 156 MILTON. VERMONT 05468 I WAGEMAN INSURANCE Team UP To PROVIDE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY If you are in the plant growing business YOU QUALIFY for the best health plan anywhere. The cost is low and the benefits are rig^t Call us for a quote 1-800439-2451 or (603)623-2451 i he fianisman 12 ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS New Product*— Vermont A new series of growing mixes is now available for New Hampshire Growers. The series, called "Nutripeat," was developed from agriculhiral compost by Vermont Natural Ag Products, Inc., from Middlebury. These mixes simulate the texture of peat moss and when combined with peat moss, "give growing performances comparable to the most highly regarded com- mercial mixes on the market to- day." The products are "generally more wetable than peat moss and therefore require less water and fertilizer than other peat-lite mix- tures on the market and can reduce the cost of production." Five mixes are offered. There is a germinating and transplant mix (a blend of vermiculite, peat moss, and composted cow manure) and two perennial mixes. The more- fmely textured of these (cow ma- nure compost and New Hampshire brown peat humus) is recommend- ed specifically for outside container production; the second — lighter — mix (horse manure bedding and ground bark finished compost blended with Canadian spagnum peat moss) is designed for general greenhouse use. There are two nursery mbces. Bulk loads and big bags of the first (composted horse manure and New Hampshire brown peat humus) can be individually blended to include washed sand and/or slow-release fertilizer. The second (horse ma- nure bedding, woody yard waste, and "high quality, high nitrogen food and municipal residues") is a media that, when mixed with peat humus and washed sand, will be heavy enough to keep tall stock upright in a strong wind. Vermont Natural Ag Products, Inc., has an interesting history. About a decade ago, Foster Broth- ers Farm, Inc., a dairy operation in Middlebury, Vermont, looking for ways to keep the family business strong, started producing electricity )iXV\C^\Ac^ ■c^p>^1T\ **niir goal, quality Our strength, our employees" FOR A GREENHOUSE PEFTWITLK VIFFERENT CONTACT: ELLIS B,SPRAGUE OROm, MAINE TEL: 207-866-4747 FAX: 207-866-4747 HPiRnOIS NORTHERN NURSERIES WHOLESALE HORTICULTURAL DISTRTBUTION CENTERS U.S. Route 5, White River Junction, VT 05001 16 Pinkham Road West, Barrington, Nh 03825 SERVING THE PROFESSIONAL WITH ABOVE GROUND PLANT MATERIAL Distributors in the following lines: • Lofts Seeds • Birchmeier Sprayers • DeWitt Weed Barrier , Lebanon Turf Fertilizers • Corona Hand Tools . Mulch & Grow Hydroseeding Fiber y • Earthway Spreaders • Nursery & Landscape Supplies -- /f^ Contact: lim Babb, Mgr., White River lunction, VT, (802) 295-2117 Bob Averell, Mgr., Barrington, NH, (603) 868-7172 GOOD SERVICE . DEPENDABLE QUAUTY- CONVENIENT LOCATION The Plantsman 18 hy Qrow Orchids? Emmett Ross JL or those of you who might have read my article on orchids last year and were enticed to try and grow a plant or two, this is the time of the year that the fruits of your labors wll be yours to enjoy. All of the different types of orchids that I had mentioned should be, or shortly will be, in bloora These cold dark days of our winters are an excellent time of the year to be rewarded with those exotic moth-like blooms of the phaleanopsis dancing on a long inflorescence. Or possibly, you are lucky enough to have a bouquet of cattleya blooms, commonly represented as the corsage orchid. What could be more appetizing to the senses than hsvmg a five- inch bloom in hues of purple or white filling your growing area with an intoxicating perfume? Then, if you had indulged in perhaps a cymbidium or two, your blooms would soon be coming. Their blooms are more earth-toned as well as having yellows, reds, and greens. Orchid growing throughout the years has always presented the grower with challenges. What is the allure that keeps us interested and continually trying to meet these new challenges? First and foremost is the fact that probably no one person could ever grow all of the 35,000 or so species of orchids in one life time. So from such a vast field of plants from which to chose, there will most certainly be some that are suitable to almost any growing condition. This diversity of flower morphology contributes to orchid interest For instance, there are oncidiums that, when in bloom, simulate a bee swarm by producing a spray of hundreds of blossoms that quiver with the slightest breeze. During the course of evolution, this system was devised to antagonize a passing bee into attacking the "swarm" and thereby initiate pollination. Oncidium/)a/>iZzo, the butterfly orchid, bears a single flower displayed atop a four-foot stalk. The top two petals and one sepal rise like long yellow and brown antennae with the remaining flower segments arranged to resemble a butterfly. Angraecums have predominantly white star-shaped flowers that look as though they were carved out of wax. They contain a nectary at the end of a spur that is active at night When Darwin observed Angcm. sesquipedale, with its 12-inch spur, he predicted that there was a moth with a 12- inch proboscis that was its pollinator. This moth was finally discovered in the 1920's. This orchid is also known as the Star of-Bethleham orchid as it blooms faithfiilly during the Christmas season. Anguloa clowesii is also referred to as the tulip orchid for just reasons. Their sepals have a cup shape that resembles the tulip. Maybe I could interest you in a miltoniopsis (or February 6? March 1993 19 pansy orchid). There are now available hybrids of this vari- ety in reds and whites with what appears to be a waterfall cascading down the lip all this in a four-inch flower and on a