I’m not a Roundup (glyphosate) herbicide apologist, but I’ve used it for years around my nursery and personal property and have found it to be effective and safe (when used as directed, as the fine print always emphasizes). There’s always a container of it in my garden shed.

However, Roundup is taking a ton of heat in the U.S. and globally as a possible carcinogen and the likely cause of every evil in the world, from autism to obesity. One can’t turn on a cable TV channel without encountering an ad looking for clients for an anti-Roundup legal case. The point being, who knows how much longer the world will have Roundup as a vegetation control tool for our properties?

Which is why news out of West Lafayette, Indiana, caught my eye: Researchers at Purdue University have developed an herbicide compound that they say is effective against weeds while being safe for people and the environment. As a bonus, they’ve developed a simple system for breeders to create plants that will be resistant to the new herbicide—meaning it could open up herbicide-resistant crop technology to many companies all around the world, not just the multi-national giants.

“Herbicide use is essential for modern agricultural production worldwide,” said Chunhua Zhang, an assistant professor of botany and plant pathology in Purdue University’s College of Agriculture. “The herbicide we developed can contribute to global food production and security, and is expected to be safer for the environment than conventional herbicides because of its selective nature.”

Like Roundup, the Purdue herbicide targets and kills a broad spectrum of weed species while not affecting crop that carries the resistance to the herbicide. It works by targeting a particular site of an enzyme required for plant growth. They also found that by changing a single nucleotide in the gene encoding the enzyme, they could easily produce crops that are resistant to the new herbicide.

The Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization is working on patenting their technology and is looking for additional research partners.

Last time, I mentioned that Illinois is on a six-year path to a $15 minimum wage, as are several other states; and I wanted ideas for how businesses might be planning to deal with the increase.

Jim Clesen of Ron Clesen Ornamental Plants here in the far west suburbs of Chicago will have to deal with it, so I asked for his thoughts. He first replied that he had hoped I’d be able to tell him how other smaller growers are handling the issue in states that have already instituted their wage hikes, like California and Massachusetts. (I can’t … not yet anyway.). But Jim hid his disappointment well and offered up the following opinion:

I know Illinois has currently increased their plans to hit a $15 minimum wage. In as much as I do not believe in minimum wage, I would prefer to see a Federal minimum wage of $15 per hour. My reasoning is that EVERYONE’S costs of inputs would rise at once. This would allow us to restructure profit margins to proper levels, which have been ever-shrinking.

At some point, “lean flow” is achieved, and retrofitting automation into older facilities isn’t always practical. If states start raising their minimum wage one at a time, as is the case right now, it creates an unfair marketplace and ultimately doesn’t allow realigned profit margins to be maintained.

Not that we wouldn’t grow plants, but the test is how much will a consumer pay for our product, and which product will we need to grow? At retail (or even a landscaper install unit price), will a consumer buy a 4.33-in. Proven Winners for $10? What is that economic threshold? In the demographic of those who buy annual color, will their incomes rise, too?

We will increase pricing to reflect proper profit margins. We will look at only growing profitable product, no more loss- (or break-even) leaders.

My second question to Jim was what he would do about those employees who already make more than minimum wage, but less than $15? Certainly, they’ll expect a comparable increase over time. Says Jim:

Soapbox: Increased minimum wage doesn’t increase the opportunity to land an employee who has a good work ethic. It initially can diminish rewarding individuals for previous professional experience.

We haven’t paid minimum wage in the past three years. Currently, we start new hires at $10/hour (which has raised issue with employees who started well below that amount). Still have issues filling ALL positions, but it’s not due to wage level, or culture inside of the company. There is a labor shortage, and we are a seasonal industry, and no matter what we pay, won’t guarantee a 2008-style line of employees waiting to fill open positions. 

Back to your question: With the current economy and labor situation, most likely will need to keep margin of current wages as it reflects to the new minimum wage.

Jim explained that last line thusly:

If general greenhouse entry level wage is currently $10/hr. and gets increased to $15/hr., it would increase a picker/grower who makes $14/hr. to a $19/hr. rate.

Comments? Weigh in at beytes@growertalks.com.

Bill Carter, president of Prairie Moon Nursery in Winona, Minnesota, wrote this, calling it, “No answers, just thinking out loud”:

I’m not sure what the right thing to do is. Way back in 1975, following a stint in the Navy, I began working for the State of Illinois as a Mental Health Tech 1, a job that anyone with a GED or maybe less could get. I recall making $7 an hour, paid holidays and 100% paid health insurance. Also, I was in their retirement system, but never stayed long enough to take any of that.

In 2019, how much would we have to pay someone to have the same level of income? According to the cost of inflation and consumer cost index (as of 2015) it would be about $30/hour. Try to find that pay now as an unskilled worker—along with the benefits mentioned.

