B . C . L A N D S C A P E & N U R S E R Y A S S O C I A T I O N P U B L I C A T I O N • O C T O B E R 2 0 0 8

CanWest Hort Show

Waterscene in Watoto

IDC Report

IGCA Congress 2008

BCMAL ResearchSnippets

B . C . L A N D S C A P E & N U R S E R Y A S S O C I A T I O N P U B L I C A T I O N • O C T O B E R 2 0 0 8

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Message from the President

The International Garden Centre Association Congress wrapped up last month to great accolades from our garden retail peers from around the globe. The over-

whelmingly positive response is thanks to a team of dedicated and welcoming volunteers and tour hosts.

On behalf of the BCLNA board and members, I extend my sincere thanks to Brian Minter, Congress Chair, for his vision, hard work, and sponsorship of the event. I would also like to thank each of the garden centres and suppliers who participated in the tour, our numerous

Fred Giesbrecht, President,B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association

Effects of IGCA Congress Benefit Industry

OCTOBER 2008

MANAGING EDITOR Renata Triveri

ADVERTISING Barb NelsonPhone: (604) 574-7772Fax: (604) 574-7773

HortWest is the Newsletter of the B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association for the horticultural trade in Western Canada. For further information, contact us at:Suite 102, 5783 – 176A StreetSurrey, B.C., Canada V3S 6S6Telephone (604) 574-7772 Fax (604) 574-7773

HortWest is owned by the B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association, and is published 10 times a year. Views expressed inside do not necessarily reflect the attitudes of the Association but are those of the writer concerned. Material may not be reprinted from this magazine without the consent of the publisher.

All advertising and editorial material are to be received one month in advance of mail out date.

HortWest is mailed under Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement N. 0288608

This magazine is printed in Canada by Globe Printers.

HortWest

volunteers, and our highly regarded tour guides Leanne Johnson (GardenWorks™), Miles Hunter (David Hunter Garden Centres), Louie Murgg (Forevergreen Landscape Maintenance), Nico Van Der Pauw (Nico’s Nurseryland), and Dr. Marvin Miller (Ball Horticultural Company) who made our international guests feel so welcome during their stay. I would be remiss in also mentioning the dedication of Bill Hardy, Renata Triveri, the CNLA team, and the generosity of all our sponsors, who truly made this an event to remember.

While the IGCA guests spent a brief time at each tour stop, the event was far from a short-lived show-and-shine. Most of our participants expressed great enthusiasm in having met so many new people from the industry, and many have

designs to attend IGCA Congress 2009 in the United Kingdom, and 2010 in Japan. More importantly, numerous retailers have reported significant increases in sales over the same time period last year. Most attribute this to the concerted efforts they made to stock their stores, clean, paint, and refresh their merchandising units, and their attention to producing the very best displays. The “show-and-shine” could indeed have lasting effects on sales going forward into fall, and that is a boost which will echo throughout our industry.

There was a buzz in the air, a sparkle on the show floor, and a very positive atmosphere among both exhibitors and delegates who attended western Canada’s largest horticulture trade event of the year. It was evident that much networking, socializing, and business took place both on and off the show floor during the annual two-day tradeshow. Nearly 600 delegates attended seminars, the tours once again drew crowds, and delegate attendance was up in comparison to last year. In a marketplace plagued with poor tradeshow performance, the CanWest Hort Show’s steadfast numbers show strength in our local market, and are indicative of the value our local business people place on industry interaction—a good sign for the BCLNA, which is looking ahead to sole ownership of the show as of next year.

Thank YouKwantlenStudentsThe students of Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s horticulture program assisted exhibitors with their move-in and move-out, this year. They were a fantastic crew! On behalf of CanWest and its exhibitors, thank you Kwantlen Students for your hard work.

Thank YouSponsorsTwo sponsors went above and beyond for CanWest: East Richmond Nurseries Inc. and the Surrey Hydrangea Society provided nearly all of the beautiful plants, trees, and hydrangeas used to decorate the entire facility. Kind thanks also to the following sponsors:

Seminars C Y Grower Supplies Ltd.Garden Grove Nursery Inline Nurseries Inc.Kato’s Nursery Ltd.MYKE Pro

Northwest Landscape & Stone Supply Ltd.Peel’s Nurseries Ltd. Royal Bank of CanadaSkagit Gardens Specimen Trees Wholesale Nurseries Ltd. TerraLink Horticulture Inc.

