Dealing With The Underground Economy pg 10 - Hortwest Magazine article by Rick Cleghorn

Retailers meet marketing challenges

Landscapers cope with underground economy

Pest management hot topic at Growers’ Short Course

BCLNA partners up to offer online training

B&W Greenhouses.indd 1 1/22/09 2:47:41 PM

Sanitize with certaintySanitization can be very costly if not done effectively.

Money does grow on trees!Be confident that your pots, trays or styroblocks are

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Benefits

If your sanitization method leaves you uncertain, then it's definitely time to make a change.

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Sanitize with certaintySanitization can be very costly if not done effectively.

Money does grow on trees!Be confident that your pots, trays or styroblocks are

the cleanest they can be from the start. A diseasefree environment creates disease free plants.

Benefits

If your sanitization method leaves you uncertain, then it's definitely time to make a change.

Iotron Technologies Corp

www.Iotron.com

Iotron Technologies 2/17/05 7:57 AM Page 1

HortWest November 2010

On the cover: BCLNA members visited VanDusen Gardens to take part in the workshop, Taking Amazing Landscape Photographs, offered by Martin Mosko and Alxe Noden. This photo was shot by Dr. Alan Reid, a professor at the University of the Fraser Valley, and GardenWorks™ horticulturist.

HortWestMANAGING EDITOR Renata TriveriADVERTISING Cheryl LeeTel: (604) 574-7772 ext 110Fax: (604) 574-7773

HortWest is the newsletter of the BC Landscape & Nursery Association. For further information, contact us at:Suite 102, 5783-176A StreetSurrey, BC, Canada V3S 6S6Tel: (604) 574-7772Fax: (604) 574-7773

HortWest is owned by the BC Landscape & Nursery Association, and is published 10 times a year. Views expressed inside do not necessarily reflect the attitudes of the Association, but are those of the writer concerned. Material may not be reprinted from this magazine without consent of the publisher. All advertising and editorial material are to be received one month in advance of mail out date.

HortWest is mailed under Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement N. 0288608. This magazine is printed in Canada by Globe Printers.

BCLNA DIRECTORYEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Lesley Tannen ext 106CANWEST / MARKETING MANAGER Karen De Jong ext 112EXHIBITOR RELATIONS / SPECIAL EVENTS Barb Nelson ext 115GROWER ISSUES Hedy Dyck ext 105CLEAN PLANTS Christine Rainer ext 102LANDSCAPE RETAIL ISSUES Krista Manton ext 104HORT BASICS TRAINING Ann Marie Walsh ext 108HORT BASICS ASSISTANT Joy DeMelo ext 101SALES MANAGER Cheryl Lee ext 110PROJECTS ASSISTANT Ina Chang ext 100FINANCE MANAGER Marvyn Brown ext 107ACCOUNTING / ADMIN Heidi Henderson ext 109

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Ruth Olde, President,B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association


Board Synopsis

The committee met with 14 cross-commodity members and staff to develop the priorities for BCLNA’s communication to the public, and throughout the trade.

CanWest exhibitors were positive about the new venue, and enjoyed the ease of the move-in and move-out process. Attendance and number of exhibiting companies were both up from the previ-ous year. Despite an excellent seminar series and response to the CanWest speakers, attendance at the educational events was lower than anticipated.

Certification Chair, Cable Baker, indi-cated that there were 30 candidates par-ticipating in the October 22 and 23 Landscape Industry Certified exams. Results were not available at time of print, but will

be published in the next issue of HortWest.

Chair, Jeff Foley, announced that BCLNA is on track for reaching its budgeted membership reve-nues. Membership revenue comprises approximately 21 per cent of BCLNA’s annual operating budget.

The Environment portfolio was respon-sible for providing a survey to members regarding a change to BCLNA’s stance on pesticide use. Approximately 73 per cent of respondents supported the following statement:

BCLNA supports the reduction of pesticide use in the urban landscape in accordance with government legislation and science-based IPM principles when provided by provincially certi-fied or accredited licensees.

