From the files of Commercial Horticulture - NZ's Nursery Industry Magazine:

August / September 2010 . . .

From the files of Commercial Horticulture – NZ’s Nursery industry Magazine 

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Upcoming Trade Days
Auckland Spring Nursery Industry Trade Day this year takes place on Wednesday 18 August, at the ASB Showgrounds, 217 Greenlane Rd, Epsom. There are still a few stands available so why not take a stand this year – Trade Day is one of the biggest events on the NZ garden scene and there is heaps of business to be done. Check out current bookings by clicking the TRADE DAY button at the top of this screen.

Here are some of the TRADE DAY SPECIALS and PROMOTIONS you can get:

Many of the other 100 or so exhibitors will also have Specials on the day.

There are still a few stands available so why not take a stand this year – Trade Day is one of the biggest events on the NZ garden scene and there is heaps of business to be done. Check out current bookings by clicking the TRADE DAY button at the top of this screen.

If you’d like to come along as a visitor, you are most welcome if you are in or associated with any aspect of the garden trade – nursery, retail, landscape, amenity, supplier, service co, etc. Not open to the general public. Trade Day runs from 9am to 4pm and admission is free.

Christchurch Autumn Nursery Trade Day 2011 has been set for Wednesday 9 March at the Pioneer Sport & Leisure Centre, 75 Lyttelton St, Spreydon. As per last year, this coincides with the opening day of the Ellerslie International Flower Show, so exhibitors and visitors again have the opportunity to take in both events. Bookings will open soon – we are still finalising some details.

NSW/ACT and VIC/Tas/SA Nursery Registers available

This year’s Edition of the NSW/ACT Nursery Register was published in June. It is 170 A4 pages and covers some 4000 companies. The 2010 edition of the Victoria/South Australia/Tasmania Nursery Register has just been published (15 August). It is 180 pages and covers some 4500 companies.

These Registers carry extensive detail about nurseries (what they grow, grades etc), garden retailers, supply and service companies. There are phones, faxes, emails and contact names – a great resource if you’re dealing in any way with the garden trade in Australia. Price per book is $34.50+GST. Format is the same as for the NZ Nursery Register.  

Registers for Queensland and WA will be published later this year. Advertising space is available – so if you’re targeting the trade in those States this is a great place to advertise because your message will reach people when they’re on the point of making a purchasing decision, or constantly as they fan through the book looking for a contact name or phone number. Phone us at (09) 358-2749 for more details.

NZ Nursery Register 2010/11

Questionnaires updating free listings in the NZ Nursery Register will be distributed in August (we’re running a little late!) and advertising bookings are now open. The NZ Register is the industry bible with market penetration ranging from 66% to over 80% in the various industry sectors. Why not dress your free listing up this year with an adjacent ad to maximise your returns? This is a fantastic place to advertise and prices start from just $179. Contact us on (09) 358-2749 for full advertising options. Small business card ads can also be booked when you return your questionnaire.

Commercial Horticulture publishing schedule
Comm Hort August-September issue was distributed August 11. Excerpts are included below along with details of features this magazine contains. October-November issue is due October 10. Ad bookings are needed by September 20 and material by September 25.

NEWS – NEWS – NEWS

From the files of Commercial Horticulture - NZ's Nursery Industry Magazine:

August / September 2010 . . .

These are extracts only – why not become a regular subscriber and get THE FULL STORY?
Click here to subscribe to Comm Hort.

NEWS FROM THE GARDEN TRADE 

News from the Files of Commercial Horticulture Magazine August - September 2010

These are extracts only – why not become a regular subscriber and get THE FULL STORY?

Click here for the Comm Hort subscription order form.

Garden City Plastics brings its range to NZ

Media suppliers, Daltons, have become sole importer and distributor throughout New Zealand for Australia’s largest supplier of nursery pots, Garden City Plastics. Our accompanying picture shows Garden City’s marketing manager, Bob Allison, with some of his products at the NGIA Conference in Christchurch in July.

Daltons have also taken over sole distributorship of the Scotts range of fertilisers and nursery products, which it previously shared with Carranz. Scotts overall distribution is now split four ways: the nursery production market is now through Daltons; the consumer market is through Tui Garden Products, the professional turf market is with Prebbles and the specialty agricultural market with FruitFed. 

Andersons Nurseries to close after 121 years

The well-known and long-established Napier-based Andersons Nurseries has started winding down the company with final closure expected to be at the end of the year. The nursery had been on the market for some time but no sale had proceeded. The nursery’s main crops have been large sizes of indoor potted plants including high quality kientias. Most were sold to the rental plant industry and to up-market garden centres.