New Product Showcase Canadian Garden Centre Magazine Greenhouse Canada

ToursEast Richmond Nurseries Inc. Hort ProtectNorthern Innovators Inc. Northwest Landscape & Stone Supply Ltd.Valleybrook Gardens Ltd.

Exhibitor’s ReceptionFairfield Tree Nurseries Inc. Finning (Canada) Qualitree Propagators Inc.

CanWest Show 2008

CanWest HoldsStrong in 2008

2006 2007 2008

Exhibiting Companies 254 249 236

Exhibitors 1,376 1,422 1,344

Delegates 2,315 1,930 1,965*

Growers 22% 21% 18%

Landscapers 17.5% 19% 18%

Garden Centre Retailers 22% 25% 27%

*96% of the delegates are from British Columbia.

Burnaby Lake Greenhouses, Best Medium Exhibit.

Plant-It Nursery, Best Small Exhibit.

Kato’s Nursery, Best Exhibit Overall.

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BagsGulick Freight Service Logistics

Show Decor Creative Embroidery:move-in crew t-shirts

East Richmond Nurseries Inc.:plant material

Haney Pottery Sales Ltd.:decorative pots

Holland Imports Inc.:outdoor patio sets

Jalisco Imports Inc.:furniture display pieces

Norstad Products Inc.:magazine racks

Surrey Hydrangea Society:hydrangeas

Next Year…The BCLNA looksforward to a new chapter in its book as the association takes on the 2009 show as the sole owner. The show will be held on September 23 and 24. To purchase a booth for next year, contact Barb Nelson, CanWest Exhibitor Relations:bnelson@bclna.com or (604) 574-7772.

CanWest Show 2008

Waterscene BringsWater to Watoto

Industry Bits

Specimen Trees Wholesale Nursery, Best Nursery Exhibit.

Kato’s Nursery,Most Original Exhibit

Northwest Landscape Supply Ltd., Best Supplier Exhibit.

Nordic Nurseries,Best Floriculture

Exhibit.

Aquascape & Waterscene, Best Large Exhibit.

While the earth’s surface is 70% covered by water, only 0.5% is drinkable, and our world’s developing countries are facing crises of water-borne diseases. In Africa, impure water leads to the second greatest number of deaths, second only to the AIDS epidemic. Given the dire need of African countries, the companies of Waterscene, Aqauascape, and Genieye have teamed up to provide water to the Watoto Children’s Orphanage in Uganda by installing rainwater collection systems.

Steve Kovacs of Waterscene explains, “We kept it as simple as possible by installing six-inch gutters around the main kitchen roof. Downspouts diverted the water to 20,000 litre tanks where we treated it with Genieye’s purifi cation system. We then pumped it back into the kitchen where the clean water was used to feed 400 to 450 children every day.” Kovacs added that Aquascape Aquablox were also installed for children to wash their hands, further preventing the spread of disease.

The Canadian team of Steve and Linda Kovacs (Waterscene & Aquascape, Delta, BC) and Tim Mutato and Eugene McDougall (Genieye, Oakville, ON), will lead a team of 34 volunteers in January 2009 to construct a house and schoolhouse at the same location, fi nancially supported by the manufacturers and the individuals. The group gratefully accepts contributions and participation towards these worthy projects; to learn more, visit www.water-scene.ca or call 1 (888) 596-7663.

The two little words, if only, have turned a forgotten corner into an amazing outdoor fun circuit at Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children in East Vancouver.

Prior to the September 23rd Grand Opening, patients and parents at Sunny Hill kept thinking, if only there was an outdoor area suitable for wheelchairs. If only the children could enjoy a few minutes of play and exercise outdoors. If only there was funding.

