GH - December 2018

Low-input nourishment Researchers say you can reduce your nitrogen input in chrysanthemums | 16 The true costs of self-mixing Is your own media more cost-effective? | 26

Growing mums with less

Guelph researchers reduce nitrogen inputs by 75 per cent in chrysanthemum production | 16

Where have all the greenhouses gone? A look at the effects of the cannabis industry | 22

BY: DR. ABHAY THOSAR

Issues 11 Transplanting takes a robotic turn Growing High 30 Vertical farm goes from herbs to cannabis

Profit Chain 32 How to make the supply chain more profitable for all Slow Release 38 Could Dalotia work in cannabis systems?

The trouble with mixing Is making your own growth media as cost-effective as it sounds?

BY: PIERRE-MARC DE CHAMPLAIN

The search for new biocontrol It’s time for new biocontrol agents to fill in the gaps

BY: DR. MICHAEL BROWNBRIDGE AND DR. ROSE BUITENHUIS

FROM THE EDITOR

Fishing at the Royal Ag Winter Fair

I made my first-ever trip to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair this year. Hearing about the University of Guelph’s greenhouse and indoor farming display, I dropped by for a look.

The first thing I noticed was the fish – an aquaponics display of goldfish and tilapia, swimming and fertilizing the leafy greens next to the tank (which were being happily grown under LED lights and flowed into another U of G project).

As the exhibit sign defined it: “aquaponics is an ancient concept that uses circular biomass flows to produce fish and plants within a looped system…While there are several possible interpretations of the system, it is consistently defined as a symbiotic production relationship between an aquatic species and a hydroponic plant.” In the display, the fish tank used “water flow and airstones to keep oxygen levels high” for the fish. As explained by Daniela Piovesan from the University of Guelph, the visible white mat at the bottom of the tank helped draw

With ever increasing interest in sustainable production, it’s no surprise that aquaponics have been getting a lot of attention, especially over the past decade. But as the display also notes, “few commercial-scale aquaponic farms exist in Canada.” Why might that be?

In a conversation with Charles Hayes of Advanced Treatment Technologies a few months ago, he mentioned that it was hard to find operations that took aquaponics to a large level and succeeded long-term. “With the traditional way with how aquaponics are set up, it makes it difficult to ramp up to true commercial scale and without problems,” he said.

Traditionally, it’s set up as single loops. Neither the plants nor the fish are in their optimal environments, he says, and when things go awry, especially on the fish side, they die really quick.

But Hayes has a solution. “What we do is we separate it, so you’ve got two loops instead of one. You’re still using the nutrients off the fish to grow the plants, but it allows you to

It’s complicated when two living organisms depend on each other

nitrogen from the fish poop through a filtration process. The microbes in the next step help consume the fish waste and make the nutrients more bioavailable for the plants.

I didn’t realize how neat the lettuce was until I revisited these photos. It was a deep water culture trough – a hydroponic bed holding up floating rafts of propagation plugs. “The roots are suspended in the water and absorb nutrients in the solution,” said the sign.

grow both the organisms – both the animals and plants in their optimum environment.” It’s viable, but there’s a large emphasis on the design phase, plus choosing the right crops and fish. It’s complicated when two living organisms depend on each other but have other needs – much like us.

Note: Following the publication of the October 2018 issue, the Growcer has since clarified that their originally-stated unit price of $180k does not include training or installation.

Record voter turnout at OGVG annual meeting

A new record for voter turnout was set at the 51st Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG) annual general meeting this year. Unveiling a new online voting system, over 80 per cent of eligible voters casted ballots in advance of the AGM that was held on October 23.

Three directors were elected for District 1: Paul Mastronardi (Mastron Enterprises), Rick Mastronardi (I.P.R. Farms) and Peter Quiring

(NatureFresh Farms). In District 2, Jan VanderHout (Beverly Greenhouses) acclaimed one of the two vacancies on the Board.

Newly elected directors are joined by existing directors whose terms continue through to October 31, 2019, forming the 2018-19 OGVG Board of Directors. Five committee members were also acclaimed in each district for one-year terms. For complete story, visit greenhousecanada.com

PARTIAL CARBON TAX RELIEF FOR GREENHOUSES

A federal carbon-pricing backstop was announced for Ontario, New Brunswick, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, as well as partial relief on fuel charges for greenhouse operators. Recognizing the nature of greenhouse fuel consumption for year-round production, a partial relief of 80 per cent is proposed on fuel charges for commercial greenhouse operators. This applies to natural gas and propane used to

grow plants, including vegetables, fruits, bedding plants, cut flowers, ornamental plants, tree seedlings and medicinal plants. All or a substantial fraction of the greenhouse must be used for growing purposes.

Exemption certificates will be provided upfront. 20 per cent of the fuel charge will be applied if delivered by a registered distributor to an eligible greenhouse operator for heating purposes or for carbon dioxide produc-

tion intended for use in the greenhouse.

According to Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, greenhouse operators have spent over $13 million on natural gas upgrades in the past five years. Not only has this improved production efficiency, but greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by over nine per cent per year.

For the past two years, the federal government has been

working together with provinces and territories to design individual climate plans, including taxes on carbon pollution. According to their release, nine other provinces and territories of Canada have either included a carbon tax in their climate plans or adopted the federal pollution pricing system. Proceeds generated from the carbon pricing plan will be put to use in their respective provinces.

BY

THE NUMBERS

(Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss, 2015)

(Source: OMAFRA) (FAO, 2018)

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Pink Icing Blueberry

Superbells Doublette Love Swept Calibrachoa

This tightly compact calibrachoa is ideal for smaller scale plantings— think petite mono pots, window boxes, and porch rail planters. Won’t grow out of bounds through the season and will remain full of flowers from spring through fall without

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This annual phlox is a true rock star. Its tidy, compact habit makes it perfect in landscape, containers or hanging baskets. Unlike some other annual phlox varieties, Phloxstar roots very well, doesn’t cycle out of flower and stands up to heat and drought. Colours for 2019 include red, white and salmon. Medium flower size with mounded habit. danzigeronline.com

flowering ensures early blooms, and heat tolerance keeps Techno in flower even when temperatures rise. 20-30 cm tall, 41-51 cm wide. syngentaflowers-us.com

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USDA zones 5 to 10, full sun. 0.9-1.2 m tall. bushelandberry.com

Potunia Baby Pink

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Rudbeckia Rising Sun AS Chestnut Gold

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Berry White Hydrangea is a summer stunner and improvement in Hydrangea paniculata breeding with incredibly strong, upright stems and large cone-shaped flowers.

Flower colour starts out white in July, then progresses to deep pink and red with cool fall nights.

Zones 3 to 8. 1.8-2.1 m tall, 1.2-1.5 m wide, firsteditionsplants.com

5 things to know when hiring foreign workers

While Canada welcomes more permanent resident immigrants per capita than any other nation, the entry of foreign workers unfortunately remains sensitive. But the Canadian agricultural sector remains in a privileged position when it comes to immigration policy and labour from abroad. As a lawyer practicing both immigration and agri-business law, here are the top five things you should know to get the greenhouse workers you need.

1. Plan a year in advance to succeed in Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA)

No matter what immigration agricultural “stream” you’re planning to use to bring in workers, if they’re coming on only a temporary basis you’re most likely going to need a positive LMIA. Failing to get the domestic advertising requirements just right or messing up the job descriptions tied to National Occupational Classifications (NOCs) are two common errors I see leading to LMIA failure.

Advanced planning is required not just for the LMIA, but to also obtain work permits for all workers. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) now has worldwide fingerprint and photo biometrics for foreign workers that could especially lead to delays in the processing of permits.

2. Try Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)

A key change to the immigration landscape has been the rise of PNPs. While these are mostly

immigrants, who may qualify by: (a) a minimum number of years’ experience running a business (often three years); and (b) a minimum amount to invest in a Canadian business ($600,000 to $1.5 million is a typical range of liquid assets).

3. Consider the Francophone Mobility Program for higher-skilled positions

This is one of the best kept secrets for bringing in higher-skilled temporary foreign workers outside of Quebec. It again avoids the LMIA hassle. Language of work in Canada need not be French. Because of its higher skill requirements, greenhouse operators are likely limited to three potential NOCs: 0821 (Managers in Agriculture0), 0822 (Managers in Horticulture - 0) and 8255 (Horticulture Supervisors - B). We’ve had good success with this program. The worker need not be from a francophone country, or primarily educated in French, so long as their habitual language of daily use is French at the time of application.

4. Be diligent in compliance verification

...one of the best-kept secrets for bringing in...foreign workers

permanent residency streams, they could present an opportunity for greenhouse operators to bring in long-term workers. They avoid LMIA hassles, though come with their own sets of conditions.

The Government of Ontario has an In-Demand Skills Stream dedicated to the agriculture and construction sectors. The only jobs that qualify in this stream are C and D NOC classes like 8432 (Nursery and Greenhouse Workers - C) and 8611 (Harvesting Labourers - D). Requirements include: (a) full-time permanent job offer; (b) worker has one-year related work experience in Ontario; (c) employer in business at least three years with $500,000 gross revenue; (d) employer already has three full-time Canadian employees at location. Greenhouse owners looking to transition out of the business might also be able to use PNP entrepreneurial programs to sell the business to

The government has significantly ramped up its enforcement activities along with vigilance on LMIA issuance. Compliance verification typically takes one of three forms: (1) on-site inspection and questioning (with or without prior notice); (2) Employer Compliance Review (ECR) done where a prior employer seeks ongoing LMIA workers, with verification done by paper means of past LMIA condition compliance; (3) review under Ministerial Instruction (often in response to a tip). Consequences of non-compliance include rejection or revocation of LMIAs and being deemed ineligible to hire future temporary foreign workers.

5. Use an immigration lawyer

Before starting my practice, I too used to think you could do it yourself. Then I started hearing from clients who had tried it themselves and met disaster. Or didn’t know alternative programs existed.

Most immigration lawyers only charge a consultation fee of $300 to $400 and use block fees rather than hourly rates so you’ll know the costs up front. Their goal is to maximize prospects of immigration success.

Gordon S. Campbell is managing lawyer at Aubry Campbell MacLean. He practices immigration law in Canada and agri-business law in Ontario. Learn more at compleximmigration.ca and acmlawfirm.ca.

Transplanting takes a robotic turn

Winner of the 2018 GreenTech Innovation Award, Visser Horti Systems’ AutoStix is an open source transplanting system. Not only does it automate the labour-intensive and often slow process of sticking cuttings, it uses biodegradable strips to keep things environmentally friendly.

Every strip is made up of 34 or 51 cells, each containing a single cutting. The strip is designed to maintain space between cuttings, important during

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Visser’s awardwinning AutoStix tackles efficiency and labour shortage while staying environmentally friendly.

the packing and shipping process. Once planted, the strip begins to biodegrade immediately, taking approximately 12 to 16 weeks to completely disintegrate.

Ron Sant of George Sant & Sons Greenhouses in Ont. was one of the first growers to try it, and the first year wasn’t easy. “We had one of the first models and fine tuning the machine took some time, along with working with [the] farm to get the cutting specs right and [to] figure out which varieties will work.”

Now going into their third year, many improvements have since been made to the technology. Sant estimates that 45 to 50 per cent of their unrooted cuttings will be done through AutoStix, replacing about 10 pairs of hands. “The cost to stick the cuttings is not cheaper than hand sticking if you can get consistent labour,” says Sant, “but that is hard to find and will not get easier.” The machine doesn’t need training,

averages at above 90 per cent consistency and requires little fixing at the end of the line.

Visser estimates that payback time is around three to five years for unrooted cuttings. “For an Autostix machine you need two people to stick 10,000 cuttings. Manually you can stick 1,000 to 1,700 cuttings [on] average per hour per person, but you need an extra team around the sticking.” With AutoStix, Visser estimates that growers can save up 80 per cent on labour costs. “With the rooted strips now being offered in the market, you will have [an] even faster payback time [from] the system.”

Developed in cooperation with Ball Hort, Visser supplies the strips to cutting suppliers who have independently developed their own technologies. One example is the Basewell technology from Dümmen Orange.

Introduced at the California Spring Trials earlier this year, Basewell cuttings are produced off-shore, and come with some initial root development –almost like a hybrid between rooted and unrooted cuttings. According to Perry Wismans, global head of floriculture innovation at Dümmen Orange, shipping with the gel can offer additional protection by preventing the risk of desiccation during shipping. “We see [the] future potential of Basewell cuttings to include the application of a gel that will serve as a base to add rooting hormones or other beneficial components to improve the transplant process,” says Wismans.

Approximately half of Dümmen Orange’s annual assortment is available as part of their Basewell line, including Bidens, Coleus, Dahlia, New Guinea Impatiens, Osteospermum, Pelargonium, and Petunia. Pinched forms offered, include Bacopa, Calibrachoa, Lobularia, Lobelia, Lysimachia, Portulaca, and Verbena. Geraniums from their farm in Ethiopia will be available starting in 2019. Available loose or in strip form, Basewell plants can be transplanted using AutoStix, the ISO robot arm or by hand.

With AutoStix, faster planting isn’t the only advantage to the system. According to Visser, a farm label can be attached to the strip and planted, which helps trace the product in the supply chain. Because it’s an open source system. AutoStix users can easily widen their range of plants by purchasing new varieties and new products available in the strip.

OPTIMIZING THE spectral composition of light

Not only can you optimize the amount of light, but you can adjust the spectrum of colours to help achieve specific goals within your crop.

BY DR. ABHAY THOSAR

In our October article, we discussed how we can optimize lighting conditions for plant growth, how to measure light, the optimum lighting requirements for various groups of plants and how to calculate the deficit.

Now that we are familiar with lighting basics, let us look into the spectral composition of light. Spectral composition refers to the various wavelengths that are present in the light incident to the plant canopy. Different light sources will have different spectral compositions. If we

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talk about sunlight, it is considered full spectrum, covering electromagnetic radiations that range from near ultraviolet to infrared (Fig. 1). The solar spectral distribution will vary depending on the time of day and latitude, as well as the time of year.

When we talk about lighting requirements for plants with regards to the spectrum, we generally refer to the McCree curve, which shows the effect of particular wavelengths on photosynthesis (Fig. 2). As per the curve, we can observe peaks in the blue and the red wavelengths, as well

Natural light levels tend to be low in Abbotsford, BC where Van Belle Nursery is located. That’s why they use supplemental lighting in the form of LEDs. This has led to faster flowering and more compact plants, reducing the need for PGRs by 10 per cent.

Discover my recipe for growth

John Bonner Great Lakes Growers, Burton, Ohio

“I’ve been intrigued by the promises and potential of LEDs for a couple years, which is why we initiated a trial here at Great Lakes Growers to compare results of growing under HPS to growing under Philips LED toplighting. With the Philips LEDs, we noted both quantitative and qualitative improvements. We saw an increase in production speed and an increase in both dry weight and mass. We observed less tip burn. And we noted deeper, darker, richer colors in our red leaf lettuces. It’s for these reasons, we switched to Philips LED toplighting.”

FIGURE 1.

Sunlight is considered full-spectrum, as it covers a range of electromagnetic radiation from near ultraviolet to infrared. However, the spectral distribution will vary depending on the time of day, location and time of year.

FIGURE 2.

as activity in the green and yellow regions of the curve. Blue and red light are known to be most effective in photosynthesis because they have exactly the right amount of energy to energize or excite electrons in chlorophyll pigments. However, the McCree curve shows that the wavelengths in between also contribute positively to photosynthetic activity, likely due to the ability of green and yellow wavelengths to penetrate the crop canopy (more on this later).

It is extremely important to understand that, while designing supplemental lighting in the greenhouse, the focus should be on optimizing the photosynthetic activity of the crops. The predominant greenhouse lighting sources are HPS (high pressure sodium) lamps because of their high efficiency (1.9 µmol/J) and low initial costs compared to other conventional lighting. However, it is important to note that these fixtures are neither spectrally nor energetically optimal. Looking to the spectral distribution of HPS, we can see that most of the radiation is in the green and yellow-orange regions with some in the red and blue regions (Fig. 3). On the other hand, with improvements in LED technology, manufacturers are able to achieve efficiencies up to 3.0 µmol/J, as well as modify the

spectrum to include more photosynthetically advantageous wavelengths

The human eye is sensitive to the white light generated by the sun. The white light contains all of the colours, but mostly orange, yellow and green wavelengths. Hence we can read and see things more clearly in these wavelengths. HPS lamps were originally researched and developed in order to illuminate dimly lit areas and to help the human eye see more clearly. Hence their target wavelengths were yellow and green. On the contrary, if our eyes were sensitive to red and blue wavelengths, HPS would have been designed to emit purple light for us to see things clearly.

That is the reason why even the units of light measurement are different for humans and plants. For humans, light is measured in lumens or lux, whereas for plants, it is measured in micromoles. For example, if we have a room lit up with 8000 lux using HPS, the human eye would detect that as a very bright light and we would probably wear sunglasses in that scenario. On the other hand, if a person enters a room lit up with red and blue light targeting 100 µmol/m2/s (which is approximately 8000 lux) things would not be the same. Because of the sensitivity of the human eye to yellow and green

This is an overlay of several spectra: the solar spectrum (lightly represented in the back), HPS (in the middle) and Philips LED (in the front). The McCree curve is represented as a dotted outline.

light, the person would feel that the room is not sufficiently lit.

However, if we had plants in the room, they would be actively photosynthesizing and would find that the lighting has been optimized for their requirements up to a certain degree.

WHY RED AND BLUE?

Different wavelengths penetrate differently into the leaf. Blue and red are efficiently absorbed by primary plant pigments chlorophyll a and b, whereas the green contributes to photosynthesis in leaves deeper in the crop canopy. The use of blue and red LEDs has been the primary choice for producers as these wavelengths are efficiently absorbed by chlorophylls in the optimization of photosynthesis (Fig. 4). Certain red and blue wavelengths are very effective in photosynthesis because they have exactly the right amount of energy to energize or excite chlorophyll electrons and boost them out of their orbits to higher energy levels. Now, looking at supplemental lighting requirements for crops grown in the greenhouse, these plants are already exposed to the full spectrum of the sun and receive their quota of blue, red, yellow, orange and green wavelengths from sunlight. Hence when we are optimizing lighting, we

would target the peaks in the McCree curve and those would be blue and red wavelengths. If lighting needs are for sole source lighting (i.e. in the absence of natural light) we would consider a smaller percentage of yellow-orange-green wavelengths for these applications. In my opinion, it provides a dual advantage. Not only can we provide a much fuller spectrum to the plant’s photosynthetic pigments, these wavelengths will also support the human eye for better plant observations. However, it is important to understand that the green-yellow light in the fixture comes with a loss of efficiency compared to the red and blue.

Plant responses to lighting will vary depending on the species, cultivars, growing environments, and red-to-blue ratios, as well as the desired objectives. Broadly speaking, blue and red light in varying proportions could lead to a number of different plant morphological outcomes, including increased biomass, decreased leaf area, improved rooting, inhibited stem elongation, increased pigment content, increased number of stomata, enhanced fresh and dry weight, as well as enhanced flowering and fruiting, lateral branching and production of secondary metabolites – to name a few.

