Programme 2020
(Booking)https://www.homegrownplants.org.uk/booking/
Tuesday 14th January, Kingsgate Conference Centre, Peterborough
New Concepts in Pot Plant Culture (download)
Come and experience the latest developments in growing, technology and marketing from the US and Europe that can be applied to pot plants and much ornamental production
09.30 Coffee and registration
Chair – James Alcaraz, Bryants Nurseries Ltd, (Chairman BOA)
10.10 How PGRs make you money
Brian Whipker, Professor of Floriculture, North Carolina State University
Growth regulation methods are under constant review and this presentation will focus on the other benefits that come with the use of PGR’s: water conservation, disease resistance, tougher plants, greener plants and, most importantly, less cost.
10.40 Western Flower Thrips – Smart Traps using LED lights 30mins
Rob van Tol, Wageningen University, Entomologist.
Insect pests can be controlled using chemicals or by using their natural enemies. Those are really the only options at present. But there is an alternative, says Rob van Tol. He is leading the way with LED traps.
11.20 Break
Chair Chris Need, Need Consulting Ltd (Technical Secretary BOA)
11.30 What is driving the new growth in House Plant sales?
Jane Perrone, Writer, editor and podcaster
House plant sales have outperformed other plant sales, increasing 15% a year for the past four years – why? Who are the customers, why are they buying these plants and what does this mean for growers of ornamental plants?
12.00 New metrics; New insights.
Ant Surrage, Technical Development Specialist, Fargro Ltd
Much is made of the increased investment to fill the gaps in crop protection programmes, specifically using sensors. So what new sensors are growers using? How is the tech different and how does it give a grower value? How are growers using this technology? What plans are there for future development of applications?
12.30 Using Data to Grow the perfect Cyclamen
Eric Forschelen, Green4ce/Morel
Eric will share his wealth of experience in cyclamen production gained from working with the leading breeders and growers and, in particular, will focus on the new developments in data driven growing.
13:00 Lunch
Afternoon session-
Chair: Neil Bragg, Substrate Associates Ltd (Consultant)
14.00 Technical – Managing Plant Growth with Phosphorus.
Brian Whipker – Professor of Floriculture, NCSU.
Brian will summarise one of his MS student’s extensive research on the influence of phosphorus nutrition on growth control, discuss deficiency symptomology and use of phosphorus in enhancing colouration.
14.30 An update on the Energy Market and Carbon Footprinting
Jon Swain, NFU Energy
With the volatility of the energy market and the increasing awareness of climate change issues, how is ornamental plant production affected and what may be the compliance requirements, technologies and timescales involved.
15.00 Practical IPM in Pot Plants
Selchuk Kurtev, IPM Manager, Certis Europe
Whitefly, thrips and other insects are an ever-present threat and with traditional options disappearing, Selchuk will outline the current options in macro biologicals, biopesticides, biorationals and conventional chemistry, and most importantly, the practical approaches to integrating all these options into practical, effective control programmes.
15.30 Tea and depart