NZ Palm Co to close

After 15 years producing palms of all varieties and sizes, Colin and Sallie Verlaan of NZ Palm Co, one of country’s major palm growing nurseries, expect to have completed winding down their nursery in early 2011. Colin cites the recession as being a significant factor in the closure.

Trents Nursery for sale

Established by the Burrows family 25 years ago, Trents Nursery at Prebbleton about 13km from Christchurch, is on the market. Following the death of Rob Burrows in a boating accident in 2005, the business has operated under the control of the trustee of his estate.

Victorian threat to withdraw from the NGIA 

The nursery industry in Australia went into damage control in July after the Nursery Industry Association of Victoria (NIAV) announced it was planning to split from the national industry body, the NGIA because of disagreement over how the compulsory industry plant pot levy was being spent. The threat was withdrawn after talks between the parties, who have agreed to work through the issues raised.

NGIA Conference 2010

Christchurch was the venue for the 106th Nursery and Garden Industry Conference 28-30 July, held at the Rydges Hotel. And though there were some doubts two or three months ago whether a sufficient number of delegates would register, the numbers climbed rapidly in the last few weeks to a very healthy 147, making it one of the biggest NGIA conferences for some years.

We have 6 pages of reports and pictures of the Conference in the Aug/Sep issue of Commercial Horticulture. Our picture shows the Conference registration desk “Front Row” of Kathryn Scott, Pip McVicar, and Francis Palmer replete in Canterbury colours.

NGIA elects first woman president

Rachel Vogan became the NGIA’s first woman president at its annual conference in Christchurch 29 July. Graeme Ross (Mitre 10), Grant Hayman (Headford Propagators) and Don Forgie (Tui Products) have joined the Board,and Kerry Sixtus has stood down.

Trade in good heart despite the recession

Our ring-around to nurseries and garden centres during late July found the trade in good spirits, although the recession was still acknowledged. Nurseries were largely busy with Winter chores and potting up, while retailers were getting by and looking forward to Spring. Home vege growing and colour lines were still strong. Our picture shows Wai-Ora Nurseries staff planting pondweed as part of their Pegasus Town Development contract.

South African nursery trade struggling as well

 Comm Hort contacted Nick Stodel, (pictured here), a director of three garden centres in Capetown, South Africa, to see how the industry was doing there. Not good was his answer. “The performance of garden centres in SA differs depending on the region. However, in general, the sales results have seen no growth year on year with the additional challenge of lower customer volumes.

“One region has seen several droughts but, overall, the combination of poor weather conditions at weekends and the poor economy has resulted in lower than expected sales. Expenses have seen a huge increase with electricity increasing by around 30 percent and expected to increase by that amount each year for the next three years, which has a knock-on effect in the economy. 

“The result of the poor sales growth and the big increases in expenses has resulted in many garden centres struggling. 

“Trends include a move towards the Grow Your Own concept with a huge increase in vegetables, fruit trees and herbs.”

“. . . Growers have been giving long payment terms to retailers. However as the growers struggle for cash flow, they are going to put pressure on retailers for payment, resulting in some retailers closing down. As this happens, the retailers that survive will be able to benefit from less competition. I expect to see this playing itself out in the next six months or so.”

Five honoured in 2010 RNZIH Awards

The RNZIH has announced five awards for 2010. They are to Kay Baxter, Award in Garden History; Alf Day, Plant Raisers’ Award; Liz Morrow, RNZIH Fellowship; Keith Lowe, Associate of Honour; Rob Lucas, Associate of Honour

FEATURES IN COMM HORT AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2010 ISSUE

FEATURE NURSERIES – KIWI COLOUR

Kiwii Colour Nursery, owned by Warwick and Karen Wilson, is now in its fourth year of development following its move in 2007 from a site in Drury to nearby Kingseat, Pukekohe. Kiwi Colour’s main lines include NZ natives and evergreen trees for PB28 production, citrus trees in 15ltr pots, passionfruit, succulents and a range of shrubs for 2.5ltr production houseplants. 

IPPS PRE-CONFERENCE TOUR 2010 REPORT

In the run-up to this year’s International Plant Propagators Annual Conference in Blenheim in May, delegates went on a tour of some of the region’s spectacular natural attractions, and also visited some of its local nurseries. Hayden Foulds was on hand to provide a 3-page report for Comm Hort.

JOHN STANLEY SAYS

Don’t delay, get on Twitter today.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLANT?