The rising world population creates

an increasing demand for food products as well as ornamental plants. Also, the concept of supporting locally grown produce is in vogue, leading to an increasing demand for controlled growing systems including greenhouses as well as vertical farming operations. In both scenarios, there is a need for supplementary lighting which is fulfilled either by conventional lighting (high pressure sodium, metal halide or fluorescent) or by new LED technology. With high-efficiency LED fixtures, it is possible to reduce energy consumption and at the same time increase production capacity. It can be highly effective in improving the qualitative as well as the quantitative parameters of conventional growing. By optimizing light intensity as well as spectrum, we can certainly manipulate plant photomorphogenic responses as well as plant metabolism. Presently there is a knowledge gap in how to effectively use LEDs to generate specific, favourable plant responses.

Understanding the optimum requirements of light quantity as well as the impact of spectrum (wavelengths) in obtaining optimal plant responses is important for growers and for adopting LED technology.

When considering installing or switch-

FIGURE 3.

The HPS spectrum lies mostly in the green and yellow-orange regions. Because the human eye sees more clearly under these wavelengths, HPS were originally designed to better illuminate dimly lit areas.

FIGURE 4.

Blue and red LEDs have primarily been chosen due to their efficient absorption by chlorophyll molecules. Blue-to-red ratios can also lead to different plant morphological outcomes.

ing to LEDs, be sure to:

• Have a clear objective with regards to supplemental lighting and a clear understanding of the DLI (daily light integral) requirements of the crops

• Know the challenges and limitations of your present lighting system with regards to achieving the DLI and objectives of the crops

• If considering supplemental lighting in the greenhouse, strongly consider the most efficient LED lighting which would be the blue and red

• In order for the human eye to look at plants under red and blue LEDs,15 to 17 per cent of white light is sufficient; particularly important for sole-source lighting conditions

• When supplementing light in the greenhouse, natural light is more than sufficient to mask the pink hue from the LEDs and make the plants look more normal

• It is important that you choose an LED manufacturer who will provide after-sales technical support with regards to the growing process and not just the sale of the lights

Abhay Thosar, PhD is a senior plant specialist with Signify (formerly known as Philips Lighting). He can be reached at abhay.thosar@signify.com.

Moving towards low-input floricultural operations

Technique could reduce nitrogen use in chrysanthemum production by 75 per cent

BY DR. BARRY J. SHELP, WILLIAM J. SUTTON AND BILL (WILLIAM) N. MACDONALD

There is increasing interest in Canada and globally in improving nutrient management in floricultural operations. Typically, this involves the constant delivery of lower levels of nutrients during the crop cycle, resulting in the production of plants with quality acceptable to both growers and consumers. Approximately six years ago, we began to develop a novel and innovative approach in which a constant low level of nutrients is delivered during vegetative growth only, and this low level is optimized so that reproductive growth is satisfied mainly by the use of these previouslyacquired nutrients, rather than direct root supply. We chose sub-irrigated chrysanthemum, a popular potted plant, as our model system. To date, we have conducted research greenhouse trials on nitrogen (N) delivery, measuring yields, assessing plant nutrient status using visual diagnosis, and determining the balance of N inputs and outputs in various plant parts as a function of crop development. By applying this

method, we found that the delivery of N over the crop cycle can be reduced by as much as 75 per cent compared to current industry standards. If these trends hold true for other plant nutrients, our strategy could transform the production of chrysanthemums in particular, and potentially pave the road for the low-input production of other floricultural crops.

Chrysanthemum is one of the most common potted greenhouse floricultural crops in Ontario, as well as Canada. Current commercial guidelines for greenhouse-grown potted chrysanthemums suggest at least two options for supplying fertilizer-N over the crop cycle: continuous feeding during both vegetative and reproductive growth stages with relatively high levels of N (250-400 ppm N); and, feeding during the vegetative growth stage with relatively high levels of N, followed by a declining step-wise gradient during the reproductive stage, which culminates with only water in the final 10 per cent of the growth cycle.

ABOVE Fig. 1. An automated ebb-and-flow trough sub-irrigation system for growing disbudded ‘Olympia’ (white flowers) and ‘Covington’ (yellow flowers) chrysanthemums.

N REMOVAL DURING THE REPRODUCTIVE STAGE

In our initial study published in 2014, we used an ebb-andflow bench sub-irrigation system. Plants of the cultivar ‘Yellow Favour’ were individually grown in a naturally-lit research greenhouse using four-inch pots containing a 50/50 peat:perlite mixture adjusted to pH 5.4. They were disbudded, resulting in single-stemmed flowering plants (i.e., the shoot). Approximating the industry standard, 260 ppm N was supplied to all plants during the five-week vegetative growth stage. Then, six separate N treatments (lacking all other nutrients) were tested on different groups of plants during the reproductive stage until the flowers were fully opened (approximately five weeks later): 260 ppm N; 260 ppm N with water on alternate days; simple removal of the N supply; and 220, 175 or 130 ppm N.

Dry matter yield and total N of the shoot (including flowers, stems, petioles and leaves) were not significantly affected by the N treatments. However, the N usage index (i.e., shoot dry matter x (shoot dry matter:shoot N content)), an indicator of N use efficiency, was significantly increased only with the complete removal of N during the reproductive stage (Fig. 2), and there were no symptoms of N deficiency on the lower leaves of these plants. This finding suggests that interruption of the N supply, as well as other nutrients, promotes sufficient movement of stored N from previously-developed leaves and stems to satisfy flower development. By removing N during the reproductive phase, the N supply was reduced by 50 per cent over the crop cycle without adverse effects on yields and visual characteristics of the plant and flower.

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Fig. 2. Removal of N supply during reproductive growth improves N usage index in sub-irrigated, disbudded ‘Yellow Favour’ chrysanthemum. Only three of the six treatments are shown; plants received 260 ppm N, 260 ppm N and water on alternate days, or water only. Bars sharing the same letter are not significantly different (P ≤ 0.05).

N REDUCTION DURING THE VEGETATIVE STAGE

In our subsequent study published in 2017, we used an ebband-flow trough sub-irrigation system with disbudded plants of the cultivars ‘Olympia’ and ‘Covington’ (Fig. 1). Each trough represented one of three N levels, ranging from 260 ppm to 130 ppm N, which were supplied during vegetative growth only. In all cases, N supplies and other nutrients were removed during reproductive growth.

We found no visual symptoms of N deficiency with any treatment, regardless of cultivar (Fig. 3). There was no effect of treatment on total dry matter yields, N contents of the plants, and the movement of N from the stem and leaves to flowers during reproductive development. However, another indicator of N use efficiency, N uptake efficiency (i.e., shoot N content:N supply), was significantly increased with decreasing N levels (Fig. 4). This suggests that the N supply could be reduced by 50 per cent during vegetative growth, compared to industry guidelines, without negative effects on plant and flower quality.

NEXT STEPS

To date, we have shown that the combination of two delivery strategies, N removal during reproductive growth and constant low N during vegetative growth, produces high quality chrysanthemum plants and flowers, while reducing their N requirements to approximately 25 per cent of the current industry standards over the course of the crop cycle. Our strategy for delivering nutrients to subirrigated chrysanthemums is highly original, benefitting from the plant’s inherent ability to redistribute most nutrients during reproductive growth and/or nutrient stress, and to efficiently absorb nutrients during a relatively low nutrient supply. Ongoing research is expanding our survey of the macronutrients, as well as the micronutrients, under research

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Fig. 3. Reduction of N supply during vegetative growth does not affect the visual appearance and yield of sub-irrigated, disbudded ‘Olympia’ (left panel) and ‘Covington’ (right panel) chrysanthemums. Plants are arranged in decreasing N treatments from left to right (260, 172, 130 ppm N).

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Fig. 4. Delivery of constant low N during vegetative growth improves N uptake efficiency of subirrigated, disbudded ‘Olympia’ (left panel) and ‘Covington’ (right panel) chrysanthemums. Bars sharing the same letter are not significantly different (P ≤ 0.05).

greenhouse conditions. Future research will seek to validate this optimized nutrient delivery strategy with both sub-irrigated and drip-irrigated chrysanthemums in a commercial greenhouse setting. If successful, this would reduce nutrient usage, the volume of concentrated nutrient-rich solution for management, and environmental contamination, leading to the possible development of new fertilizer formulations.

Chrysanthemum growers will benefit the most from this particular research, but it may be possible to expand the fertility recommendations to other ornamental crops, and to indoor recirculation/hydroponic systems for vegetables and cannabis. Furthermore, our novel nutrient delivery strategy could result in plants with a more favourable nutrient balance, and potentially lead to improved pest resistance and post-harvest shelf life.

Acknowledgements: This research was funded by the Canadian Ornamental Horticulture Research & Innovation Cluster and

Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada under the Growing Forward 2 Program, as well as the Cecil Delworth Foundation. Thanks to Specialties Robert Legault Inc. for providing custom pot mix.

For more details, see the articles, “Impact of various combinations of nitrate and chloride on nitrogen remobilization in potted chrysanthemum grown in a subirrigation system” and “Optimizing supply and timing of nitrogen application for subirrigated potted chrysanthemums”, which are published in the Canadian Journal of Plant Science.

Barry J. Shelp, PhD, and William J. Sutton are professor emeritus and graduate student, respectively, in the Department of Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph. Bill MacDonald is a former graduate student at the University of Guelph, and now professor of Horticulture and coordinator of the Commercial Cannabis Production Program at Niagara College. For more information, please contact Dr. Shelp at 518-824-4120 ext. 53089, or bshelp@uoguelph.ca.

BUDDING IN A different flower takes

LEFT

One of Canada’s largest licensed producers, Aphria employs 480 people across Canada and this number continues to grow.

As everyone in Canada is aware by now, recreational cannabis has become legal. But the full effects of legalization on the Canadian greenhouse flower and vegetable industry remains to be seen.

For starters, some growers have switched part of their production to cannabis, partnered with cannabis firms or sold out completely, but others are expanding their existing vegetable or flower production. The net gain or loss in the long run is anyone’s guess.

In ornamentals, Flowers Canada Growers (FCG) reports that very few growers have transitioned to cannabis production, but some have instead sold their businesses to new cannabis ventures. “It makes more sense to sell to someone ready to invest and take on the risks involved with cannabis,” explains FCG Executive Director Andrew Morse. “The competition is strong. In Ontario, I would say about 8 to 10 flower growers out of 184 have sold to cannabis firms. Most of that transition took place about a year ago and things have slowed down dramatically.”

This decrease in flower production has meant it’s been a bit harder this year for some retailers to find certain products, says Morse, but he points out that this has put some producers in good positions

for negotiation and pricing. In his view however, the rapid growth of the cannabis sector has negatively impacted some flower growers. “It creates competition for labour, for equipment, for construction if you want to expand,” he notes. “Labour is the one that’s really tough. It makes the available labour force even smaller.” Morse adds that the odour of cannabis production has caused concern in some areas of the country, with some negative feelings extended towards the entire greenhouse industry.

On the vegetable side, Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers’ marketing & economic policy analyst Glen Snoek also lists labour as a concern. He reports that “there was already a lot of competition for qualified greenhouse operators and personnel in this industry, and the rise of the cannabis industry has made it more acute.” However, the greenhouse vegetable industry in Ontario has been in a construction boom for quite some time and this is likely to continue; Snoek says construction firms are booked solid for the next two years. Some cannabis firms, he reports, are therefore having to approach existing facilities and form partnerships to establish themselves in the industry.

In B.C., acreage of vegetable production has decreased from 850

With cannabis on the scene, are a significant number of Canadian greenhouses abandoning floral and food production?

BY TREENA HEIN

to about 750 over the last year, due to conversion of existing production to cannabis. One producer sold one greenhouse to a cannabis firm (keeping the others in vegetable production), another has converted one facility to cannabis production in cooperation with a licensed producer, and yet another has converted completely to cannabis production. “This is what I know at this point,” says Linda Delli Santi, executive director of the B.C. Greenhouse Growers’ Association. “Probably every greenhouse vegetable grower in this province was approached by cannabis firms wanting to buy, and further sales or conversions from veggies to cannabis may have happened during this year. It’s an opportunity to get a better return. The margins are tight for greenhouse vegetable producers, and if they see an opportunity to switch to something that realizes a better return on investment, they will.”

There’s a new ALC (Agricultural Land Commission) regulation in B.C. however, that’s negatively affecting the cannabis industry construction. The Ministry of Agriculture has given municipalities and First Nations the ability to refuse the building of new cannabis facilities with cement floors, a move that addresses strong concern that agricultural land is going to be “cemented over” by cannabis firms. Delli Santi believes this may have stopped the building of some cannabis facilities; she’s heard that some cannabis companies don’t seem to think growing cannabis on dirt floors is desirable or even possible, although almost all vegetable greenhouses have mainly poly-covered dirt floors. So far, Richmond is the only municipality that has enacted a ban against cement-based agricultural buildings.

“I think it was an attempt in Richmond to slow things down and start a conversation about cannabis production,” Delli Santi says. “I don’t think there is any certainty yet about how much cannabis production will be needed to meet demand, and people are concerned the growth will be out of control. There are also concerns about losing food production. It’s true that cannabis producers are building new facilities, but they are also buying greenhouses and warehouses. And at the same time, they are taking experienced growers from our sector, especially those with advanced education.”

Delli Santi sees no positive implications of cannabis for her sector, except that vegetable growers in B.C. who wished to sell their facilities over the last year have been in a good position to do so.

CANNABIS INDUSTRY TRAINING

Some of the labour needs of the cannabis industry are being met through new training programs at Canadian institutions, including hands-on programs at the Collège Communautaire du Nouveau Brunswick. Some are for working professionals and post-graduates, such as the part-time program at Durham College in Ontario and a series of online cannabis career training courses from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Surrey, BC.

Niagara College in Ontario launched its Commercial Cannabis Production Program in September, with 24 students chosen from about 300 applications; the college is now reviewing applicants for January intake. “It’s an eight-month program with three intakes a year,” says program coordinator Bill MacDonald, who was previously coordinator of the college’s Greenhouse Technician Program.

“...they are taking experienced growers from our sector, especially those with advanced education.”

“It’s a graduate program for our greenhouse program graduates, or graduates of a college horticultural program or university science program. The enrollment of our hort and greenhouse program has increased substantially since those wishing to do the cannabis program must go through that first.”

He notes, however, that only two of the recent greenhouse program graduates applied for the cannabis program as the rest of the graduates from last spring are already employed – mostly in the cannabis industry.

FROM THE CANNABIS FRONT

Aphria, one of Canada’s largest licensed producers, currently has 480 employees across Canada, including 120 greenhouse positions, and this number continues to grow. Co-founder Cole Cacciavillani explains that the company started as CF Greenhouses, where his family produced seasonal potted plants for over 50 years. “We purchased our first greenhouses from CF Greenhouses,

which gave us access to 360,000 sq. ft. of greenhouses on 36 acres of land,” he says. “Since then, we have expanded the Leamington, Ontario campus (over 90 per cent of current production)…We have also acquired adjacent properties to assemble land exceeding 65 acres and increase our infrastructure and greenhouse footprint to 1.5 million sq. ft. Aphria has also partnered with nearby greenhouse vegetable grower Double Diamond Farms to grow cannabis at Double Diamond’s newly-constructed 1.7 million sq. ft. greenhouse.

Another joint cannabis venture in Leamington is between Peter Quiring (of NatureFresh Farms) and Auxly Cannabis Group. According to a release, they plan to build and operate a 1.4 million sq. ft. greenhouse designed for cannabis production.

In the Niagara area in Ontario, Up Cannabis has purchased a 200,000 sq. ft. facility and is currently expanding it to more than double the size. The firm also has a small warehouse growing facility in Brantford, Ontario. “The previous owner of our Niagara facility (Westbrook Greenhouse Systems) used to grow orchids,” says Up Cannabis’ chief operating officer Kevin Epp. “[Westbrook] has been an excellent resource for us as we transitioned ownership of the facility. Westbrook has also been contracted to build our greenhouse expansion.”

Epp says that creating jobs and keeping the original greenhouse jobs in the Niagara region is a “definite positive for us, and of which we are very proud. The Niagara facility, when completed, will employ almost 200 people. Those who previously worked in our greenhouse when it grew orchids have stayed on and bring us transferable skills.”

In the end, whether cannabis is seen as a positive or a negative for Canada’s ornamental and vegetable greenhouse industry is a matter of perspective. For greenhouse workers, it offers more opportunity and career security. For greenhouse owners, it presents competition for labour, but also provides new and lucrative business opportunities and a great exit strategy. For his part, Epp points out that using many local companies in Up’s supply chain helps support the existing greenhouse industry. He adds that “we expect some technological advances we are making will percolate into vegetable and/or floral producers, making the entire industry more competitive.”

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HIDDEN COSTS of making a mix

Producing your own growing media may seem less costly, but when you consider the equipment, labour, quality control and other factors involved, things may not seem as simple.

BY PIERRE-MARC DE CHAMPLAIN

BELOW

Because most ingredients are sourced naturally, uniformity can be hard to obtain in a mix.

The selling price of crops has not drastically risen over the past decades, but the cost of everything else has increased at a much faster pace. Growers have been very good at optimizing their production in order to maintain decent margins in spite of the increasing expenses for transportation, labour, equipment, chemicals and much more, including growing media. When you are looking at ways to cut down on your production costs, producing your own growing media may seem like an attractive way to save some money, especially for large-scale growers. It certainly appears to have fewer implications than molding your own containers or manufacturing your own water-soluble fertilizers.

Although some initial investment is required (building, hoppers, conveyors, mixer), the potential return on investment can be very appealing. However, many intangible elements of making your own mix can be overlooked leading to unforeseen additional costs that can have significant repercussions on your bottom-line. Before ordering and installing a mix line, it is important to carefully evaluate all the implications and validate that this is indeed a viable investment. Let’s explore some key costs that are often overlooked.

SET-UP AND TRAINING

Typically, a rudimentary mix line includes a balebreaker, large hoppers for the main components

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Real-time adjustments should be made at regular intervals throughout the production process to help minimize variation.

In addition to quality equipment, you also need experienced and knowledgable staff...

(peat, perlite, bark, etc), smaller hoppers for the fertilizers and lime, conveyors and a soil mixer to blend everything homogenously. In contrast, the mix line of a highquality soil manufacturer includes much more equipment, such as a sieving system, mixing tanks for liquid feeds, multiple automated controllers, an integrated qualitycontrol system and more. All this additional machinery is meant to increase the homogeneity of the final product, which translates into more uniform plant development and more predictable results.

In addition to quality equipment, you also need experienced and knowledgeable staff to make the proper adjustments and to make them at the right time. Adjustments must be made throughout the production process for uniformity, ensuring that the quality of the growing media is maintained throughout the process. For example, a fixed lime rate does not guarantee that the pH will be stable throughout the process of producing growing media due to natural variations of the components in the mix. A skillful workforce

understands this reality and will take a proactive approach with frequent pH spot checks and lime rate adjustments during the production process.

