THRIVE IN '05 - Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 May

180 people, 13 papers – Conference 2005 was a wonder meet

Days were sunny. The Gods were looking down on the IPPS, the exceptional late autumn days were ideal for conferencing and field trips and the New Zealand region annual event 12-15 May 2005 at Hotel Armitage went without a hitch. A few days later the heavens opened and Bay of Plenty got its worst weather-dump in decades.

The 180 registrations were encouraging -- a happy gathering and members were in great heart.

Former headmaster made-over brain guru Mike Scadden had the girls purring when he announced females have more active brains than males.

His “Brains and Plants – What do they have in common?” presentation revealed brains are like lemons, they have segments, are about 92% juice and a thick layer on top; like avocados they turn mushy in an accident, like broccoli they have thick stem and a like vegetables need heaps of water and lots of cultivating to keep them healthy. When body water levels drop brain neurons are killed off and “stressing-out” put the brain under severe pressure.

Drink plenty of water to keep your brain in good working condition; he said adding that brains smell like blue vein cheese, are 2% of body weight and use 20% of the energy created by the body.

Day Two, Black Friday (13th May), lived up to its name.

You got the feeling conference opening speaker Minister of Agriculture and Biosecurity,. Jim Sutton wasn’t interested nor listening when Dr Keith Hammet and Jim Douglas raised deep concerns horticulture has about plant import regulations and the impending changes. Guess his mind was on falling votes and if he would have a job after the 2005 election. They spoke about New Zealand becoming the laughing stock of the hort world with its Draconian biosecurity legislation now affecting Crown Research Institute projects and performance, most of NZ’s agricultural and horticultural businesses. That only two plant species both Australian grass trees had been OK’ed for import since the regulations were enforced (July 1998) and the huge support infrastructure created is a farce.

Congratulations Keith Hammett (paper: Unseen Consequences) and Jim Douglas (paper: Regulatory Barriers) for delivering exceptional cases for plant import relaxation and a complete legislation rethink. Is Government serious about the future of new crops and New Zealand ag/hort exports? Watching Jim Sutton “turn-off” during these presentations suggests No.

The Douglas/Follett paper on the effects of giberillic acid (GA) and cold stratification seed treatment for goldenseal seed suggested there is no substitute for fresh seed, that GA speeds up the process for some crops and to watch the temperatures for germinating cold climate species as combination strategies can assist radicle dormancy problems. In some cases harvest the seed before it’s completely ripe, they suggest.

An update on Cordyline cultivar tissue and germplasm culture (Jenny Aitken , The Tree Lab, Auckland) was an eye opener for native plant producers. The world is still getting to grips with green forms, just starting to try some of the spectacular selections now available and the she will be adding 20 new cultivars to the range in the near future. “We try anything challenging!” she says. It takes 12-18 months to get a new cultivar up and running. Clients are stipulating the grade they need (bushy or tall) and Jenny is in regular contact with an international network of labs waiting for new introductions.

Tissue is also playing a vital role in new vegetable crop selection and production, said Pam Fletcher (Crop& Food) and new yam and edible lily crops are under development. Keep and eye open for these.

A strong brand image is essential nowadays, said patent attorney Charlotte Henley outlining opportunities for nurseries and breeder to use branding and trade mark protection. “Once registered the owner has exclusive rights for 10 years in New Zealand and that can be extended.” Prior to registration applications go through similar, but shorter testing prior to registration, owners must police brand names and those failing to enforce violations so may find their brand/trade mark ownership under scrutiny. You can access current registered trade marks on the internet, she says

Roger Milne (Milnes Plant Link) punchy dissertation on plants from a client’s perspective left members in no doubt landscaper want different grades to retailers, don’t want marketing add-ons (labels and fancy pots), need larger grades and consistent AYR supplies for a limited range (listed elsewhere this issue). The newest, latest cultivars occasionally on his shopping list which he claims is often undersupplied. One recent order, for example required 500 x 45L, 2m high plants of one variety.