Tom Johnson and Geoff Davidson pick their’s – Magnolia Star Wars and Puriri.

AUSTRALIA – A CHAT WITH COLIN CAMPBELL

Ex-pat Kiwi, Colin Campbell, one of Australia’s best-known gardening and broadcasting gurus talks to Comm Hort’s Kerry Johnstone about the Australian garden industry, trends, and his own plans.

KAURI DIEBACK – GRAEME PLATT’s SOLUTION

Plantsman Graeme Platt backgrounds the kauri dieback problems and suggests what he thinks should be done.

WHAT’S HAPPENING TO OUR SOILS?

Biological activity and levels of minerals and trace elements in our soils are steadily dropping. What effect is this having on our food? Comm Hort talks to Cherryl Prew of Soil Foodweb International, which specialises in soil analysis.

BOOK REVIEWS

Peter Arthur reviews “Planting and Maintaining a Tree Collection,” the “NZ Rose Review,” and “Wetland Restoration – a Handbook for NZ Freshwater Systems”

TWIN-SCALING OF BULBS

Twin scaling is a technique used to increase numbers of certain types of bulbs, where natural propagation is otherwise very slow. This paper was first presented to this year’s NZ IPPS conference by Joe Cartman of Christchurch City Council.

PLANT BASICS – COLOUR IS BEST IN THE COOL

Fiona Eadie looks at why plants growing in cooler climates tend to have stronger coloured flowers than those in warmer areas.

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Above is a synopsis of articles printed in Commercial Horticulture - Magazine of the Nursery Industry.

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Scroll down to find these current news stories from the files of Commercial Horticulture Magazine, or click on any one to go direct.

June / July 2010 . . .

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Click here to subscribe to Comm Hort.

Nurseries escape worst of the wild May weather
Some wild weather swept through New Zealand at the end of May, but there were no reports of serious damage from nurseries or garden centres. The worst affected regions were Otago and southern Canterbury. The area in and around Oamaru received more than 6 inches of rain (25-26 May), said Margaret Buschl of Riverview Growers. Her nursery is only 50 metres from the Kakanui River which was running very high. “Fortunately, the nursery is on higher ground. But everything is very damp, even inside the glasshouses. We’ve sent staff home. In fact, some staff couldn’t get in because their roads were closed. I don’t think we’ve ever had this much rain in one hit,” said Margaret. “And because it’s an easterly, it hits the hills to the west and comes back down. It’ll be even wetter inland. One thing is for sure -- the drought is well and truly broken.” Other nurseries spoken to by Comm Hort also said they escaped damage.

Mothers Day 2010 was generally true to form, say retailers
Retailers spoken to by Comm Hort said Mothers Day sales this year were generally on a par with the past, but there were some suggestions shoppers were looking for something a little different as well. Some sample comments were:
Auckland: “We did do the traditional cyclamen and chrysanths,” said Lesley Nash, manager of Kings Plant Barn Remuera, “but I’ll tell you what was huge for Mothers’ Day and that was little potted hyacinths. They were good value at $14.99 with three plants in a little pot. Great colours and fragrant. Quite a few people just picked them up as add-ons as they were about to leave the store too.” In a similar vein, Lesley said that pots of tête-à-tête daffodils were also fabulous. “But the biggest thing as always for us here in Remuera was the white phalaenopsis. They’re such good value. Our big grade is $59.99 and they’ll last for a month or more.” Lesley related how friends of hers had been so disappointed with cut flowers they had purchased for around the same price that just didn’t go the distance. “The orchids are much better value as a gift for mothers. They go on giving.”
Whangarei: “Mothers Day was much better than last year,” said Kris Ruddell, owner of Whangarei’s Sciadopitys garden centre. “Our gift lines went very well this year, particularly the creative fishes, but also lines like koru glass stakes, hand creams, and even the crazy paving vases. They’re a bit different and appealed to people looking for something a bit more unusual.”
Christchurch: “Mothers Day was extremely well patronised. People were buying all the usual pretties – cyclamen, chrysanths etc – but we also sold roses and shrub lines, as well as practical things,” said Tiffany Vaughan, owner of Kaizuka in Christchurch’s Cashmere.. “Amongst the gift lines, we sold everything from smart Showa garden gloves through to pieces of garden art.”