Particle size has always been a critical aspect of growing media. It has a major impact on the air space and water retention profile of the mix, thus directly influencing the irrigation/fertigation strategy. Growers can adapt by making adjustments to their practices in the greenhouse, but if the physical characteristics are too variable, they may need to apply different irrigation strategies to containers that retain too much water versus those that contain larger particle sizes and dry down more quickly. This is very labour intensive and can significantly throw off your production schedule. Using high quality components can help minimize these inherent variations. Ideally however, an adjustable sieving system should be included on the mix line to make real-time adjustments in particle size and reduce these deviations. Once again, qualified staff is required to analyze the particle size at frequent intervals and adjust the screening system accordingly.

Final blending needs to be thorough but not excessive, as the materials need to be handled with care. Certain components are relatively fragile and can easily break down into dust if your mix-line layout is not designed properly or if your equipment is not calibrated adequately. An experienced staff can adjust the mixing equipment to minimize the breakdown of substrate components.

A good substrate manufacturer will often hire and train staff to use an extensive system. But this takes time and money, and mistakes can be costly. Making accurate measurements while simultaneously blending

multiple ingredients isn’t an easy task, yet consistency is the key to the performance of the product. If the product does not perform properly, additional chemicals or labour may be required to correct the issue. A small decrease in the fraction of sellable plants can rapidly eat up and surpass any money you saved by making your own mix. When a grower produces growing media for only a few weeks of the year, it can be more difficult to develop the same expertise and productivity.

INGREDIENTS AND RECIPES

Mixing your own ingredients to produce growing media certainly seems like a simple enough operation; add some peat moss and perlite, sprinkle in a dash of lime and fertilizer, pour in some wetting agents and mix thoroughly. Baking seems so effortless on cooking shows but when we try it at home, we realize it is not that easy. Especially when we’re manufacturing large volumes of consistently high-quality substrate, it becomes much more complex. To manufacture a quality product, you need quality ingredients. Most ingredients used to manufacture substrates are sourced naturally, and their characteristics inherently vary from batch to batch, making it difficult to obtain consistency and uniformity.

There are other advantages to making your own mix in-house, such as the flexibility to adjust your substrate to meet the needs of the crop in regards to pH, water and nutrient content or air space. However, producing multiple mix recipes typically generates a new set of challenges that will need to be addressed; the production line must be cleaned properly between products, equipment must be adjusted accordingly, final products need to be distinctly labelled, and so on. The needs of the grower have to be communicated clearly to the mix-line supervisor. I have seen growers having to re-transplant tens of thousands of plants and throw out hundreds of yards of substrate because of miscommunication. On the flip side, growing media manufacturers often offer a wide selection of products with distinctive properties and some even have the ability to manufacture customized blends for particular needs.

Growing media is one of the pillars of the growing process. It anchors the crop and helps provide both oxygen and nu-

Getting to know your mix components

Each component in a growing mix offers characteristics that should be carefully evaluated and integrated to optimize growing results.

Sphagnum peat moss

Perlite

Vermiculite

Compost

Wood fibre

Coir

Bark

Sphagnum peat fibres have the characteristics of a sponge. They can absorb up to 20 times their dry weight in water and nutrients, and release it over time, making it the preferred component of professional growing media. Some manufacturers will blend peat moss from multiple bogs to increase uniformity.

Perlite is chemically inert, therefore it helps increase air space and drainage in a growing media without affecting the pH.

Improves nutrient retention and availability while helping evenly distribute water throughout the growing media after irrigation. Stimulates the rapid development of a healthy root system which is critical for young plants.

Increases growing media’s ability to retain water. Compost also provides nutrients and beneficial microorganisms. Look for OMRI-certified compost. Some manufacturers will constantly monitor it during all the phases of the composting process, protecting it from contaminants while it matures and during storage.

Optimizes equilibrium between water retention and air porosity. A sustainable, biodegradable and renewable product that may help reduce the use of chemicals.

By utilizing different grades of coir, the physical characteristics of a growing media can be tweaked to increase or decrease air capacity. This biodegradable component can also improve water distribution. Look for coir that has been consistently processed and thoroughly treated to ensure uniformity and low EC levels (salt content).

Increases aeration and improves drainage to promote a vigorous rooting system. Heavyweight, bark has a slow decomposition rate and is great for pot stability, which is critical for exterior production and overwintering of long-term crops. Look for different grades of bark for your specific needs.

trients to the developing root system. The selected substrate may well determine how the operation will run down the line. The timing of the growing cycle, water/ fertilizer management and the quality of the finished product are just some of the aspects that are directly impacted by the quality of the growing media.

GETTING STARTED

Mixing your own growing media can be an opportunity for savings when done correctly, but it is important to consider all of your overhead expenses or you could end up with unpleasant surprises. Everything must be considered: machinery, ingredients, additives, labour, storage, pre-con-

perform well? Pre-mixed growing media offers a peace of mind and eliminates at least one of the many sources of stress that a grower faces. This way, growers can concentrate on their many other responsibilities and work on reducing costs by optimizing other aspects of production that pose less of a risk to their bottom-line.

ditioning of components, energy, maintenance, quality control – to name a few. It is typically more feasible for larger operations to find success with mixing their own substrate, while smaller ones may be better off using pre-made mixes that work for them, rather than going through

the trouble of blending their own. A good growing media manufacturer should also offer technical support and analytical services to assist growers throughout their production – they are responsible for the media they provide. Who is accountable if the soil you manufacture yourself does not

Take the time to run some scenarios and make your calculations. If you are not sure about where to start, contact your local sales representative or consultant who has access to tools developed to help you calculate the actual cost of making their own mix, as well as suggestions for ready-to-use growing media or ingredients to make your own. With reliable numbers in front of you, you can better assess whether the potential benefits outweigh the possible risks to help you make the right decisions.

Pierre-Marc de Champlain is the director of technical services at Berger Peat Moss. He can be reached at pmarcd@berger.ca. Visit berger.ca for more technical articles and details on growing media mixes. ABOVE

Vertical farm grows higher

They’ve tackled microgreens and herbs. This time, they’re taking on a new crop – cannabis.

In 2013, husband-and-wife team Brian and Roberta Bain opened Saskatchewan’s first commercial vertical farm. Initially started as a 1300 sq. ft. warehouse of microgreens, Ecobain Gardens grew into a 6000 sq. ft. facility with fresh herbs added into the mix. Known for their eco-friendly growing practices, the Bains are about to shake things up again with another crop – cannabis.

Q. This is a huge change! What were some of the key driving factors for switching to cannabis?

A. There were a lot of different driving factors, and it was not an easy decision. Time and place really. Our past business experience lends itself to this industry, shipping living, bare-root products (basil) across western Canada. It is also very rare to have an opportunity like this in a lifetime, and we have the ability to capitalize and execute fairly quickly so that helps.

Q. What are some key advantages to growing cannabis in a vertical farming set-up?

A. Well, we run very lean already. We grow a very large amount in a very small space. It is easier to control limiting factors, easier to manage staff

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movement and processes. We are so used to rapid crop cycles and the complicated logistics that come along with the nature of our current business. We already have a purpose-built 6000 sq. ft building producing a commercial quantity of plant material and nothing else – we’re set.

Q. What was the process like, switching to cannabis, in terms of paperwork?

A. Well it’s quite the process. It’s a detailed project proposal that goes to Health Canada, similar to what HACCP certification entails. Health Canada also requires RCMP security clearances for our entire board of directors and key employees, so that can take a fair amount of time traditionally.

Q. What were some key changes that you had to make to the facility?

A. We’re changing the inside of our building quite a bit. Within the 6,000 square foot building will have a total of 14,000 square feet of growing canopy space, a tissue culture lab, a large mother room, flowering room, processing area, irrigation room, shipping receiving room, new offices and staff areas... plus our current growing equipment.

Ecobain Gardens’ Roberta and Brian have turned to a new chapter: cannabis at Mother Labs.

We’re adding many security cameras, controlled access on every door, motion detection everywhere, glass break detections systems, tracking systems, GPS systems for vehicles. Adding a total of 14 new dehumidifiers, 6 new zoned climate control systems, new vertical growing systems, LED lighting, a new lab, tissue culture growing room, irrigation system, and a whole lot of new doors.

Q. How similar or different is it to grow cannabis?

A. Growing cannabis starting material is very similar to our basil production. Our SOP’s are very similar; growing times and requirements are similar. The company currently ships root-on, living products throughout western Canada, so cool chain management and logistics are second nature to us. We have become experts at shipping basil in cold Canadian winters – cannabis material is much less temperamental.

Our IPM will be virtually the same, we do not skimp on preventive measures in terms of biologicals, handling practices, pre-work practices for our staff or monitoring. Our clients will rely on our products to be 100 per cent pest-free, so

we are sparing no expense to ensure that happens. It honestly comes right down to the smallest details, for example: proper door sweeps, creating a slight positive pressure environment, proper layouts, proper receiving and inspection space, reliable and trusted suppliers, and so on.

Q. Can you give us a sneak peek of the products you’ll be offering?

A. Mother will be starting with a very large germplasm for genetic diversity as providing the highest quality genetics is one of our main focuses. We will be selling all sizes of vegetative plants for commercial and micro producers throughout western Canada, along with a long list of helpful services to the commercial production industry.

Mother will also supply the growat-home market within Saskatchewan, through a long list of retail sales clients. As other provinces start to allow plant material, we will expand to neighbouring provinces.

Q. Do you plan on returning to herbs and microgreens in the future?

A. Microgreens? No. But we will be coming back in the coming years in a much bigger way. We’ve done very well in

the industry, we have formed huge partnerships that will carry on into the future. Sadly, we are not allowed to disclose how we are planning on doing this just yet…

Q. How have your friends, families and clients reacted to the new venture?

A. To our surprise, extremely well. We have had nothing but positive reactions from friends, family and business partners. The general public has shown excitement and general curiosity. Our phones have not stopped ringing since word has gotten out. Our clients are disappointed, there have been a few tears and heartfelt calls but everyone understands the industry.

Q. Have you had to grow your workforce for this new venture?

A. We are currently on the hunt for a new chief scientific officer, a controller, multiple lab technicians, sales executives, and we are keeping our 13 staff we currently employ.

Q. When will product be available?

A. We are aiming for early spring 2019, but it is in Health Canada’s hands. Stay on top of Brian and Roberta’s story on Twitter or Instagram (@MotherLabs) and at motherlabs.ca.

www.oreon-led.com

HOW TO MAKE the supply chain more profitable

Have you ever sold more than you could supply?

A disconnected supply chain could lead to losses in time, efficiency and revenue. How can we make it more profitable for everyone involved?

BY CASSANDRA SMALLMAN

For most industries, overselling would result in unhappy customers and a lot of damage control. Fortunately, for those in the business of selling plants, that may just require a call to another grower to help fulfill those orders. Collaboration is a great business practice, but the time and effort spent communicating and coordinating with other growers, distributors, and retailers can eat into everyone’s bottom line. In part 3 of our series, let’s put the pieces together as we look at how the supply chain works and how it can be improved on so that everyone benefits.

A DISCONNECTED CHAIN

The current state of the industry’s

supply chain is disconnected, resulting in restricted growth opportunities and the impediment of operational efficiencies. Every informational barrier is a roadblock in overall efficiency. Every phone call or email requesting access to inventory levels and pricing is costing all parties time and money. No matter what supply chain model you are in, there are multiple ways with which each business communicates information, ranging from EDI to fax.This results in a lot of back and forth and manual administration. Sales reps and customers are often left in the dark on inventory and pricing information, leaving room for errors that can result in a lot of additional costs. With the ever-present pressure on a business to turn profit on the products they carry, these inefficien-

cies are costly and make it increasingly difficult to stay profitable.

CUTTING COSTS THROUGH COLLABORATION

With thousands of components required for each single product, how do companies like General Motors or Apple manage their supply chain? How do they coordinate with all the factories and sales offices they rely on? Running out of parts would drive production to a halt and could cost millions in losses. But they don’t pick up the phone and ask if there are 2,000 steering wheels or 25,000 self-tapping hex screws available. Operating like this would cripple them from the competitive nature of their respective industries. Perhaps because of this competition, both industries have evolved to master the art of inventory control, and as a result, availability is never in question. Growing plants is clearly very different from manufacturing automotive or computer parts, but inventory management doesn’t have to be.

So if horticulture and floriculture differ from these competitive markets, why is there a concern all of a sudden? What has changed? The simple answer is consumer expectations. In our first article in October, we discussed how the consumer drives the value of a product, but they also drive the demand in the supply chain. If a bride wants forty daffodils in-bloom for her wedding in January, the supply chain needs to deliver. She expects great quality products, delivered quickly and at competitive prices. She doesn’t care how it’s done. Keeping up with a customer’s demands can be a tall order. That’s why the industry needs to refine and reduce supply-chain redundancies.

FINDING A COMMON SOLUTION

Start by communicating with your business partners and coordinating how transactions are done. There are a variety of options available to facilitate a more transparent and automated way to manage wholesale ordering. For example, a sizeable floral distributor implemented an online ordering solution in their operational strategy, allowing them to see what their growers had on hand. This transparency enabled the floral distributor to order from their growers through the same wholesale online ordering service without having to make calls or send emails. This technology also lets growers coordinate with each other to fulfill an order. That entire process was transformed from a time-consuming, paper-based

activity into a simple online task that could be done at a fraction of the time. Both the distributor and the suppliers they ordered from immediately realized time savings and greater order accuracy.

No industry can afford an overinflated supply chain in today’s highly competitive economic landscape. For the past decade, supply chains have been shrinking to reduce costs and to better serve the consumer. Technology has been an integral part of the shift toward a more efficient supply chain, and now collaboration

through technology can further benefit all the members within it.Working towards a more integrated and collaborative supply chain throughout the industry will bring everyone closer to the common goal of higher margins and fewer logistical headaches.

Cassandra Smallman is a marketing specialist for LinkGreen, an online ordering and supply chain technology solution in the lawn and garden industry. For information on LinkGreen, visit www.linkgreen.ca

HELP WANTED! The case for new biocontrol agents

With the global movement of plant material, a changing climate and resistance among pest populations, is it time we brought in new biocontrol agents?

BY DR. MICHAEL BROWNBRIDGE AND DR. ROSE BUITENHUIS

Greenhouse production in Canada is growing and evolving. Tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers have traditionally been the primary crops grown in Canadian vegetable greenhouses, while the floriculture sector has been producing a wide range of potted plants, bedding plants and cut flowers. In recent years, the diversity of food crops has expanded to include lettuce, green beans, eggplant, various herbs and microgreens, strawberries and raspberries, along with an increased diversity within each vegetable category. Over the last two years we have also seen tremendous growth in the production of ‘medicinal’ crops. Market demand has stimulated some of these developments, and greater unpredictability in weather events as a result of climate change has also prompted moves toward production in protected structures.

The greenhouse environment, while ideal for crops, also favours many arthropod pests and plant diseases, which in turn have to be managed. Aided by international movement of plant material (finished and propagative) and a changing climate, the risks of pest incursions - both new and known - have never been greater. Resistance within these pest populations is widespread, and we are faced with declining access to new chemistries. Market forces are also influencing the agricultural landscape with rising demands (driven by consumers) around agri-environmental sustainability and food provenance. To meet these challenges, the greenhouse sector has embraced the use of biological control within integrated crop management programs and biocontrol is now successfully practiced in Canada over a diverse variety of ornamental and vegetable crops.

ucts, let alone develop products for new pests on new crops. The challenge to researchers and the biocontrol industry is to devise ways in which biocontrol strategies can evolve to meet these growing demands.

THE NEED FOR NEW BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS

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Macrolophus pygmaeus. This generalist predator feeds on a wide range of pest species and now underpins biocontrol programs in many European vegetable greenhouses.

This evolution in crop management is not unique to Canada though, and demands for biocontrol services are growing worldwide. This has placed an enormous stress on biocontrol companies just to keep up with orders for their existing prod-

Biocontrol strategies largely rely on regular releases of natural enemies, including specialist predators or parasitoids, and ap plications of microbial biopesticides or nematodes. Despite the development of sophisticated biocontrol programs, pests such as whiteflies, spider mites, thrips and aphids remain an ongoing challenge. Biologicals do not work equally well in all crops or jurisdictions. Moreover, some pests cur rently have no biological solutions and changes in the prevalence of closely relat ed species, e.g., onion thrips vs. western flower thrips, undermine the efficacy of established biocontrol programs. As a result, growers are periodically forced to use pesticides and few of them are truly compatible with natural enemies. How can we eliminate the need for pesticide intervention, preserve the integrity of biocontrol systems, and conform to market demands for ‘pesticide-free’ produce? Part of the solution lies in the development of new natural enemies that will strengthen bioprograms and expand the range of pests that can be successfully managed in this manner.

HOW WOULD NEW BIOCONTROL AGENTS HELP?

Over the past 20 years several new bio control agents have come to market, although most have been introduced in Europe. There have been significant successes. For example, until relatively recently, weekly pesticide sprays were a common (and failing) practice in tomato and eggplant greenhouses in southern Europe against Bemisia whitefly

and Tuta absoluta (a biosecurity threat to Canada). This all changed when Macrolophus pygmaeus was introduced. Macrolophus is an aggressive, generalist predator with a wide prey range and its introduction provided the additional control needed to allow biocontrol programs to succeed. Today, pesticide sprays have virtually been eliminated in European vegetable greenhouses as a result of the predator’s introduction. This is one example of how a top predator can positively influence a biocontrol program. Several studies have shown that biocontrol efficacy tends to be higher when generalist biocontrol agents are included.

Faced with a number of hard-to-control pests like aphids, thrips and spider mites, alongside those which currently lack effective biocontrol options, such as mealybugs, scales, echinothrips and pepper weevils, why don’t we simply import proven generalists into North America? This is not an option since regulations prevent the importation of non-native generalists like Macrolophus pygmaeus into Canada and the United States. Predatory insects, mites and parasitoids occur naturally across North America; maybe the time has come to start looking for ones which have the correct characteristics to become ‘products’, filling the gaps and strengthening augmentative biocontrol programs in floral and vegetable crops.

HOMEGROWN SOLUTIONS

To develop a commercially viable product (viable from a producer’s and end user’s perspective), we have to take a strategic approach to the discovery, evaluation and development of new biocontrol agents. This framework needs to incorporate critical go/no-go points so that only those

with the requisite traits for commercial production and use are advanced. The first phase is informed by need and driven by performance, and should result in candidates which have all the basic requirements to become biocontrol products. Further testing to validate performance in commercial greenhouses, determine capacity to scale production, and devise appropriate methods to harvest and ship natural enemies will doubtlessly weed out the weak candidates while bringing to the forefront the strongest ones. Resources should then be focused on those with the greatest likelihood of success.

No single organization can carry out all of the research required. Rather, a collaborative approach among researchers and industry, from start to finish, allows resources to be used most efficiently. The integration of commercial partners also brings considerable knowhow, focus and rigour to the selection and advancement of biocontrol agents, and is clearly essential for their commercialization.

Biologicals work best when applied into a production system that supports their success. There are opportunities to refine cultural practices to improve the basic health and resilience of plants, making them less susceptible to pests and diseases. This includes greater use of genetic resources in the form of host plant resistance against both diseases and pests, which can be a foundational component of IPM.

