Cornell’s annual Floriculture Field Day for 2014 will focus on new trends, what’s hot, and thinking outside the window box to attract more business for greenhouse growers, retailers, and landscapers. The event will take place Aug. 5 at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. Zach Pickens, (urban farmer at the Riverpark Farm at Alexandria Center, NYC) will describe his experience with urban vegetable production using a novel moveable crate system. Ellen Wells will present “Buzz Live” on the latest garden center retail trends. Breeding and selection of American Takii’s newest ornamental seed varieties will be covered by Tim Spencer, Flower Product Manager. Erin Pirro from Farm Credit East will present on benchmarking your business for a more profitable future.
Lunch and the afternoon program will take place at Cornell’s Bluegrass Lane annual and perennial trials facility. Participants can attend guided tours of the flower beds to see how new annuals are performing in the landscape. New for this year – trial beds devoted to culinary herbs and other edibles. The Kathy Pufahl Container Design competition will also be held in conjunction with Field Day and winning containers will be announced following lunch. The afternoon program will conclude with an ice cream social.
Attendees may also be interested in attending the IPM In-Depth program on Monday, August 4. In-Depth will include hands- on exercises covering powdery mildews in greenhouse and nursery, greenhouse supplemental lighting, and insect identification and biological control.
For more information and online registration (coming soon) go to www.greenhouse.cornell.edu or contact Polly Holmberg at 607-255-7734.