What’s happening with houseplants?
Houseplant sales, while down on what they were some years ago, are still reasonable, nurseries who grow them told Comm Hort in a mini survey. Estimates are that they now account for only about 8-10 percent of a garden centre’s total plant sales. Recent publicity on the health benefits of indoor plants is helping maintain interest but against that is the minimal fashion in home décor, which uses fewer plants.
Becks: “Houseplant sales are not at the level they were say 10 years ago,” says CJ Beck-Henderson of Becks Nurseries, Cambridge. But in recent months she reports very good sales from baby houseplants through to 3/4 metre plants. “Yuccas are not as popular as they have been but spathyphyllum and dracaenas, sansevieria and anything flowering, like gerbera and cyclamen, are still ticking along. Our own niche here is a range of ferns including maidenhairs, which are popular as they can go inside or out, as well as ficus, peperomia. Modern decor schemes tend to demand fewer plants with people preferring large specimens in pots to make a statement. “The architectural kentia and chameodora palms, sansevieria and euphorbias and Ficus Black Knight are good movers.”
Rainbow: “We’re very happy with sales and have had a strong season,” says Andrew Tayler of Rainbow Park Nurseries in South Auckland. “Also the lead-up to Mothers Day and the day itself was strong. For us, phalaenopsis outdoes cyclamen and begonias and anthuriums are also good lines.” A marketing move which has really paid off for Rainbow has been to present their indoor plants in ceramic pots. The pots include striped cylinders, orchid vases and designer cubes. “People don’t just want a plant in a pot anymore. The trend is the ready-to-go gift in store, either in ceramic pots or wrapped which we do in house. We ship them nationwide. Retailers like them because they can sell them more quickly to customers who find them more appealing and an instant gift.” Andrew comments too that price isn’t a factor on most items and Rainbow Park works to keep their prices in the right retail breaks.
Clarks: “We’ve had a good, mild Autumn which has kept things moving here,” says Paul Clark of Clarks Nursery in Christchurch. “Fashions do change. Yuccas seem to have passed their peak. Been there and done that with the spikey look. And fuchsias are not the flavour of the month this year. Cyclamen, however, are definitely in now and they’ll go right through the Winter. It’s their natural season. In the Summertime, it’s plants like gardenias which do well.“One thing in our favour as a houseplant nursery is that houseplants are a fixed price which pleases florists who have to buy flowers at auction where prices fluctuate considerably.”

NGIA Conference shaping up well
“Our programme this year is fast-paced, busy, and packed with concentrated material to appeal to both retailers and growers. And we’ve underpinned the ‘work’ aspect with a strong dose of good old South Island hospitality and some tongue-in-cheek red and black parochialism!” says Peter Worsp, a member of the Canterbury conference organising committee. The conference is on 28-29 July at the Rydges Hotel in Christchurch. There are full details about the speakers and activities at ngia.co.nz or contact Francis at the NGIA, Ph 04 918-3511 for booking details.

Pot recycling scheme on hold
The NGIA’s plans to introduce GardenWise, a plastic pot recycling scheme, in conjunction with recycling company 3R Group, have been put on hold. Areas of concern were aired at a meeting in April with participants in pilot trials, including pot manufacturers, some of the box stores, media suppliers and retailers. Of concern was “the costs burden through the supply chain and the ability to either pass these on or absorb them; preference for a kerbside collection option; and the long-term opportunities afforded by biodegradable pots,” says the NGIA.

John Liddle appointed NGIA ceo
John Liddle’s role with the NGIA has been expanded from administration manager to chief executive officer. The NGIA says that “given the excellent work John Liddle was carrying out for the Association and that he is representing the Association at a renewed level with government and in many other aspects that his title needs to reflect his position.” John is the first person from within the industry to become NGIA ceo.

MAF plans cost-sharing scheme
MAF Biosecurity is examining ways of recovering some of the costs activities it carries out for various industry sectors. For the nursery trade this could mean picking up some of the costs for things such as biosecurity matters, including cleaning up problems from import incursions. Behind this process is the Government-Industry Agreement (GIA) which involves primary industries and government working together to establish joint decision-making and cost-sharing agreements. NGIA ceo, John Liddle, says the nursery industry is involved in MAF GIA discussions. “There is a range of criteria we have to meet. It’s a year or two off yet.”