Biological control alone is no magic bullet, but it offers many advantages when used as part of an IPM strategy. It supports sustainable growth, enhanced productivity and production efficiency, while protecting the environment and providing safer working conditions for

ABOVE

Mullein banker plants used to rear Dicyphus hesperus which is used in several vegetable and ornamental greenhouses in Ontario. This generalist predator is native to North America and feeds on aphids, whiteflies, mites and caterpillars.

greenhouse employees. Such practices promote public trust in the quality and safety of Canadian greenhouse produce and plants, enhancing the industry’s competitiveness in domestic and export markets. It delivers to the holy grail of sustainability and the triple bottom line in terms of providing economic, environmental and social benefits.

Help wanted? Yes, it’s time to consider the résumés of some candidate organisms. New biocontrol agents will be looking for work soon in a greenhouse near you!

Michael Brownbridge, PhD, is research director of horticultural production systems, and Rose Buitenhuis, PhD, is the research scientist in biological control at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.

Triacontanol Additive with 0.5% Triacontanol

Registration Number 2018063A Fertilizers Act EZ-GRO

Vegetative Enhancer with 1% IBA, 0.25% Kinetin, 0.3% Salicylic Acid, 0.3% Vitamin B1, 0.3% Vitamin C

Registration Number 2017100A Fertilizers Act

Flowering Enhancer

with 0.9% Kinetin, 0.3% Salicylic Acid, 0.3% Vitamin B1, 0.3% Vitamin C

Registration Number 2017101 Fertilizers Act

Protectant and pH Up with 25% Silicon, 15% Potassium

Registration Number 2017096A Fertilizers Act

COULD DALOTIA work in cannabis systems?

A known IPM tool in vegetable greenhouses, this slow-release system could be applied to cannabis, with a little customization.

DBY DR. ABIDA NASREEN

alotia coriara, is a native species of soil-dwelling rove beetles. They are light to dark brown in colour; adults are three to four millimetres long and are slender with short wing covers. An adult female lays 90 eggs in its average life span of 50 days. From egg to adult, it completes its life cycle in 15 to 21 days depending upon temperature and humidity, preferably between 12 to 30 degrees Celsius at 40 to 90 per cent relative humidity. Both adult and larvae of Dalotia are aggressive predators of different soil-dwelling stages of pests in several ornamental, vegetable and arboricultural crops. They feed on the larvae and pupae of fungus gnats, shore flies, noctuid moths, root mealybug eggs and crawlers, root aphids, hibernating spider mites, pupae of thrips and springtails. Dalotia tends to curve its abdomen upward, similar to a scorpion. It can actively fly or run if disturbed, and can quickly colonize the surrounding release area. In the tomato greenhouse, it could be a very effective tool for controlling thrips, whiteflies, and spider mites under the debris of tomato leaves on the floor. It is highly active in the soil and can fly from plant to plant, allowing it to establish its population quickly in the greenhouse.

ing requirements, and the hairiness/stickiness of the plant, cannabis can be a difficult crop in which to use biocontrol agents against pests. That’s why beneficials need to be released in higher numbers. The introduction of biologicals is better counted per plant rather than per metre. To get better results from Dalotia, a slow-release breeding bucket system could be the right choice for its introduction. This system contains 1,000 to 1,500 adults/larvae of Dalotia, along with a mixture of food and media packed into a one gallon pail that is well-ventilated and has two escape holes. This system supplies food for the adult predators for many weeks on a continuous basis. In the breeding bucket system, the predator has all the resources to reproduce efficiently and to become established very early on in the crop season. Further, this system can better bear changes in temperature, humidity and other environmental fluctuations in the growing houses as it is well-protected. The Dalotia slow-release system can be applied at a rate of one pail per 200 to 500 cannabis plants or bushes, depending on the previous history of the growing system (e.g. existing pests, previous crops, etc.).

A slow-release bucket breeding system could be the right choice

Conventionally, in vegetable-producing greenhouses, 1-litre tubes of Dalotia are split into 10 to 20 piles of adult beetles, mixed with peat moss or other media and applied at a rate of 1 adult per m2. This is repeated every three to four weeks. This predator is also available in slow-breeding systems, which can provide Dalotia for four to six weeks on a continuous basis. The application of Dalotia in cannabis is a bit different from that of traditional greenhouse crops. 100 adults are applied every three to four weeks in 1,000 square-foot growing rooms. But for larger rooms that have larger plant pots, release rates may need to be increased to up to 1,000 adults. Most beneficial insects and mites prefer to lay eggs and hide in the top parts of the plant, close to the leaf midribs. With the cannabis plant’s quick growth, excessive pinching and prun-

Use of the Dalotia slow-release system in propagation houses can help to control many kinds of soil or root-dwelling insects. The system is currently being implemented in pepper, tomato and cucumber crops in the greenhouse. In fact, it has been an excellent biocontrol tool against the whole pest complex of controlled growing system. Dalotia can be seen flying even on the upper parts of the crops predating on various pests, including spider mites. From our experience with this system in cannabis, we’ve found it to be less labour-intensive and more cost-effective, with higher efficiency and longer survival rates. The bucket also offers an ideal environment and ample food supply, so there is little risk of mortality due to food shortages or environmental changes.

Abida Nasreen, PhD, is director of research and development at GrowLiv Ltd. She can be reached at abida.growliv@gmail.com

2019 BUYERS GUIDE & DIRECTORY

A & L CANADA LABORATORIES

2136 Jetstream Rd.

London, ON N5V 3P5 Canada

Tel: 519-457-2575

www.alcanada.com

Key Personnel: Greg Patterson CEO & Founder; Nevin McDougall President, Ian McLachlin Vice President;

Description: One of Ontario’s largest Agricultural and Environmental Laboratories specializing in soil, plant tissue, fertilizer, disease diagnostics, pesticide and water testing. A&L is a Health Canada, SCC registered Medical Cannabis testing laboratory.

A.M.A. HORTICULTURE INC.

2011 Spinks Dr. Kingsville, ON N9Y 2E5 Canada

Tel: 519-322-1397 Fax: 519-322-1358

Toll Free: 1-800-338-1136

www.amahort.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Als-FlowerPouch-1470905356537323

Key Personnel: Cornelia S. Bradt, Managing Director, Sales & Administration; Janan Alles, Manager, Growing Containers, Soils & Equipment; Shawn Mallen, Manager, A.M.A. Hydroponics; Craig Willett, Customer Service & Sales Support, Ellepots™, RootSmart™, PreFilled Containers

Description: Solutions for Your Success. Horticultural Supplies Since 1982. We ship across North America.

A-ROO COMPANY LLC

22360 Royalton Rd.

Strongsville, OH 44149 USA

Tel: 440-238-8850 Fax: 440-238-2212

Toll Free: 1-800-336-2766

www.a-roo.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/aroocompany

Key Personnel: Dennis DeBaltzo

Description: A-ROO Company stocks more goods than any other packaging provider to the horticultural industry. In addition to producing/ stocking numerous packaging items, A-ROO is also the exclusive distributor for many international manufacturers.

ACCEO SOLUTIONS INC.

75 Rue Queen Montréal, QC H3C 2N6 Canada Tel: 514-288-7161 Fax: 514-868-5334

Toll Free: 1-800-471-7161

www.acceo.com

Facebook: @acceo_solutions

Description: ACCEO Solutions offers management solutions and POS for nurseries and garden centres.The ACCEO OGC and ACCEO Smart Vendor solutions offer a wide range of features adapted to the industry.

ACCU-LABEL INC.

439 Silver Creek Industrial Dr. Lakeshore, ON N8N 4W2 Canada

Tel: 519-727-0888 Fax: 519-727-0999

www.accu-label.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AccuLabelInc

Key Personnel: Joe Sleiman

Description: World Leader in Fruit Labeling

Technology: ORB-it* Print&Apply*; ORB-it* Vision (tray) Labeller*; STIC-it* Hand Labeller and TTPR* (table top printer); and, Eco-Friendly Paper Labels. Instagram: @acculabel

AEF GLOBAL

925 Rue des Calfas

Lévis, QC G6Y 9E8 Canada

Tel: 418-838-4441 Fax: 418-838-9909

Toll Free: 1-866-622-3222

www.aefglobal.com

Key Personnel: Robert Masella

Description: AEF Global is a Canadian manufacturer of specialized Bio-fungicides and Bioinsecticides for integrated pest management programs, for ornamental horticulture, agriculture and forestry. All products are Ecocert certified for organic operations

AG ENERGY CO-OPERATIVE LTD.

45 Speedvale Ave., E. Guelph, ON N1H 1J2 Canada

Tel: 519-763-3026 Fax: 519-763-5231

www.agenergy.coop

Description: Ag Energy Co-operative develops natural gas and electricity solutions. Contact us for a free energy consultation.

AGRIFOREST BIO-TECHNOLOGIES LTD.

4290 Wallace Hill Rd. Kelowna, BC V1W 4B6 Canada

Tel: 250-764-2224 Fax: 250-764-2224

www.agriforestbiotech.com

Key Personnel: Dr. Kamlesh Patel

Description: AgriForest specializes in tissue culture production of new or difficult to propagate plant varieties for the agriculture, horticulture and forestry industries. Contact us for high quality starter plants at wholesale prices.

AGROLUX LIGHTING INC.

28 Main St., W.

Kingsville, ON N9Y 1H1 Canada

Tel: 519-792-0191

www.agrolux.com

Description: Agrolux Lighting Inc. consults and offers lighting solutions for HPS and LED installations.

AGROZONE INTERNATIONAL INC.

589 Charlotteville Rd. 8

Simcoe, ON N3Y 4K5 Canada

Tel: 519-582-4215

www.agrozoneint.com

Key Personnel: Justin Oosterveld, John Oosterveld, Jamie Werkman

Description: Ozone technologies company specializing in the cleaning of water supplies, both supply and return waterflows from greenhouses. Air purification for storages and packing facilities including Vegetables, Flowers and Cannabis facilities.

ASB GREENWORLD LTD.

332911 Plank Line Rd.

Mount Elgin, ON N0J 1N0 Canada

Tel: 519-688-3413 Fax: 519-842-8091

www.asbgreenworld.com

Key Personnel: Karen Kosir, Ernie Daigle, Michael Watcher

Description: ASB Greenworld supplies various professional greenhouse grower mixes, seedling and plug mixes, indoor/outdoor retail grower mixes, peat moss, soil conditioners, turf top dressing, retail potting soils and mulches.

BELLWYCK HORTICULTURAL DIVISION (ALSO KNOW AS HORTICOLOR)

1025 8th St. E.

Owen Sound, ON N4K 3E6 Canada

Toll Free: 1-866-258-2992

Fax: 519-376-8726

www.horticolor.net

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BellwyckHorticultural-Division-323814344374639

Description: Marketing & Packaging – Visual communication for growers and retailers. VERSA tags, custom tags, packaging, posters, banners, leaflets, brochures and catalogs. Specialized horticultural and photographic data bases. Brand building and logo development.

BEN BERG FARM & INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT LTD.

42134 Hwy. 3

Wainfleet, ON L0S 1V0 Canada

Tel: 905-899-3405 Fax: 905-899-3507

Toll Free: 1-800-387-4713

www.benberg.com

AQUA Q

3300 Hwy 7 W., Suite 500

Concord, ON L4K 4M3 Canada

Tel: 1-833-82-AQUAQ

www.aquaq.ca

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ Aqua-Q-247150086059001

Description: Aqua Q™ helps build better communities by imagining, engineering and delivering smart drainage solutions for stormwater, wastewater, agriculture, greenhouse and other building construction projects across Canada.

ARGUS CONTROL SYSTEMS LTD.

18445 53 Ave.

Surrey, BC V3S 7A4 Canada

Tel: 604-538-3531 Fax: 604-538-4728

Toll Free: 1-800-667-2090

www.arguscontrols.com

Key Personnel: Eric Schmidt

Description: Argus Controls is the North American leader in the design and supply of advanced automated monitoring and control systems for the horticulture, cannabis, aquaculture and biotechnology industries. Its clients include universities, agriculture biotech companies, government agencies and commercial growers.

ARYSTA LIFESCIENCE

15401 Weston Parkway, Cary, NC 27513 USA

Tel: 919-678-4900

www.gowithwhatworks.ca

Description: Arysta LifeScience is a leading global crop protection company offering Horticulture growers effective products, including KASUMIN® Bactericide, ORTHENE® 75 SP Insecticide and RIMON® Insecticide.

BAILEY NURSERIES

1325 Bailey Rd., Saint Paul, MN 55119 USA

Tel: 651-459-9744 Fax: 651-459-5100

Toll Free: 1-800-829-8898

www.BaileyNurseries.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BaileyNurseries

Description: We offer a diverse and consistent mix of over 1,500 varieties available as bareroot, finished containers and JumpStarts™ potted liners along with Endless Summer®, First Editions®, and Easy Elegance® plants.

BALL FLORAPLANT

622 Town Rd., West Chicago, IL 60185-2698 USA

Tel: 1-800-879-BALL (2244)

Fax: 1-800-234-0370

www.ballfloraplant.com

Key Personnel: Mike Klopmeyer, President

Description: Ball FloraPlant is a leading brand of vegetatively propagated plant varieties that has won critical acclaim for its ability to produce clean, healthy cuttings. It is distributed through Ball Seed.

BELCHIM CROP PROTECTION CANADA

104 Cooper Dr. Unit 3

Guelph, ON N1C 0A4 Canada

Tel: 519-826-7878 Fax: 519-826-7675

Toll Free: 1-866-613-3336

www.belchimcanada.com

Key Personnel: Jouke Sypkes, joukesypkes@ engageagro.com, Product Manager and Technical Representative, Greenhouse, Nursery and Mushroom

Description: Crop protection products for greenhouse growers across Canada which include Insect Control (FujiMite, Talus, Citation, Tristar), Fungicides (Phostrol, Torrent, Cueva) and Bio-Fungicides (Timorex Gold, Diplomat).

Key Personnel: Dave Park, Jeff Berg

Description: Compact & portable bale breakers, soil mixers & flat fillers. Custom design & fabrication of equipment. Conveyors, tractors, attachments, utility vehicles, and trailers.

BERGER

121 1er rang

St-Modeste, QC G0L 3W0 Canada

Tel: 418-862-4462 Fax: 418-867-3929

Toll Free: 1-800-463-5582

www.berger.ca

Facebook: www.facebook.com/berger.ca

Key Personnel: Benoit Corbeil - Sales Director, Nancy Boekestyn, Robert Dupuis

Description: Mastering the Craft of Growing Media. Berger is a worldwide leader in the production of high-quality growing media for over 50 years. Our reputation for quality and consistency is our trademark.

BIOWORKS INC.

100 Rawson Rd., Ste. 205

Victor, NY 14564 USA

Tel: 585-924-4362 Fax: 585-924-4412

Toll Free: 1-800-877-9443

www.bioworksinc.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BioWorksInc

Key Personnel: Colin Ashbee, Technical Sales Manager Canada.

Description: BioWorks, a customer focused provider of safe, proven and effective biopesticides and plant nutrition products.

BOULDIN

& LAWSON

70 Easy St., McMinnville, TN 37110 USA

Tel: 931-668-4090 Fax: 931-448-3209

Toll Free: 1-800-443-6398

www.bouldinlawson.com

Description: Bouldin & Lawson a proven name in the Greenhouse and Nursery industry. With over 50 years of experience providing nurseries and greenhouses with quality automated equipment to improve productivity and efficiency

C. FRENSCH LTD.

4774 Hinan Dr., Beamsville, L0R 1B1 Canada

Tel: 905-563-4774 Fax: 905-563-5053

Key Personnel: Ian Frensch

Description: Manufacturer of Plant Tags, Labels and Label Printing Systems for over 50 years. Specializing in bar code and in-house label & sign printing systems for horticulture.

CANADIAN GREENHOUSE CONFERENCE

PO Box 11, Jordan Sation, ON L0R 1S0 Canada

Tel: 905-892-9851 Fax: 905-892-9851

www.canadiangreenhouseconference.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CanadianGreenhouse-Conference-386277761433757

Key Personnel: Carol Pupo, Glenna Cairnie

Description: Canada’s premier event for greenhouse growers, nurseries and garden centres.

CANADIAN HYDROGARDENS LTD.

1330 Sandhill Dr., Ancaster, ON L9G 4V5 Canada

Tel: 905-648-1801 Fax: 905-648-1870

Toll Free: 1-800-893-4769 (Order Desk) www.hydrogardens.ca

Key Personnel: Randy Hartog, Peter Haakman, Mark Hartley, Louise Howe, Christine Jakubowisz, Gail McMillan

Description: Containers, g/h films (winter & long-life), ground cover, frost blanket, fertilizers (blended & straights), peat/coco mixes, rockwool, pesticides (chemical & biological), cannabis growing supplies, g/h irrigation, injectors, EC/pH monitors/controls, portable meters.

CANARM LTD.

2157 Parkedale Ave.

Brockville, ON K6V 5V6 Canada

Tel: 613-342-5424 Fax: 800-263-4598

Toll Free: 800-267-4427

www.canarm.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CanarmAgSystems

Key Personnel: Chris Roelofsen, Agricultural Sales; Scott O’Brien, HVAC Sales

Description: Circulating fans, exhaust fans, duct work fans, dampers, inline variable speed duct fans, ERVs/HRVs, blowers, grow lights, general lighting, carbon filters, controls

CLIMATROL SOLUTIONS LTD.

307-17665-66A Ave.

Surrey, BC V3S 2A7 Canada

Tel: 604-576-7677 Fax: 604-576-7688

Toll Free: 1-877-576-7677

www.climatrolsolutions.com

Key Personnel: Mark Pedersen, Sales Mgr.

Description: Priva computers and labour tracking systems, Greefa grading & sorting machines, Grow lights, Irrigation/Sterilization units, Electric picking carts, Custom built control panels.

CRAVO EQUIPMENT LTD.

30 White Swan Rd.

Brantford, ON N3T 5L4 Canada

Tel: 519-759-8226 Fax: 519-752-0082

Toll Free: 1-888-738-7228

www.cravo.com

Key Personnel: Benjamin Martin

Description: Cravo is the world leader in retractable roof greenhouses, shadehouses, tunnels, and orchard/field covers. Improve profitability using Cravo’s Retractable Roof Production System™ for fruits, vegetables, ornamental and floriculture crops.

DECLOET GREENHOUSE MFG. LTD.

1805 Charlotteville West Quarter Line

Simcoe, ON N3Y 4J9 Canada

Tel: 519-582-3081 Fax: 519-582-0851

Toll Free: 1-888-786-4769

www.decloetgreenhouse.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ DeCloetgreenhouse

Key Personnel: Pieter Berkel, Ron Vanderschee, Jeremy Still, Sales Representatives. Bekki VanLeeuwen, Inside Sales

Description: DeCloet Greenhouse Mfg. Ltd. designs and manufactures all types of high quality greenhouse structures, as well as turnkey greenhouse systems including heating, cooling, ventilation, benches and poly.

DOSATRON/DILUTION SOLUTIONS

2090 Sunnydale Blvd.

Clearwater, FL 33765 USA

Tel: 727-443-5404 Fax: 727-447-0591

Toll Free: 1-800-523-5404

www.dosatronusa.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ DosatronInternational

Description: We are excited to offer products and accessories that are designed to enhance your chemical delivery systems. We have Dosatron water-powered chemical injectors, Etatron electric metering pumps, and accessories!