The Western Regional Nursery Association Executives met during CanWest. All are concerned with maintain-ing service levels as members go out of business or struggle to trim expenses. Most reported that the retail segment is stable but not flourishing. Oregon has instituted a program for the conservation of water and resources, and has published a comprehen-sive booklet for producers. Arizona has introduced a ‘Plant Something’ campaign and has created a pamphlet to outline the benefits gained by plants. Colorado produc-ers were being encouraged to participate in the LEAN program.

The Jane Stock Foundation continues to await approval of its charitable status. The board of the foundation have been advised that this can be an extremely lengthy process.

Moving along the continuum

I would like my last message as presi-dent to be insightful and informed, summing up all that has happened in the past two years and provid-ing clarity and

philosophical insight into what is in store.

However, aside from my own inability to do that, you are more than able to assess what has happened, and provide your own vision for the future.

In the last few years, everything has changed and nothing has changed, and—regardless of where we are on the contin-uum—I believe what I read the other day to be true. “Neither success nor failure are ever final”.

I have heard glowing reports about the array of CanWest seminars this year, and I was able to attend Building Sustainable Landscapes. I am inspired, and struck, once again, with the knowl-edge that there is much to do, and undo. It is easy to become over-whelmed, but as with everything in life, it is the little things we do consistently every day that make a huge difference over time. We all know what those things are; we just need reminders of their importance and the ease with which they could become habits in our lives and our businesses.

So I thank each and every one of you for being members of the BCLNA and for working hard for the betterment of the industry. Please get involved to the full extent that you can, and con-tinue to encourage others to take

advantage of the opportunities mem-bership affords.

You are in good hands. You have a strong and dedicated board of directors, an eager and astute executive director, and a tal-ented and committed staff.

As for me, sincere thanks for the opportu-nity to serve as President. Life is good—and the only way out… is up!

BCLNA’s membership voted in a new board at the November 5 Annual General Meeting. Watch for details in the coming Friday Files, and in the December issue of HortWest.

Message from the President

Monday, October 18, 2010

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BCLNA News Bulletins

Upswing in CanWest booth sales and attendance

The CanWest Hort Show, held last September at the new Vancouver Convention Centre, got a thumbs-up for its refreshed atmosphere and change of scenery. The new digs proved effective for both exhibitors and visitors: the show’s occupied space grew by 10 per cent over last year (with 90 per cent of the available space sold), while exhibitor traffic rose by 13 per cent—representing CanWest’s best attendance record since 2007.

Helping to attract visitors to the annual event were a wide variety of new features plus CanWest’s most extensive educational program ever, which included 20 sessions led by progressive speakers who offered cutting edge information. The opening night party at Steamworks was a sellout, and the brand-new Iron Chef-style plant-off provided comic relief as

competitors rushed to create masterpieces from an eclectic selection of pots and plants; congratulations to Cable Baker who won the plant-off, and thanks to Michelle Pain, Anne Kadwell, and Michael Kato for their entertaining attempts.

Plans are underway for CanWest’s next show (the theme is Wild West!), to be held under the green roof at the new Vancouver Convention Centre, on September 28 and 29, 2011. All exhibitors are encouraged to book their space early for best placement by contacting Cheryl Lee at (604) 574-7772 ext 110 or [email protected]. Show management is also looking for seasoned speakers with timely industry information; speakers are asked to submit a proposal to Karen De Jong-Ellery by January 7, 2011 via fax to (604) 574-7773 or by email to [email protected].

Best in showContainer Competition 1st Place: Pan American Nursery Products Inc. 1st Runner-up: TSC Nursery 2nd Runner-up: Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Booth Awards Best Exhibit Overall: Kato’s Nursery (2007) Inc. Most Original Display: Valleybrook Gardens Ltd. Best Nursery Exhibit: Specimen Trees Wholesale Nurseries Ltd. Best Floriculture Exhibit: Burnaby Lake Greenhouses Ltd. Best Horticultural Supplier Exhibit: Northwest Landscape & Stone Supply Ltd. Best Small Booth: Frost Nursery Best Medium Booth: J.R.T. Nurseries Inc. Best Large Booth: East Richmond Nurseries Inc.