Enter Vancouverite, Steve Jones of Urban Escapes, who gathered together a generousteam of local sponsors, volunteer labourers,nurseries and landscapers to make it happen. Through the aptly named non-profi t company, Growing Hearts, Jones envisioned a community based project supported by the green industry. The response was instantaneous and now Sunny Hill Health Centre proudly boasts an amazing outdoor wheelchair fun challenge circuit.

“The assistance from our local lanscape industry was tremendous. As soon asI would ask for something, the suppliers

Sunny Hill Circuit Opens to Youth

5

would say I’m in,” said Jones, adding, “I really wanted to inspire everyone around us by the work we do and Sunny Hill seemed to be a great place to start.”

Children in wheelchairs can now zoom the specially designed track safely and enjoy the fun circuit.

There are colourful stones scattered along the path for visually impaired children, and even speed bumps for the risk takers. Barb Kenny, Sunny Hill’s Administrative Site Manager, remem-bers well the surprising offer by Jones.

“We couldn’t quite believe our good fortune. Steve offered to build the garden and the Wheelchair Circuit at no cost to us. It used to be just a grassy corner of the property and now it’s an amazing site.”

It is BCLNA’s hope to expand Grow-ing Hearts with further projects and increased involvement from its 800-plus provincial members, through its own charitable umbrella.

(L-R): Fran Boyd, Vice President of Child Development and Rehabilitation; Sunny Hill patient Rafaela Wong; Steve Jones of urban-escapes; Thomas Spyker; Werner Knittel, Executive Director of BCLNA.

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Industry Development Council

BCLNA’s Industry Development Council (IDC) has granted funding for projects and initiatives to help the ornamental nursery industry move ahead and effectively deal with current challenges and issues. Whether for scientifi c research, marketing and communication strategies, or education and training, projects considered for funding serve a wide array of industry needs.

When the IDC fund was fi rst formed in 2001, with $1.58 million dollars of “safety net” funding donated by nursery growers, a strategic plan was developed to provide its scope and directions. As a result, funded projects must support the BCLNA strategic vision of “being an organization whose actions result in increasing global recognition of British Columbia as a leader in landscape horticulture.”

Projects must also help stakeholders adapt to structural changes, capture new opportunities, and contribute to nursery producers achieving sustainable, stable, and adequate farm income; in addition, they must fall within the BCLNA’s strategic operating priorities:

• Develop both inside BC and export markets,

• Maximize performance via industry standards, and access to leading edge information and technology,

• Assure access to relevant, quality, education services,

• Manage regulatory issues,• Develop and maintain an effi cient

and effective industry association to ensure broad representation of BC’s nursery growers.

With these priorities in mind, the IDChas funded many diverse projects during the past and current year:

Baseline awareness of the ornamental nursery industry, BCLNA, and Commu-nities in Bloom, for the purpose of

developing new projects to address issues and action plans, and ability to measure success.

CanWest seminars specifi cally targeted to increase landscape professionalism.

Black spot on roses research to test a variety of standard and biological treatments.

Western Agriculture Labour Initiative providing services to employers to gain access to foreign labour.

Rose midge testing of several low toxicity products to provide effi cacy information on environmental friendly controls.

BC Landscape Standard (7th Edition) revisions, including the green roofand living walls, and invasive plant modules.

Growers’ coordinator funding to provide a dedicated support person at the BCLNA.

Aphid biocontrol and predator management of spider mites in wholesale nurseries.

Export Market Strategy, a multi-year project to provide guidance and support.

BC show strategy to enable BCLNAmembers to reach their buying public through consumer shows as well as support and awareness of BCLNAprograms and initiatives.

Pest Management Accreditation (PlantHealthBC), a program for IPMproviders in the landscape trade; development of training resources as well as other components have been completed.

Restructuring the Gardenwise.ca website and the Healthy Garden Guide.

Development of the Retail Environment Strategy.

Increasing BC retail nurseries’ sales of BC grown plants.

If you have an interest in learning more about these projects, obtaining copies of the reports, or in fi nding out how they might apply to your business, please contact Hedy Dyck at the BCLNA: hdyck@bclna.com or (604) 574-7772.