ECO HABITAT AGRI SERVICES

P.O. Box 12 Grimsby, ON L3M 4G1 Canada Tel: 905-928-2847

Key Personnel: Mike Short, Jason Lemay

CRAWFORD PACKAGING

3036 Page St.

London, ON N5V 4P2 Canada

Tel: 519-659-0909 Fax: 519-659-9910

Toll Free: 1-800-265-4783

www.crawfordpackaging.com

Key Personnel: Stuart Jackson Vice President Produce Packaging

Description: Innovative Full Service Solution provider for Packaging Supplies & Automation to the Produce Marketplace - Flow Wrap, Top Seal, Shrink & Strapping Solutions. Crawford Improves Productivity while Driving out cost!

DARWIN PERENNIALS

622 Town Rd.

West Chicago, IL 60185 USA

Tel: 1-888-800-0026

Fax: 1-800-234-0370

www.darwinperennials.com

Description: Darwin Perennials is a breeder/ producer of high quality, vegetatively-propagated perennials sold through multiple distributors in North America. Plants are trialed and approved extensively for successful grower and garden performance.

Description: Professional IPM crop scouting for the greenhouse, nursery crop and cannabis sectors. Providing onsite employee training, biocontrol program assessment and recommendations. Offering advanced, sustainable and cost effective IPM programs for 20 yrs.

ELECTROMECANIQUE

4033 Victoria Ave. Vineland, ON L0R 2C0 Canada

Tel: 905-562-7440 Fax: 905-562-4005

www.electromecanique1.ca

Key Personnel: Daniel Gagnon, Owner/ Technician; Herman Ouwersloot, Office Mgr.

Description: Repair and sales of electric motors, pumps, fans, gear boxes, controls, AC inverters, air purification and related products. Sprecher & Schuh industrial controls. Celebrating over 40 years of sales and service.

ENERTEC ENGINEERING

4811 King St.

Beamsville, ON L0R 1B6 Canada

Tel: 905-563-5090 Fax: 905-563-7764

www.enertecengineering.com

Key Personnel: Alex Brouwer, John Lelie, Kevin VanWingerden

Description: Enertec Engineering supplies heating systems, retrofits, system design & engineering services, project consulting and replacement parts. Our key focus is on energy efficiency and optimized performance.

EVERGRO DIVISION, NUTRIEN SOLUTIONS

7430 Hopcott Rd.

Delta, BC V4G 1B6 Canada

Tel: 604-940-0290

Toll Free: 1-800-663-2552

Description: Supplier of greenhouse and nursery fertilizers, pest controls, PRO-MIX growing media, containers and Hermadix Shade Agents.

EVONIK CYRO LLC

1796 Main St.

Sanford, ME 04073 USA

Toll Free: 1-800-631-5384

www.acrylite.net

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ACRYLITE

Key Personnel: Nick Holubowsky

Description: Leading growers choose ACRYLITE® for its exceptional clarity, high light transmission, strength, durability and energy saving features – product qualities that deliver consistently from initial installation over decades of service life.

EXACON INC.

254 Thames Rd. E.

Exeter, ON N0M 1S3 Canada

Tel: 519-235-1431 Fax: 519 235-2852

Toll Free: 1-866-335-1431

www.exaconinc.com

Key Personnel: Bill Mawson, Jim Cameron, Dennis Bedard

Description: Manufacturer and Distributor of ventilation equipment including exhaust fans, horizontal airflow fans (including GreenHouse and V-Flo Fans), environmental controls, evaporative cooling, misting fans and heating for agricultural, commercial and horticultural applications.

FARM CREDIT CANADA

1800 Hamilton St. Regina, SK S4P 4L3 Canada

Tel: 1-888-332-3301

www.fcc-fac.ca

Description: Farm Credit Canada is Canada’s leading agricultural lender. We provide financing, insurance, software, learning programs and business services to Canadian producers and agribusiness and agri-food operators.

FERNLEA FLOWERS

1211 Highway 3

Delhi, ON N4B 2W6 Canada

Tel: 519-582-3060 x 1206

Fax: 519-582-1059

Toll Free: 1-800-265-6789

www.fernlea.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/FernleaFlowers

Key Personnel: Sales Manager: Anjanette Lounsbury

Description: Fernlea is a family owned and operated grower and supplier of high quality garden and patio plants including Rio™ Dipladenias, Awesome Accents™, Hawaiian Punch™ Hibiscus & Harvesthyme™ Veggies and herbs.

FINE AMERICAS

1850 Mount Diablo Blvd.

Walnut Creek, CA 94596 USA

Tel: 925-932-8800 Fax: 925-932-8892

Toll Free: 1-888-474-3463

www.fine-americas.com

Description: Fine Americas, Inc. focuses on the development, manufacture and marketing of PGRs and are a recognized center of excellence for PGR technology. Now Concise, their trusted PGR, is registered in Canada!

FLOWERS CANADA

GROWERS INC.

45 Speedvale Ave. E., Unit 7

Guelph, ON N1H 1J2 Canada

Tel: 519-836-5495 Fax: 519-836-7529

www.flowerscanadagrowers.com

Key Personnel: Andrew Morse, Executive Director

Description: Trade association to promote the strength and unity of the floriculture industry through government representation, communication, marketing, education and member services.

GEORGE DE GROOT LASER GRADING & EXCAVATING INC.

822 Line 2 Rd.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0 Canada

Tel: 905-933-7810

www.degrootlasergrading.com

Facebook: George de Groot Laser Grading & Excavating

Description: All your grading and excavating works from start to finish! We will find the best solution for all grading work that needs to be done inside and outside your greenhouse,

GGS STRUCTURES INC.

3559 North Service Rd.

Vineland Station, ON L0R 2E0 Canada

Tel: 905-562-7341 Fax: 905-562-3011

www.ggs-greenhouse.com

Facebook: facebook.com/ggsgreenhouse

Description: Greenhouse structures, Benches, Rail Carts, Coldframes, High Tunnels, Shade Systems and Greenhouse Poly. Complete turnkey construction available.

GLOBAL HORTICULTURAL INC.

4222 Sann Rd.

Beamsville, ON L0R 1B1 Canada

Tel: 905-563-3211 Fax: 905-563-3191

Toll Free: 1-800-668-9567

www.globalhort.com

Description: Horticultural supplies and equipment.

GROUPE HORTICOLE LEDOUX INC.

(ALSO KNOW AS BOUTIQUEPRO.GHLINC.COM)

785 rue Paul Lussier

Ste-Helene de Bagot, QC J0H 1M0 Canada

Tel: 450-791-2222 Fax: 450-791-2225

Toll Free: 1-888-791-2223

www.ghlinc.com

Key Personnel: Steve Ledoux, Karoline Pellerin

Description: Greenhouse professional supplies & equipment manufacturer and distributor since 1992. Fertilizers, tomato hooks, clips, vegetable seeds, rockwool/coco substrates, disinfection products, irrigation, greenhouse plastic film, ground cover, fans, horticultural lighting, etc.

GRYPHON AUTOMATION

123 Mersea Rd. 3

Leamington, ON N8H 3V5 Canada

Tel: 519-324-0600

www.gryphonautomation.com

Key Personnel: Diogo Caneco

Description: North American dealer for Hoogendoorn Growth Management. Experts in water management, and water disinfection.

HALIFAX SEED COMPANY INC.

5860 Kane St., Halifax, NS B3K 5L8 Canada Tel: 902-455-4364 Fax: 902-455-5271

Toll Free: 1-800-565-1622

www.halifaxseed.com

Facebook: halifaxseed

Key Personnel: Vincent Dieras, Jeff Colwell

Description: Serving Atlantic Canada. Locations in Halifax & Debert N.S. Saint John N.B.Complete range of products for Greenhouse & Nursery: Biologicals, Containers, Environmental control, Equipment, Fertilizers, Injectors, Greenhouse coverings, Growing media, Irrigation, Pest control, Structures, Ventilation.

HARSTER GREENHOUSES INC.

250 Hwy. #8, Dundas, ON L9H 5E1 Canada Tel: 905-628-2430 Fax: 905-628-4818

www.harster.com

Description: Potted plant wholesaler specializing in miniature varieties and seasonal gardens. Exotic plants for the home and office with an emphasis on seasonal consumer trends.

HENAN YUHUA NEW MATERIAL CO., LTD.

13-34, Building 1, No. 53 Science Ave. Zhengzhou, 450000 China

Tel: +86-13838095107

Fax: +86-371 86559603

www.yuhua-solar.com

Key Personnel: Nye Yuan, Account Manager

Description: Leading manufacturer and supplier of diffuse & diffuse AR glass for greenhouses with high light transmittance (97.5% or even higher). More sunshine, more harvest. Faster delivery in industry.

HIGH Q GREENHOUSES INC.

55431 Range Road 262 Sturgeon County, AB T8R 0W7 Canada

Tel: 780-939-7490 Fax: 780-939-2010

www.highqgreenhouses.com

Facebook: highqgreenhouses

Key Personnel: Michiel & Ina Verheul

Description: Full selection of young plants & finished product. Root & Sell for Selecta First Class including Trixi Combo’s. Western Canadian distributor for “Nature’s Source Plant Food”, revolutionizing growth & plant performance.

HOOGENDOORN AMERICA INC.

4890 Victoria Ave. N.

Vineland, ON L0R 2E0 Canada

Tel: 905-562-0800

www.hoogendoorn.ca

Description: Hoogendoorn delivers sustainable automation solutions that seamlessly coordinate all processes and systems in your horticultural organization. Hoogendoorn helps its clients to minimize costs and CO2 emissions and to maximize crop profitability.

HUB INTERNATIONAL ONTARIO LIMITED

24 Seacliff Dr. E., Suite 100

Leamington, ON N8H 0C2 Canada

Tel: 519-326-9339

Toll Free: 1-800-463-4700

www.hubinternational.com

Twitter: (Twitter}

Key Personnel: Gary Klemens, Marcel Asschert

INSTA-PANELS

3368 Cockshutt Rd.

Scotland, ON N0E 1R0 Canada

Tel: 519-443-8810

Fax: 1-877-343-4987

Toll Free: 1-855-561-4279

www.instapanels.ca

Key Personnel: Herman Schuts and Alex Schuts

Description: Insta-Panels are underfloor rigid insulation panels for Greenhouses that can save 25-45% on energy costs annually!!! Insta-Panels are Backed by Energy Consultants!!!!

JIFFY PRODUCTS

5401 Baumhart Rd., Ste. B

Lorain, OH 44053 USA

Tel: 440-282-2818 Fax: 440-282-2853

Toll Free: 1-800-323-1047

www.jiffygroup.com

Key Personnel: Sylvain Helie, Mike Cade, Don Willis

Description: Providing growers with the highest quality growing media, media containers, and other supporting products or services which enhance the successful propagation or cultivation, marketing and sales of plants.

JOLLY FARMER PRODUCTS INC.

56 Crabbe Rd.

Northampton, NB E7N 1R6 Canada

Tel: 506-325-3850 Fax: 800-695-8300

Toll Free: 1-800-695-8300

www.jollyfarmer.com

Key Personnel: Asha Young, Western Canada; Debbie Brown, Ontario/Maritimes; Francine Clark, Francophone/Quebec

Description: Year round grower of Plugs and Cuttings of annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables, grasses, succulents and garden mums. Retail ready spring annuals and hanging baskets, mums and holiday poinsettias and cyclamen.

JUMARS SEEDS LTD.

North Vancouver, BC Canada

Tel: 604-671-6562

www.jumarsseeds.com

Description: Jumars Seeds Ltd. is a young company born in Israel. We are dedicated to research & development, production and marketing of high-quality seeds. We have breeding programs highlighting savoury tomatoes.

JVK

INTERSPAN CANADA INC.

231 Millway Ave.

Vaughan, ON L4K 3W7 Canada

Tel: 905-660-9336 Fax: 905-285-0028

www.interspanpack.com

Key Personnel: Arif Qureshi

Description: Supplier and distributors of greenhouse film, cucumber shrink film, flower film, printed and plain flower sleeves, stretch shrink film for packaging, silage and mulch film. Custom plastic fresh produce containers.

JELITTO PERENNIAL SEEDS

125 Chenoweth Lane, Suite 301

Louisville, KY 40207 USA

Tel: 502-895-0807 Fax: 502-895-3934

www.jelitto.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ JelittoPerennialSeeds

Key Personnel: Mary Vaananen

Description: Jelitto offers quality seed of around 4,000 varieties of perennials, ornamental grasses, and herbs, with a growing list of organic seeds. Breeding and production is under our care.

P.O. Box 910, 1894 Seventh St.

St. Catharines, ON L2R 6Z4 Canada

Tel: 905-641-5599 Fax: 905-684-6260

www.jvk.net

Description: Seeds, plants, labels, supplies. Soilless media, coir product, Poppelmann, TO Plastics, Landmark, Everris, Syngenta, Kientzler, Suntory, Greenfuse, Vivero, Proven Winners, Rakers, Walters, Benary, Pan American, Mastertag and Oasis Products.

KAM’S GROWERS SUPPLY INC. - KINGSVILLE

LOCATION

39 South Talbot Rd.

Cottam (Kingsville), ON N0R 1B0 Canada

Tel: 519-839-4778 Fax: 519-839-5931

www.kams.ca

Key Personnel: Kameron Fordyce

KOENPACK CANADA INC.

4684 Bartlett Rd.

Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 Canada

Tel: 905-563-3732 Fax: 905-563-1067

Toll Free: 1-877-643-1345

www.koenpackcanada.com

Key Personnel: Marco Zwaan, Jordan Reinink, Shane VanBrederode

Description: One stop shop for ALL your floral packaging needs. Sleeves (decorative, transparent, HDPE, CPP/BOPP), Potcovers, Pots, Picks, Pails, Sheets, Upgrades and More! Come visit our showroom and be inspired!

KOOLJET REFRIGERATION

150 Adams Blvd., Brantford, ON N3S 7V2 Canada Tel: 519-688-6803 Fax: 519-688-5962

Toll Free: 1-866-748-7786

www.kooljet.com

Key Personnel: J.D. Wasir, P. Eng.

Description: Custom Built DesignsGreenhouse and processing/packing areas. Domestic and International Markets. One-piece, portable skid-mount systems, hydro-coolers, water and glycol process chillers, blast freezers, and refrigerated dehumidifiers.

L & R SHELTERS INC.

461 Highway 5, Dundas, ON L9H 5E2 Canada Tel: 905-627-1101 Fax: 905-627-1109

Toll Free: 1-866-216-4113

www.lrshelters.ca

Facebook: L & R Shelters Inc

Description: Manufacturers of freestanding shelter and heavy-duty greenhouse kits 17 ft to 30 ft wide at any length. Engineered drawings provided. “RT” Shelters exceed snow-loads of 50 psf

LABELPAC INC.

8-4080 North Service Rd. E. Windsor, ON N8W 5X2 Canada Tel: 519-944-1000 Fax: 519-944-1003 www.labelpac.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LABELPAC

Key Personnel: Sam Sleiman

Description: PLU fruit labeling machines including MOTOHEAD™ Print and Apply PLU labelers, Bulk and Tray Labeling. HL-2 Lithium Cordless Hand labelers. Local Support and service & LIFETIME WARRANTY

KAM’S GROWERS SUPPLY INC. - HEAD OFFICE GUELPH

Unit 2 - 32 Airpark Place

Guelph, ON N1L 1B2 Canada

Tel: 519-821-1684 Fax: 519-821-5714

Toll Free: 1-877-821-1684

www.kams.ca

Key Personnel: Kameron Fordyce

Description: Kam’s Growers Supply represents a complete line of crop protection products, PGRs and plant nutrition products for the greenhouse floriculture, greenhouse vegetable and nursery markets.

LAMBERT PEAT MOSS

106, Lambert Rd. Riviere-Ouelle, QC G0L 2C0 Canada

Tel: 418-852-2885 Fax: 418-852-3352

Toll Free: 1-800-463-1313

www.lambertpeatmoss.com

Description: For over than 90 years, Lambert Peat Moss has been acknowledged as a leader in sphagnum peat moss industry. We offer numerous lines of professional growing mixes and retail potting mixes.

LANGENDOEN MECHANICAL INC.

1764 South Service Rd.

St. Catharines, ON L2R 6P9 Canada

Tel: 905-984-8711

www.langendoenmechanical.com

Description: Boiler and heating systems, biomass boilers, cogeneration, heat storage tanks, replacement parts, certified gasfitters, oilfitters, chillers and cooling, steamfitters and welders, boiler retubing and pipe insulation.

MEESTER INSURANCE CENTRE O/B PVV

INSURANCE CENTRE LTD.

The Village Square, Reg. Rd. 20, Box 299 Smithville, ON L0R 2A0 Canada

Tel: 905-957-2333 Fax: 905-957-2599

Toll Free: 1-800-465-8256

www.meesterinsurance.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ MeesterInsurance

Description: Individually tailored Insurance Program for Greenhouses.

METEOR SYSTEMS

419 Seacliff Dr. E.

Leamington, ON N8H 3V7 Canada

Tel: 519-324-9900

www.meteorsystems.nl

Facebook: Meteor Systems NL

Key Personnel: Freddy Sarkis

Description: Complete Irrigation and cultivation solutions for growing systems.

MICROCOOL

72216 Northshore St. #103-104 Thousand Palms, CA 92276-2324 USA

Tel: 760-322-1111 Fax: 760-343-1820

Toll Free: 1-800-322-4364

www.microcool.com

Facebook: facebook.com/microcool?ref=hl

Key Personnel: Mark Stanley

Description: Suppliers of high-pressure fog systems for cooling, humidification and odor control. Quality pumps with unique safety and control features, hand-adjustable nozzles lines, includes design and support. 35+ Years in Horticulture.

MILLENNIUMSOILS COIR

111 Fourth Ave., Suite 371

St. Catharines, ON L2S 3P5 Canada

Tel: 905-687-1877 Fax: 905-687-8635

www.vgrove.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Millenniumsoils

Key Personnel: Raj Rajakumar, Dave Wilding, Carl Mendonca, Jorge Escobar, Ken Campbell

Description: 30 years of supplying high quality Coconut Coir to North America and the world. Our knowledge and experience provides you with quality and consistency that you expect from your Coir.

MULTI SHELTER SOLUTIONS

360 King St., PO Box 1125

Palmerston, ON N0G 2P0 Canada

Tel: 519-343-2335 Fax: 519-343-2399

Toll Free: 1-866-838-6729

www.multisheltersolutions.com

Facebook: MultiShelterSolutions

Key Personnel: Norm

Description: We manufacture a wide variety of shapes, sizes and strengths of greenhouses. They can be either plastic or tarp covered and either ground mounted or elevated. North America wide shipping.

NORVIEW GARDENS LTD.

2628 Windham Rd. 19, RR 1

Norwich, ON N0J 1P0 Canada

Tel: 519-468-3547

Fax: 519-468-3247

www.norviewgardens.ca

Key Personnel: Paul & Jeff Scharringa

Description: Growers of Quality Ornamental Grasses: plugs/liners pl72’s, 50’s & 38’s; 15 cm pots; 2 gal. pots; 1 litre native grasses. Custom growing available on request.