Chelsea gold medal winning landscape designer Trish Waugh talked about showcasing New Zealand native plants there and at the 2004 Ellerslie Flower Show. Members listened mesmerized by the trials and tribulations the team had mounting the London exhibit, that all plants had to be in seed or flower and a TV camera crew were breathing down their necks all-day, everyday leading up to the opening.

Crop & Food’s John Seelye outlined the attributes of the superior Calla and that they are second only to cymbidium orchids in flower export receipts but we are in danger of loosing supply status as 6million tissue originated plants are initiated in India annually. Kenya, Ecuador, Holland are stealing out thunder. The superior calla will out-perform all others from propagation to vase life. Each step in the cycle of is under breeder scrutiny - improving colours, flower shape, flower production performance, disease resistance, there are14 cultivars PVR’d and another 47 new applications. Callas are easy to grow and deserve wider use in local landscaping-- nurseries, retailer’s opportunities await you.

PVR officer Chris Barnaby answer to “you have a new variety” outlined the pitfalls of not planning registration well in advance. “You have a year to lodge the application from the first international sale.” He is very happy to help especially for US registrations where timing is critical. Proposed law changes are held up by the Wai 262 claim, environmental and variety derivation issues.

Mark McNeil (Agricultural Research, Lincoln) said invertebrate and weed movement between the North and South Islands is concerning; Duncan Burns believes it’s rethink-time for some agrichemicals; Peter Savory (Netafim) questioned nursery irrigation uniformity and outlining hot new crops for Europe,

Watch for Gaillardia Fanfare and Convolvulus Moroccan Beauty says Robert Bett (Lyndale Liners) outlining the superiority, especially of the latter in his hot new plants slide presentation.

“Six million Fanfare sold in the USA last year. Can we beat that?” he asked. Tubular petals. Orange and red. A stunner.

Lavender blue Moroccan Beauty is “new genetics out of Australia. Dwarf, lower growing and it flowers all over rather than on the tips as does its parent, sabatius. It’s totally different,” he said. Lyndale’s new introductions under trial are impressive.

Guest speaker Mary Ann Lila (Professor, Natural Resources & Environmental Studies, University of Illinois, USA) said harassing berryfruits like blueberries (and others) increases fruit flavinoides -- those anti-oxidants and bio-antibotics that assist human health and increases resistance to cancer and other diseases. Members lapped up this cutting edge horticultural technology presentation. Makes you wonder if a little stress during plants production would be beneficial to ornamentals -- at least it would harden plants for their new environment.

Mark Dean (Naturally Native) outlined Bay of Plenty’s active, extensive coastal revegetation and water runoff purification programmes for wetlands and harbour margins. Naturally Native nursery has increased production, opened up a large new block at the nursery, increased mother stock plantings, is working on numerous new introductions and mother stock, display and saleable stock of its latest golden Libertia looks fabulous.

Joe Dawkins/Shirley Sparks Te Puna Quarry Park presentation prepared delegates for the 32ha park visit. Tauranga bound? Put this spot on the itinerary…the plant collection is impressive and wide ranging, so are works of art scattered throughout and the children’s path tiles are very creative… only eight years young this mammoth project is attracting native, rhododendron, S Hemisphere plant lovers and their website gets frequent visits.

Here IPPS members attending the recent Tauranga Conference report on the sessions and field trips. We thank them for their contributions on your behalf:

The Opening sessions
By Fred Allen

The Honourable Mr Jim Sutton, Minister for Agriculture opened the 2005 conference and his speech was followed by a paper by Crop & Food Research plant scientist Jim Douglas, who outlined the ‘regulatory barriers to development of new crops’ under the current Biosecurity and HASNO Acts.

Jim said 64% of New Zealand $28.7billion exports are from exotic species; native species exports are minimal and NZ is famous it’s for development of exotic crops. The key need, therefore, is to be able to bring new plant material into New Zealand and that current regulatory barriers are affecting small business.

Government policy says “innovate, innovate” but if a species is not on the MAF list, then it is not, in MAF eyes, considered in the country.