Last summer, we paid our summer interns and seasonable help $11 to start. This year, it will probably be $12. Most full-time employees receive $12 to start unless they have specific skills. Overall, I’d guess the average hourly pay for field work here is about $15 to $16 per hour, with two weeks paid time off, three once you are here past five years. No health insurance. A SEP retirement that pays about $3,500 annually for full time. We do have profit sharing, which averaged about $6,000 for those working full-time. Still, nowhere near the $60K (in 2018 dollars) that I was getting in 1975.

We could roll with a mandatory $15/hour. My biggest concern is that it makes for an unlevel playing field. In the nursery business, most of us have competition from growers in other states. When Illinois goes to $15, those Indiana growers will have a big advantage.

Good point, Bill! I didn’t think about customers crossing borders to buy less-expensive plants. Then again, that might apply to many goods and services. Not that I’d drive an hour to Indiana or Wisconsin to save a buck on a burger, or for a haircut. If you’re convenient to a border, that might be an issue.

As for plants, if you raise prices, say, 20% to cover all wage increases, that takes a $2.50 annual to $3.00, or a $15 shrub to $18. Will that be enough for a customer to shop across state lines? And what of that out-of-state supplier’s shipping charges? That could be an equalizer.

Anyway, more questions than answers right now. If you’ve got thoughts (clean ones), keep them coming to beytes@growertalks.com.

My friend Danny Takao of Takao Nursery in Fresno, California, saw my item about some efforts to create retailable Ellepots that I had spotted at IPM Essen. He’s been working on them, too, and weighed in with the following:

I consult with Ellepot USA and wanted to update you on the large Ellepots. I agree, at retail, the large Ellepots can be somewhat messy for the consumer to handle. Here’s a prototype Growbag developed by Ellepot Denmark. The bottom is sealed to keep the soil from falling out. The guys in Denmark have made a prototype Ellepot machine to make this, and Lars Jensen of Blackmore, Cliff Buemel, VP of Sierra Gold Nurseries and myself were in Denmark last year to see it operate. Quite impressive! (Editor’s note: Sierra Gold’s packaging was one I saw at IPM.)

Anyway, last week at our local trade show, I showed the attendees the big Ellepots. The landscapers were in favor of reducing their plastic footprint and saw lots of potential using the big Ellepots. And getting their hands dirty wasn’t an issue.

100 mm and 80 mm Ellepots. "We’re working on the retail presentation and will hopefully have something to show at the Blackmore booth this July at Cultivate," Danny says.
 

With retailers, it was a different situation. The presentation needs to be fine-tuned, and you mentioned the watering issue*. Both are being worked on. We’re trying some paper sleeves that will give about one month shelf life once wrapped around the Ellepots. The drying out can be solved by using a less porous mix that won’t dry out as fast.

I just wanted to let you know we are working and trialing to perfect this system.

Thanks, Danny!

*The watering issue Danny mentions is how you package an Ellepot so that it stays clean and presentable under retail conditions, such as irrigation.

I just learned about a new (2018) Dutch company called Seven Steps to Heaven that specializes in research and technology for indoor growing. It was founded by Lianne and Gerttjan Meeuws with their partner Dr. Mark Kreuger, who has 26 years of experience with Syngenta. Their goal is to demonstrate that indoor vertical farming can help everyone have access to a safe and secure food supply.

But I’m not mentioning them for that. I’m mentioning them because breeder Dümmen Orange has been working with Seven Steps to see how their various flowering plant products respond to indoor farming in general; in particular, they wondered if growing under various light intensities had any impact on fragrance.

To that end, they did a six-week trial under three scenarios: a typical Dutch glass greenhouse, indoors under high-intensity LED lights, and indoors under low-intensity LED light. They tested begonia, lavender and alyssum. The test team assumed that a larger photosynthetic capacity, caused by high-intensity LED light, would lead to the formation of more secondary metabolites, which should make the fragrance more intense than under low light conditions.

What they discovered was that some crops emitted a fragrance in the indoor farm but did not when tested in a regular greenhouse. Additionally, they saw that high light intensity results in more fragrance. Perhaps it means a grower could enhance their marketing opportunities by applying a photosynthesis boost in a later stage of growth to increase the fragrance of the crop.

(BTW, there's a curious story behind that company name: Seven Steps to Heaven is a Miles Davis jazz tune. He played it using just the three valves on his trumpet. Likewise, there are just three environmental variables for growing plants: Light, temperature and evaporation. By controling those, "we can compose our environmental tune," they write on their website. Also, their last company was called "Here, There and Everywhere"—named, no doubt, for the Beatles tune.)

https://seven-steps-to-heaven.com

Before you get crazy busy with spring, you might want to get yourself and your staff registered for some of the upcoming summer events, such as Cultivate’19, the Perennial Plant Association National Symposium, and IGC Chicago.