Dangers of importing potting mixes
Mark Dean of Naturally Native Plants, Tauranga, writes in a letter published in Comm Hort June-July edition that he believes using imported peat in potting mixes is one of the most important issues to have ever faced the nursery industry in NZ. Some extracts from this letter are:
“With this issue the Nursery Industry is sitting on an environmental time bomb that is waiting to explode in the face of every company in the industry.”
“We as a nation are dependent on our agricultural industries, including Forestry and Horticulture. Yet we are putting this all at risk by importing peat from overseas with absolutely no care and thought for what we might be bringing into our environment. Not only are we importing this material from places such as Eastern Europe where standards have been questionable in the past, but we are spreading it throughout our country in literally thousands of potfulls via our landscaping industry and revegetation projects.”
“I just hate to think what would happen if it could be shown that the nursery industry was responsible for a pathogen that decimated our native forests or worse still our productive forestry or horticultural industries.
“Come on growers, landscapers and garden centre operators, get real – check the constituents of your potting mix and think carefully if you can risk being a contributor to the spreading of a potential pathogen throughout our country. The recent fright some nurseries had with weeds infesting imported coir should be a real wake up call.”

Industry trainee numbers up
The NZ Horticultural Industry Organisation says that, despite the economic situation, the number of industry trainees has grown in the last year. “There are now 2486 industry trainees,” reports Helen van der Werff, Bay of Plenty region training advisor. Of these 833 are modern apprentices who are aged 16-21 and 1653 trainees over 21. The breakdown is: Nursery Production182; Arboriculture 267; Amenity 527, Landscaping 244.

NZ designer in first World Gardening Cup
Ben Hoyle of Blue Gecko Landscape Design, Paraparaumu, has been invited to participate in the first Gardening World Cup by setting up a 100sq m display garden in Japan in October.

New owners at Palmers Browns Bay
Peter Hancox is the new owner of Palmers Gardenworld in Browns Bay, Auckland, formerly operated by Deanne and Roger Butt. Although Peter doesn’t come from a horticultural background, he has plenty of experience in retail world. “I’ve been in petrol and alcohol on the North Shore and paint in Kamo, Whangarei, but this is completely new,” he says. “However, retail is retail and the same principles apply except that, because I’m working with living plants, the challenge is managing stock.” The existing staff have been retained, Deanne has also stayed on as an employee.

In defence of backyard growers
In our April-May issue, Comm Hort interviewed some of the big chain stores about plant pricing and whether nurseries could or should lift their plant prices. A couple of the chains said ‘backyard growers” were part of the problem because they were not run as professional businesses and their prices were unrealistically low. Some chains said they have a policy of not dealing with these types of operations. Doreen Higginson of Nikau Hill Nursery, Marton, was moved to respond in a letter to Comm Hort of which the following are extracts. Our article “really showed a true picture of what the top retailers believe and what they require when purchasing plants for their large chain stores,” she says. “For some reason the whole article came across as a strong viewpoint but maybe a bit too “Big Chains are Best.”
“We are a variety called Nikau Hill Nursery subsp ‘Backyardicalis’. Our back yard at Marton is rather large and over 17 years and many tax payments and wages later we are still growing a lot of plants you will never ever see at the big stores.
“We started out from nothing and feel we have a respectable niche in the market. This niche may change from time to time and so do we.
“Most ‘Backyarders’ are not stuffing plants into yoghurt pottles and selling them at markets for one dollar. If you are worrying about them, then you need to get a fresh viewpoint. I suppose we should call those hardy folk “yogapoticalis.” They are filling in spare time and happy to potter. It is better than drugs and drink. If it helps them pay the doctors’ bills, it must save the country money!
“Many commercial growers started out as “Backyarders” who took their work seriously. This has always been part of life in NZ. It ensures we have passionate people growing their business as their nursery grows.
“So all you “Backyarders” just keep on growing. Don’t worry about the nursery species “Commercialii.” They grow lovely, even lines by the thousand and they do it very well. I respect that but there is room for more independent growers both big and small.”

Over-70s caught shoplifting
“I read with quiet satisfaction the article you ran in the April/May issue outlining the increase in thefts of seed packets which UK garden retailers are experiencing and attributing to pensioners,” says Karl Morris, Loss Prevention Supervisor for Mitre 10 Mega, Dunedin in a letter to Comm Hort. “We too have experienced this increase here in Dunedin, with seed packaging being targeted by older shoppers, predominantly over 70 who, on most occasions, have made a standard purchase but have also conveniently concealed veggie seed packets. We experimented through last year with our security tagging applications to match the products with the seasons. Much to the general manager’s amusement, I suggested we trial tagging the veggie seeds coming into Spring, which started to pay dividends almost immediately.
“We were very surprised at the sudden rise in age of apprehended offenders who wouldn’t have attracted the attention of security staff otherwise. This move has definitely paid a dividend by reducing our shrinkage in this area and has allowed us to ban the offenders from the store. It has probably had a flow-on effect with no repeat offending by these people and their peers being made aware of the chances of being caught should they follow suit -- probably a hot topic round the bingo halls of Dunedin.”