seven-inch plant Are you interested in our own native slipper orchids? They are not adaptable to cultivation, but South American and Asian varieties are. Phragmipedlum caudatum has petals that can be two-feet long. They will stop growing when they reach the ground. This mechanism evolved to facilitate pollination by terrestrial insects. Asian phaphio- pedilums can be just as spectacular with some forms having huge pouches as though they were blowing bubble gum. There are some orchid growers that specialize only in miniatures. These orchids are usually the most challenging, like bonsai growing. The flowers from these plants can usually only be appreciated while being viewed through a magnifying glass and a thimble can serve as a poL Admittedly, orchids out of bloom are not what could be called a pretty plant and are affectionately known as "cab- bages" among orchid growers. However there are some orchids that are grown for their foliage, and are referred to as jewel orchids. Their leaves are nicely variegated with a velvety purple sheen, sometimes with red or gold veining. This article asks the question: Why grow orchids? Along with the sensual and cerebral reasons that I have men- tioned, most commercial growers will be interested in their economic value. Some orchids serve as excellent cut flowers as well as pot plants. They are capable of holding their blooms for months. Modem breeders are now producing groups of orchids in more vibrant colors and hues. Literge- neric hybridizing with miniature laelias, sophronitis and broughtonias has also reduced the size of the cattleya plants, making them more adaptable to home light or window sill culture. For instance, the late Dick Valentine of Wolfboro, New Hampshire, was known throughout the worid for his early-blooming miniature cymbidiums. By selective breed- ing, the plant size of this genera was reduced while still retaining an impressive flower size. Many of his varieties are commercially available with 'Valentines Love' being one of the more famous. I hope I have stimulated at least some interest in orchid culture and/or ecology. I invite you to broaden your horizons and open your growing space ta orchids. There are serious, capable, and successful orchid growers throughout the New England area to prove my argument So next spring I hope to meet some of you in some bog observing our native orchids or at least attending the next New Hampshire Orchid Show. Again I invite everyone to the New Hampshire Orchid Society Meeting in Manchester. Good growing! ^ Emmett Ross grows and hybridizes his orchids at Cape Neddick Gardens, PO Box 272, Cape Neddick, ME 03902. He is currently a graduate student in Plant at UNH, Durham. He can be reached there (603) 862-1114. TIPS From the Griffin Guru YOUR PARTS DEPT. At a recent seminar, I heard a speaker touch upon this subject and I would like to pass on his com- ments for your consideration. What have you got stocked in your Parts Dept. that would handle a malfunction at 3 AM some dark morning? The average greenhouse uses a wide va- riety of motors and switches and valves and other unique stuff. Some of which is hard to replace even when it's not 3 AM. First thing to do — ^walk though each part of your operation — boiler room, headhouse, each green- house. List all the working equipment by location from thermostats to oil burners to pumps. Note the model and/or part number of each. You might even write down where it was obtained. This will be of great value to you when a problem develops. Time will be saved. Also, it will be a handy refer- ence for your back-up person if you're not on site. The other suggestion would be that if you have on- line a number of the same pumps or thermostats, etc., you might consider putting a back-up in your Parts Dept. The New Hampshire Orchid Society Of'^^-sv '/O sO' presents its 1993 Spring Orchid Show March 17 - 21 The Center of New Hampshire 700 Elm Street Manchester, NH Jot Information Contact: Qortfon/JJita La'Bonte 603-627-5397 The Plantsman 20 CAVICCHIO GREENHOUSES, INC Wholesale Growers ANNUALS PERENNIALS HARDY MUMS GROUND COVER KALE & CABBAGE 110 Codjer Lane Sudbury, MA 01 776 (508)443-7177 FLOWERING HANGING BASKETS FALL PANSIES JUMBO ANNUALS HOLIDAY PLANTS CLASSIC PERENNIALS HARDY FALL ANNUALS A Weston Nurseries Introduction A phrase which stands for the very best that fifty years of horticultural innovation and testing can produce. Weston Nurseries is proud to have developed and introduced these outstanding plants for the benefit of the American Nursery Industry. Rhododendroom PMJ (Hybridized in mC) FOR THE FINEST "NEW ENGLAND-GROWN" PLANTS, VISIT OUR WHOLESALE SALES YARD OR CALL AND ASK FOR TOM WILHELM, DAVE WALKER OR TOM WILLLAMS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HELPING YOU. Rhododendron PMJ (1940)* Rhododendron Henry's Red (1958)* Rhododendron Shrimp Pink Hybrids ( 1958)* Rhododendron Agio ( 1 964 ) * Rhododendron Olga Mezitt (1964)* Rhododendron Weston's Pink Diamond (1964)* Rhododendron Molly Fordham (1966)* Rhododendron M i lestone (1972)* Since 1923 Rhododendron April Snow ( 1978)'' A2aleajaneAbbon(1942)* A2aleaVyking(1958)* Azalea Pink and Sweet (1963)* Azalea Parade (1963)* Azalea Golden Showers ( 1963)* Azalea Pink Clusters (1972)* *YeaT Hybridized Weston Nurseries I Inc, ff/i ol Hopkinton Growing New England's largest variety of landscape-size plants, shrubs, trees and perennials. E. Main St. (Rte. 135), P.O. Box 186, Hopkinton, MA 01748 Tel. (508) 435-3414, From Boston 235-3431, Toll free in MA, 1-800-322-2002 FAX 508-435-3274. February 6? March 1993 21 WE MEET ALL YOUR BLOOMIN' NEEDS. From nursery stock to dry goods, Sharon Sales has what it takes to meet your growing concerns. Whether you're a large business or a budding up-start, our exclusive growers, wide product line and dedication to excellent