Cultivate’19 is July 13-16 at its usual spot, the Greater Columbus (Ohio) Convention Center. This will be the 90th anniversary of the show! (Even older than GrowerTalks, but only by 8 years). Expect loads of information and inspiration from 650 exhibitors, 150 seminars and workshops, and four tours (including a new Research and Innovation Tour). The keynote is by Kevin Brown, an entrepreneur and franchise expert who’ll talk about “The Hero Effect,” which will inspire and equip you to make a positive difference every day. AmericanHort’s “CareerUP” workshop is for ambitious young professionals who want to expand their skills and define their future.

PPA’s National Symposium is July 28 to August 2, at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare Hotel and Conference Center. It will be held in conjunction with All-America Selections and the National Garden Bureau. There’s a ton taking place during the six-day event, including talks by world-renowned speakers, six different tours and loads of networking opportunities. Come in a few days early and you can catch Ball Customer Day.

The Independent Garden Center Show (IGC Show), is August 13-15 at its new home at McCormick Place in Chicago. Show founder Jeff Morey is hard at work making sure the popular event is better than ever—but without losing the educational and fun stuff that makes it a must-attend event, such as the three morning keynotes (one of which will feature guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter of Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers, who happens to be a consultant—with security clearance—to the Department of Defense!). Don’t forget the Wednesday night concert, featuring Starship.

The latest news about IGC Chicago is that they’ve entered an agreement with the National Hardware Show to introduce and hold the newly created Independent Home Improvement Show (IHIS) together this year.

IHIS will be a separate and dedicated show floor at McCormick Place with a wide range of categories that pair nicely with garden retail products, such as tools, hardware, homeware and outdoor cooking. (Grills! My favorite!). One badge will get you into both shows.

I know that many of you would love the opportunity to visit some of those fantastic Dutch greenhouse operations, but don’t have the nerves or wherewithal to plan and execute your own tour. Well, now you can do a tour and leave the driving to FloraCulture International (FCI) magazine.

The long-time “sister” publication to GrowerTalks and their owner, the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), in collaboration with the GreenTech show in Amsterdam, have joined together to organize a tour of greenhouse businesses in the Westland region of Holland, known worldwide for its many hectares of glass.

The three-day program will visit Anthura, Beekenkamp Breeding, Schneider B.V., Lily Looks, Royal Flora Holland, LMC Chyrsantem, Fransen Roses, Dynaplant and Ter Laak Orchids, the AIPH International Grower of the Year for 2018. You’ll also get a full day at the international horticultural tradeshow GreenTech at the RAI exhibition center Amsterdam. GreenTech is a showcase for businesses at the forefront of the horticulture industry, including many Dutch greenhouse builders and technology suppliers.

I’ve been to five of the nine stops and I can assure you, your mind will be blown!

Who should attend? Anyone who’s curious about the Dutch industry, or who does business with them and wants to get more in-depth—growers, breeders, propagators, exporters, retailers … if you are into plants and how to grow and market them at the highest level, this tour is for you. I might just sign up myself to hit those other businesses!

Cost is just 975 Euros (about $1,100 at the current exchange rate). Learn more www.aiph.org/aiph-events/fci-tours or email Treve Evans, AIPH International Relations Manager at treve.evans@aiph.org.

Don’t forget about next week’s important webinar on “Perennial Production Pitfalls,” starring Walters Gardens Trial Manager Laura Robles. Laura will focus on the common diseases and other issues that can crop up in your perennial production.

It will be Thursday, March 7, at 1 p.m. Eastern/Noon Central.

In the free hour-long session, Laura will give you an overview of the common production problems perennials face, and provide some practical, proven solutions. She’ll be looking at methods for preventing, diagnosing and controlling diseases, and give you tips on avoiding them in the first place.

One week later, on Thursday, March 14, I’ll be hosting a webinar on “Making the Better Mix: Wood Fiber Research and the Benefits of Adding HydraFiber.”

There’s been a lot of talk about wood fiber as a suitable alternative to perlite, peat, pine bark and coir. What does it do? How does it work? Is it time to test it out? Dr. Glenn Fain of Auburn University, who has researched wood biomass substrates for 15 years, will discuss the latest findings on wood substrates, including Whole Tree research. And Daniel Norden, Senior R&D Manager Profile Products’ horticulture business, will talk specifically about the wood fiber substrate HydraFiber, sharing examples of how this technology is helping to grow better plants and better margins.

Sign up for either or both at the usual spot, www.growertalks.com/webinars.

A thank-you to my friend Linda Adams of FNGLA for sharing a Fast Company magazine article titled, “The Hottest New Wellness Startups are Selling Houseplants.”

In it, the author talks about new companies like Greenery NYC and The Sill, which combine online sales with retail stores. It even features online plant delivery company Bloomscape, founded by Justin Mast, part of the well-known five-generation Mast family of Michigan (in fact, I sit two doors down from his pop, Rick Mast, Director of International Sales & Business Development for Ball FloraPlant).

Great publicity for both new (online) and old (houseplant) segments of our industry!

Read it HERE, and share your thoughts on it HERE.