OASIS® GROWER SOLUTIONS

777 Stow St., Kent, OH 44240 USA

Tel: 855-585-4769 Fax: 877-676-4409

Toll Free: 1-800-321-8286

www.oasisgrowersolutions.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OASISGrowers

Key Personnel: www.linkedin.com/company/ oasis®-grower-solutions

Description: OASIS® Grower Solutions created the first foam media nearly 50 years ago. Our growing media is designed for all your tissue culture and young plant cuttings in hydroponics, ornamentals and vegetative.

OMNI STRUCTURES INTERNATIONAL INC.

18 Seapark Dr.

NATURAL INSECT CONTROL

3737 Netherby Rd.

Stevensville, ON L0S 1S0 Canada

Tel: 905-382-2904 Fax: 905-382-4418

www.naturalinsectcontrol.com

Key Personnel: John C Robertson, Marketing & Sales/ Owner, Susan Cavey, Managing Director/ Owner Stacey Hickman, Entomologist - Greenhouses/Research; Shahram Sharififar, Entomologist - Nematodes/Research, Description: NIC offers Canadian Beneficial Nematodes and Beneficial Insects. Distributor for Applied Bionomics & offers a full array of Beneficial Insects.NIC is the ONLY Canadian producer of nematodes offering exclusive strains!

NIAGROW SYSTEMS LTD.

3559 North Service Rd.

Vineland Station, ON L0R 2E0 Canada

Tel: 905-562-6226 Fax: 905-562-6761

Toll Free: 1-800-263-3684

www.niagrow.com

Facebook: facebook.com/ggsgreenhouse

Description: Design and supply of complete heating systems for greenhouses.

NORSECO

2914 Curé-Labelle Blvd.

Laval, QC H7P 5R9 Canada

Tel: 514-332-2275 Fax: 450-682-4959

Toll Free: 1-800-561-9693

www.norseco.com

Description: Founded in 1928, NORSECO is one of the most important vegetable, flower seed, young plants and plugs distributors in Canada. We commercialize top quality and innovative varieties.

St. Catharines, ON L2M 6S6 Canada

Tel: 905-687-9011 Fax: 905-687-4131

Toll Free: 1-800-991-0600

www.omnicanada.com

Key Personnel: Brad Salter

Description: Manufacture of commercial Cold Frames, Freestanding Greenhouses and tension covered Utility Structures. Stocking supplier of 8mm multiwall polycarbonate panels and tracks, wire lock poly fastener and reinforced poly covers.

P.L. LIGHT SYSTEMS INC.

4800 Hinan Dr.

Beamsville, ON L0R 1B1 Canada Tel: 905-563-4133 Fax: 905-563-0445

Toll Free: 1-800-263-0213

www.pllight.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pllightsystems

Key Personnel: Todd Philips - President; Lisa Jansen van Rensburg - Marketing Manager; Eric Moody - Sales Manager - the Americas

Description: P.L. Light Systems specializes in horticultural lighting. We offer the most innovative and technologically advanced products as well as years of knowledge and experience in the industry.

PALACE PERENNIALS (SIPKENS NURSERIES)

3261 London Line

Plympton-Wyoming, ON N0N 1T0 Canada

Tel: 519-542-8353 Fax: 519-542-1079

www.sipkensnurseries.com

Description: Palace Perennials provides 9 cm, #1trade and 2 gallon perennials, annuals, vines, clematis, waterplants, herbs and tropicals for the Ontario garden centres and landscapers.

PANAMERICAN SEED

622 Town Rd.

West Chicago, IL 60185 USA

Tel: 630-231-1400 Fax: 630-293-2557

Toll Free: 1-800-231-7065

www.panamseed.com

Description: Growers and distributors rely on PanAmerican Seed for the newest and best seed products in the industry. Grow and sell every product with confidence. The industry’s best product quality and availability. Speedy shipping straight to your door. Friendly, on-thespot customer service, with cutting edge technical advice. Call us today!

PAUL BOERS MANUFACTURING/PRINS GREENHOUSES

3500 South Service Rd.

Vineland Station, ON L0R 2E0 Canada

Tel: 905-562-4411 Fax: 905-562-5533

www.paulboers.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/paulboersltd

Key Personnel: Rudy Ouwersloot - Project Sales, Arjen van Eekelen - Project Manager, Adam Lagerwerf - Sales Consultant

Description: Paul Boers Manufacturing and Prins Greenhouses supplies complete greenhouse systems. Choose from the Venlo, Gutter Connect, Freestanding and Coldframe Structures, Benches, Irrigation, Environment controls, Heating, Shade systems and Lighting.

PLAZIT POLYGAL GROUP

17 Brunson Way

Penfield, NY 14526-2844 USA

Tel: 585-721-4047 Fax: 585-486-1349

www.polygal-northamerica.com

Key Personnel: Mike Delladio

Description: Plastic Sheets. Polycarbonate Sheets for Greenhouse Applications. Multiwall, Solid, and Corrugated Sheet.

PREMIER TECH HORTICULTURE

1 Avenue Premier

Rivière-du-Loup, QC G5R 6C1 Canada

Tel: 418-867-8883

www.pthorticulture.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/promixgreenhousegrowing

Description: Premier Tech Horticulture, a Business Unit of Premier Tech, is among the North American leaders of peat moss-based growing media production and distribution.

STOKES SEEDS LTD.

296 Collier Rd. S.

Thorold, ON L2V 5B6 Canada

Tel: 905-688-4300

www.stokeseeds.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/StokeSeeds

Description: Stokes is committed to assisting all customers, from the large commercial grower to the beginner grower, by supplying the highest quality seed, and cuttings, along with the knowhow to support success.

SYLVAR TECHNOLOGIES INC.

1350 Regent St. Fredericton, NB E3C2G6 Canada

Tel: 506-444-5690

www.sylvar.ca

Key Personnel: Stefan Richard - Managing Director, Colin Smith - Agronomist, Laura Forbes - Regulatory

Description: Manufacturer, Distributor of Biological Solutions for insects, disease and plant health. Member of Andermatt Global Group of companies

PRIVA

3468 South Service Rd.

Vineland Station, ON L0R 2E0 Canada

Tel: 905-562-7351 Fax: 905-562-7717

www.priva.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PrivaSolutions

Key Personnel: Henry Vangameren, Sales & Marketing Manager

Description: Priva develops hardware, software and services in the field of climate control, energy saving, labour management and the optimal reuse of water in the horticulture industry.

SONNYSIDE FLOWERS LTD.

RR 3, Delhi, ON N4B 2W6 Canada

Tel: 519-582-1500 Fax: 519-582-4875

Key Personnel: Gary Veit, Monica Veit, Michelle Veit

Description: Hardy mums, poinsettias, annuals.

PLANT PRODUCTS INC.

50 Hazelton St.

Leamington, ON N8H 3W1 Canada Tel: 519-326-9037

Toll Free: 1-800-387-2449

www.plantproducts.com

Key Personnel: Jerry Weber - Sales Manager, Ancaster; Derek Renaud - Sales Manager, Leamington; Alain Cecyre - Sales Manager, Laval

Description: Fertilizers (CRF, Water Soluble, Selectus Custom Fertilizer), Pest Control (Biological and Conventional), Syngenta Greenhouse Vegetable Seeds and other consumable goods. Locations: Leamington, Ontario; Ancaster, Ontario; Laval, Quebec and Westland, Michigan.

PLANTECH CONTROL SYSTEMS INC.

3466 South Service Rd.

Vineland Station, ON L0R 2E0 Canada

Tel: 905-562-7345

www.plantech.ca

Key Personnel: Richard Hiebendaal, Robert Brinkert

Description: CSA approved electrical control panels, electrical installation, electrical service, greenhouse environmental controls, CO2 burner parts, HAF fans, HID lighting, motors and motor controls, spray robots, as well as sorting and packing equipment.

SOUTHERN IRRIGATION

44160 Yale Rd.

Chilliwack, BC V2R 3Z9 Canada

Tel: 604-792-0041 / 403-394-0042

Fax: 604-792-0041

Toll Free: 1-800-663-2615

www.southernirrigation.com

Description: Southern Irrigation is Canada’s largest Netafim Dealer. Our state-of-the-art assembly machinery allows us to supply greenhouse drip systems with shorter delivery times and less cost than ever before.

SPOTS CONTRACTING

42 Mill St., W.

Leamington, ON N8H 1S8 Canada

Tel: 519-999-7773

Description: Painting greenhouse heating pipes installing forecast pipes and we supply paint materials and paint.

SYNGENTA FLOWERS, LLC

2280 Hecker Pass Highway Gilroy, CA 95020 USA

Tel: 408-847-7333 Fax: 408-848-5429

www.syngentaflowers-us.com

Description: Syngenta Flowers North America is one of the largest wholesale breeders of hybrid flower seed and cuttings in the world – developing and producing flower seeds and cuttings for growers internationally.

TAKS HANDLING SYSTEMS B.V. Munnikenheiweg 58

Etten-Leur, 4879 NG, The Netherlands

Tel: 0031 76 524 5200 Fax: 0031 76 5229902

www.taks.nl

Facebook: Taks Handling Systems

Description: Taks Handling Systems is one of the leading manufacturers of harvest logistic solutions for greenhouse horticulture. All highgrade harvest processing and packing systems for internal transport, sorting, packing, palletising, tracking and tracing. Service Department Canada: 419 Seacliff Drive East, Leamington, Ontario N8H 3V7

TERRABIOGEN TECHNOLOGIES INC.

8536 Baxter Place Burnaby, BC V5A 4T8 Canada

Tel: 604-444-1023

www.terrabiogen.com

Key Personnel: Blair Heffelfinger

Description: Developer and supplier of plant biostimulants that improve plant health, increase crop yield, and enhance plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress. Unique, easy-to-integrate formulations for the greenhouse crop industry.

VIRO GLOBAL TRADE INC.

TERRALINK HORTICULTURE INC.

464 Riverside Rd.

Abbotsford, BC V2S 7M1 Canada

Tel: 604-864-9044 Fax: 604-864-8418

Toll Free: 1-800-661-4559

www.tlhort.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ TerraLinkHorticulture

Key Personnel: John Whittaker - GH Sales Manager

Description: TerraLink Horticulture 100% Canadian owned. For 40+ years has supplied W. Canadian professional greenhouse vegetable, floral, medicinal and nursery growers with nutrients, crop protection products, media, seeds and more.

VAN NOORT BULB CO.

3930 Ninth St.

St. Catharines, ON L2R 6P9 Canada

Tel: 905-641-2152 Fax: 905-684-1844

Toll Free: 1-888-826-6667

www.vannoortbulb.com

Key Personnel: Steve Bouskill

Description: We are MORE than just bulbs!

We offer complete lists of: Spring and Summer Flowering Bulbs, Perennials, Shrubs, Vines, Fruits and Vegetables. We are the Canadian Supplier of David Austin and Weeks Roses.

VAN NOORT BULB CO. LTD.

22264 No. 10 Hwy.

Langley, BC V2Y 2K6 Canada

Tel: 604-888-6555 Fax: 604-888-7640

www.vannoortbulb.com

Key Personnel: Carl Van Noort

VÉTOQUINOL N.-A. INC.

2000 Chemin Georges Lavaltrie, QC J5T 3S5 Canada

Tel: 450-586-2252 Fax: 450-586-4649

Toll Free: 1-800-363-1700

www.vetoquinol.ca

Key Personnel: Katie Hirtle (Territory Manager, Atlantic Provinces); Annick Lafrance (Territory Manager, Quebec); George Jeffrey (Territory Manager, Ontario); Dave Van Walleghem (Biosecurity Technician, Western Canada); Erin Rutkowski (Territory Manager, British Columbia)

Description: Vetoquinol is dedicated to helping greenhouse growers achieve optimum performance in biosecurity. Combined with technical support, our line of products includes cleaners & disinfectants (Virkon-Greenhouse, Biofoam, Biosolve-Plus, Biosentry-904), insecticides and rodenticides.

735 Waterloo Row

Fredericton, NB E3B 1Z6 Canada

Tel: 506-460-5889 Fax: 506-460-8521

Toll Free: 1-877-744-2469

www.viroglobaltrade.com

Key Personnel: Man Nguyen

Description: Shipping carts, shipping racks, grower racks, grower benches, display racks and shopping carts. Designs and sizes are customized to buyers’ needs. Hot dip galvanized or powder coated. Manufactured in Vietnam. Factory-direct.

VRE SYSTEMS

7367 Young St., RR 1

Grassie, ON L0R 1M0 Canada

Tel: 905-945-8863 Fax: 905-945-9294

Toll Free: 1-800-499-4873

www.vresystems.com

Description: Shade, light deprivation and blackout curtain systems and rolling walls for new and retrofit greenhouses. Benching, transportation carts and monorail systems. For retail garden centres - customer service carts, merchandisers, displays.

WATER ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES

3375 North Service Rd., #A7

Burlington, ON L7N 3G2 Canada

Tel: 905-336-7666 Fax: 905-336-5714

Toll Free: 1-800-561-5235

www.waterentech.com

Key Personnel: Don Hunter

Description: Water purification equipment and water treatment chemicals, including reverse osmosis, filtration, ion exchange, UV, chemical feed pumps & controllers, disinfectants and boiler, cooling & potable water programs.

WELLMASTER PIPE AND SUPPLY INC.

1494 Bell Mill Side Rd. Tillsonburg, ON N4G 4J1 Canada

Tel: 519-688-0500 Fax: 519-688-0563

Toll Free: 1-800-387-9355

www.wellmaster.ca

Facebook: www.facebook.com/wellmaster1987

Key Personnel: Doug White, Jeff Hanson, Pedro Friesen, Pat Abram, Ena Fitzgerald, Terry Platteeuw, Mike Brindley

Description: Benches (Rectangular, Square, Hexagon, Multiple Deck), Carts (Hook-in, Side Sliding, Folding, Nesting/Shopping, Rhino, Du-All Barrow, 360 Degree), Racks (Display, Multiple level, Custom Designed), Wagons (4-Wheel Steer Tracking, Multiple Deck, Navigator), Trailers and Water Trucks.

WESTBROOK GREENHOUSE SYSTEMS

4670 South Service Rd.

Beamsville, ON L0R 1B1 Canada

Tel: 289-432-1199 Fax: 905-563-9304

Toll Free: 1-855-945-0806

www.westbrooksystems.com

Key Personnel: Sales Staff: Earl Reinink, Ontario; Gord VanEgmond, USA; Les VanEgmond, Rest of Canada

Description: Westbrook Greenhouse Systems offers an extensive selection of greenhouse structures and their related products, including heating and benches, customized to the unique needs of each grower.

WESTGROW BIOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS INC.

PO Box 769

Fort Langley, BC V1M 2S2 Canada

Tel: 604-888-5026 Fax: 604-888-5046

www.appliedbio-nomics.com

Facebook: The Bug Lady

Key Personnel: Bob Macadam

Description: Distributor of biological controls including insects, mites, and nematodes. Main producer is Applied Bionomics (insects and mites), also BASF (formerly Becker Underwood - nematodes).

WESTLAND GREENHOUSE SOLUTIONS INC.

4029 Eleventh St. Lincoln, ON L0R 1S0 Canada

Tel: 905-685-0578

www.westlandgs.com

Description: We offer advice to create your ideal greenhouse. We manufacture and build greenhouses, and offer shade and blackout systems and greenhouse supplies.

WILLOWBROOK NURSERIES

935 Victoria Ave.

Fenwick, ON L0S 1C0 Canada

Tel: 905-892-5350 Fax: 905-892-3790

www.willowbrooknurseries.com

Key Personnel: Rob Bouwers, Sales ManagerCanadian Sales / Chad Geerlinks, Landscape & In-House Sales - Michigan West / Greg Ross, South Western Ontario / Dave Wiersma, North East U.S. & Niagara Region / Michael Della Valle, Eastern CAN, Eastern ON & QC / Kevin Van Geest, GTA

Description: Nursery Stock: Container grown Evergreens, Vines, Flowering Shrubs, Broadleaf Evergreens, Perennials, Ground Covers, Hostas, Clematis, Euonymus, Shrubs, Rhododendrons, Fruit Trees, Dwarf Trees, Garden Roses, Ornamental Grasses and Shade Trees

ZWART SYSTEMS

4881 Union Rd.

Beamsville, ON L0R 1B4 Canada

Tel: 905-563-9606 Fax: 905-563-9238

Toll Free: 1-800-932-9811

www.zwartsystems.ca

Key Personnel: Andrew Van Geest, Rob Vandersteen, Barry Alders

Description: Greenhouse Irrigation supplies, specializing in the design and install of Irrigation Systems. Greenhouse Internal Logistic Systems - Moving Tables, Conveyor Belts, Design.

EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES & SERVICES

ACCOUNTING & FINANCIAL SERVICES

ACCEO Solutions

Ag Energy Co-operative Farm Credit Canada

AIR CONDITIONING

Enertec Engineering

Langendoen Mechanical Niagrow Systems

ALARM SYSTEMS

Climatrol Solutions

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

Plantech Control Systems

ASSOCIATIONS/TRADE SHOWS

Flowers Canada Growers

BACTERICIDES

AEF Global

BioWorks

Halifax Seed Company

Kam’s Growers Supply

TerraLink Horticulture

Vétoquinol N.-A.

Water Energy Technologies

BAGS, PLASTIC

A-ROO Company LLC

A.M.A. Horticulture

Canadian HydroGardens

Crawford Packaging

Global Horticultural

Koenpack Canada

BAMBOO

A.M.A. Horticulture

Canadian HydroGardens

Global Horticultural

Halifax Seed Company

JVK Koenpack Canada

TerraLink Horticulture

BASKETS, HANGING

A-ROO Company LLC

A.M.A. Horticulture

Canadian HydroGardens

Global Horticultural

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

Koenpack Canada

Plant Products

Viro Global Trade

BENCHES

DeCloet Greenhouse Mfg.

GGS Structures

Global Horticultural

Halifax Seed Company

Paul Boers Manufacturing/ Prins Greenhouses

Viro Global Trade

VRE Systems

Wellmaster Pipe and Supply

Westbrook Greenhouse Systems

Westland Greenhouse Solutions

Zwart Systems

BIOLOGICAL CONTROLS

AEF Global

BioWorks

Canadian HydroGardens

Dosatron/Dilution Solutions

Eco Habitat Agri Services

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

Kam’s Growers Supply

Natural Insect Control

Plant Products

Premier Tech Horticulture

Sylvar Technologies

TerraBioGen Technologies

TerraLink Horticulture

WestGrow Biological Solutions

BOILERS

Enertec Engineering

Langendoen Mechanical

Niagrow Systems

Westbrook Greenhouse Systems

BOOKS

Natural Insect Control

BREEDING/PATENTS

Jumars Seeds

BUDDING & GRAFTING SUPPLIES

A.M.A. Horticulture

C. Frensch

Global Horticultural

Halifax Seed Company

TerraLink Horticulture

BURLAP

Halifax Seed Company

BURNERS

Canadian HydroGardens

Enertec Engineering

Global Horticultural

Halifax Seed Company Niagrow Systems

CARBON DIOXIDE

Enertec Engineering

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Langendoen Mechanical Niagrow Systems

CARE TAGS

A-ROO Company LLC

Bellwyck Horticultural / Horticolor

C. Frensch

Global Horticultural

JVK

Koenpack Canada

CARTS

A-ROO Company LLC

A.M.A. Horticulture

GGS Structures

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

Paul Boers Manufacturing/ Prins Greenhouses

Viro Global Trade

VRE Systems

Wellmaster Pipe and Supply

Westland Greenhouse Solutions

CLIMATE CONTROL/ AUTOMATION

Argus Control Systems

Canadian HydroGardens

Climatrol Solutions

Cravo Equipment

DeCloet Greenhouse Mfg.

