Understand Downy and Powdery Mildews with AFE Reports

AFE  has released two new research reports to help the industry better respond to downy mildew and powdery mildews:Understanding Coleus Downy Mildew: Special Research Report #134Understanding Gerbera Powdery Mildew: Special Research Report #135Blair Harlan and Mary Hausbeck, Ph.D., from Michigan State University examine downy mildew on coleus, a colorful bedding plant, in Report 134. Downy mildew can leave plants unmarketable, so the researchers have proposed an integrated pest management program to help growers produce high-quality coleus crops that are untouched by downy mildew.The gerbera daisy industry in the U.S. is booming, as highlighted in Report 135, but powdery mildew on gerberas threatens profits. Leah Granke, Ph.D., from Michigan State University and Mary Hausbeck, Ph.D, examine the effects of environmental factors…

Grow with AFE Resources!

AFE has a wealth of resources available to help students and established industry professionals alike. Did you know that AFE offers more than 150 online research reports for free to the industry? These research reports focus on important industry issues, like:Detecting and managing pests and diseases.Refining watering and nutrition practices.Notably improving plant and flower quality.Providing total management systems for air and soil borne floriculture crop diseases.You can use this website to find other tools too, like an extensive and continuously updated Impatiens downy mildew resource list.Additionally, AFE’s intern scholarship programs give the industry the opportunity to host pre-screened, competent students with a passion for production. While receiving knowledgeable students, you’ll be giving back by providing the hands-on experience necessary to…

New AFE Bulletin: 2013 Edition 2!

The 2013 edition 2 version of the AFE Bulletin is available now with the latest industry and Endowment news!2013 edition 2 bulletin highlights include:Improved Packaging Enhances Fresh Cut FlowersEcke Scholarship Recipient: “Success Breeds Motivation”Remembering Jacob Van Namen, Floral Industry PioneerReaching a Younger Demographic Through Social MediaSpring Internships Awarded!AFE Participates at 2013 National Floriculture ForumInternships Pay Off!AFE Launches Awareness CampaignAFE Addresses Pest Management AttendeesSave the Date for AFE’s Annual Fundraising DinnerTo receive future editions of the Bulletin via email, please send your email address to email@afeendowment.org.

2013 Ecke Scholarship Recipient: “Success Breeds Motivation”

2013 Paul Ecke Jr. Scholarship Recipient Garrett OwenGarrett Owen, currently pursuing his M.S. in Horticulture Science from North Carolina State University, was awarded the 2013 Paul Ecke, Jr. Scholarship, a merit-based scholarship honoring the late floriculture pioneer. Ecke made indispensable contributions to the advancement of the global floriculture industry and recognized that creative scientists and educators are necessary for the industry’s future, which is why this scholarship is awarded to students who will become the next generation of exceptional researchers or educators.“This scholarship is definitely going to help financially, but it also continues to fuel my passion to further my education so I can make an impact from the classroom to the greenhouse,” Owen said. “I once heard ‘success breeds…

Remembering Jacob Van Namen, Floral Industry Pioneer

Jacob Van Namen, founder of Vans Floral Products and former AFE Trustee, died March 31, 2013, in Chicago. He was 90.A successful businessman from Holland, Mr. Van Namen immigrated to the United States in 1955 with his wife Rita and two sons, Jack and John. The family settled in Chicago where Mr. Van Namen worked a variety of jobs until being hired by DeBoer Wholesale Florist.By 1960, he was a partner in the business and soon assumed ownership of the company, which became known as Van’s Wholesale Florists. “Van” grew the company from a single location in the Chicago area to 12 distribution centers in six states by the 1990s. As his family grew, his sons and daughter followed in…

Using Multiple Pesticides: Ensuring Positive Effects

Using multiple pesticides together to prevent a broader spectrum of pests is common in the floriculture industry, but it can be difficult confirming those pesticide mixtures are beneficial and safe for plants. Researchers A.L. Willmott, R.A. Cloyd and K.Y. Zhu from Kansas State University aim to better inform the industry about pesticide mixtures in a research report recently released by AFE.“This research will help keep growers from using mixtures that are a waste of time and money and will result in crop damage,” Cloyd said. “This will help them determine which combinations to use, and they may not have to make as many applications.”Cloyd said that pesticides were once broad and “killed just about everything,” but pesticides produced since the 2000s…

New Research Inspires Profitability and Sustainability

A research report released by AFE addresses how the floriculture industry can use efficient irrigation practices to increase profitability and sustainability in a time when concerns about water scarcity, runoff regulations and the high cost of fertilizer are commonplace. Researchers Alem Peter, Paul Thomas and Marc van Iersel from the University of Georgia and Stephanie Burnett from the University of Maine examined how fertilizer and water levels affect growth. While the research focuses on petunias, it is translatable to almost any greenhouse plant.“By implementing more efficient irrigation practices, growers can reduce the amount of fertilizer they need to apply, and that is going to help their bottom line as well as the environment,” van Iersel, the lead researcher, said. He…

New AFE Research Report: Enhancing the Quality of Fresh Cut Flowers

AFE has released a new research report: Innovative Packaging Technologies to Enhance the Quality of Fresh Cut Flowers, Research Report #452.This research—conducted by Thomas J. Gianfagna, Kit L. Yam and George J. Wulster from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey—demonstrates ways to optimize storage conditions for fresh cut flowers, like roses and snapdragons, and examines systems to prevent disease development. These improvements in post-harvest longevity could increase customer satisfaction and lower shipping costs without decreasing flower quality. Improvements in the distribution and packaging of fresh cut flowers would benefit everyone in the post-production chain.This website contains more than 150 additional free research reports covering other topics about fresh cut flowers and more:Disease ManagementInsect ManagementBreeding & GeneticsPost ProductionProduction TechnologySpecialty Research Consumer…

2011-2012 Annual Report Highlights What’s Bloomed at the Endowment

AFE has released its 2011-2012 Annual Report.“AFE has advocated for all segments of the floriculture and environmental horticulture industries for more than 50 years, and this report recounts the recent ways AFE has achieved that,” AFE Chairman Paul Bachman of Bachman’s, Inc. said. “Without donors who recognize AFE’s expansive work, none of the accomplishments featured in this annual report would be possible.” 2011-2012 annual report highlights include: Program allocations for research, educational grants, internships and scholarships Three new AFE scholarships Social Media Guide for Floral Retailers and Wholesalers Undesignated named funds established Audited financial statement Friends of the Endowment recognition Past annual reports dating back to 1988 and other AFE programs and services are available online.

2013 Edition 1 AFE Bulletin

The 2013 Edition 1 AFE Bulletin is hot off the press!2013 Edition 1 highlights include:AFE Announces Three New Scholarships!Memorial Tribute Established for Bill BeldenFantastic News for Cut Flower AdvancementsThe Relevance of Social Media in the Floral IndustryAFE Trustees Visit the Golden StateAFE Welcomes New Communications Specialist!De Hertogh Honored as Industry LeaderAFE Salutes Industry and Peer ReviewersThe AFE bulletin is a quarterly publication that features the latest floriculture and horticulture industry news. To subscribe to future bulletin updates, send AFE your email address here.

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