Year Ending IDC Project Spending Total Project Value

June 2002 $59,000 $95,100

June 2003 $82,500 $277,700

June 2004 $93,200 $376,800

June 2005 $73,100 $431,000

June 2006 $121,600 $264,800

June 2007 $101,397 $883,198

June 2008 $112,967 $1,184,351

Totals $643,764 $3,512,949

Industry Challenges Supported by IDC

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BCLNA OFFICE: 604-574-7772; 800-421-7963

Industry events and programsIDC: Value in

NumbersSince 2002, the IDC has funded many projects and initiatives in partnership with other funding organizations. IDC’s funds are used as seed money for projects, which then trigger funding from supporting associations, multiplying the value of the IDC investments many times. As of September 22, the value of the IDCFund was just $8000 below its starting point after funding more than $645,000 in important projects.

Who Decides?To ensure a broad perspective in the IDCfunding process, all three of BCLNA’s commodity groups are represented on its decision-making board. As a grower-developed program, the board has additional representation from a variety of nursery types, including small, medium, and large growers, container tree and shrub growers, fi eld crop producers, growers of herbaceous plants, and Interior / Northern BC growers who can voice those regions’ specialized needs. A board member may represent more than one of these categories.

Your IDC BoardBCLNA members are grateful to the following people who volunteer their time and expertise to direct the IDC.

Andrew Flokstra, Inline Nurseries Inc.,Industry Development Council Chair, Chilliwack

Sandy Mathies, Cannor Nursery,Retail Rep, Abbotsford

Ruth Olde, Blasig Landscape Design & Construction, Landscaper Rep, Maple Ridge

John Byland, Byland’s Nurseries,Interior / Northern Growers Rep, Kelowna

Len Smit, Kato’s Nursery Ltd., Growers Rep, Aldergrove

Richard Desmarteau, Liard Horticultural Enterprises Inc., Growers Rep, Chilliwack

Jonathan Klinck, Atlasta Tree Nursery, Growers Rep, Chilliwack

Sandy Howkins, Specimen Trees Wholesale Nurseries Ltd., Growers Rep,Pitt Meadows

David Woodske, Nursery Specialist,BC Ministry of Agriculture & Lands

Hedy Dyck, Industry Development, BC Landscape & Nursery Association Staff

BC Home & Interior Design ShowOctober 16-19BC Place Stadium, Vancouverwww.bchomeandgardenshow.com

UBC Apple FestivalOctober 18-196804 SW Marine Drive, Vancouverwww.ubcbotanicalgarden.org

Garden ExpoOctober 21-22Toronto Congress Centrewww.gardenexpo.ca

P. ramorum Seminars with Ian WrightOctober 27-30Nanaimo, Victoria, Langley, VancouverFor info: ichang@bclna.com

BCLNA Annual GeneralMeeting & ConventionNovember 13-14Four Seasons Resort, Whistlerwww.bclna.com

Landscape Alberta’s GreenIndustry ShowNovember 21-22Shaw Conference CentreEdmonton, ABwww.greenindustryshow.com

One-Day Intensive OrganicTurf Management CourseNovember 22Victoriawww.gaiacollege.ca

One-Day Intensive OrganicTurf Management CourseDecember 6Burnabywww.gaiacollege.ca

BCLNA LandscapeCommodity MeetingDecember 10Seymour Golf & Country ClubNorth Vancouverwww.bclna.com

Certifi cation ExamsJanuary 29Kwantlen Polytechnic Universitywww.bclna.com

BCLNA Landscape Commodity MeetingFebruary 11Dueck GM, Marine Drive, Vancouverwww.bclna.com

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HelpWantedOver The Top Sales & MarketingTwo-man sales team specializing in sales and service to independent garden centers, regional chains, and growers in the Western USA. Seeking to represent a high quality grower, or manufacturer in our marketplace.“Let us bring our customers to you.” Call Mark at 503-930-4549.