Exacon

GGS Structures

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Gryphon Automation

Halifax Seed Company

Hoogendoorn America

JVK

Niagrow Systems

Paul Boers Manufacturing/ Prins Greenhouses

Plantech Control Systems

Priva

COMPOSTERS

Halifax Seed Company

COMPUTER SYSTEMS

ACCEO Solutions

Argus Control Systems

Canadian HydroGardens

Climatrol Solutions

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Gryphon Automation

Halifax Seed Company

Hoogendoorn America

Plantech Control Systems

Priva

CONSULTING

ACCEO Solutions

Accu-Label

Agriforest Bio-Technologies

Agrolux Lighting

Bellwyck Horticultural / Horticolor

Canadian HydroGardens

Eco Habitat Agri Services

Enertec Engineering

Meteor Systems

TerraLink Horticulture

Vétoquinol N.-A.

VRE Systems

CONTAINERS

A-ROO Company LLC

A.M.A. Horticulture

Canadian HydroGardens

Global Horticultural

Halifax Seed Company

Jiffy Products

JVK

Koenpack Canada

OASIS® Grower Solutions

CONVEYORS

Accu-Label

Ben Berg Equipment

Bouldin & Lawson

Crawford Packaging

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Plantech Control Systems

TAKS Handling Systems B.V.

Zwart Systems

COOLERS

Agrozone International

Global Horticultural

Kooljet Refrigeration

Niagrow Systems

COOLING EQUIPMENT

Agrozone International

Canadian HydroGardens

Canarm

DeCloet Greenhouse Mfg.

Dosatron/Dilution Solutions

Enertec Engineering

Exacon

GGS Structures

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

Kooljet Refrigeration

Langendoen Mechanical

MicroCool

Niagrow Systems

Zwart Systems

CURTAINS, BLACKOUT/ ENERGY

Canadian HydroGardens

Cravo Equipment

GGS Structures

Halifax Seed Company

Paul Boers Manufacturing/ Prins Greenhouses

VRE Systems

Westland Greenhouse Solutions

DISINFECTANTS

Agrozone International

Canadian HydroGardens

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

Kam’s Growers Supply

OASIS® Grower Solutions

Plant Products

TerraLink Horticulture

Vétoquinol N.-A.

Water Energy Technologies

EDUCATION/TRAINING

Agriforest Bio-Technologies

Canadian Greenhouse Conference

Eco Habitat Agri Services

Vétoquinol N.-A.

ELECTRICAL SERVICES/ SUPPLIES

Ag Energy Co-operative

Canadian HydroGardens

Climatrol Solutions

Gryphon Automation

Plantech Control Systems

FANS

A.M.A. Horticulture

Canadian HydroGardens

Canarm

Climatrol Solutions

DeCloet Greenhouse Mfg.

ElectroMecaniQue

Exacon

GGS Structures

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

Kooljet Refrigeration

Multi Shelter Solutions

Niagrow Systems

Plantech Control Systems

Priva

Westland Greenhouse Solutions

Zwart Systems

FERTILIZER EQUIPMENT

Ben Berg Equipment

Canadian HydroGardens

Climatrol Solutions

Dosatron/Dilution Solutions

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

Priva

TerraLink Horticulture

Zwart Systems

FERTILIZERS

A.M.A. Horticulture

BioWorks

Canadian HydroGardens

Evergro Division, Nutrien Solutions

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

High Q Greenhouses

JVK

Kam’s Growers Supply

Natural Insect Control

OASIS® Grower Solutions

Plant Products

TerraLink Horticulture

FILM

A-ROO Company LLC

A.M.A. Horticulture

Canadian HydroGardens

GGS Structures

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

Interspan Canada

Westland Greenhouse Solutions

Zwart Systems

FLAT AND POT FILLING EQUIPMENT

A.M.A. Horticulture

Ben Berg Equipment

Bouldin & Lawson

OASIS® Grower Solutions

FLATS

A.M.A. Horticulture

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

OASIS® Grower Solutions

TerraLink Horticulture

FLOOD FLOORS

George de Groot Laser

Grading & Excavating

Niagrow Systems

Southern Irrigation

FOGGERS

A.M.A. Horticulture

EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND SERVICES

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

MicroCool Vétoquinol N.-A.

FUELS/BIOMASS

Langendoen Mechanical

Niagrow Systems

FUMIGANTS

Canadian HydroGardens

Halifax Seed Company

Kam’s Growers Supply

TerraLink Horticulture

FUNGICIDES

AEF Global

Belchim Crop Protection Canada

BioWorks

Canadian HydroGardens

Dosatron/Dilution Solutions

Global Horticultural

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

Kam’s Growers Supply

Plant Products

Sylvar Technologies

TerraLink Horticulture

Vétoquinol N.-A.

GARDEN CENTRE SUPPLIES

A-ROO Company LLC

A.M.A. Horticulture

ASB Greenworld

C. Frensch

Canadian HydroGardens

GGS Structures

Global Horticultural

Halifax Seed Company

Interspan Canada

JVK

Natural Insect Control

OASIS® Grower Solutions

TerraLink Horticulture

VRE Systems

Wellmaster Pipe and Supply

GENERATORS

Ben Berg Equipment

Climatrol Solutions

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Niagrow Systems

GLASS

GGS Structures

Global Horticultural

Halifax Seed Company

Henan Yuhua New Material Co.

GLAZING & PAINTING

Halifax Seed Company

Henan Yuhua New Material Co.

OASIS® Grower Solutions

Plant Products

Plazit Polygal Group

GREENHOUSE COVERINGS

A.M.A. Horticulture

Cravo Equipment

DeCloet Greenhouse Mfg.

Evonik Cyro LLC

GGS Structures

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

Henan Yuhua New Material Co.

Multi Shelter Solutions

Omni Structures

International

Paul Boers Manufacturing/ Prins Greenhouses

Plazit Polygal Group

TerraLink Horticulture

VRE Systems

Westland Greenhouse Solutions

GREENHOUSE STRUCTURES

Cravo Equipment

DeCloet Greenhouse Mfg.

Evonik Cyro LLC

George de Groot Laser Grading & Excavating

GGS Structures

Global Horticultural

Halifax Seed Company

Henan Yuhua New Material Co.

Hoogendoorn America

Insta-Panels

JVK

L & R Shelters

Multi Shelter Solutions

Omni Structures

International

Paul Boers Manufacturing/ Prins Greenhouses

VRE Systems

Westbrook Greenhouse Systems

Westland Greenhouse Solutions

GREENHOUSES, HOBBY

Ben Berg Equipment

Global Horticultural

Halifax Seed Company

L & R Shelters

Multi Shelter Solutions

OASIS® Grower Solutions

Omni Structures International

GROWTH ENHANCERS

Premier Tech Horticulture

TerraLink Horticulture

GROWTH REGULATORS

Canadian HydroGardens

Evergro Division, Nutrien Solutions

Fine Americas

Global Horticultural

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

Kam’s Growers Supply

Plant Products

TerraLink Horticulture

HEAT PUMPS, GROUND WATER

ElectroMecaniQue

Enertec Engineering

Langendoen Mechanical

Niagrow Systems

HEAT, BOTTOM

Canadian HydroGardens

Enertec Engineering

Global Horticultural

Halifax Seed Company

Langendoen Mechanical

Niagrow Systems

Paul Boers Manufacturing/ Prins Greenhouses

Halifax Seed Company

Langendoen Mechanical

Niagrow Systems

Paul Boers Manufacturing/ Prins Greenhouses

Westbrook Greenhouse Systems

Westland Greenhouse Solutions

HERBICIDES

AEF Global

Belchim Crop Protection Canada

Canadian HydroGardens

Dosatron/Dilution Solutions

Evergro Division, Nutrien Solutions

Global Horticultural

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

Kam’s Growers Supply

Natural Insect Control

Plant Products

TerraLink Horticulture

HOSE REELS

Global Horticultural

Halifax Seed Company

Southern Irrigation

HUMIDIFICATION

EQUIPMENT

Canadian HydroGardens

Exacon

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

MicroCool

Zwart Systems

HYDRAULIC EQUIPMENT/SERVICE

Ben Berg Equipment

HYDROPONIC EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES

A-ROO Company LLC

A.M.A. Horticulture

Agrozone International

Canadian HydroGardens

Dosatron/Dilution Solutions

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Gryphon Automation

Jiffy Products

Millenniumsoils Coir

OASIS® Grower Solutions

Southern Irrigation

Zwart Systems

INJECTORS

Canadian HydroGardens

Climatrol Solutions

Dosatron/Dilution Solutions

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Gryphon Automation

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

Plant Products

Plantech Control Systems

Southern Irrigation

TerraLink Horticulture

Zwart Systems

INSECT CONTROL

AEF Global

Belchim Crop Protection

Canada

Canadian HydroGardens

Dosatron/Dilution Solutions

Eco Habitat Agri Services

Evergro Division, Nutrien

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

Kam’s Growers Supply

Natural Insect Control

Plant Products

Sylvar Technologies

TerraLink Horticulture

Vétoquinol N.-A.

WestGrow Biological Solutions

Westland Greenhouse Solutions

INSERTS

A.M.A. Horticulture

Canadian HydroGardens

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

Koenpack Canada

INSULATION

Enertec Engineering

Insta-Panels

Langendoen Mechanical

Niagrow Systems

INSURANCE

HUB International Ontario

Limited

Meester Insurance Centre o/b PVV Insurance Centre

IRRIGATION

EQUIPMENT/SYSTEMS

A.M.A. Horticulture

Argus Control Systems

Canadian HydroGardens

Climatrol Solutions

Dosatron/Dilution Solutions

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Gryphon Automation

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

Meteor Systems

Niagrow Systems

OASIS® Grower Solutions

Paul Boers Manufacturing/ Prins Greenhouses

Priva

Southern Irrigation

Zwart Systems

LABELING EQUIPMENT

A.M.A. Horticulture

ACCEO Solutions

Accu-Label

C. Frensch

LABELPAC

LABELS

A-ROO Company LLC

A.M.A. Horticulture

Accu-Label

Bellwyck Horticultural / Horticolor

C. Frensch

Global Horticultural

Halifax Seed Company

Interspan Canada

JVK

Koenpack Canada

LABELPAC

LABORATORY SERVICES

A & L Canada Laboratories

Agriforest Bio-Technologies

TerraLink Horticulture

Halifax Seed Company

Water Energy Technologies

LABOUR MANAGEMENT

Hoogendoorn America

Priva

LANDSCAPE FABRICS

Canadian HydroGardens

Halifax Seed Company

Plant Products

TerraLink Horticulture

LIGHTING

Agrolux Lighting

Canadian HydroGardens

Canarm

Climatrol Solutions

GGS Structures

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

Langendoen Mechanical

P.L. Light Systems

Paul Boers Manufacturing/ Prins Greenhouses

Plantech Control Systems

MARKERS, BEDDING PLANT

A.M.A. Horticulture

C. Frensch

Global Horticultural

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

MATERIAL HANDLING EQUIPMENT

Ben Berg Equipment

TAKS Handling Systems B.V.

Wellmaster Pipe and Supply

Zwart Systems

MERCHANDISING/ RETAIL

VRE Systems

METERS, NUTRIENT

Canadian HydroGardens

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

OASIS® Grower Solutions

Plant Products

Plantech Control Systems

TerraLink Horticulture

Zwart Systems

MISTING EQUIPMENT

Canadian HydroGardens

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

Meteor Systems

MicroCool

Zwart Systems

MONITORS

ACCEO Solutions

Canadian HydroGardens

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Gryphon Automation

Halifax Seed Company

Water Energy Technologies

MOTORS

Enertec Engineering

GGS Structures

Halifax Seed Company

PACKAGING EQUIPMENT

Interspan Canada

JVK

L & R Shelters

HEATING EQUIPMENT

Enertec Engineering

Exacon

Global Horticultural

Solutions

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

LABORATORY TESTING/KITS

Canadian HydroGardens

Accu-Label

Bouldin & Lawson

Climatrol Solutions

Crawford Packaging

Global Horticultural

Koenpack Canada

LABELPAC

Plantech Control Systems

TAKS Handling Systems B.V.

PACKAGING SUPPLIES

A-ROO Company LLC

A.M.A. Horticulture

Accu-Label

Crawford Packaging

Global Horticultural

Interspan Canada

Koenpack Canada

TerraLink Horticulture

PAINTS, GREENHOUSE

Canadian HydroGardens

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

Langendoen Mechanical

Niagrow Systems

OASIS® Grower Solutions

Plant Products

Spots Contracting

TerraLink Horticulture

PANELS

A.M.A. Horticulture

DeCloet Greenhouse Mfg.

Global Horticultural

Gryphon Automation

Halifax Seed Company

Insta-Panels

JVK

Plantech Control Systems

Plazit Polygal Group

PEAT MOSS

A.M.A. Horticulture

ASB Greenworld

Berger

Canadian HydroGardens

Evergro Division, Nutrien

Solutions

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

Jiffy Products

JVK

Lambert Peat Moss

OASIS® Grower Solutions

Plant Products

Premier Tech Horticulture

TerraLink Horticulture

PERLITE

A.M.A. Horticulture

ASB Greenworld

Berger

Canadian HydroGardens

Evergro Division, Nutrien Solutions

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

Lambert Peat Moss

OASIS® Grower Solutions

Plant Products

TerraLink Horticulture

PEST CONTROLS

Canadian HydroGardens

Dosatron/Dilution Solutions

Kam’s Growers Supply

Natural Insect Control

Plant Products

Sylvar Technologies

TerraLink Horticulture

Van Noort Bulb Co.

Vétoquinol N.-A.

WestGrow Biological Solutions

PESTICIDE

APPLICATION

Dosatron/Dilution Solutions

Halifax Seed Company Plant Products

PESTICIDES

AEF Global

Belchim Crop Protection Canada

BioWorks

Canadian HydroGardens

Dosatron/Dilution Solutions

Evergro Division, Nutrien Solutions

Global Horticultural

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

Kam’s Growers Supply Plant Products

TerraLink Horticulture

PIPE

Canadian HydroGardens

Enertec Engineering

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

Langendoen Mechanical

Niagrow Systems

Wellmaster Pipe and Supply

PLANT SLEEVES

A-ROO Company LLC

Bellwyck Horticultural / Horticolor

Global Horticultural

Interspan Canada

JVK

Koenpack Canada

OASIS® Grower Solutions

PLASTICS, GREENHOUSE

A-ROO Company LLC

Canadian HydroGardens

DeCloet Greenhouse Mfg.

Evonik Cyro LLC

GGS Structures

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

Interspan Canada

JVK

Plazit Polygal Group

TerraLink Horticulture

Westland Greenhouse Solutions

Zwart Systems

PLUG GROWING EQUIPMENT

A-ROO Company LLC

A.M.A. Horticulture

Global Horticultural

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

OASIS® Grower Solutions

Global Horticultural

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

Koenpack Canada

Millenniumsoils Coir

POTS

A-ROO Company LLC

A.M.A. Horticulture

Canadian HydroGardens

Global Horticultural

Halifax Seed Company

Jiffy Products

JVK

Koenpack Canada

Plant Products

TerraLink Horticulture

Van Noort Bulb Co.

POTTING MACHINES

Bouldin & Lawson

Global Horticultural

Plantech Control Systems

PRESERVATIVES

Global Horticultural

PROPAGATION MEDIA/ SUPPLIES

A.M.A. Horticulture

ASB Greenworld

Berger

Canadian HydroGardens

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

OASIS® Grower Solutions

Plant Products

TerraBioGen Technologies

TerraLink Horticulture

PUMPS

Agrozone International

Canadian HydroGardens

Climatrol Solutions

Dosatron/Dilution Solutions

ElectroMecaniQue

Enertec Engineering

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

Langendoen Mechanical

Niagrow Systems

Southern Irrigation

Water Energy Technologies

Wellmaster Pipe and Supply

Zwart Systems

REFRIGERATION & EQUIPMENT

Kooljet Refrigeration

ROCKWOOL

A.M.A. Horticulture

Canadian HydroGardens

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

TerraLink Horticulture

ROOTING PRODUCTS

A.M.A. Horticulture

Canadian HydroGardens

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

Jiffy Products

Kam’s Growers Supply

OASIS® Grower Solutions

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

SEEDERS

A.M.A. Horticulture

Bouldin & Lawson

Global Horticultural

Halifax Seed Company

SHADING MATERIAL/ SYSTEMS

Canadian HydroGardens

Cravo Equipment

DeCloet Greenhouse Mfg.

Evergro Division, Nutrien Solutions

GGS Structures

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

Kam’s Growers Supply

Paul Boers Manufacturing/ Prins Greenhouses

TerraLink Horticulture

VRE Systems

Westland Greenhouse Solutions

SOIL

A.M.A. Horticulture

ASB Greenworld

Berger

Evergro Division, Nutrien

Solutions

Global Horticultural

Halifax Seed Company

Jiffy Products

JVK

Lambert Peat Moss

Millenniumsoils Coir

Premier Tech Horticulture

TerraLink Horticulture

SOIL AMENDMENTS

A.M.A. Horticulture

ASB Greenworld

Berger

Canadian HydroGardens

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

Lambert Peat Moss

Millenniumsoils Coir

Natural Insect Control

Plant Products

Premier Tech Horticulture

Sylvar Technologies

TerraBioGen Technologies

TerraLink Horticulture

SOIL MIXERS

Ben Berg Equipment

Bouldin & Lawson

JVK

Plantech Control Systems

SOIL STERILIZATION

EQUIPMENT

Global Horticultural

JVK

SOIL TEST EQUIPMENT

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

TerraLink Horticulture

SOILLESS MIXES

Halifax Seed Company

Jiffy Products

JVK

Lambert Peat Moss

OASIS® Grower Solutions

Plant Products

TerraLink Horticulture

SPRAYING EQUIPMENT

A.M.A. Horticulture

Canadian HydroGardens

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

Plantech Control Systems

TerraLink Horticulture

SPRINKLERS

A.M.A. Horticulture

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

Southern Irrigation

Zwart Systems

STAPLING MACHINES

Global Horticultural

SUPPORTS, PLANT

A.M.A. Horticulture

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

Meteor Systems

THERMOMETERS

Canadian HydroGardens

Enertec Engineering

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

Langendoen Mechanical

Niagrow Systems

OASIS® Grower Solutions

Plant Products

TerraLink Horticulture

THERMOSTATS

Canadian HydroGardens

Canarm

ElectroMecaniQue

Enertec Engineering

Exacon

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

Langendoen Mechanical

Niagrow Systems

Plantech Control Systems

TIMERS

Canadian HydroGardens

Enertec Engineering

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

Plantech Control Systems

TOOLS

A.M.A. Horticulture

TerraLink Horticulture

Wellmaster Pipe and Supply

TRACTORS

Ben Berg Equipment

TRAILERS

Ben Berg Equipment

Bouldin & Lawson

Eco Habitat Agri Services

Evergro Division, Nutrien Solutions

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

POT COVERS

A-ROO Company LLC

A.M.A. Horticulture

Bellwyck Horticultural / Horticolor

Sylvar Technologies

TerraBioGen Technologies

TerraLink Horticulture

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Canadian HydroGardens

A.M.A. Horticulture

ASB Greenworld

Berger

Canadian HydroGardens

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Wellmaster Pipe and Supply

TRANSPLANTING SYSTEMS

Bouldin & Lawson

TRANSPORT AND SHIPPING SYSTEMS

A-ROO Company LLC

VRE Systems

Wellmaster Pipe and Supply

TRAYS

A-ROO Company LLC

A.M.A. Horticulture

Canadian HydroGardens

Global Horticultural

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

OASIS® Grower Solutions

TerraLink Horticulture

Van Noort Bulb Co.