service and pricing is why we're the company that for over 30 years has helped so many businesses really blossom! Helping Your Growing Business 275 Turnpike Su-eet, Canton, MA 02021 1-800-783-6440 (617)821-6440 FAX: (617) 821-6319 Servicing all the New England States Grower's and Manufacturers' Representatives for Lawn and Garden Suppliers Hardy Northern -Grown Planting Stock APARTL AL USTING BARE-ROOT STOCK PLUG STOCK Minimum Order. $100 and 100 of one size and variety. Minimum Order: 4 trays (2 of same variety) 1 1 100- 250- 500 2-6 STRAYS SPECIES AGE SIZE 249 499 &UP SPECIES AGE SIZE TRAYS & UP BALSAM FIR 2-3 12-18- 1.36 95 68 BALSAM FIR P2 4-7- .57 .37 3-2 9-15" 1.30 .91 65 CONCOLOR FIR P2 4-7- .57 .37 3-0 6-12- .36 ,25 18 FRASER FIR P2 4-7- .57 .37 CONCOLOR FIR DOUGLAS FIR 2-2 2-2 9-15- 6-12- 2.10 2.00 1.45 1 1.40 1 05 00 EASTERN WHITE PINE P2 4-7- SCOTCH PINE .57 .37 Uncoln 2-2 15-24- 1.20 .84 60 Lake Superior P2 4-7- .57 .37 2-2 12-18- 1.10 77 55 COLORADO BLUE SPRUCE P2 4-7- .55 35 2-0 8-14- .28 .20 14 NORWAY SPRUCE P2 5-10- .57 .35 Apache 2-0 6-9- 24 .17 12 WHITE SPRUCE P2 5-10- .57 .37 Brilkh Columbia 2-0 6-9- .24 17 12 SERBIAN SPRUCE P2 5-10' .57 .37 FRASER FIR 3-2 3-0 2-2 9-15- 6-10- 9-15- 1,20 .40 1.20 84 84 60 20 60 Container-grown seedlings come in trays of 67 cavities each and EASTERN WHITE PINE ore shipped either in 2 or 4 tray boxes. Therefore, we request ttKit you order an even number of trays. There is a container deposit of SCOTCH PINE French 3-0 9-I5- 40 28 20 S3. 35 per tray which is refundable upon return of the containers in 2-1 6-12- .96 ,67 48 good condition within 60 days at the expense of the purchaser. 2-0 2-1 4-8- 6-9- .24 ,17 12 Call 1-800-447-4745 ( FAX 1-207-935-2043) 2-0 4-8- ^24 ,17 12 to receive our complete Wholesale Trade List COLORADO BLUE SPRUCE 2-2 9-15- 1.30 ,91 65 2-0 6-9- 24 17 12 ^H^ ^^^ ^ NORWAY SPRUCE 2-2 2-0 12-18- 6-12- 1.16 .24 M 58 12 ^Atestern WHITE SPRUCE 2-2 3-0 12-18- 12-18- 1.16 .40 .81 28 58 20 DEEP-ROOTED QUALITY SINCE 192 3 Box 250, One Evergreen Dr..Fryeburg. ME 04037 YOUR LOGO Steps To Creating One That Works! Tina Sawtelle WHY BOTHER WITH A LOGO? Without question...mvest in a logo for your business or organization. A logo is your identifying symbol. Your logo says everything about who you are in a nutshell. Your logo tells your business name, what business you're in, and the quality you want to portray. For most, it is one of the first impressions of your business. And how important can that be to winning and keeping customers?! When creating and using your logo, you are striving for recognition. When customers and potential customers see your logo in advertise- ments, on direct mail pieces, on coupons, on signs, on carry-out trays, on bags and tags, you want them to know in an instant that it is you. You want them to recognize you quickly by your logo. The repetitive use of your logo familiarizes customers with who you are. SHOULD I DESIGN MY LOGO IN-HOUSE? Personal Computers and Desktop Publishing have tremendous in-house capabilities. If you have the top quality equipment and expertise, you may be able to design and produce your own logo. For most, it is well worth the investment to work with a professional graphic designer to work up your business logo. Your logo is an investment. You will use it over and over and over again for years to February & March 1993 23 INSURANCE SPECIALISTS SINCE 1967 BUTLER FLORIST' & GROWERS' INSURANCE 20 South Street, Westborough, MA 01581-1969 Tel: 508-366-1512 Have your local broker call for more information. SfKIAL PACKAGES rOR • Ketoil Florist) ■ Guillen Ctnlers ■ Londs(op«n • Wholesola Growers • Sod Forms Flo«er/Gill Tree Forms Suppliers Interior Londsroper Fruit Growers Formers Morkets Roodside Forms SPECIAL COVERAGES • Pick Your Own • OH Premises Power • Cut Your Own " Tronsportolion ' Florist E t 0 ' ReploiemenI Cos! ■ Consequentiol Refrig • Pestitide/Fetliliier ' Prol Londsiope Design WINDING BROOK TURF FARM, ""^ 240 Griswold Rd Wtthersfteld.Cr 06109 BT III Kennebunk. ME 04043 QUALITY BLUEGRASS BLUEGRASS - FESCUE BLENDS LOW MAINTENANCE BLENDS PENNCROSS BENTGRASS In Cr 203-529-6869 Distributor For: Outside cr 1-800-243-0232 • ffla Paweri Llbl« IDEAL 28'X 96' TOTAL PACKAGE 5,888 25 1 5/8" galvanized steel bows 300' 1 3/8" galvanized steel purlins 50 side purlin holders 25 top purin holders 50 2"x 24" anchor stakes 11 cross truss braces 4 corner wind braces 1 200,000 BTU gas heater (LP) 1 heater hanger bracket 4 18" circulation fans 3 36" exhaust fans & shutters 2 42" exhaust shutters & elec. mts. 2 thermostats 2 6 mil poly film layers, top 2 6 mil poly film layers, ends 1 inflation blower 1 hardware assembly kit 500' batten tack tape TOLL FREE 1-800-476-7544 EXC-CEL . GREENHOUSES MANUFACTURERS P.O. BOX 1005 GREENWOOD, S.C. 29648 come. Keep this in mind when you are detenninmg the cost USE YOUR LOGO EVERYWHERE of your logo. You may need to spend anywhere from $150 Once you've completed your logo, use iti Use it everywhere! to $750 to produce a logo that says what you want it to say You want recognition! There are economical ways of putting about your business. Your logo is an investment with lasting your logo on everything. Printing is expensive. Perhaps you value. ease into printing your logo on all your marketing materials. You must be 100% involved with the designer in the In the meantime, make use of stickers, rubber stamps (there production of your logo. Provide the designer with as much are some excellent quality ones!) , and other means of information as possible to aid in tiie design. Give your getting your logo (your name) out there. *•- designer pictures of your business. Better yet, invite tiiem out to tour your operation so tiiey have a firsthand experi- Tina Sawtelle, principal of Sawtelle Marketing Associates ence of what your business