Attendee Awards The winners of Jess Rice original watercolour paintings were Harv Jhally of Sumas Gro-Media Ltd., and Hugh O’Neill of High Yield.

Thank You SponsorsBron & Sons Nursery Co. Canadian Garden Centre Magazine Fairfield Tree Nurseries Inc. GardenWise Magazine Greenhouse Canada Magazine Greenstar Plant Products Inc. Kato’s Nursery (2007) Inc. Northwest Landscape & Stone Supply Ltd. Pacific Northwest Propagators Peel’s Nurseries Ltd. Qualitree Propagators Inc. Skagit Gardens TSC Nursery Valleybrook Gardens Ltd.

Exhibitors made the most of the theme ‘Masterpieces’ at this year’s CanWest Show. Peter Levelton (left)and the East Richmond Nurseries Inc. team took home the ribbon for “Best Large Booth” while Valleybrook Gardens’ display was deemed “Most Original”.

Kato.indd 1 10/27/10 2:41:54 PM


NewBCLNA Members

Final Approval

The BCLNA welcomes the following new members as of the October 18, 2010 board meeting:

A.M. Nursery Inc., Cheryl Alexander & Vicki McKee, Estacada, OR, Out of Province

ATC Landscape, Steven LaFond, Port Coquitlam, Active Landscaper

Actual Landscaping Inc., Don DeMarco, Maple Ridge, Active Landscaper

Anne Talbot-Kelly Garden Design, Anne Talbot-Kelly, Vancouver, Active Landscaper

Ingram Landscape By Design, Annika & Jerry Ingram, Langley, Active Landscaper

PrairieCoast Equipment Inc., Rick Zimmerman, Grande Prairie, AB, Out of Province

Tentative Approval

The following companies will become BCLNA members at the next board meeting unless a member provides a valid reason for not accepting the application:

Arrow Equipment Ltd., Chris McDowell, North Vancouver, Associate

Bedrock Granite Sales Ltd., Greg Raymond & Roy Stead, Coquitlam, Associate

dia design landscapes, Kenna Bridge, Kelowna, Active Landscaper

Pacific Arborist Supplies Ltd., Bill & Sandra Stuart, North Vancouver, Associate

Sumas Remediation Services Inc., Dale O’Krane, West Vancouver, Active Landscaper

Terra Effects Ltd., Kelly & Barry Fuller, Maple Ridge, Active Landscaper

University Sprinklers, Ron Wizinsky, Delta, Associate

6


The CanWest Show was an opportunity for me to work with local industry to develop ideas to overcome challenges and capitalize on opportunities that face the BC and Canadian garden market. The challenges are similar around the world, and I have recently presented this work-shop in the UK, Poland, Hungary, New Zealand and Australia.

As we prepare for a new decade, the industry globally needs vision if it is to increase sales to the key consumer: the 35 year old woman. In this workshop, we developed key ideas, including:

The increased use of QR-Codes and in retailing, how

they have been accepted in other indus-tries, and how the leading nursery sup-pliers are working with garden centres to develop them in the garden industry. The group examined how these codes are being used in Canada in other industries and how other countries are growing sales with such tags. The mobile phone will be a key marketing tool in the future and Canadians will be

using this marketing tool to buy plants and garden products in the future.

The change in merchandising and dis-playing to increase sales per square metre in garden centres as they develop towards more ‘lifestyle’ retailers. This included a discussion on why the linear display of plants found in traditional garden centres will need to change, and what the alternatives need to look like to increase sales.

3. How wholesale nursery “HERO” selling is going to be one of the major develop-ments in marketing in the next few years, and how we can learn lessons from the food industry and farmers on how to grow sales in the future. My main concern is that many nurserymen are now holding back sales due to a lack of awareness in marketing trends such as “HERO” selling.

4. Social media marketing is a major trend in gardening market development and the latest global research identifies that where the nursery industry is in tune with the consumer through social media the sales per household are a lot higher. This is one reason the Scandinavian countries have such a high spend in gar-den products per household. Unfortunately, this research also indi-cates that in the Americas the industry is less proactive, and as a result, the con-sumer spend is lower. Growers and retailers have a huge opportunity to work as work as partners to grow sales.

