2011 - Napier - IPPS 40th Celebration Conference

"Propagation as it should be"

2011 Conference Papers

Terry Hatch – What's hot in the UK

Recently back from a trip to the UK, Terry Hatch took us on a journey through England in the spring time with some amazing images, including some from the World Conference for Rock Gardening and visits to Wisley and Beth Chatto's garden.

The English had just come out of a cold winter with temperatures getting to –26 degrees. New Zealand natives did not stand this well with Hebe's, Pittosporum's, Phormium's and Cordyline's succumbing. Kauri and Nikau Palms did alright.

Some of the plants Terry highlighted in his talk were Trilliums, Primroses, Cowslips, Bergenias, Fritileria , Snowflakes, Ornamental oxalis, Daphnes, Narcissus and Lewisias. Some of the more interesting plants showed were Erythronium (Dog's tooth violet), Skunk cabbage, a double flowering gorse with an amazing scent, a dark flowering Chanomeles and a dark foliaged Cardiocrinum.

A sport of Hebe albicans with a strong pink hue to the foliage was also a novelty shown.

Terry's talk got a few people interested in visiting the UK in the spring!

Dr Paul Fisher – Water management in propagation

An ex-pat kiwi now working at the University of Florida, Dr Paul Fisher spoke on water management in propagation and emphasised key points such as how much to water and when and water quality.
How much to water can be determined by running leaching tests and Paul showed us a simple way of determining leaching from trays. Excess leaching needs to be avoided as it wastes water and nutrients.

We also got an overview of 'how wet is wet' using five stages of wetness in growing media. Excess moisture at night causes disease and air being important in propagation media were two other important points made.

Paul also showed some of the tests required to check water quality, including alkalinity (measure of dissolved lime) and EC – electrical conductivity and concluded that water management is like a bank. There are deposits coming in and withdrawals going out and problems start occurring when deposits don't match withdrawals.

An important website to check out is www.watereducationalliance.org

Dr Andrew Tait – NIWA

Dr Andrew Tait gave an overview of the climate information available off the NIWA website, much of it free, that growers can use to make decisions in their businesses.

http://cliflo.niwa.co.nz is the website for the national climate database. Here you can access data from various weather stations around New Zealand and specify the time frame required.

http://climate-explorer.niwa.co.nz provides line plots and maps of climate data. At a national level it is free; otherwise access is by subscription.

www.niwa.co.nz/ncc is the National Climate Centre which provides general climate information and resources. You can sign up for a free newsletter on climate outlook.

Hayden Foulds – Rose virus and virus like diseases: why bother?

Hayden Foulds spoke on his passion away from work: roses and the virus and virus-like diseases which affect them. Such diseases became rife in New Zealand in the 1960's and only through the dedicated efforts of the like of John Simpson and Dr Phil Gardner were such diseases progressively eliminated from nursery production – or were they?

Prunus Neucrotic Ringspot, Petal Fleck and Colourbreak are all such diseases that affect roses in New Zealand; the latter two are virus-like since their causal agent has not been identified. All those present got to see what they look like, how they affect roses and how they spread.

Why should we bother? Hayden presented some research into flower numbers which showed plants free of virus produced 30% more blooms than infected ones. He also showed clean plants weighed more and had more prunings taken off them than infected plants. There is still much work to be done and Hayden highlighted some areas that required further investigation.

Jim Rumbal – Azalea mollis: a window of opportunity

From 44 years at Duncan & Davies, Jim Rumball presented an overview of propagating Azalea mollis from cuttings and how timing is essential to getting a good result.

The development of mist propagation revolutionised the propagation of mollis, which had previously been grafted or grown from seed. With cutting propagation, it is essential to get the timing right, too early or too late results in poor rooting.

Cuttings are taken of new growth from healthy, vigorous plants. In New Plymouth, this was around mid – late November depending on the season. Cuttings are taken 10 – 12cm in length, wounded and planted in trays with media 50% peat and 50% prop grade perlite.

Cuttings will form roots in 8 – 10 weeks; however this presents another challenge in managing day length. Cuttings require supplementary lighting over the winter months to keep them active and growing before potting up.

Ian Fankhauser – Cracking the code to Magnolia grandiflora propagation

From stock bed management through to getting the best out of growing on lines, Ian Fankhauser gave an overview of propagating the evergreen Magnolia grandiflora in its various forms.