Dinesen Nurseries Ltd., Aldergrovehas an opening for F/T or P/T sales assistant and offi ce assistant. Duties would include: sales, purchasing and working with shipping and production crews. Previous experience in a wholesale nursery preferred. We offer competitive wages ($15 - $20/hour). Please fax or mail resume to Dinesen Nursery Ltd., 2110 – 272 Street, Aldergrove, BC V4W 2R1 or Fax: 604-856-2243

N.A.T.S. Nursery Ltd., in Langley is expanding and in need of energetic, enthusiastic individuals to join our professional team in the following positions:

- Grower Assistant- Nursery Sales- Administration Offi ce Management- Reception

The ideal candidates would be team-oriented, have good plant knowledge, demonstrate excellent communication skills, be environmentally-minded, and are comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. N.A.T.S. offers competitive wages and extend-ed medical benefi ts. Please submit resumes, Attention: Rod Nataros via email rod@natsnursery.com.

theFour Seasons Resort4591 Blackcomb Way, WhistlerTel: 604-935-3400 Fax: 604-935-3455www.fourseasons.com/whistler

Registration: See Extras!Room rates: $189 per night

Room block deadline:October 25, 2008

Attend the BCLNA AGM Open to all BCLNA members!

November 13 & 14

Ecoworks Landscape CrewSupervisorStart date: As soon as possible.Responsibilities include: Work with horticulturalist to ensure sites meet quality control standards. Ensure crew members are adequately equipped and trained to do landscaping work. Supervise crew members ensuring quality and scheduling controls. Lead by example. Experienced landscaper needed. Competitive wage rate, $16.00 to $18.00/hour, and benefi ts package available. To apply, send cover letter and resume to: Darryl Exelby, Ecoworks, 103-33255 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 2B2; email: dexelby@mccbc.com; fax: 604-855-6133. Closing date: Open until fi lled. Ecoworks reserves the right to not make any appointments.

Nursery in Abbotsford is seeking an energetic individual for a sales position. We are a wholesale native plant grower. Basic salary plus commission on sales-great earning potential for a motivated and capable candidate. Must be familiar with horticulture industry and have prior sales experience. E-mail: CanAmNursery@gmail.com or fax 604-854-6982.

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Final Approval

The BCLNA welcomes the following new members:

Green Valley Nursery Ltd. Lena Sterkenburg, Chilliwack, Active Grower

Janzen & Co. Landscaping Vincent Janzen, Maple Ridge, Active Landscaper

Lasting Impressions Garden Care Jaqueline Hohmann, Surrey,Active Landscaper (Interim)

Mountain Ash Estate Farm Ltd. Roger & Debbie Duyvesteyn,Maple Ridge, Active Grower (Interim)

Parker Pacifi c Mike Ladd and Alistair Yule Langley, Associate

Steelhead Machinery Inc. Michael Rodrigues, Arlington, VA,Out of Province

Tentative Approval

The following companies will become BCLNA members at the next board meeting unless a member provides a valid reason for not accepting the application:

DLF Gardenscapes Pam Cuthbert, Port Coquitlam, Active Landscaper (Interim)

Design First Landscape Services Sheri Reynard & Ray Armitage, Salmon Arm, Active Landscaper (Interim)

Euroscapes Exterior Enhancements Corp. Jim Weatherhead, Coquitlam, Active Landscaper

Healing Hands Landscaping Ward Hamrin, Burnaby, Active Landscaper

Lucana Contracting Chris Schouten, Surrey, Associate (Interim)

NK Marketing & Communications Norene Kimberley,Vancouver, Associate

Charissa Steel Coquitlam, Student

Mary Jane Duke Langley, Student

NewBCLNA Members

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IGCA Congress 2008

The 50th International Garden Centre Associa-tion Congress was proudly hosted by the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association in collaboration with the BC Landscape & Nursery Association last month, and would not

have been possible without the dedication of our organizing committee and the support of our generous sponsors and participants. Special thanks to all whose assistance brought this unique professional development experience together: our industry sponsors, Brian Minter and the planning committee, our hosts and their teams whose businesses were in outstanding form, and of course, our delegates.