TUBING

A.M.A. Horticulture

Aqua Q

Canadian HydroGardens

DeCloet Greenhouse Mfg.

Enertec Engineering

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

Langendoen Mechanical

Meteor Systems

Niagrow Systems

Plazit Polygal Group

Westland Greenhouse Solutions Zwart Systems

TWINE

A.M.A. Horticulture

Canadian HydroGardens

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

Plant Products

TerraLink Horticulture

VALVES

Canadian HydroGardens

ElectroMecaniQue

Enertec Engineering

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

Langendoen Mechanical

Meteor Systems

Niagrow Systems

Southern Irrigation Zwart Systems

VENTILATORS

Canadian HydroGardens

Canarm

ElectroMecaniQue

Exacon

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

Plantech Control Systems

VERMICULITE

A.M.A. Horticulture

ASB Greenworld

Berger

Canadian HydroGardens

Evergro Division, Nutrien Solutions

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

Lambert Peat Moss

OASIS® Grower Solutions

Plant Products

TerraLink Horticulture

WASHERS

Bouldin & Lawson

WASTE RECYCLING

Agrozone International

Ben Berg Equipment

Canadian HydroGardens

Global Horticultural

WATER GARDENING

SUPPLIES

Dosatron/Dilution Solutions

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

WATER TREATMENT

PRODUCTS

Agrozone International

Aqua Q

Canadian HydroGardens

Dosatron/Dilution Solutions

Enertec Engineering

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Gryphon Automation

Halifax Seed Company

Kam’s Growers Supply

Plant Products

Priva

Southern Irrigation

Vétoquinol N.-A.

PLANT MATERIALS

AFRICAN VIOLETS

Harster Greenhouses

JVK

AGERATUMS

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Syngenta Flowers

ALSTROEMERIAS

JVK

AMARYLLIS

Van Noort Bulb

ANEMONES

Van Noort Bulb

ANGELONIA

Ball FloraPlant

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

PanAmerican Seed

Syngenta Flowers

ARGYRANTHEMUM

ASPARAGUS

SPRENGERI

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

AZALEAS

Bailey Nurseries

JVK

Van Noort Bulb

BACOPA

Ball FloraPlant

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Syngenta Flowers

BEGONIAS

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

PanAmerican Seed

Syngenta Flowers

Van Noort Bulb

BIDENS

Ball FloraPlant

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products JVK

Norseco

Syngenta Flowers

BOSTON FERNS

Fernlea Flowers

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

BOUGAINVILLEAS

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

BRACHYSCOME

Ball FloraPlant

Fernlea Flowers

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

BRACTEANTHA

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

BROMELIADS

JVK

BULBS

JVK

Syngenta Flowers

Van Noort Bulb

CACTUS & SUCCULENTS

Fernlea Flowers

Harster Greenhouses

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

CALADIUMS

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Van Noort Bulb

CALANDIVA

Harster Greenhouses

JVK

CALIBRACHOA

Ball FloraPlant

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

PanAmerican Seed

Syngenta Flowers

Water Energy Technologies

WATERING

EQUIPMENT/TOOLS

A.M.A. Horticulture

Bouldin & Lawson

Canadian HydroGardens

Global Horticultural

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Halifax Seed Company

Meteor Systems

Southern Irrigation

VRE Systems

Zwart Systems

WIRE MESH

C. Frensch

Canadian HydroGardens

Global Horticultural

JVK

Viro Global Trade

Wellmaster Pipe and Supply

AFRICAN VIOLETS

Dosatron International

Dümmen Orange

Harster Greenhouses JVK

CALLAS

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Van Noort Bulb

CANNAS

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Van Noort Bulb

CARNATIONS

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Van Noort Bulb

CEDAR

Willowbrook Nurseries

CHRYSANTHEMUMS

Fernlea Flowers

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Sonnyside Flowers

Syngenta Flowers

Van Noort Bulb

CLEMATIS

Bailey Nurseries

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Van Noort Bulb

Willowbrook Nurseries

COLEUS

Ball FloraPlant

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

PanAmerican Seed

Syngenta Flowers

CONTAINER STOCK

Bailey Nurseries

Willowbrook Nurseries

CRAPE MYRTLES

Bailey Nurseries

JVK

CROCOSMIAS

Van Noort Bulb

CUCUMBERS

Fernlea Flowers

Jolly Farmer Products

Jumars Seeds

JVK

Norseco

PanAmerican Seed

Plant Products

Syngenta Flowers

CUT FLOWERS

JVK

PanAmerican Seed

Van Noort Bulb

CUTTINGS, ROOTED

Bailey Nurseries

Darwin Perennials

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

OASIS® Grower Solutions

Syngenta Flowers

Van Noort Bulb

CUTTINGS, UNROOTED

Darwin Perennials

JVK

Norseco

OASIS® Grower Solutions

Syngenta Flowers

Van Noort Bulb

CYCLAMEN

Harster Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Syngenta Flowers

Van Noort Bulb

DAFFODILS

Van Noort Bulb

DAHLIAS

Ball FloraPlant

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Syngenta Flowers

Van Noort Bulb

DELPHINIUMS

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Syngenta Flowers

Van Noort Bulb

DIASCIA

Ball FloraPlant

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

DIEFFENBACHIAS

JVK

DRACAENAS

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

EVERGREENS

Bailey Nurseries

Willowbrook Nurseries

FERNS

Fernlea Flowers

Harster Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Van Noort Bulb

FOLIAGE, LINERS

Agriforest Bio-Technologies

Fernlea Flowers

Jolly Farmer Products

FREESIAS

JVK

Van Noort Bulb

FUSCHIAS

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

GARDENIAS

Bailey Nurseries

JVK

GAURA

Darwin Perennials

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Van Noort Bulb

GERANIUMS

Ball FloraPlant

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Sonnyside Flowers

Syngenta Flowers

Van Noort Bulb

GERBERAS

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Syngenta Flowers

GLADIOLUS

JVK

Norseco

Van Noort Bulb

GLOXINIAS

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Van Noort Bulb

GRASSES

Bailey Nurseries

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jelitto Perennial Seeds

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Norview Gardens

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

PanAmerican Seed

Van Noort Bulb

Willowbrook Nurseries

GROUND COVER

PLANTS

Fernlea Flowers

Jelitto Perennial Seeds

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

GYPSOPHILAS

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Van Noort Bulb

HEDERA HELIX

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Van Noort Bulb

HELICHRYSUM

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

HERBS

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jelitto Perennial Seeds

Jolly Farmer Products

Jumars Seeds

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

PanAmerican Seed

Van Noort Bulb

HIBISCUS

Bailey Nurseries

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Van Noort Bulb

Willowbrook Nurseries

HOSTAS

Agriforest Bio-Technologies

Bailey Nurseries

Darwin Perennials

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Van Noort Bulb

Willowbrook Nurseries

HOYAS

JVK

HYACINTH

JVK

Van Noort Bulb

HYDRANGEAS

Bailey Nurseries

JVK

Norseco

Van Noort Bulb

Willowbrook Nurseries

IBERIS

Darwin Perennials

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Syngenta Flowers

Van Noort Bulb

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

PanAmerican Seed

Syngenta Flowers

IRISES

Agriforest Bio-Technologies

Bailey Nurseries

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Van Noort Bulb

IVY

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Van Noort Bulb

JASMINES

Van Noort Bulb

JERUSALEM CHERRY

JVK

Norseco

JUNIPERS

Bailey Nurseries

Willowbrook Nurseries

KALANCHOES

Harster Greenhouses

High Q Greenhouses

JVK

Norseco

LAMIUM

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Van Noort Bulb

LANTANAS

Ball FloraPlant

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Syngenta Flowers

LAVENDER

Darwin Perennials

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Syngenta Flowers

Van Noort Bulb

LIATRIS

Bailey Nurseries

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

LILACS

Agriforest Bio-Technologies

Bailey Nurseries

Van Noort Bulb

LILIES

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Van Noort Bulb

LINING OUT STOCK

Bailey Nurseries

LOBELIA

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Syngenta Flowers

Van Noort Bulb

MAGNOLIAS

Bailey Nurseries

NARCISSUS

Van Noort Bulb

NEMESIA

Ball FloraPlant

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Syngenta Flowers

NURSERY

ORNAMENTALS

Bailey Nurseries

Van Noort Bulb

NURSERY STOCK

Bailey Nurseries

Harster Greenhouses

High Q Greenhouses

JVK

Van Noort Bulb

Willowbrook Nurseries

NYMPHAEAS

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

ORCHIDS

Harster Greenhouses

OSTEOSPERMUM

Ball FloraPlant

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

PanAmerican Seed

Syngenta Flowers

OXALIS

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Van Noort Bulb

PALMS

Fernlea Flowers

PANSIES

Darwin Perennials

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

JVK

Norseco

Syngenta Flowers

Van Noort Bulb

Willowbrook Nurseries

IMPATIENS

Ball FloraPlant

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Van Noort Bulb

Norseco

PanAmerican Seed

Syngenta Flowers

PEONIES

Bailey Nurseries

JVK

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Van Noort Bulb

PERENNIALS

Agriforest Bio-Technologies

Bailey Nurseries

Darwin Perennials

Fernlea Flowers

Jelitto Perennial Seeds

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Syngenta Flowers

Van Noort Bulb

Willowbrook Nurseries

PETUNIAS

Ball FloraPlant

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

PanAmerican Seed

Syngenta Flowers

PHILODENDRONS

Norseco

PHLOXES

Bailey Nurseries

Darwin Perennials

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Syngenta Flowers

Van Noort Bulb

Willowbrook Nurseries

PILEAS

Harster Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

PLANTS, BEDDING

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

PanAmerican Seed

Syngenta Flowers

PLANTS, FLOWERING

POT

Fernlea Flowers

Harster Greenhouses

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products JVK

Norseco

Syngenta Flowers

PLANTS, HANGING

BASKET

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

PanAmerican Seed

Syngenta Flowers

PLANTS, OTHER

Agriforest Bio-Technologies

Arysta LifeScience

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

PanAmerican Seed

Syngenta Flowers

Van Noort Bulb

PLUGS

Fernlea Flowers

Harster Greenhouses

High Q Greenhouses

Jiffy Products

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

OASIS® Grower Solutions

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Syngenta Flowers

Van Noort Bulb

POINSETTIAS

Harster Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Syngenta Flowers

PORTULACA

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

PanAmerican Seed

Syngenta Flowers

POTHOS

Norseco

PRIMULA

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Syngenta Flowers

RHODODENDRONS

Bailey Nurseries

Fernlea Flowers

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

Van Noort Bulb

Willowbrook Nurseries

ROSE BUSHES

Agriforest Bio-Technologies

Bailey Nurseries

Halifax Seed Company

Van Noort Bulb

Willowbrook Nurseries

ROSES

Agriforest Bio-Technologies

Bailey Nurseries

Halifax Seed Company

JVK

Norseco

Van Noort Bulb

SANVITALIA

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Syngenta Flowers

SCAEVOLA

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Syngenta Flowers

SEEDLINGS, ANNUAL

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Syngenta Flowers

SEEDLINGS, PERENNIAL

Fernlea Flowers

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Syngenta Flowers

Van Noort Bulb

SEEDS, FLOWER

Jelitto Perennial Seeds

Jolly Farmer Products

Jumars Seeds

JVK

Norseco

PanAmerican Seed

Stokes Seeds

Syngenta Flowers

SEEDS, OTHER

Jelitto Perennial Seeds

Jolly Farmer Products

Jumars Seeds

JVK

Norseco

SEEDS, VEGETABLE

Groupe Horticole Ledoux

Jolly Farmer Products

Jumars Seeds

JVK

Norseco

PanAmerican Seed

Plant Products

Stokes Seeds

Syngenta Flowers

Van Noort Bulb

ENERGY CONSERVATION FOR COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSES

With heating costs becoming an issue yet again, growers cannot afford to not have this resource.

After reviewing the principles behind heat loss, Dr. Bartok discusses greenhouse siting, construction materials, insulation, fuels and heating, ventilation and cooling, space utilization, utilities, trucking costs, andmanagement.Appendices include an Energy Conservation Checklist, Heat Loss Calculations, Useful Conversions, and Selected Product Manufacturers and Distributors.

Tables and diagrams throughout.

SHRUBS

Agriforest Bio-

Technologies

Bailey Nurseries

Van Noort Bulb

Willowbrook Nurseries

SNAPDRAGONS

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Syngenta Flowers

SPECIALTY ANNUALS

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

SUTERA (BACOPA)

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Syngenta Flowers

TISSUE CULTURE

Agriforest BioTechnologies

Harster Greenhouses

JVK

Norseco

OASIS® Grower Solutions

Syngenta Flowers

TOMATOES

Arysta LifeScience

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

Jumars Seeds

JVK

Norseco

PanAmerican Seed

Plant Products

Syngenta Flowers

TORENIA

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Syngenta Flowers

TREES

Agriforest BioTechnologies

Bailey Nurseries

Harster Greenhouses

Willowbrook Nurseries

TROPICAL PLANTS

Agriforest BioTechnologies

Fernlea Flowers

Harster Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

TULIPS

JVK

Van Noort Bulb

VEGETABLE PLANTS

Arysta LifeScience

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Syngenta Flowers

Van Noort Bulb

VEGETABLES

Arysta LifeScience

Fernlea Flowers

JVK

PanAmerican Seed

Plant Products

Syngenta Flowers

VERBENAS

Ball FloraPlant

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Syngenta Flowers

Van Noort Bulb

VINCAS

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

Jolly Farmer Products

JVK

Norseco

PanAmerican Seed

Syngenta Flowers

Van Noort Bulb

VINES

Arysta LifeScience

Bailey Nurseries

Fernlea Flowers

High Q Greenhouses

JVK

Norseco

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

Syngenta Flowers

Van Noort Bulb

Willowbrook Nurseries

WATERLILIES

Palace Perennials (Sipkens Nurseries)

WILDFLOWERS

JVK

Norseco

Syngenta Flowers

Van Noort Bulb

Willowbrook Nurseries

YUCCAS

Agriforest BioTechnologies

JVK

Van Noort Bulb

Willowbrook Nurseries

CLASSIFIED RATES: Minimum order $75.00 or 84¢ per word, word ads must be pre-paid. CLASSIFIED DISPLAYS: $72.00 per column inch, or $5.14 per agate line. GENERAL INFORMATION: Payment must accompany order. Copy required by the 1st of the month preceding publication. All advertising copy subject to the approval of the publisher. Send order and remittance to: Classified Dept., Greenhouse Canada, P.O. Box 530, 105 Donly Dr. S., Simcoe, ON N3Y 4N5

ADVERTISERS INDEX

INSIDE VIEW

GARY JONES | Gary.Jones@kpu.ca

A different kind of horticultural career

It’s finally happened. Wednesday October 17th 2018. A momentous day. The world celebrated the 5th anniversary of when Ashrita Furman balanced 100 ice cream scoops on a single cone.1 Oh, I nearly forgot: that same day the Canadian greenhouse industry was changed forever and the first ticket for ‘driving and toking’ was issued one hour into the new era of legalized recreational cannabis production in this country. In Winnipeg, if you’re interested. So, now what?

Frankly, I have pretty much no idea. Do you? I am probably not as qualified as many (maybe even most) in our industry to comment on specifics on the marijuana sector. I’m not operating a commercial greenhouse business. I am not producing cannabis products. I have no shares in marijuana companies – medical or recreational. But what I do know is that in all my career in horticulture I have never seen one crop change the industry so dramatically, so profoundly, so quickly. And I suspect I am not alone. We may never see the likes of this scale of ‘game changer’ again. But that’s getting too far into the future. This whole chapter seems to have made the future completely unpredictable anyways. Back to now.

Secondly, and very much aligned with the first topic, education at the school district level (particularly in BC) is itself undergoing a significant change. Learning is moving wholesale into ‘Project-Based Learning’ (PBL) methods. This will no doubt filter up through the educational establishment in the near future, and has potential to produce a different ‘type’ of high school graduate with different expectations of learning methods and outcomes. Some post-secondary institutions are reviewing their policies and procedures in the area of qualification through prior experience (‘competency-based’) rather than through formal credentials. This too opens up new opportunities for teaching and learning. But how will this affect the definition of ‘qualified horticulturist’ when it comes to obtaining production licences?

And thirdly, given the huge sums of dollars being invested into the greenhouse sector right now from companies who have, to date, been outside our sector, and the associated inflated grower salaries that are being talked about, how does this all shake down for the ability of those growing ‘regular’ food and ornamental crops to attract the next generation of growers and managers? I think, sadly, we probably already know the answer to this.

...I have never seen one crop change the industry so dramatically

One of the most significant effects we are all too aware of already is this crop’s effect on the horticultural labour market. There are simply not enough people to do the work. One company has already claimed to have destroyed a crop because they didn’t have enough people to finish the job. This affects me personally. In the world of education and training, cannabis is making conversations in a number of ways. Firstly, pretty much every post-secondary teaching institution is deciding (if they haven’t done so already) whether they should deliver a cannabis-specific crop production program, and if so, what format that may take. KPU has been offering Continuing Professional Studies (CPS) courses in the business and licensing of cannabis operations for some time. These are delivered online and are reaching a wide (global) audience. Some post-secondary institutions do already, and others may in the future, offer ministry-accredited (for credit) hands-on marijuana-specific production courses either standalone or as part of formal certificate, diploma or maybe even degree credentials.

“Ashrita [Furman, of the ice-cream cone fame] has set more than 700 official Guinness Records since 1979 and currently holds more than 200 standing records – including the official record for the most records held at the same time by an individual.”2 One thing is for sure. When, or is it ‘if’, the greenhouse sector ever comes back to some kind of normal, it has potential to be a very different kind of normal. The journey thus far has been a roller-coaster ride of Kingda Ka or Formula Rossa record-breaking proportions. It’s unlikely the ups and downs of October 17th 2018 are going to be any less up, down, slower or record breaking in the near future.

1 ‘The Old Farmer’s Almanac’, www.almanac.com/ calendar/date/2018-10-17

2 www.ashrita.com

Gary Jones is co-chair of horticulture at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Langley, BC. He sits on several industry committees and welcomes comments at Gary.Jones@kpu.ca.