There are 27,000 plants on the Biosecurity List. It’s estimated 40,000 species are in the country therefore MAF doesn’t know what plants are in NZ. No economic species has been brought into NZ in 7 years and only two applications, both Australian grass tree species, have been processed so far.

One IPPS member commented, “With 422,000 species in the world, and less than 40,000 in NZ, the current regulatory regime is short of madness”

Veronica Hurarah presented the Gerald Clover (MAF) paper ‘Plant Import Requirements’ in which
he reasoned the Acts meet International World Trade Organisation Agreements and their purpose is to exclude/eradicate new pests and diseases by establishing import requirements (Biosecurity Standards) to protect the health of New Zealand’s biodiversity.

MAF wishes to receive further comments to refine their Health Standards i.e. What are the effects a particular pest on a particular plant import. They also wish to analyse information, draft import criteria and set treatments for the management of pests.

Our industry (level two) can import 299 species of 188 genera (excluding bulbs) and 200,000 cuttings have been imported pa.

Interceptions of Pest and Diseases at the border so far are 900, of this there were 167 Dracaena interceptions in the last year.

Dr Libby Harrison (ERMA entomologist) claimed they manage ‘Deliberate Introductions of Environmental Organisms.’ (Her paper title) and that an ERMA Board makes final decisions on introductions of which only two species of Xanthorrhoea have been introduced.

The Board (authority and science panel) determines the benefits of an introduction against adverse effects and costs.

Any species not present in NZ before 1998 must be approved before it can be imported. She says help is available for pre-application research but it costs $30,000 per organism even though ERMA carries 50% of burden. Even when the application is granted importers still have to make a MAF application which can extend the application process up to six years.

Dr Keith Hammett addressed the Minister directly and highlighted the previous three speakers’ and the regulatory policy effects on our propagation industry and breeding opportunities. “As a small global village, we have a responsibility for global sustainability. We are Noah’s Ark for world biodiversity and require germ plasma to create something new.”

Keith claimed this local gene pool is degenerating continually and breeders require overseas material for benchmark comparisons.

He used the analogy of the South African Rugby Team isolated during Apartheid. When they resumed international competition, their development had not matched that of competitor countries. “We are no longer able to compete with international plant breeders in the fields that require new introductions.”

My opinion on the morning session is that it was made the more interesting by the strong, authoritative response by Dr Keith Hammett. I didn’t take many notes as I was riveted by his talk. I remember the word fascist and it may have been attached to the government, and I observed the Minister looking away and downward from the speaker. Malcolm Woolmore, moderated an interesting session very well.

Sunday morning sessions
By Jo Bonner Naturally Native

Landscape designer Trish Waugh showcased New Zealand native plant use at the Chelsea Flower Show gold medal winning exhibit that created so much publicity for New Zealand and gardening.

The concept was based a slice of New Zealand, from the central North Island out to Chatham Islands. It was 10 years in the making with the first attempts withdrawn because of under-funding and a change in leadership.

The garden was promoted as the garden of well-being, guardianship and included cultural elements, a hot mineral spring, a cave for the spirits to hide in, birdcalls, and traditional Maori instruments.

Fourteen hundred plants were used in total, with 1000 sourced in the UK, and 400 sent over from New Zealand. Most plants were sourced came from Devon and Cornwall (UK) with the tree ferns and softer species originating from London. A nursery was found to look after the plants from New Zealand when they arrived, Southdowns Nurseries in West Sussex.

Plants sent from New Zealand included Tecomanthe speciosa, Rimu, Titoki, Corokia Silver Ghost, Metrosideros Red Carpet, Astelia Alpine Ruby, Carex trifida and Dracophyllum species.

Problems included UK import regulations stating plants were to have no flowers or seed when brought into the country, a Chelsea requirement that every plant must be in flower or seed and plants had to be tricked into flowering out of season. Some flowered twice in 6 months.

An Australian team who were also creating a garden nearby on the site were well-organised and even brought a cook with them -- who was well used by the NZ team.

The site was very wet with 4 days continuous rain. As the exhibit developed TV cameras arrived with megaphones and noise volumes built to very high levels.

