News

Phytophthora ramorum prenotification requirements ease
USDA-APHIS has made it easier to ship high-risk plant material for Phytophthora ramorum — defined as camellia, kalmia, pieris, rhododendron (including azalea) or viburnum — to non-regulated states.

The move relieves growers in regulated areas of California, Oregon and Washington of the burden of pre-notifying receiving state officials if the disease has never been confirmed from their operation or the operation has been shown to be free of P. ramorum for a minimum of three years.

In addition, the agency determined this new policy would allow state and federal regulators to more efficiently dedicate resources to areas of perceived higher risk (i.e., quarantine areas).

Growers in areas under P. ramorum quarantine must continue to provide prenotification, as well as growers in regulated areas that have had a positive detection of P. ramorum on their operation within the last three years.

For more: www.anla.org/docs/government%20relations/pest%20disease%20alerts/DA-2012-53_PramorumNotification.pdf

News Notes

Permission to propagate
The Plant Watch nursery inspection program has expanded. Nationwide inspections are underway to curb patent and trademark infringement and ensure growers are meeting the requirements of these branded programs: Proven Winners Color Choice, Encore Azaleas, Endless Summer Collection, First Editions, The Knock Out Family of Roses, Drift Roses and Southern Living Plant Collection.

To support their network of compliant growers, Spring Meadow Nursery, Bailey Nurseries, Conard-Pyle and Plant Development Services Inc. have hired Plant Watch to inspect nurseries, report on their findings and collect fines where warranted.

Nurseries found to be non-compliant are assessed a significant fine based on the number of unauthorized plants discovered, and the destruction of those plants will be required.

OHP launches Marengo herbicide
OHP’s new herbicide for growers in the production ornamental market has received its federal EPA registration and is undergoing the state registration process.

Marengo, with the new active ingredient indaziflam, is a selective pre-emergent herbicide that offers long-term residual control of both grassy and broadleaf leaves.

Marengo contains the first active ingredient from MOA (Mode of Action) Group 29. The active ingredient prevents weed seed germination by inhibiting cellulose biosynthesis.

Marengo is registered for use on production ornamentals grown in outdoor nurseries, as well as on conifers, Christmas trees and ornamental production sites and hardscapes. Marengo is labeled for use in shade houses and hoop houses.

For more: www.ohp.com/Products/marengo.php

Lake County Nursery to grow HGTV collection
The HGTV HOME Plant Collection announced that Lake County Nursery of Perry, Ohio, is a new grower partner for the Smart & Stylish Shrub line set to debut in Spring 2013. A woody ornamental grower, Lake County Nursery will focus on expanding the HGTV presence in the Midwest and East Coast regions.

Plants will be available in Spring 2013 in select retailers nationwide as part of a soft launch.

Oregon nurseries recover from recession
After several tough years brought on by the recession, Oregon’s nursery industry — the most valuable sector of the state’s agricultural economy — is showing signs of a comeback.

Nursery operators are encouraged by an uptick in orders, a trend particularly noticeable through late November and early December. The value of Oregon’s greenhouse and nursery plant production topped more than $1 billion in 2005, but then the recession hit, the housing market crashed and demand for landscaping plummeted.

By 2010, nursery production value had dropped nearly 40 percent, to about $667 million. The value climbed back to $742 million in 2011. Figures for 2012 have not yet been compiled, but are expected to show continued improvement.

Study: trees more vulnerable to drought than believed
New research shows that a majority of tree species around the world are operating on the brink of collapse. If the predicted pace of climate change continues, many may not be able to adapt and large numbers could die off.

The authors of the study, whose findings were published in the scientific journal Nature, looked at 226 different tree species from 81 sites around the world. They found that 70 percent of the trees studied adapt closely to the local environment, absorbing just enough water in order to survive, but leaving them highly vulnerable to minor shifts in rainfall and drought stress.

Mcdonnell Horticulture files for Chapter 11
McDonnell Horticulture Inc. filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in an attempt to restructure at least $1.4 million in debt, according to court records. The North Carolina nursery, which grows roses, perennials and shrubs, has operations in Raleigh and Cameron. The grower has assets of between $1 million and $10 million.

Emerald green in 2013
Pantone 17-5641 Emerald is the 2013 color of the year. It’s described as a “lively, radiant, lush green.” What a great marketing tie-in for the green industry.

For more: www.pantone.com