Extending the Life of Valentine’s Blooms: The Science of Love

As Valentine’s Day approaches, florists across the country are gearing up for one of the busiest weeks of the year. A time when flowers aren’t just gifts, but powerful symbols of love, joy, and connection. Yet, behind every rose and carnation lies a challenge familiar to anyone in the floral industry: how to keep blooms fresher, longer. With research funding from AFE, Dr. Rasika Dias and his research team at the University of Texas at Arlington are working to tackle this exact issue. Their project focuses on counteracting ethylene, a naturally occurring plant hormone that accelerates aging and causes petals to wilt, buds to drop, and flowers to fade prematurely.  Why Ethylene Matters  Ethylene plays a vital role in plant…

Global Collaboration in Bloom at Proflora 2025

Staff and representatives from AFE and Ceniflores stopped for a photo among some of the entries from the Outstanding Varieties Competition. This month, I had the privilege of representing AFE at Proflora 2025 in Bogotá, Colombia—a leading international floral trade show hosted by Asocolflores. Alongside AFE Past Chairman Ken Young, and AFE-funded researchers Dr. Rose Buitenhuis (Vineland Research and Innovation Centre) and Dr. John Dole (NC State University), we joined thousands of growers, breeders, suppliers, and floral professionals from across the globe. I arrived ahead of the show to serve as a judge for the Outstanding Varieties Competition, an honor that connected me with industry leaders from Colombia, the United States, and the Netherlands. We were tasked with evaluating more…

Sustainable Disease Management for Specialty Cut Flowers: Results from New Research

The specialty cut flower industry continues to grow rapidly across the U.S., with demand for locally grown flowers climbing each year. However, growers still face persistent production challenges, and one of the most critical is disease management. Soilborne diseases in particular can devastate crops, leading to 50–75% losses when flowers are grown in field soil. Traditionally, chemical fumigants like methyl bromide were used to suppress these pathogens, but those options are now phased out or heavily restricted due to environmental and health concerns. This shift has left growers searching for sustainable alternatives that protect their crops while meeting consumer expectations for eco-friendly practices. Recent research conducted by Dr. Francesca Hand and her team at The Ohio State University, supported by…

Celebrating One Year of “From the Field”

Hello friends, From the Field is celebrating its one-year anniversary this month! I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to write this column over the past year, and I’ve been fortunate to connect with so many of you since then, which has truly shaped the direction of this newsletter. Speaking with you and hearing your stories continues to be one of the most rewarding parts of my work.  As we begin another year of From the Field, I’d like to encourage you to keep reaching out and sharing what’s on your mind. Your input helps us understand where resources are needed most, and it ensures that every AFE research dollar is directed toward solving the real-world issues you’re facing. We invite you to…

Research Funding Awarded by the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund

In 2025-2026, the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund (FCGFRF) is awarding $122,698 in eight new and continued research projects.   In 2024, the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation joined with the American Floral Endowment (AFE) as a named fund to continue their mission and legacy. Since its inception in 1960, the Foundation has contributed over $7.5 million to support floriculture research initiatives. Former Gloeckner Foundation Board members now serve on a committee for the fund, carrying forward the Foundation’s mission by awarding competitive grants that drive innovation in floriculture and related fields at universities and research institutions across the United States. The committee also directs support through the New York Florists’ Club Grants—an enduring tribute to the original New York Florists’ Club, founded in 1887 and incorporated into…

Reducing Peat Use in Container Production, Layer by Layer

The floriculture industry is constantly looking for ways to improve sustainability, and one hot topic is reducing the use of peat moss. Thanks to recent American Floral Endowment funded research from Dr. Jeb Fields and his team at the University of Florida, growers will soon have an easier, more affordable way to reduce peat use without compromising plant quality: substrate stratification, particularly with the use of wood fiber. What Is Substrate Stratification? With stratification, you can think of the pot as a layer cake. Stratification means using different potting media in layers, typically with different media on the top and on the bottom. In this research, the top layer remains peat-based, retaining its excellent growing properties, but the bottom layer…

New Members Appointed to the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund Committee

The Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund Committee is pleased to announce three new committee members' appointments. Under the new partnership announced in 2024, the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation joined with the American Floral Endowment (AFE) as a named fund to continue the mission and legacy of the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation. Since its inception in 1960, the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation has contributed over $7.5 million to support floriculture research initiatives. The new Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund committee, comprised of the former Gloeckner Foundation Board members, continues this legacy through AFE, awarding grants for research and educational projects in floriculture and related fields at universities, colleges, and research institutions in the United States. The committee is composed…

From the Field: Let’s Catch Up!

Happy Summer, everyone!  Are you starting to feel it in the air...? That familiar feeling of excitement and anticipation?  Yep, that buzzing feeling can only mean one thing: summer trade shows and conferences! Summer is my favorite season, and these shows are a big reason why. Whether it’s Cultivate (join us there!), AIFD, Ball Customer Days, Far West, ASHS, or the SAF Annual Convention, these events always feel a bit like a school reunion to me: seeing familiar faces, catching up on everything that's happened since last year's show, and enjoying a shared energy that reminds us why we love this industry. A recent tour that AFE Executive Director, Debi Chedester, and I went on at Smithers Oasis, in Kent,…

Why Industry Support for Research Matters Now More Than Ever

By Laura Barth, Research Coordinator Recent conversations across the horticulture and floriculture community have indicated that many of our crucial university-based research programs are at risk of setbacks, eroding decades of progress and new developments. In the April issue of Greenhouse Grower Magazine, editor Brian Sparks highlighted how ongoing federal funding freezes are straining horticultural research efforts nationwide. At the same time, we followed up with a targeted survey to better understand what researchers are facing.  Respondents from leading institutions shared their stories: rescinded job offers, halted graduate student funding, hiring freezes, and the disruption of long-term research projects. Some anticipate losing more than $1 million in future federal support. Others are scaling back programs that took decades to build.…

2025-2026 Research Funding Addressing Industry Challenges

In 2025-2026, the American Floral Endowment (AFE) is funding 12 research projects for a total of $636,525. The four new projects and eight continuing projects focus on topics such as pest management, disease control, post-production, and technology in floriculture. By supporting these projects, AFE helps drive the continued growth of floriculture, contributing to the industry’s advancement through practical solutions and innovation. "We are proud to support research that addresses both immediate and long-term challenges in floriculture. These projects provide practical solutions for today’s growers while laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and resilient future,” Laura Barth, AFE Research Coordinator, said. “We look forward to following the results of these studies and how they will contribute to the continued growth…

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