Six million pounds were spent on creating Chelsea Flower Gardens that year. The NZ Garden cost UK100,000 pounds to create

The parting thought from Trish was “We are all in the same whaka, we just need to paddle in the same direction”

Roger Milne (Milne’s Plant Link) spoke on “Making the most out of what you grow, a clients perspective”.

Roger’s company started in 1993 when he had trouble sourcing and supplying plants for landscape jobs and he worked from home until 1996 when it became clear more room and staff was required.

Milne’s Plant Link now employs six staff and purchases plants from nurseries for supply to clients.

Points made to nurseries:
Nurseries need to understand that Landscape grade is not a current concept and it must be the best stock
Nurseries need also to be available, always answer the phone and fax communications
Lists need to be alphabetical, updated weekly and indicate the quantities available
Prices need to be the landed price (freight included)
Coloured pots and pretty multi labels not required Master label only required
Landscapers should not bare the costs of washing pots, or multi labels and coloured pots.
Consistency of supply, this is the single biggest problem for the nursery. Roger pointed out that Sanitarium never runs out of Weetbix!
Labels should indicate the conditions plants have been grown in “Beware, out of shade-house, or light sensitive” etc
Changes in pruning, hedging plants should be tall and thin, (landscapers) not short and fat (retail)

Plants that always sell out at the peak of season are: Rosmarinus prostrata, green and black Mondo, Choisya ternata, Eugenia ventenatii, Syagrus romm., Agave attenuata, Convolvulus cneorum, Clivia minita and grandiflora, Camelia Setsugueka, Griselinia littoralis and lucida , Cordyline australis, Nikau palms, Irisene herbstii, Trachelospernum jasminoides, Phormium cookianum green and dwarf.

Roger stresses this is not a list of plants all nurseries should grow but nurseries wishing to supply the landscape market should treat lines like commodities and those growing consistently good grades and always have plants available will get consistent orders.

Mark Dean (Naturally Native NZ Plants & Natural Environments, Tauranga) gave members a run-down on Tauranga wetland and harbour margin revegetation.

Naturally Native started growing plants for revegetation in 1983.Tauranga City’s first revegetation planting was Johnson Reserve in 1984.

Plant Standards were developed in 2000 to provide the clients and customers with guidelines ensuring consistent quality. Eco sourcing, sourcing of seeds and other plant material in such a way that the genetic diversity of the local population is maintained is important.

In October 2001 the Tauranga District Council approached Naturally Native to organise planting for Matua Salt March Storm Water Retention ponds which were under development. The company grew the plants, managed the planting program.

A local business, CGC Landscaping did the planting under contract and to plant an island in the middle of the wetland the workers had to row men and supplies to work in a boat.

Naturally Native is also involved in the revegetation of Mt Maunganui (Mauao) as a result of a fire in 2003. A chute was built from iron and timber to slide the plants down to their planting location.

Tauranga subdivisions are burgeoning -- 50 people per week are moving into the city, buildings are covering the higher ground and marginal land is being developed into reserves. Flood relief and wetland zones have been identified around the city and are being planted to help process storm water and run-off. Swamp species, Carex secta, Cordyline australis and open wetland species, Juncus spp and manuka are key species.

Overseas speaker MaryAnn Lila (Illinois University, USA) paper ‘How to Harass a Berry (and why would you want to)” featured blueberry examples.

She said harassing blue berries by putting them under stress results in plants producing products that are more beneficial to humans. Blue berries contain bio-flavanides, anti-oxidants and anti-biotics that promote human health and help reduce infection and cancer.

Testing the berries’ qualities on rats has shown that they live longer in low oxygen levels and have improvement in endurance.

Russians have been experiments with the blue berries for military and sport endurance qualities.
Growers need to place the berry plants under stress to increase important bio-flavinoides in higher concentrations, she said.

Friday 13th Evening

This was a truly black affair with occasional flashes of red and gold (Hurricane supporters) or was it just the lure of having ladies paint various parts of the body?

