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Audio Files: Frequent Hardy Mum Concerns

FREQUENT HARDY MUM CONCERNS

FROM THE JULY 2022 ISSUE OF GROWERTALKS MAGAZINE

WRITTEN BY MICHAEL DIBERTI

NARRATED BY BILL CALKINS

 

EXCERPT: Some stress—such as moisture, low fertility and temperature—can contribute to the budding issue. Temperature is one of the most frequent triggers. Nighttime temperatures of many of the current mum cultivars need to be above 60F (15C). Lower temperatures over a course of days generally cause the premature budding. The result of it can make the mum look stunted and odd-looking. Plant growth slows down and appears not to fill out as normal.

 

If you’re experiencing cooler-than-normal temperatures, frequently scouting the crop can be beneficial to early detection of premature budding. Look at the plants’ terminals to see if you can start to see this bud development. If you’re seeing buds, there are a few practices that can prevent further development. 

 

Read the digital edition of GrowerTalks & Green Profit Magazine—July 2022: https://www.ballpublishing.com/magazine/gt_22_07/index.aspx

Audio Files: Minimizing Risk—Overwintering Perennials

MINIMIZING RISK: OVERWINTERING PERENNIALS

FROM THE AUGUST 2022 ISSUE OF GROWERTALKS MAGAZINE

WRITTEN BY PAUL PILON

NARRATED BY BILL CALKINS

 

EXCERPT: To better manage and minimize the risks associated with overwintering perennials, it’s important to understand and accept that the main goal of overwintering is the survival of the root systems. This may seem like common knowledge, but most growers don’t think of overwintering plants in this manner. Focusing on the survival of the root system will greatly increase overwintering successes.

 

Read the digital edition of GrowerTalks & Green Profit Magazine—August 2022: https://www.ballpublishing.com/magazine/gt_22_08/index.aspx

Audio Files: Optimize Rooting Uniformity—A Hierarchical Process

OPTIMIZE ROOTING UNIFORMITY: A HIERARCHICAL PROCESS

FROM THE NOVEMBER 2022 ISSUE OF GROWERTALKS MAGAZINE

WRITTEN BY BILL CALKINS

NARRATED BY BILL CALKINS

 

EXCERPT: For greenhouses rooting large numbers of cuttings or growers interested in processes to improve rooting success, it’s critical to look at the key limiting factors to producing high-quality rooted liners. This is a very scientific process that involves multiple factors of plant growth—hydration, light, temperature, nutrition and gas exchange. 

 

Read the digital edition of GrowerTalks & Green Profit Magazine—November 2022: https://www.ballpublishing.com/magazine/gt_22_11/index.aspx

Audio Files: Acres & Acres—I Think We’ve Answered the Question

ACRES & ACRES: I THINK WE’VE ANSWERED THE QUESTION

FROM THE JUNE 2023 ISSUE OF GROWERTALKS MAGAZINE

WRITTEN BY CHRIS BEYTES

NARRATED BY CHRIS BEYTES

 

EXCERPT: Last month in this space I talked about how nervous much of the industry has been about going into spring with the economy boasting both high interest rates and high inflation—and having just come out of a global pandemic, too. Plus, labor rates and input costs are up massively, and we’ve raised prices more in the last two years than we had in the last 20. Would our gardening customers show up this spring? Have we become too much of a luxury?

 

Well, we’re a month further into the season than last time (I’m writing this the Friday before Mother’s Day), so let’s continue the discussion.

 

Read the digital edition of GrowerTalks & Green Profit Magazine—June 2023: https://www.ballpublishing.com/magazine/gt_23_06/index.aspx

Audio Files: Poinsettia Fertilization Tricks

POINSETTIA FERTILIZATION TRICKS

FROM THE MAY 2023 ISSUE OF GROWERTALKS MAGAZINE

WRITTEN BY LYNN GRIFFITH

NARRATED BY BILL CALKINS

 

EXCERPT: Stock plants of almost any kind need more magnesium inputs than production plants. There are a couple of reasons for this: 1) Among the primary functions of magnesium in plants is that it’s in the middle of the chlorophyll molecule; and 2) it’s a mobile element.

Audio Files: Heating in Your Winter Greenhouse

HEATING IN YOUR WINTER GREENHOUSE

FROM THE OCTOBER 2022 ISSUE OF GROWERTALKS MAGAZINE

WRITTEN BY PATRICK MAHONEY

NARRATED BY BILL CALKINS

 

EXCERPT: Fortunately, there are a number of ways for growers to improve their greenhouse and limit expenses during winter. To get the most out of their structure, operations will want to look at the key factors that impact heating efficiency, starting with the greenhouse’s ability to retain heat and the effectiveness of its heating system.

Audio Files: Payroll 2023 Style

PAYROLL 2023 STYLE

FROM THE MARCH 2023 ISSUE OF GROWERTALKS MAGAZINE

WRITTEN BY MARK BATTERSBY

NARRATED BY BILL CALKINS

 

EXCERPT: Payroll, typically the biggest expense of a business, has come a long way since its creation in 1913. The 16th Amendment to the Constitution gives Congress the “power to lay and collect taxes on incomes.” The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 established the minimum wage, overtime, recordkeeping and youth employment standards, further complicating payrolls.

 

Obviously, understanding the basic rules for withholding payroll taxes—and paying over withheld amounts—on the wages of all employees in the commercial growing or retail business is a good start. Guidance and advice from a competent, qualified advisor is virtually a necessity.

Audio Files: Should You Hire a Consultant for Your Greenhouse?

SHOULD YOU HIRE A CONSULTANT FOR YOUR GREENHOUSE?

FROM THE JUNE 2022 ISSUE OF GROWERTALKS MAGAZINE

WRITTEN BY ALBERT GRIMM

NARRATED BY BILL CALKINS

 

EXCERPT: Most of us are simply not aware of any mistakes we make or else we would avoid them. If we’re unaware of our flaws and deficiencies we cannot improve upon them, and therefore, honest critique is the most valuable professional gift that anybody can present us with. If you’re ready to accept critique, you’re ready for a consultant.

Specialized Growing Media: Jiffy Flexistart

This audio is from a recent Trending Now video. You can find the video version at https://youtu.be/DYmksCn2HfI 

 

Tech On Demand podcast host and GrowerTalks Senior Editor Bill Calkins talks to John Bonin, the substrate mix product manager and senior account manager for Jiffy Group, about the iconic company’s new Flexistart specialized growing media.

John takes you through a bit of Jiffy’s mission and the importance of high-quality substrates before explaining why Flexistart is a reliable product for professional young plant producers looking to drive performance, speed and precision, while reducing waste and labor costs.

 

More Resources:

• Plant propagation systems | Blends quality substrates | Jiffy Group
• Jiffy substrates and mix for professional use | Jiffy Group‘
• Meeting the Challenge of High-Quality, Cost-Efficient Substrates (jiffygroup.com)
• Jiffy Flexistart - Hear what clients are saying! - YouTube
• Jiffy Group International The Netherlands
• Jiffy Group –Sustainability

Audio Files: How Much Are You Losing to Waste?

HOW MUCH ARE YOU LOSING TO WASTE?

FROM THE JANUARY 2023 ISSUE OF GROWERTALKS MAGAZINE

WRITTEN BY STAN VANDER WAAL

NARRATED BY BILL CALKINS

 

EXCERPT: Let’s talk realistically about waste, and for this discussion, break waste into two parts: First, production—which, to me, is from the buying of the product to delivery at the store. I would suggest producers can be as low as 2% and as high as 10% in this area. Second is shrink, or what we refer to as sell-through at retail.