5.

and how we can change the presentation of the product to meet the needs of the consumer. The research carried out by Martin Lundstrom and reported in his book “Brand Sense” on branding of prod-ucts from a consumer’s perspective were discussed and related to the garden indus-try. This included how the product and retail environment looked as well as how

Retail reminders

Retailers meet marketing challenges at CanWestJohn Stanley, John Stanley Associates

A QR (quick response) code is a matrix barcode that can be read by most mobile phones and devices today. The code contains text, a website url, or other data. Companies like Hort Couture are experimenting with imbedding detailed plant information in codes on their plant tags.

BCLNA Annual Fundraising

AuctionFebruary 8, 2011

United Flower GrowersTheme: Tacky Tourist

Help support BCLNA’s scholarships and Certification! Plan your Fundraising Auction donation today. To donate, contact Heidi: [email protected] or call (604) 574-7772 ext. 109.


7

aroma, sound and touch are critical steps in branding if we are to increase the perceived value of the products we sell.

Alas, the workshop did not contain any growers—which was a pity—as the future is very much about partner marketing and everyone in the supply chain needs to be focused on the same issues and approach.

The retailers present developed new marketing strategies for their businesses and I am sure we will see changes in their retail thinking.

If you would like your team to receive monthly training from John Stanley Associates on topics such as social media market-ing, brand journey, image, merchandising and customer service, join John’s member site at www.johnstanleyretailguru.com.au.

John Stanley is an acclaimed horticultural and retail consultant and author of several marketing, customer service and retail books including the best seller “Just About Everything a Retail Manager Needs to Know”. He presented his program at the CanWest Hort Show in late September.

Tuned-in retailers use Facebook and other social media to increase the amount of money consumers spend on garden products.

Microsoft Tags are part of the new generation of barcodes that connect people to information. Custom tags can be created to incorporate a company’s preferred colours or images.

BCLNA OFFICE: 604-574-7772; 800-421-7963

Industry events and programs


8

Following the publication of last month’s HortWest, many readers correctly noted that Berberis ‘Orange Rocket’ is presently denied entry into Canada over concerns that it may spread cereal rust.

In 2007 this introduction, along with oth-ers from Plant Haven, were tested by the USDA and certified rust-free. They have been placed on the USDA federal register;

however, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has not yet followed suit. HortWest has been informed that no standardized procedure exists for approving new plants for import, but it is believed that the USDA must petition CFIA to begin the process.Growers Canada (CNLA) chair, Owen Vanstone, is looking into the matter; for more information, email [email protected].

Orange Rocket hasn’t taken off in Canada

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November18-19 Green Industry Show & ConferenceEdmonton Expo Centrewww.greenindustryshow.com

30-Dec 3 Green Roofs for Healthy Cities ConferenceVancouver Convention Centrewww.citiesalive.org

December9 Landscape Christmas PartyDelta Burnaby Hotel & Conference CentreFor info contact Krista: [email protected]

2011

January11-13 Landscape Ontario CongressToronto Congress Centre, Torontowww.locongress.com

26 Agriculture and Food Industry GalaRamada Inn, Abbotsfordwww.bcac.bc.ca

26-29 ANLA Management ClinicLouisville, KYwww.managementclinic.org

27-29 Pacific Agriculture ShowTradex Exhibition Centre, Abbotsfordwww.agricultureshow.net

February2 BCMAL / BCLNA Growers’ Short CourseRamada Hotel AbbotsfordFor info contact Hedy: [email protected]

8-9 BCRPA Parks & Grounds Spring TrainingLangley Events Centrewww.bcrpa.bc.ca

8-9 Manitoba Green ShowVictoria Inn, Winnipeg. MB www.landscapemanitoba.com

9 BCLNA Fundraising AuctionUnited Flower Growers, Burnabywww.bclna.com

16-17 Landscapers & Contractors ExpoTradex, Abbotsfordwww.landscapingexpo.net

March2-6 BC Home & Garden ShowVancouver Convention Centre, West Buildingwww.bchomeandgardenshow.com

4-8 Canadian International Turfgrass Conference & Trade ShowVancouver Convention Centrewww.wctaturf.com

15-20 Canada BloomsDirect Energy Centre, Torontowww.canadablooms.com


Training Pays

9

The BCLNA has partnered with LandscapeSafety.com, an inter-net-based safety training provider, whose goal is to ensure new employees are adequately prepared to be safe and productive on their first day on the job, and to give experienced workers the upgrading they need to continue to be productive.