A loved and respected peer, Eddie Welsh is plainly wasted in our chosen profession. Whether it was pure thespian zest or the result of a long hidden recessive gene, Eddie, made up in black paint, and sounding like he’d just emerged from the Mississippi Delta, presided over the evening with warmth, wit and skill aided by Nicola ‘There’s no Rosemary on my doorstep’ Rochester.

Teams participated in a trivial quiz, with questions about plants and superstition, or both. I can’t remember the name of the winning team, but think the losing one was called ‘The Beer Bottles’, aptly named because they were obviously all empty from the neck up.

A lively auction followed, resulting in the buyer of the mystery prize vowing to stay silent next time, and a worthy sum being raised for the IPPS scholarship.

A big thanks to the sponsors and other contributors. Everybody had great fun, which proves there are no triskaidekaphobics in the IPPS.

Session two papers:
Report by Tony Ho

Moderator Jeff Elliot informed us IPPS International Director; John Follett was unable to present his paper due to illness. Co-author Jim Douglas (Food &Crop) made the presentation on the effects of gibberillic acid and cold stratification on the germination of goldenseal seed.

Recognized as a medicinal plant and due to shortage of plants, Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis, Ranunculaceae family) has been listed as endangered species under CITES agreement. It is a NE America forest native found in deep shade and free drainage moist soil and it seeds freely.

Waikato production trials found Goldenseal can be propagated from seed and rhizome division (the most reliable method) and tissue. Germination is slow and difficult, seed treatment included soaking fresh and stratification to break dormancy, is slow (up in 180 days), but gibberillic acid treatment will speed up the process and results in about 61% germination.

Jenny Aitken (The Tree Lab) briefly outlined her company that specializes in the commercial tissue culture propagation of trees and woody plants for the global market often using
organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis techniques. Her range includes 83 species and 248 cultivars.

Cordyline australis, terminalis, kaspar and pumilio and cultivars have been successfully developed to meet the global demand. Cultivar demand is growing and the current range includes Red Fountain, Albertii, Sundance, Green Goddess, Purple Tower and Red Star.

Jenny also revealed that 11 new cultivars have been developed to be released over the next 1-3 years. Her overview included her costing structure, greenhouse facilities, high quality plants and good practices for improving ex-lab growth and reducing losses. Time was allowed for questions.

Pam Fletcher (Crop & Food Research) spoke on tissue culture for new crops research and development …. Work she teamed up with John Follett and John Fletcher to do.

Pam’s paper highlighted virus testing, in vitro-virus elimination, marketing protection, range germplasm, biosecurity and close quarantine requirements for Oca (Oxalis tuberosa), Ulluco (Ullucus tuberosus), Arracacha (Arracacia xanthorrhiza), Mountain yam (Diosceria opposita).

Imported Oca was found to be infected with virus. The method of micropropagation and a protocol of in-vitro virus elimination were performed by stem nodal sections and a combination of a growth medium + ribavirin… 50mg (L). A combination of heat and light treatments successfully eliminated the virus and plants are under field trial.

Patent attorney, Charlotte Henley, discussed strong brands and summarised trade mark and registration for New Zealand. It’s a four stage programme: (1) selection, (2) protection, (3) use and (4) enforcement.

Selection: A trade mark can often referred as a “brand” or “logo” or “goods or services” or a combination of both. Strong marks (Kodak, Adidas) are creative, distinctive and protect the products and reputation of the business.

Protection: Trade Mark applications are made to IPONZ. Once registered a Trade Mark protects for an initial period of 10 years and is renewable every 10 years, indefinitely.

Usage & Enforcement: A registered Trade Mark ensures a statutory monopoly. Infringers can be sued.

IPONZ contact details: www. Iponz.govt.nz. Info-line 0508 4 IPONZ (0508 447 669)

Brains and Plants
Report by Annette Officer

Mike Scadden explained the brain is 92% water, dehydration stresses the brain and water, the only thing the body doesn't have to digest, is very important. Even when using a computer we should drink more water, he claims.

We divided into groups and discussed what the brain and lemons, broccoli and blue vein cheese have in common. This had the room buzzing.