Stock plants are pruned hard on a 3 year rotation then trimmed again lightly the succeeding years. Juvenility is the key to producing good cuttings.

Cuttings are taken in May into June when wood matured. 3 leaf cuttings are taken with a 6 – 8 calliper. It is important that the tip is leaf, and not, flower bud.

Leaves are reduced in size and a single, substantial wound is made. Cuttings are dipped in 5000 ppm IBA and inserted into a bark-based media. Intermittent mist is used and under floor heating to 18-20 degrees. Humidity needs to be watched at this time as botrytis can cause problems.

It takes about 16 weeks for roots to form and plants are potted into a 12cm space saver. Although this takes up more room, it does give a good grade liner to sell. Plants are kept under crop cover for 10 – 12 weeks and then hardened off for another 12 weeks or so.

Brett Harris – IPPS New Zealand/Japan exchange

Brett Harris travelled to Japan last year as our exchange recipient and reported on his experiences as he travelled around Japan. A full report was included in the February 2011 IPPS newsletter.

Among Brett's experiences was being hosted by the Ohuchi family (Shiginari Ohuchi was the Japanese exchange reciepient present in Blenheim 2010) and their business growing cymbidium orchids, table grapes and aloe vera.

He was then hosted by the Uchida family where he got to prune fig trees and do some landscaping which three hours work was charged at the equivalent of NZ$2500.

Brett then travelled to the IPPS Japanese region conference in Nagoya which included a day of presentations and another dedicated to a bus trip to a flower marker, cyclamen nursery and a plastic pot factory.

Before heading home, Brett visited a bonsai museum and also attended the IFEX expo where he picked up many interesting ideas.

Since his return, Brett has secured the position of Production Manager at ANZA Nurseries in Queensland and the New Zealand region of IPPS wishes him well in his new role.

Conference Four Pack

Once again, the Four Pack was a feature of the IPPS conference which included our Japanese exchange student. They were a great help at conference this year, often working behind the scenes to make conference a success. As part of being the four pack, they receive a one year membership to IPPS and we hope we see them in the future at IPPS events.

Conference 2012 is a while off yet but once again, IPPS are looking for enthusiastic and passionate people to help with running the conference.

So if you know someone who has been in the industry less than five years and is studying or has just finished studying in some form of horticulture, consider nominating them for the four pack. Contact Jeff Elliott (Ph 03 314 9049 or email jeff.elliott@clear.net.nz) for further information or an application form.

Alana Lusty
I moved from Wellington to Taupo after completing a Bachelor of Arts with a film major. I had a complete turn-around career wise and decided to work with plants, thus pursuing a job at Palmer's Gardenworld. After a couple of months I was promoted to Assistant Manager. My passion for plants growing rapidly, I wanted to learn more about the horticultural side of the industry than the retail side could offer. Hearing about the Taupo Native Plant Nursery through a friend, I applied for the propagator’s job advertised at the time.

I have now been working at Taupo Native Plant Nursery for nearly three years. Juliette Curry, the Propagation Manager has been my main mentor. Juliette has been an inspiration to me. In true IPPS spirit, Juliette readily imparts her knowledge and passion for plants.

I am currently doing an Apprenticeship at Taupo Native Plant Nursery through HITO and am in the process of achieving a Level 3 Certificate in Horticulture.

I have attended several IPPS field trips, including completing the Tongariro Crossing in 2010. They are always an immense amount of fun as well as being great learning experiences. Packed with the frivolity, wisdom and passion of plant people, I look forward to attending many more!

Derek Hudson
I am currently a second-year apprentice in the plant propagation nursery of the Dunedin Botanic Garden. Horticulture is a late career change for me, having spent over 20 years in teaching and although the financial return is lower, it's great that the plants don't argue with me or talk back. I'm looking forward to helping with the running of this year's IPPS conference, meeting with members and hopefully learning more about propagation.

Vladimir Miller
I am 18yrs old and in the third year of my Amenity Horticulture apprenticeship with the Wellington City Council. My passion is nursery work and during my apprenticeship as well as other depots, I have been fortunate to spend time working at the Berhampore and the Botanic Gardens Nurseries. I am looking forward to conference to learn more and am grateful for the opportunity.