Sunday, 28th January, 2007
The New News Pages
Welcome to the new news pages for The International Plant Propagators Society.
Please check back regularly for all the latest news.
Wednesday, 31st January, 2007
ISHS growing media symposium
Propagators might be interested in an ISHS symposium on growing media, the first time the biennial International Society for Horticultural Science symposium on growing media will be held in England. The date is September 2 to 8, 2007, and the venue is Albert Hall, Nottingham.
The main world forum for discussion about R&D on growing media, topics include physical, nutrient and microbiological aspects with special sessions on composted materials as components of growing media, weed, pest and disease control, developments in media for the nursery stock industry, and expanding retail markets.
For more information, see www.ntu.ac.uk/science/school_news/ishs/.
IPPS conferences around the world
IPPS Southern Africa: March 21 to 23
Venue: Pretoria, RSA
Papers include: starting a tissue culture laboratory; potential trees for biodiesel production; pot plant production; genetically modified organisms; and flower exports. Optional pre- and post-conference tours visit the Pilansberg Nature Reserve game park and Cape Town.
New Zealand Region: April 26 to 29
Venue: New Plymouth, North Island
The conference takes three themes: Energy Use in Propagation, Propagating for Revegetation, and Back to Basics. For details of an offer of free conference registration for members in return for presenting a paper, contact ipps@paston.co.uk
Propagation of Ornamental Plants: September 5 to 8
Venue: Sofia, Bulgaria
Leading scientists present their research on aspects of plant propagation, particularly micropropagation. Key lectures include: Prof. John Preece (South Illinois University, USA) on forcing leafy explants and cuttings from woody species; Prof. Toyoko Kozai (Chiba University, Japan) on propagation, grafting and transplant production in closed systems with artificial lighting; Prof. Margareta Welander (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) on different factors influencing conventional and large scale micropropagation; and Dr. Geert Jan De Klerk (Plant Research International, The Netherlands) on stress physiology and tissue culture. Organised by IPPS GB&I member Ivan Iliev (iviliev@ltu.bg)
IPPS GB&I conference 2007
Venue for IPPS GB&I's 2007 conference is the Bank House Hotel and Golf Club, Bransford, Worcester, and the date is Wednesday, October 10 to Saturday, October 13.
The theme is 'Managing change for increased profitability'. Visits will include top nurseries in the region including Wyevale, tree grower Frank P. Matthews and Bransford Webbs Plant Company. Bransford installed a new propagation unit in January 2005 featuring a high-tech mist unit and Efford sand beds. Another highlight will be to the Morgan car factory, to see how a small specialist craftsman based business successfully competes in a highly global market.
IPPS GB&I area meetings
There is at least one local meeting a year in each of GB&I region's eight areas, held usually on members' nurseries or at major gardens or research stations, giving members and their guests the opportunity to exchange ideas and knowledge with other IPPS members. Membership now includes a token to attend one area meeting free of charge - just remember to send it back with the appropriate booking form.
The following area meetings are planned so far for 2007.
April 26 (Thursday): South East
Venue: Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Richmond
IPPS members are being invited to view begind the scenes at this World Heritage site. On the programme for the day will be the Melon Yard - one of Kew's nurseries where plants are grown for research at the Jodrell Laboratories, and where the alpine collection is propagated - and the Tropical Nursery.
June 1 (Friday): West Midlands & Wales
Venue: P&J Gardiner and Allensmore Nurseries
P&J Gardiner of Madley, Hereford, are growers of carniverous plants, holding the National Collection of sarracenia. Allensmore Nurseries is a progressive producer of bedding plants and nursery stock with 25 acres in Herefordshire's Golden Valley. A BOPP member, the nursery produces over five million plants.
June 8 (Friday): Scotland
Venue: Keltie Bridge Nursery, Calendar, Craigmarloch Nursery, Kilsyth, and Colzium Walled Garden
Keltie Bridge Nursery specialises in growing alpine plants; Craigmarloch Nursery is a distribution nursery that recently moved to a new custom designed site; and Colzium Walled Garden has a good collection of rhododendrons and dwarf conifers.
September 21 (Friday): South West & Channel Islands
Venue: Bristol Botanic Garden and Cleeve Nursery near Bristol
The new Botanic Garden at the University of Bristol has four themed plant collections - plant evolution, plants of the Mediterranean Climate regions, useful plants, and local flora and rare native plants - in both formal and informal settings.
Cleeve Nursery has experience with using compost tea and growing specimen shrubs in root-control bags. It is believed to be the first retail outlet in the UK to supply amateur gardeners with freshly brewed compost tea.