is. Ust five tilings about your <'^^f ^f * f°'"i' ^^ewmarket, NH 03857) consults with CUV.C ui wimi. jruui uuaiiicaa la. i^ac jjvc uiiugo auuuu j^uui agricultural and Small businesses on marketing and man- business you want people to know. What do you want to be agement She also teaches agricultural busings manage- known for? Choose a type style you like to give the designer ment techniques at the UNH Thompson School. For more an idea of tiie image you are looking for. It is a mistake to information, call her at (603) 659-8106. approach a designer and turn them loose to design without giving guidelines. You will turn many things down, make many changes, and pay $$ for it Be involved! TIPS TO DESIGNING A GOOD ONE! You want your logo to be easily recognized at a glance (while skimming through the newspaper, sorting through tiie mail, or driving by at 60 miles per hour) . ♦ Keep it simple! A logo is not flie place for detail of words or illustrations. Simple is better. ♦ It must be readable! Can you read the logo vpithout squinting? Choose a typeface that is very easy to read, ♦ Neat and compact! Your logo should not take up your whole ad. Keep this in mind when designing. Your logo is saying "My name is..." and you only want to take up a small space saying tiiaL If designed properly, you can come across loud and clear in a small space. ♦ Enclose it in a border! Borders are great on all marketing materials. They complete the product and make it stand out By enclosing your logo, you set it apart from the rest of the piece. You have a much better chance of your logo being reproduced properly if it is enclosed as a unit Often it aids in the haste of newspaper layout ♦ Include a slc^an! A slogan can be part of your logo. Your slogan is another tool to defining who you are. ♦ Use the right illustration! Be sure the illustration in your logo makes sense. Does it give the impression you want to give? You don't want to reinvent tiie wheel of industry logos. Be different But be sure it is clear what business you're in. ♦ Be different! Design something tiiat sets you apart from the rest But once again, be sure it is clear what businessyou're in. ♦ Ease of reproduction is important! Make sure the logo is easily reproduced. Keep in mind the places you WSi be using your logo. Newspapers have poor quaUly of reproduction. They lose detail and they smudge. Tags may need a very small logo. Clan you read your logo in all sizes? You will want to copy your logo on a simple copy machine. Does it reproduce well? ♦ Designing with color. If your logo is designed with colors fyou're fortunate) , be sure it is as effective in black and white. February (©'March 1993 25 The Catalog. The "93 catalog are here! Over 180 pa^ of quality C^ shnibs, trees and evogreens with fuD descriptioi«. More than 1,000 varieties. AD available by phone, or at Millican's. Dcliveiy thtxxighout New En^d. For personal service, quality stock and our new catalog, call MiOican Nurseries. 603-435-6660 MILUCAN NURSERIES, INC PLEASANT St, CHICHESTER, N H. 03263 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. RO. BOX 9169 WETHERSFIELD. CT 06129-0169 1 (800) 326-HART PRODUCTS COMPANY Lawn Sr Garden Limestone Decorative Landscape Stone White Playsand P.O. Box 1521 • Portland, ME 04104 (800) 541-9127 Northern Grown Trees Evergreens Shrubs Mon-Sat 7:00 -5:30 Sun: 9:00 - 5:00 O'DONAL'S NURSERIES Located at junction of routes 22 & 114 Gotham, Maine (M038 Phone (207) 839-4262 or 839-6364 Fax 207-839-2290 We specialize in growing specimen plant materials. The Plantsman 26 new england anemones precision creates the environment The three houses set into an Epsom hillside give no indication of what's inside. The long benches of unexpected color are not part of some arbitrary Shangri-I^, but a tightly-controlled crop grown for commercial cut-flower production. The first anemones were planted eleven years ago, after Gary and Sabrina Matteson moved here from Rhinebeck, New York. In Rhinebeck, Gary had worked for Riverside Flowers, a range specializing in cut anemones. When the brothers who ran it retired, Gary had the opportunity to rent the place for a year, but when he looked at the upgrading he wanted to do (the old glass houses had lots of leaks — a real problem for quality production) and the fact that anemones are a fourteen-month crop, he decided it would be simpler to start his own operation. Epsom was chosen because the land was affordable and within seventy miles of a major flower market. Gary and Sabrina understood that in order to make a living, they would have to keep down costs. They calculated the size range they could manage without full- time help, then built the whole thing. This is the size it will stay. Their land is hilly, but they've used this to their advantage. They pushed the high south side of the slope along the road to the north. The topsoil was stock- piled for use in the beds; the subsoil was used to create a surface large enough on which to fit three 28x144 houses. This surface was built up slightly toward the north, so that the houses are built on an incline, the most southerly lowest (This prevents one greenhouse from casting a shadow on the next) The prevailing wind is from the northwest and the fans are on the east ends — the vmid's leeward side — to work with the wind, not against it The connecting headhouse/work area on the east end is set into the hillside below the level of the produc- tion houses. Because anemones like it cool, a windowless work area set into earth is a better place to sort and prepare the cut flowers for market And it doesn't obstruct any sunlight from the growing plants. The three houses are used for growing. Nothing else. Each contains five raised beds (three center beds 51/ 2' wide; two side beds 2 1/2' wide) 136 feet long. The two-foot wide walks between