Organizing CommitteeBrian Minter, Chair, Minter GardensLydia Couture-Comtois, CNLABrenda Falk, Tanglebank Country GardensBill Hardy, Northwest Landscape SupplyStephen Head, Headlands Garden PlantsLeanne Johnson, GardenWorks™

Janet Mathies & Debbie Ego, Cannor NurseryLisa Minter-Bustin, Minter GardensJoseph Salemi, CNLAVictor Santacruz, CNLAKarl Stensson, Sheridan NurseriesMary Ann Van Den Berg, Trice Farms Pond & Garden CenterNico Van Der Pauw, Nico’s NurserylandJohn Zaplatynsky, GardenWorks™

Renata Triveri, IGCA 2008 Coordinator

Tour Guides & Bus CaptainsMiles Hunter, David Hunter Garden Centres Ltd.Leanne Johnson, GardenWorks™

Marvin Miller, Ball Horticultural CompanyBrian Minter, Minter GardensLouie Murgg, Forevergreen Landscape MaintenanceNico Van Der Pauw, Nico’s Nurseryland

Hosts and Their TeamsSouthlands NurseryArt Knapp Urban GardenMaple Leaf Garden CentreMarigold NurseriesElk Lake Garden CentreGardenWorks™ BlenkinsopCannor Nursery VictoriaTanglebank Country GardensNordic Nurseries Ltd.Cannor Nursery AbbotsfordMinter Country Garden StoreMinter GardensNinety-Nine NurseryNorthwest Landscape SupplyGardenWorks™ MandevilleGardenWorks™ LougheedHolland Imports & Christmas Forever Trice Farms Pond & Garden CentreTriple Tree NurserylandArt Knapp Plantland & Flower Shop Port Coquitlam

Our Generous SponsorsAmericasMart Atlanta

American Nursery & Landscape AssociationBall Horticultural CompanyBirchmeier Sprühtechnik AGBurnaby Lake Greenhouses Ltd.Bylands Nurseries Ltd.City of Surrey and Mayor Dianne WattsClearview Horticultural Products Inc.David Hunter Garden CentresE.V.L. NurseryEddi’s Wholesale Garden Supplies Ltd.Fairfi eld Tree Nurseries Inc.Garden Centres Canada (CNLA)GardenRite Products Ltd.GardenWorks™

GM CanadaHaney Pottery Sales Ltd.HortPortectHub International TOS Ltd.Inline Nurseries Inc.Linnaea Nurseries Ltd.Minter Gardens & Country Garden StoreMonrovia Nursery CompanyNature’s GoldNorthwest Landscape Supply Ltd.OASE Living Water (Canada)Premier Pacifi c Seeds Ltd.Qualitree Propagators Inc.Reimer’s Nurseries Ltd.TerraLink Horticulture Inc.Valley Garden Centre Ltd.Valleybrook Gardens Ltd.Van Isle Water Services Ltd.Van Noort Bulb Company Ltd.Watson GlovesWest Creek Farms Ltd.

In between garden centre visits, our internationalvisitors got into some mischief with their mascots. Here, the OASE Beluga bus gathered for a ransom shot with the captured Northwest Landscape Supply Moose. It wasn’t long before the Moose bus had their revenge, thanks George Kato who supplied a sturgeon fi shing rod, and

Louie Murgg, one of the Moose bus captains.

IGCA Receives Outstanding Support

<Caption 11G & 11H> <Caption 11I> <Caption 11J> <Caption 11K> <Caption 11L> <Caption 11M> <Caption 11N>

<Caption 11NN> <Caption 11O>

Garden retailers from 14 countries took away some smart ideas for their own stores, like Maple Leaf Garden Centre’s use of mailboxes to keep infor-mation sheets clean and dry in the nursery.

Congress visitors took a side-trip to Capilano

Suspension Bridge for a closer look at the west coast’s

natural landscape. Bus Captain, Leanne Johnson of GardenWorks™ (left), casts a wary eye while Koichi Akatsuka of Japan makes the crossing. Akatsuka and members of his Japanese

garden centre buying group will host IGCA Congress in 2010.

Miles Hunter, captain of the HortProtect Otter bus,

guards his mascot while rounding up the troops after a visit to Butchart Gardens

Rebecca Wetselaar of CNLA sounds the bell signaling time to board the buses.