Twenty distinct modules—specific to the areas of maintenance, construction and turf maintenance—are available for study. Modules tailored to landscape maintenance include safety training on the operation of large and small walk-behind mowers, trimmers, edgers, blowers, zero-turn mowers and hedge trimmers. Other modules cover the areas of winter walkways, truck and trailer, and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).

Training modules are available in both English and Spanish.Each module’s video is 25 minutes long and is presented in an easy-to-comprehend narrative. The online training alternative offers the flexibility of being receiver-controlled and for a limited time will be available for free* to BCLNA members. Expect to see more online learning opportunities starting in January 2011.

BCLNA currently has 100 spots available. To take advantage of this offer, please contact either Joy Demelo at [email protected] or Ann Marie Walsh [email protected] to register.

*Candidate must meet eligibility requirements. If members are not eligible for this government-funded program, a small fee will be charged to access online learning opportunities.

New partnership enables enables online learning

For the fourth year in a row, Kwantlen Polytechnic University Horticulture stu-dents has partnered with Cornerstone Church to complete a home renovation project for a deserving family.

Students Alyssa Chuback, Alexis Weissler and Fred Tucker worked many hours to design, and organize resources for the landscaping. They were joined by turf-grass students who installed a lawn and irrigation system, and on the final “reveal” day, an army of eager, hard-working stu-dents built raised beds and paved areas, and planted perennials, trees and bulbs to wel-come the family home.

Says Stan Kazymerchyk, “Makeover proj-ects from the previous three years are still being kept in great condition. The families think of their new yards as soothing, peace-ful sanctuaries and have gone on to improve their yards even further. The work done by these yard makeovers really makes a strong, positive impact in people’s lives.”

He added that industry support was criti-cal—and thanks the following members for donating more than $9,000 worth of materials: Anderson Sod Farm, Cedar Rim Nursery, Kato’s Nursery (2007) Ltd., and Blue Pine Enterprises Ltd.

Kwantlen students lend helping hand


10

Dealing with an underground economyRick Cleghorn, Southern BC Territory Manager, Echo (Canada)

Landscape Clippings

How can you compete against someone who is giving a 12 per cent discount? With the advent of the GST, and now the HST, customers are offering to “pay cash” for a no tax, low cost, option.

Why you shouldn’t work under-the-table It’s unfortunate that there are contractors who think that they must accept cash jobs to stay viable—and that their businesses are better for it. Here are some reasons why not to follow suit:

When working under-the-table, you decrease your legitimate business income as reported to the CRA. This lessens the taxes your business pays, but it also lowers the revenue that your business earns in the eyes of financial and insurance com-panies. If you need to finance an expan-sion, your ability to get financial support will not be as powerful because your busi-ness is not showing the amount you are actually bringing in—only your reported amount counts. In the event of a catastro-phe where insurance for lost income is claimed, or if you want to sell your busi-ness, you will not be reimbursed for the full value of your hard work because oth-ers can’t verify that unclaimed income exists.

-age If you are working under-the-table, then you do not have insurance cover-age—on either your people or your

work—in the event of an accident. If you knock a tree over on the job, and it injures a worker and damages the house, there is a real risk that you could be on the hook for the costs if WorkSafe and your liabil-ity insurance provider find out that the job is not being done legally.

Tax refunds and CRA exposure HST pro-vides a new benefit to businesses that do their work legitimately. When you pur-chase tools, supplies or items that are used to execute your work, the business can be refunded the HST paid on those supplies and services. These are called “input cred-its”. Your business cannot get input credits back on supplies purchased for illegal work. This means that under-the-table companies will pay 12 per cent more for supplies just to give their customers a 12 per cent discount.