the benches are poured concrete and are used as footings for the beds' 2 l/2'-high cement retaining walls. The walkways are the only part of the floor that's covered, allowing the growing media to be much deeper than the bed height suggests. The media is actually five feet deep: four feet of sand topped by a foot of topsoil mixed with manure and peat moss. Growing space is so important that, in order to create as much as possible, the furnaces (oil) are in a separate room in the headhouse area and heat is brought up through ducts. The duct openings are near the fan jets — ^which help move the heat quickly. "Seeking insurance through redundancy," there are two water systems from two separate wells. One using 3/4" line is used for drip feed in the beds and pesticide spraying. A second, using 1 1/4" line, can be hooked into at spigots along the three aisles. Fertilizer and chemicals can be delivered through each system from a 200Ogallon milk bulk tank dovm in the headhouse area or through a fertilizer injector system. Pfacing the tank below the production house level allows whatever's being applied to drain from the greenhouse back into the tank for reuse. But there is a fourth, smaller (25x52) , house on another hillside nearby. Also oil-heated and with raised beds, this house is so important it has two separate February & March 1993 27 (both propane) back-up heating systems. Here, irom November through mid-February, plants are grown to produce seed for the next year's crop. 'If s hard for other growers to realize how self-contained we are," Gary notes. "If we don't produce seed, we don't have a crop." In this house, Gary also does hybridizing. The natural colors of anemones are primary — red, blue, white...and his crosses aim toward pastels — peach, rose, white touched with light lavender. Seed from promising individual blossoms are tried in the production houses. Right now thirty trials are in progress. The fourteen-month crop cycle begins in the small house in the spring, when the plants are pulled out and seed theyVe been producing since November is sown. In the three main houses, plants are pulled out in June. Fresh peat moss and manure, along with lime and triple phosphate, is added to the top layer of media and rototilled in. Each bed is sanitized by using methyl bromide applied under plastic that seals it off from the rest of the house. After letting the methyl bromide work for two days, Gary — wearing an airpac borrowed from the local fire department — pulls back the plastic. The house then airs out for ten days. Then the media is wet down, leaching out remaining fertilizer residue. AquaGro, a wetting agent, is added to the water and Gary feels that by using it, the media's more thoroughly moist- ened and less compacted. Six people can plant one house in two days. Two people dig seedlings in the propagation house and bring them in bunches wrapped in wet newsp^jer to the production house; two people drop the plants at appropriate intervals (the planting pattern is set up beforehand using a multiple dibble); Gary and Sabrina plant After the seedlings are watered in, two Agritech foggers — one at the inlet end, one in the middle — are turned on in each house; the moisture is sucked forward by the fan at the exhaust end. They each use forty gallons of water an hour and are operated through August These foggers also work as a cooling device and can maintain a temperature up to 15 degrees below that outside. Economics require a lot of flowers per square foot: the beds are tightly planted — which creates an interesting problem; the ideal conditions for botrytis are the conditions anemones like best Humidity's important and thick bottom foliage is needed to protect the developing buds from sunlight, thus allowing them to mature to their full size. Standard fungicides are applied, either using a backpack sprayer or through one of the water systems. The only insect problem is spider mites: Temik used to take care of them; Gary now uses Avid. By September, blossoming starts, although in warm weather, it may not be of particularly high quality. The real production season begins in October and lasts through May. Day length is not a concern, but light intensity is. Too much light can distort or create a short stem by causing a bud to mature too quickly. So on bright days of intense sunlight, a 60% mesh shade cloth fastened to high-tensile fencing wire strung above the benches is pulled. If s pulled by hand and stays over the crop through mid-day. Anemones open in sunlight — they are cut in low light because a closed flower is less easily hurt In spring, this may mean getting up at 3:30. On a good day, there may be 4000 blossoms to harvest — about SK hours work. Using a knife that fits in the palm of the hand, they cut for three hours, have breakfast, then finish up by noon. They cut every other day. During a season, a good plant will produce ten blossoms. The blossoms are sorted into five categories according to stem length — the longer lengths being the more valuable. (Thicker stems are better as well — they have more water retention capacity — anemones like water.) After that, Gary and Sabrina look at the blossoms and cull any that are too small, too mature, or that have any blemish or distortion — "Quality is good economics." The flowers are then graded into four categories and are priced according to grade. Should adverse growing conditions — unexpected hot weather, for example — produce poorer blooms, use of this system assures buyers they will receive the quality they pay for. The final selections are put into bunches — ten blossoms per bunch, eight bunches per plastic bucket — and stored in a cooler. They're sold to wholesalers in other cities — west to Albany, south to Washington; in order to maintan fi^sh- ness, Gary and Sabrina will sell no further