Mike believes breakfast should be a substantial meal. Gone are the days when cereal is the most important food source first thing in the morning. Go back to bacon and eggs, mince on toast etc to provide more energy, he said.

One quote Mike left with us was: “If we keep on using the same teaching strategy and the student keeps failing, who is the slow learner?” He emphasized “if you don't look after yourself you can't look after others” -- exercise, meditate, garden and find something you enjoy stimulating your brain.

Mike said organ transplant recipients can inherit memories from the donor.
Get the best out of today, live the present not in the past but learn from the past and anticipate the future. Have a clear purpose in life that you enjoy. This will help benefit mankind.

Saturday Field Trips
By Helen Johnson

Gemma Currin’s large garden was an inspiration of layout, design and uses of Mondo Grass and topiary. Her Chess Board was great.

NZ Flax Hybridisers was an insight into Phormium colours and varieties available, a number being grown for the cut foliage markets in NZ and overseas. The owners stated they have business acumen, but did not have nursery experience so call on experts where required.

Kereru Gardens, a family business run by English expats, includes a nursery and propagation area The nursery is open to the public two days ONLY a week, they had a vast tree, shrub and perennial range all in PB2s which sell for $2.50 each.

Naturally Native produces a vast range of native plants in various grades there had been new developments in drainage and the nursery uses specially designed containers for growing plants in water.

... and in a little more detail ... Field trips - BOP nurseries win high praise from peers

Tauranga growers showcasing their nurseries to the IPPS conference -- take a bow, your range, grades, maintenance, new innovations, pest and weed control came under close peer scrutiny and all eight properties scored high praise.

Heart-warming describes Tharfield Nurseries’new operation for Incredible Edible production. Owner/manager Andrew Boylan’s specialty fruit crop production produces blueberries, guavas, kiwifruit, avocados and numerous other subtropicals.

IPPS members soon demolished the ripening feijoas on mother stock.. a great opportunity to taste-test new and established cultivars and see crop regimes.

Raised beds throughout signalled a deep understanding of root pruning and disease control. An outdoor heating/frost control unit (shade house) had members intrigued.

Staff were bench-grafting bagged stock, assembling and packing orders and the
1000s of young plants in batches, blocked up, uniform and healthy are testimony to Andrew’s success in specialist niche production.

Mike and Wendy Riordan, new owners of specialist NZ native seedling plug nursery Forevergreen opened up their very neat, tidy, systems-based operation for the first time. Everything has a position, place and purpose, even watering cans.

The mother stock plantings around the perimeter are not only a great landscape feature and worth seeing because they indicate size and habit of the selections in production, they double as seed and cutting sources and a couple of young girls were harvesting Cordyline seed for Oasis tray system production --- one of the few operating in New Zealand

Forevergreens new cold frames were joy to see. Few nurseries still use these cost effective structures. Mike’s design boasted numerous innovations. Expect good things from this operation in the future.

Like their seasonal catalogues Ian & Barb Duncalf’s Parva Plants specialty mail order nursery is a wonderful plantsman operation, their enthusiasm for sourcing new introductions never stops and range runs in tandem with world trends.

Several things impressed -- new Alstroemeria colours and a recent variegated release, a variegated fuchsia along the lines of Gardenmeister Bonstedt, a new Tradescantia, violas and frilled and coloured succulents not yet seen in retail outlets.

A succulents in wall pots display showed still unexploited opportunities for wall decoration.

The landscaped T&Sgarden/ perennial stock beds at the rear of the nursery are a treasure trove for plant enthusiasts.

Former Ace Mondo nursery owner, Gemma Currin, has jumped the fence, set up a superb new garden and topiary nursery on an adjoining block and although not yet complete IPPS member mouths dropped at the innovations already in place.

Set in a landscape garden there’s lots of experimenting going on here. Topiary Hymenosporum, Casuarina, Eugenia short variegated and tall, trachylospermum on heart shaped frames and cones, mini mondo underplantings on selected pieces, unusual containers and plant combos and dome shaped pittos.

This small specialist production operation is a reminder of some of the boutique nurseries in Japan which create very unusual plants that fetch premium dollars.