Marigold Nursery’s autumn offerings were in magnificent bloom; the garden centre grows much of its own products for resale, and is planning to open a second Vancouver Island location in the coming year.

Carol & Guy Topping of Barton Grange Garden Centres in the

United Kingdom share a laugh with the “Queen” at the Royal BC Museum;

Her Comedic Majesty was on hand to invite delegates to IGCA Congress

2009, which will take place in and around Manchester, England.

Hardly a shy bunch, a few garden retailers cooled off in the Minter’s OASE swim pond. The first of its kind in North America, the swim pond kit is designed for smaller space gardens, and filters the water naturally.

IGCA Congress 2008

99 Nursery & Florist recreated show-stopping

displays from VanDusen Garden Shows past. The

merchandising and product quality of the Surrey shop

created a buzz among guests. On hand was Mayor Diane Watts,who welcomed IGCA

delegates to Surrey, and formally thanked Bob Lui

and the team at 99 Nursery for their work in beautifying the city.

Michael Rahner of Flora Farm, one of the largest garden retailers in South Africa, wandered through Minter Country Garden Store.

Rahner raved about the Canadian garden centre experience, saying that

there was something to be learned from every store, no matter its size; he added that the passion and heart of BC’s garden centre owners was

evident at every stop.

Candidates scrambled to fi ll stock pots with stunning container gardens in the IGCA’s fi rst-ever, impromptu Iron Container Chef competition, sponsored by Nordic Nurseries Ltd. Left to right: “Iron Chef” Brian Minter was unseated by Norbert Langens of Germany, but

not without a fi ght from Jacquie Courtright (USA) and Carol Topping (UK). Victor Santacruzof CNLA and John Zaplatynsky of GardenWorks™ offered hysterical commentary.

Delegates enjoyed the serenity of Trice Farms Pond &

Garden, a shop that specializes in water gardening. Owners

Mary Ann and Cor Van Den Berge recently installed

this feature pond, along with an adjacent seminar room,

to draw customers with learning opportunities and

examples for their own ponds and garden projects.

The 50th IGCA Congress closed with a gala evening on September 12, but not before bus captains Louie Murgg and Nico Van Der Pauw auctioned off the mascots, raising upwards of

$2000 for the furry friends.

IGCA Congress 2008

16

From the Executive Director’s Desk

Mark your calendar. Your BC Landscape & Nursery Associa-tion’s 55th Annual General Meeting is being held, by popular demand,

in Whistler on November 13 and 14. The BCLNA executive and staff have planned a first-rate event to ensure business and pleasure are at their max.

When associations are focused and have an engaged membership, they can be one of the most powerful avenues to bring about progressive change: changes that benefit you, the business owner and BCLNA member.

The business environment is evolving

and changing at an ever-faster rate. Issues are becoming increasingly more complex and often move well beyond the capacity of the single business owner or manager. Purchasing patterns and stock levels are changing. There is an increased focus on the environment from both the public and the government; the fluctuating Canadian dollar continues to influence selling and buying; skilled staff shortages are the norm; regulatory plant health issues are now just part of doing business. All the while we are facing major increases in overall business costs, fuelled by rising commodity prices, worldwide.

Despite market inconsistencies, BCLNA operates from an incredible position of strength. The growth and tremendous success of the BCLNA is the result of the

ongoing commitment and engagement of its members. Members who participate on key committees and sit on the board, and those who generously share their expertise and time on the industry’s behalf, know the difference their involvement makes in determining the course of the industry. The role of the association has never been more critical than it is today. Plan to attend the AGM to ensure that this forum continues to serve the best interests of the membership. You will meet face-to-face to discuss today’s and future issues, and elect an effective slate of directors and executives to guide the association forward.

Don’t leave your future in someone else’s hands! Attend the BCLNA AGM and put your mark on it.