than a day's trip by bus. Everything else goes to the Boston Flower Market Gary doesn't sell; he consigns production to two wholesalers: one deals with "oddball flowers of a very high quality^ the other deals in flowers of a more general nature. The two can cover everything he produces. Profit is reinvested in labor-saving devices. One invest- ment has been a Priva Zone Maximizer, a computer-operat- ed environmental-control system capable of monitoring four zones. It is used to monitor temperature, sunlight, and humidity in the three flower production houses and the seed production house. The humidity control is particularly crucial because in cooler temperatures, less change is needed to cause increased humidity. (Higher air tempera- tures have more water absorption capacity.) The system works well because it has what Gary calls learning c^jabil- ity" — if it needs to turn on the heat for one minute for every ten to maintain a certain temperature level, then one minute for every nine, then one for every eight, it learns' the pattern, and will continue following it to maintain correct levels, without over- or under-heating. Prior to getting this system, fans were connected to timers — the timers might be set to turn on the fans five minutes for every half hour — but the timers had to be set by hand and changed whenever the situation warranted it This not only required that someone always be around to keep an eye on things, but it also created extreme fluctua- tions in humidity levels. The new system creates more even humidity levels and allows Gary and Sabrina to lead more flexible lives. Both things are probably crucial to long-term quality. JjGBVmg', one turns back and sees a plain stone wall and, beyond it, the neutral plastic houses; beyond these are the clean contours of brown hayed hills. If s good to pause and realize how easy it is to notice only the bright brief product and to miss the steady long-term beauty of the process itself. (B.P.) The Plantsman 28 PRUNERS • LADDERS • SPRAYERS • FORKLIFTS ■ PUMPS ROUTE 116, P.O. BOX 540 CONWAY, MA 01341 413-369-4335 For Friendly, Courteous, Efficent, Technical Service CALL US AT 1-800-634-5557 FOR INFORMATION AND CATALOGS HOSE ■ TANKS ■ REELS ■ MOWERS ■ SAFETY EQUIPMENT Laughton's Garden Cerjler Inc. Cal Laughton. Florist MIIDQCPYQTOrk' . AMMIIAIC; CHARLES LAUGHTON - PRESIDENT NURbtHY blUUK • ANNUALb dave polygreen - nursery sales PERENNIALS FERTILIZERS • INSECTICIDES Distributors of Sentinel Foam Overwinter Blankets WHOLESALE AND RETAIL NURSERY Tel. 1-800-633-0159 155-165 Princeton Blvd. No. Chelmsford. MA 01863 LAUGHTONS FOR QUALITY SOD AND SERVICE ROUTE 3A LITCHFIELD, NH 1-800-556-6985 Big Rolls with Roll-out Service Convenient Farm Pick-up Prompt Delivery Service WE SUPPORT: Fair MICHAUD Nurseries & Greenhouses, Inc. %^. Route 85 — PO Box 334 (603) 772-3698 Exeter, MH 03833 Wholesale & Retail ISursery Annuals. Perennials. Hursery Stock, Landscape Supplies 29 WHOLESALE NURSERY TREES • EVERGREENS • SHRUBS 150 acres of quality plants Write for catalog Member: MNA. NENA Millers Falls Road, Turners Falls, MA 01376 Telephone 413- 863-2510 s tewart^ NURSERY, Inc. GREENHOUSE PLANTS CHRYSANTHEMUMS NURSERY STOCK POINSETTIAS BULBS/ULIES GERANIUMS PERENNIALS CYCLAMEN SEEDUNGS <^« D.A POSOCCO enhouse Plants - Nursery Stock AZALEAS PLUGS Joseph Glannino SEEDS 56 Tuscano Avenue Revere, MA 02151 617-286-6541 (home) Fax 617-289-9412 f^ fffill erry nurseries inc. A crowing tradition since 1832 WHOLESALE ONLY Growers of Quality Hardy Plants Trees • Shrubs" EverBn;en« B&B and ConUincr Crown Wide Range of Materials ~\ West Newbury, Massachusetts 01985 508-462-6688 We welcome your visit! ^sr Richard C. Zoerb 600 Mamaroneck Ave. Harrison, NY 10528 72 Hawkstead Hollow Nashua, NH 03063 603 886-8665 75 CHESTNUT HILL, RTE. 190 STAFFORD SPRINGS, CT. 06076 W. H.MILIKOWSKI, INC. GREENHOUSE SUPPLIES& EQUIPMENT PLANTS BULBS SEEDS ALL YOUR GREENHOUSE NEEDS GROW WITH US' Conn 203-684-5811 Ouiof State 800-243-7 170 Featuring 'NH Gold' Forsythia the best of the new, hardy fbrsythias, developed here by Paul joly W several sizes available WINDSOR ROAD NURSERY RT. 2, BOX 884, CORNISH, NH 03745 CcMfcrr ccn appoimnenv. 603-543-3239 arser\dfoTaaxtalog ROOTED CUTTINGS & POTTED LINERS of other hard-to-find shrubs & trees / PERENNIALS & NURSERY STOCK wholesale &. retail LANDSCAPE CONSULTING Garden Center TEL 625-8298 / fax 622-4073 Greenhouses Nursery Craft & Christmas Shop 5 So. Mammonth Rd. (Rte.28A) Manchester, NH 03103 The PLirusTiian 30 Soil Testing asa Management Tool Oh no! Not another boring article on soil testing. Maybe yes, and maybe no. Hopefully, this article will inform you as to all the fascinating things going on in the soil-testing world, especially in New Hampshire and New England. As we move towards using more and more "residual waste" products (wood ashes, sludge, compost), environmental monitoring through soil testing takes on increased importance. If we don't use the best procedures and labs, the variability of the results may interfere with any conclusions made. It's a little known fact that for the last 8 or 9 years a small group has been working on updating and improving the soil testing lab at UNH. We can confidently say that our lab now leads most universities in New England in the accuracy and reliability of soil test results and recommendations. What we've been doing is basically sharpening our soil testing tools, so that they will be more effective and efficient when we use thera There have been several areas where improvement has been made, some in the lab and some in the field. Although much of the field work has been done in forage crops, some of the information can be transferred (applied) to other crops as well. Finding out how to effectively maintan or improve soil fertility and health, we can make it a