New Zealand Flax Hybridisers new owner David King’s investment in raised landscape display gardens featuring recent and popular Phormium cultivars is impressive, idea provoking and announces this company has a good marketing plan, knows where its going and is going places. A white marble mulch on the gardens sets this iconic plant’s colours off, makes them bold, dramatic and fashionable.

David’s new red and black logo “NZ Flax” has a real emotional kiwi ambience.

Regimented blocks of even grades, great bands of colour, fresh multi-pup plants, weed free borders and weed mat beds – few failed to be wowed by this unispecies nursery – it’s going places.

Mark and Esme Dean’s Naturally Native NZ (NN) nursery has been in expansion mode over spring-summer-autumn -- a huge terraced new block has been bought into production ready for winter-spring 2005 sales.

There are few better sights than big blocks of kiwi species and cultivars in autumn. Great grades.

And there’s no shortage of new cultivars under trial in the wings -- several selections look to have outstanding potential and NN’s new Libertia release Goldfinger is indeed a magnificent breakthrough in this exciting genera.

A potting shed graph showed major monthly production increases right through to May 2005. Yes, despite what some folk might claim New Zealand natives remain on a roll.

Te Puna Quarry Park’s ever-expanding collections are unique and a must if you intend heading BOP way -- a great place for plant pics, views over BOP orchardlands to the sea and to see New Zealand, Australian and South African natives and cultivars set among bush and stone. Heaps of garden art everywhere with wonderful touches or humour dotted throughout.

The early plantings are half matured. Expect to see the unexpected, to meet up with old favourites and new releases and allow at least 2 hours to see all at a brisk pace. You will need longer to explore the 22 hectares thoroughly.

The social scene

Black Friday the 13th theme evening’s main event, a trivial pursuit’s team game run by Eddie Welsh and Nicola Rochester was a hoot. Those who thought they knew their onions were soon under pressure and found their depth of knowledge on many topic a little lacking. Hats and fun items were dished out to top scoring teams. Great fun!

Auctioneer Peter Waugh, whose services are in demand at Australian, Japanese and NZ conferences, had fun extracting eager and reluctant and from an enthusiast gathering. Large plants fetched large prices. Many a record price was set during the evening and near $2800 was raised to assist conference costs…. a day out fishing on Daltons boat was keenly competed for, so were Scotts jackets and Blue Mountain Nurseries orchid bulbs.

Saturday’s Mount Maunganui Golf Club dine and dance was packed to capacity. Gerry and his band had arthritic hips gyrating, the famous BOP fare disappeared quickly and a few never appeared to hear Sunday session papers.

The Awards Dinner was held in the pleasant surroundings of the Tauranga Golf Club. A sumptuous buffet was followed by the awards.

In a moving ceremony John Follett’s words were passed on. John’s wishes are for the IPPS (NZ) to keep two promises – “don’t lose the fun” and “don’t lose the party out of propagation”.

John Follett’s Award of Honour, presented personally at home at Hamilton earlier that day was recognized during the evening and sadly we report, John, who bravely fought cancer passed away several weeks later.

Murray Mannall presented three Awards of Recognition on behalf of John.

• In recognition for the long term role model example of seeking and sharing with the IPPS, Gus Evans
• In recognition for the dedicated and efficient duties as Treasurer, Shirley Ogilvy , and
• In recognition for his leadership, Grant Hayman.

Congratulations and thank you for your dedication. There then followed a slide show of a few recent photos of John and other members and from there on the band, the company and “atmosphere” fulfilled John’s wishes of both party and fun.

Tauranga Conference Sponsors. An Apology

I would like to apologise to INFOSERVICES OF LINCOLN (They write the nursery software hortbase ) who were a major sponsor along with Mark It Labels on the Thursday night. I did not include them in dispatches or on the folders. Thank you INFOSERVICES OF LINCOLN for your support and I trust you will get good feed back from your display stand at the conference.
We as a society appreciate your contributes towards the Tauranga conference.
Ray Lawson 1st Vice President