August 2020 - 19

DUETS
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demand it now even though these
nurseries were, and in many
cases, are still using chemicals on
many of their plants. So my first
thought is just try it. Put a sign up
that says " Organic " and they will
come. Just look at the proliferation
of organic foods. Obviously, the
number of new products is huge,
which means customers may need
to be educated - which means
employees, too.
Peter: It is reported that organic
principles are becoming more
mainstream by the season. As a
private sector researcher I had
a few projects dealing with this
category of products decades
ago but am now seeing more
companies getting involved every
year. As these words are being
typed, I'm running an experiment
for a company investigating the
incorporation of worm castings
into its commercial growing mixes
in concert with organic liquid
fertilizer for bedding plant
production.
Jeff: Absolutely. There are no
real garden writers any more
who promote chemicals. We are
all organic. Not only is organic
gardening becoming the norm,
there are all kinds of new studies
in support. There is some hype,
for sure, but that happens in all
industries and we just need to
work to thwart it.
We're looking
for great teammates to join Vaughan's
and McHutchison.
During these uncertain times when many companies are
unsure of what lies ahead, we are confident in the upward path we are on.
Innovative programs, out-of-the-box thinking and sound leadership
are launching us into the future.
We are looking for talented people to join our teams.
Are you interested?
Peter: We had the pleasure
of meeting each other while
speaking at a cannabis industry
conference last year and our panel
discussion addressed various
aspects of crop production. In
our closing lines of space, share
your view of where you see the
cannabis movement heading.
Jeff: As the government
imposed stigma fades, cannabis
will become a profit center for
nurseries. Autoflowering cannabis
is a new kind of cannabis plant
that grows just like a tomato and
is the same size. Unlike its bigger
cousins, autoflowers grow from
seed to harvest in 75 to 90 days
in 5-gallon containers and do not
require a photoperiod to bloom.
These will be terrific starts to sell
in the spring and holiday plants
for every occasion.
REACH OUT TODAY.
yourbestfuture@mchutchison.com
yourbestfuture@vaughans.com
Peter: Go figure, even though
cannabis has been an underground
industry for generations, it may be
beating the ornamental industry to
the punch. Breeding a day-neutral
'autoflowering' plant has been
a poinsettia and chrysanthemum
grower's dream which, alas,
remains elusive. I like your idea
of offering cannabis plants at the
garden center level at various
stages of maturity as the industry
hits its stride. My comment to
fellow growers on this subject is
simple: Why not us?
This was a fun conversation,
FEEL SECURE KNOWING THAT WE HAVE YOUR BACK.
Jeff. Congratulations on your
accomplishments, and thank you
again for spending time with our
commercial growers.
Vested in Your Success
GREENHOUSE PRODUCT NEWS 19
August 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of August 2020