better place for all plants. The major new area has been in use of soil nitrate testing to predict niti-ogen fertilizer recommendations. Most of the field work is being done with field com since com is a major nitrogen user. However, more is now going on to utilize this test on sweet com and other vegetables. Unlike some of our other tools, this one cuts two ways. With respect to the environment, it allows us to reduce the risk of water contamination fi-om nitrates. From the profitability stand- point, it allows us to reduce the cost of producing a good crop. Much of the field work involves the use of periodic soil sampling, both prior to and after fertilizer ^plication. By monitoring nutrient levels throughout the season, we can begin to develop recommendations based on scientific findings. One of the most compounding factors is soil type. Since soil characteristics vary with soil type, we needed to first group soils wth similar properties, and then work with soils in each of these groups. Another challenge is to evaluate the soO at various stages of the rotational scheme, since the nutrients (especially Nitrogen) supplied to plants varies with the crop history and sequence. Sound compli- cated? It's really not, compared to some of the other fertility research going on in New Hampshire, but it does take time to develop information. TomBuob An example of this type of field work was demonsti^ed on five sites this past summer. Farm fields are used rather than the greenhouse so that tiie results will represent what goes on under natural conditions. Once the sites are identi- fied, soil samples are taken to determine what type and how much of a supplemental fertilizer (other than nitrogen) is needed to grow the crop. After the crop is planted and begins to grow, soil nitrate samples (12-inch core) are taken at various intervals to evaluate the nitrogen supply for the crop. Normally, under production conditions, the nitrogen recommendation is based on a sample taken when the com plant is between 8 and 12 inches. This has been found to be a good time to evaluate the niti-ogen supply which will be available to the plant throughout the season, and also allows sufficient time to apply any additional fertilizer which might be needed. Since the time of maximum uptake of nitrogen is when the com plant is between 2 feet and tasseling, this also reduces the risk of fertilizer losses to the environment In our test plots, we continue to soil niti-ate sample throughout the remainder of the season to try to determine the fate of the applied niti-ogen. Since there is soil niti-ate from the fertilizer as well as from decaying organic matter in the soil, some plots do not receive any fertilizer. In this way we can approximate how much of the nitrogen is coming direcfly from the soil. At harvest, yields are harvested on all the plots to determine if there is any difference due to the various levels of fertilizer. In this case, tiiis was the first time that com was grown in the field for several years. For this reason there was very little increase in yield after 50 pounds of nitrogen was added. This is because nitrogen for Uie decaying sod was able to supply most of it Since this was actually a poor sod, extra fertilizer was needed. When a well-fertilized sod is used in rotation wth com, very little, if any, additional fertilizer is needed. Since the soil nitrate test can help us evaluate these nitrogen sources, we can reduce the cost of growing the crop as well as protect the environment from the loss of excess niti-ogen. As we continue to shaipen this tool and use it and otiiers to grow our crops, we can continue to improve production as well as protect our environment If agriculture is to remain vibrant, this is a necessity. * Tom Buob is Extension Educator, UNH Cooperative Exten- sion, Grafton County. His address is North Haverhill County Court House, PO Box 191, Woodsville, NH 03785. He can be reached by calling (603) 787-6944. February 6? March 1993 31 w — BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS DECEMBER 3 The meeting was at Pleasant View; Andrea, Bob, Bruce, Chris, Henry, Peter, Peter, Richard, and Roger were there. Richard Emerson will step down as NHPGA representative to the New England Greenhouse Conference; Henry Huntington will take his place. Two designers— Joni Doherty, JoniDoherty Design Studio, Northwood, and Debbie Ryan of Moriah Design Agency, Shelbume — expressed interest in submitting port- folios in order to be considered for the job of designing a new organiza- tion logo. The Winter Meefing seems pretty much in place. Details — special invi- tations, awards, respoHsibilities of various board members— were dis- cussed. There will be a twilight meeting at Michaud's Nursery and Greenhouses on June 16 at 6:30. Bob Demers reported on his visit to Eliot Williams Roses in Dover. They would be interested in hosting the Summer Meeting; there's room there for exhibitors, plenty of park- ing, and shelter if it rains. The Board decided to have the NHPGA Summer Meeting there on August 18. Perillo's has been asked to handle the meal again. There would be one speaker with one credit for pesticide recertification later in the afternoon, but a featured speaker could talk on some other topic of interest The applications for the NHPGA scholarship were read and this year's recipients were chosen. It was dis- cussed whether or not to expand the pool of applicants by allowing stu- dents from other schools and other agriculture-related studies to apply. It was decided to look into it It was decided to create a fact sheet to give out at the Farm & For- est Exposition. Next meeting, each Board member will submit the name of a plant he or she recommends for 1993 New Hampshire gardens and a few words about it These will be combined in a hand-out flier. JANUARY 