Take Control of Your Future

17

BCMAL Report

Research SnippetsMustard Seed Meal Suppresses Weeds in Container-grown Ornamentals(HortScience 43(3):800-803) – Mustard seed meal (Sinapis alba ‘IdaGold’) was applied at 0, 113, 225, and 450 g/m2 to the surface of a soilless container media (40% pine bark, 40% peat moss, and 20% pumice) that was sown with 20 or 25 weed seeds. No visual phytotoxicity symptoms were observed on rose, phlox, and coreopsis transplants, and on established pasque flower plants up to 8 weeks after seed meal application. Seed meal was very effective at controlling the emergence and growth of annual bluegrass, creeping woodsorrel and, to a lesser degree, common chickweed. Only 1.7 annual bluegrass and 1.4 creeping woodsorrel seedlings emerged in the 225 g/m2 treatment, but most died soon

after emergence. The seed meal was also effective at controlling established liverwort. Necrosis of liverwort was observed 2 to 3 days following seed meal application. Four weeks after treatment, seed meal provided 83%, 93%, and 96% control of liverwort at the 113, 225, and 450 g/m2 rates, respectively. The authors concluded that mustard seed meal “has potential to be developed as a selective herbicide for annual weed control in ornamental containers.”

Phosphorus Rate, Leaching Fraction, and Substrate Influence on Influent Quantity, Effluent Nutrient Content, and Response of a Containerized Woody Ornamental Crop(HortScience 43(3):906-912) – The 4-month study evaluated whether

production factors could be altered to increase water and phosphorus uptake efficiency without sacrificing the growth of Skogholm cotoneaster. The factors studied included amending a pine bark-based substrate with 11% by volume of calcined clay or coarse sand, and 50% reductions in P application rate and in leaching fraction. The clay amendment increased substrate total porosity (4%), container capacity (6%), and available water capacity (4%), but decreased bulk density (31%) relative to the sand amendment. Plant mineral nutrient content (P, K, Ca, Mg, S and Mn) was greater in the clay- versus sand-amended substrate, perhaps due to improved retention of cations by clay relative to sand. For instance, P content increased 113% and 135% for tops and roots, respectively, when grown in clay- versus sand-amended substrate. In

addition, the content of P in the substrate increased 332% when amended with clay versus sand. Total plant dry weight decreased 16% with the sand amendment and remained unchanged with the clay amendment when the P application rate was reduced 50%, and the P uptake efficiency increased 54% for clay and 11% for sand. A 50% reduction in the leaching fraction reduced cumulative container influent by 25% and effluent volume by 64% without affecting total plant dry weight. The trial demonstrated the clay amendment increases water and mineral nutrient buffering capacities of the substrate. The authors concluded that “clay may act as a slow-release form of P that reduces environmental impact while supplying the plant a portion of needed P.”

Clean Chip Residual: A Substrate Component for Growing Annuals

(HortTechnology 18(3):423-432) – The study evaluated freshly processed clean chip residual (CCR) as a sustainable substrate to replace pine bark, which is declining in availability and increasing in cost. CCR is produced by grinding and hammer milling pine trees thinned from plantations in the southeastern US. CCR is roughly composed of 50% wood, 40% bark, and 10% needles. The study evaluated ¾-inch and ½-inch CCR and pine bark, and 9:1 and 4:1 blends with peat moss. The 100% CCR had the highest air space (44-47%) and lowest container capacity (38-42%) of the substrates. There was little variation in total porosity and bulk density, and no difference in substrate shrinkage between the substrates. Ageratum, salvia and impatiens were grown in the various substrates in #1 containers at two sites. Root ratings were similar among all treatments and no disease problems were encountered with any of the substrates. The growth of the annuals tested was comparable in the CCR and pine bark substrates. The results showed that freshly processed CCR is a potential alternative to pine bark.

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memorial gathering to honour Jack McConkey, founder of J.M. McConkey Company Inc., who passed away on Wednesday, September 3, will be held on Thursday, October 30 at noon at the

Tacoma Yacht Club. Donations in Jack’s memory may be made to the Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association’s scholarship fund; contact WSNLA at 1 (800) 672-7711 or email Jeanne McNeil, Executive Director, at director@wsnla.org. As the Pacific Northwest’s horticultural world mourns Jack’s passing, we also celebrate the fabulous man he was, and all that he did for the American and Canadian green industries through his foresight and innovative entrepreneurial spirit.

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