Trust designates Waitati a Garden of Significance
Waitati Garden, just outside Coromandel township and already a New Zealand Garden of Distinction, has moved up a step to become a NZ Gardens Trust Garden of Significance. The garden was originally established by Kate and Graeme Jacobson who sold it to Mary Pat Hogan and Larry Storr six years ago.

Communal garden takes top prize in Tui competition
Four families from Pahiatua are the overall winners of the Great NZ Grow Off Competition for 2010. This competition run annually by Tui Products and aims to encourage, recognise and foster the home growing. Vince’s Veges in Pahiatua entered their shared garden in the competition when it was in its set-up stages in August 2009. The idea of setting up a shared garden came about when owners, Todd and Traci Wheeler were felling trees in an area which was formerly an effluent pond. Todd thought the area with its rich, black fertile soil in a sunny sheltered hollow, would be an ideal spot to grow vegetables. A fence was put around the quarter acre and planning began. The garden was too big for a family of four, so the Wheelers opened it up to their extended family and neighbours. Soon four families (about 15 people) were involved. The Great NZ Grow Off Competition begins again in Spring 2010. For more information and images of the winning gardens see www.nzgrowoff.co.nz

Non-gardening items now 63% of sales in UK garden centres
Non-gardening products now account for 63 percent of all products sold through UK garden centres, according to a report in Horticulture Week of findings published by AMA Research.
The percentage was 53 percent in the year 2000, rose 10 percent during 2000 to 2005, but has since stabilised.
The report says “Garden centres are increasingly moving towards non-garden products to enhance their overall position as ‘destination centres’ focusing on catering, gifts, foods and Christmas ranges. Prospects for 2010 are relatively positive.”

FEATURES IN COMM HORT JUNE -JULY 2010 ISSUE

PERSONALITY PROFILE – ALISTER DAVIS
Born and bought up on a farm in South Canterbury, Alister Davis never envisioned he would be spending 40-plus years of his working life at Plantorama, the nursery he set up on Timaru’s northern boundary. Yet that was what was destined to be.

AUSTRALIAN NGIA CONFERENCE REPORT
The Australian NGIA’s recent annual conference was most impressive, says NZ NGIA president, Peter Fraser, “a tremendously well organised event and full of important topics.” Peter outlines the papers presented, the issues discussed and the places visited.

NZ’s GARDEN AT THE WORLD EXPOSITION
A slice of NZ has been created in China in the form of a rooftop garden which traces the use of plants in New Zealand from prehistoric time until the present. Included in the 25m x 30m display are an alpine zone with tussocks, a New Zealand forest with tree ferns, nikau and cabbage trees, a thermal area with special effects creating geysers, smoke and steam, a sheep-tracked hill pasture and a modern city garden.

IPPS CONFERENCE REPORT
Blenheim turned on the rain for 120 delegates at this year’s event, but it was hailed as a great success. Comm Hort summarises what happed, with plenty of good pictures.

FEATURE PLANT – ASTELIAS
Nurseries tell of their experiences with this well-known native.

SUPPLIER PROFILE – GROWER TECHNOLOGY
This Tauranga family-run company started as a horticultural consultancy. Now its offerings also include irrigation equipment and system design, blended nutrients for fertigation, electronics, growing media, and more.

THE DRACAENA MYSTERY
People buy dracaena plants expecting them to come up resembling the wonderful specimen growing in Auckland’s Parnell (that’s the form pictured here) – only to find they get something quite different – squat trees with outward-spreading branches. Graeme Platt investigates why.

LIFTING THE PRICE OF PLANTS
Comm Hort follows up articles in previous editions with two new viewpoints, one from international garden retail consultant John Stanley, and the other by Australian business mentor Susan Burns. Both urge caution saying it’s necessary to add value and increase perceived value of products before charging more. Also, put more effort into understanding the modern consumer and match your products more closely to what they are wanting.

BOOK REVIEW – WHAT’S WRONG WITH MY PLANT?
Peter Arthur says this is an excellent book that should be on the shelves of every nursery and garden centre. It has a step by step system for identifying plant diseases or insect problems.

PLANT BASICS – FOLIAR FEEDING
Fiona Eadie looks at how plants absorb and use nutrients through their leaves, but concludes that for many types of plants it is not an efficient feeding method.

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