7 Andrea, Bob, Henry, and Peter van Berkum met at Pleasant View at seven. Final arrangements for the Winter Meeting were discussed. Peter Corey will be leaving the Board and a replacement needs to be found to fill his position. It would be appro- priate if this person were from the northern or western part of the state. Peter van Berkum brought a port- folio of an "organization promoter" who is interested in working for the NHPGA. On thing she might do is find corporate sponsors for well- known speakers for various Plant Grower meetings. It was decided to invite her to give a presentation at the February Board meeting. Bob Demers brought a drawing showing a three-leaved plant in a pot sent him by Rick Simpson of Rollkg Green Landscaping and Nursery, Greenland. This design would be used as an official symbol on state di- rectional signs for nurseries, green- houses and garden centers. The Board approved the design. Qt will still have to be approved by the NH Department of Transportation and then by the legislature.) The Board also decided to write to the EPA commenting on the regula- tions currently being discussed. Final plans for plant material for the NHPGA Farm & Forest display and for people to be there to answer questions will be discussed after the Winter Meeting. »*• HARRY STOLLER & CO., Inc. 109-113 Essex St., Haverhill, Mass. 01830, (508) 373-6838, (800) 322-0332 We cater to the small and medium size nursery in any quantity desired: 1. New heavy grade domestic burlap sqs. untreated & no-rot-treated 2. Open burlap bags 3. New windbreak burlap 4. Balling bags 5. Wire baskets 6. Flat-folded burlap basket liners 7. Truck covers 8. Sisal twine & poly twine 9. Woven polypropylene sqs. The Plantsman 32 The Mitsubishi Fuso 4WDFG. Built to work where others can't. There's always been a need for a need for a four- wheel drive, cab-over light-duty truck that can conquer sand, snow, steep hills, and off-road conditions. A real truck. The 127 HP, 11,600 IbAiVW, intercooled, turbocharged diesel, MITSUBISm FUSO 4WD FG, is exactly that truck. A cab-forward design with excep- tional front and side visibility lets the driver see over, and around, snow- plowa Up, and down, hilly terrain. And threatening conditions that conventional designs hide. Wheelbase options help maintain the original design integrity that's often sacrificed by imnecessary adaptions. A durable, reliable cha^ls, frame, and suspension system not only makes the ride smooth. But also protects the truck, the load, and yom* investment. And, accepts a variety of body and box options. It is a fruck that has survived over 5.000 miles of threatening conditions in the Australian outback to finish the 1988 Wynn's Safari Rally Race when 50% of the entrants didn't MITSUBISHI FUSO 4WD FG will work on those jobs that destroy ordinary, conventional trucks. LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL ^w 1 400 South Willow Street ^ W Manchester, NH 031 03 ^ |r Parts: 669-8524 NH WATS: 1 -800-562-381 4 INTERNATIONAL ♦ MITSUBISHI FUSO ASSOCIATION OFFICERS President Bob Demers, Jr. Demers Nursery & Garden Center 656 South Mammoth Road Manchester, NH 03103 625-8298 Secretatry I Treasurer Christopher Robarge UNH/TSAS Horticultural Facilities Manager Durham, NH 03824 862-1074 Directors Andrea Capron Box 232 Center Ossipee, NH 03814 539-6030 Bruce Holmes PO Box 75 Center Tuftonboro, NH 03816 569-2127 Heiuy Huntington Pleasant View Gardens RFD#3, POBox3701 Pittsfield, NH 03263 435-8361 Ben Shambaugh Wayside Farm North Sandwich, NH 03259 284-6886 Peter van Berkum 4 James Road Deerfield,NH 03037 463-7663 Roger Warren Box 318 Meriden, NH 03770 469-3226 (H); 448-61 10 (W) Richard Zoerb Gloeckner & Company, Inc. 72 Hawkstead Hollow Nashua, NH 03063 886-8665 nn PPGA HIGHLIGHTS Since the Plant Growers' Association has become a member of the PPGA, it has received a number of fact sheets and brochures. Some of these will be noted in The Plantsman. For information on others and how to take advantage of offers given, contact Chris Robarge at (603) 862-1074 or Henry Huntington at (603) 435-8361. Innovative Horticultural Ideas Winner Announced Liskey Farms, Inc., of Kalamath Falls, Oregon, was judged 1992 winner of the PPGA's annual 'Innovative Horticultural Ideas Contest.* This con- test awards $100 to a unique invention, piece of equipment, or system that makes a grower's job easier and more efficient — but that is not available commercially. Liskey's entry featured rolling benches manufactured for their sales greenhouse — a "glorified roadside stand that sits on the busiest street corner in town," says Vickie Azcuenaga, the firm's greenhouse manager, who submitted the entry. The only sign is their flowers, so these must be visible from the street. To make them more visible, Liskey's built a bench on a pivot, so it can slant down at a 45-degree angle, showing masses of bedding plants to passers-by. It can also be adjusted to a level position so that the plants can be watered evenly. They use six of these benches. When Liskey's closes for the night, they are easily rolled into the greenhouse. Each bench holds 18 flats. The benchtop is made from rolled steel mesh with angle irons run hori- zontally across it to prevent the flats horn sliding if a customer chooses a bottom flat when the bench is in the slanted position. The benches have lightened the workload; last year, plants were hand-carried inside each night. Customers like the display and comment on how attractive the plants look from the street. Designed and built by Tracy Liskey, a member of the family corporation, employees voted this to be easily the company's best improvement this year. >* continued o page 14 NH PLANT GROWERS ASSOCIATION THE PLANTSMAN EDITOR UNH RESEARCH GREENHOUSES ■ DURHAM, NH 03824 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 43