The CRA often links audits together. When they audit a company and find illegal tax practices, they may leap to sub-contractors and suppliers to uncover the chain reaction. When you work without proper taxation, you can never be sure if or how CRA will find out.

What customers don’t know about paying cash for workYour customer may not consider the con-sequences of using a cash-only contractor.

While there is liability risk to a contractor who does cash work, there is significant risk for the homeowner, too. In

many respects, the customer becomes the ‘general contractor’ and takes on the lia-bility for all who work on their property, and the liability incurred by that work.

Warranty Many customers fail to consider that “under-the-table” applies to warran-ties and quality assurance. A contractor who works under-the-table can’t leave a paper trail of illegal activity, so there will be no contract or invoice. How, then, can there be a warranty? There is no legal recourse for shoddy work when there is no record of work taking place.

Business in Vancouver recently reported that since the HST came into effect there has been an esti-mated 33% spike in under-the-table home renova-tions. Many members are feeling the pressure from clients to work for cash. So, BCLNA pulled together two of its favourite speakers to lead a discussion at the October landscape meeting. Bill Hardy of Northwest Landscape & Stone Supply shared his

experience plus tips from the Landscape Management Network (see this weeks Extras); and Rick Cleghorn from ECHO (Canada) offered advice from his vast sales knowledge. The all-star team at Inline Nurseries in Chilliwack graciously hosted the meeting; many thanks to them, and to Fountain Tire for bringing the custom barbecue.

11


No write-offs Home renovation and busi-ness-use-of-home tax credits can’t be claimed without receipts. If a homeowner wants to take advantage of any tax benefit programs, they had better hire a legiti-mate business.

Paying HST anyway Many customers (and many contractors) forget that all supplies, machines, tools, and properly contracted work, have had HST applied by the suppli-ers. HST is built into a job somewhere, regardless of whether the contractor is working for cash. A legitimate contractor can get the HST on supplies rebated so that HST is not being added on top of HST. The quotes should be surprisingly comparable when a legitimate contractor has a good handle on his costs and tax management.

Insulate yourself from cash-economy threats

Provide your customer with an over-whelming list of services and quality com-mitments that they get by choosing you. If two contractors appear to provide roughly the same stuff, then only price separates them and the cash-guy wins.

Educate your prospect Teach your cus-tomers what they need to know. The haz-ards they need to avoid. Ways to protect themselves. By doing so, you will arm them with a questions and requirements that they can employ in their consulta-tions with other contractors. This can prevent under-the-table contractors from closing a deal.

Provide the prospect with copies of quali-fications, proof of liability insurance, WorkSafe, references, referrals, business licenses, warranty documentation, and awards. Some even suggest taking them on a drive to show them some of your pre-mier projects (in their budget range).

Offer the prospect choice with one pro-posal Provide the prospect an A-B or A-B-C option of price versus size so that they feel like they are shopping around, even if they call only one contractor: you!

value for price Clean up every day. Be on time. Respect the neighborhood. Do what you say you are going to do. Do not just provide good service; provide OUTRAGEOUS service. They need to feel like they got what they were paying for (and more).

The bottom line is that customers are looking for value, so if they are using under-the-table contractors, it is only because they do not understand, believe, or know that what they are get-ting is worth even less than what they are paying.

12


BCMAL Report

Stellar lineup at Short CourseDave Woodske, Industry Specialist, BCMAL

The 18th Annual Nursery Growers’ Short Course will be held at Abbotsford’s Ramada Plaza and Conference on Wednesday, February 2, 2011. The focus of the event is insect management and efficient use of pesticides—two common production issues for nurseries.

An excellent program of speakers has been assembled, including keynote speaker, Heping Zhu from USDA-ARS in Wooster, Ohio. Dr. Zhu is an Agricultural Engineer in the Application Technology Research Unit. He has published more than 100 technical papers on sprayer technology and is a leading expert on the topic in North America. He will talk about variables that impact the quality of pesticide application, and how to match delivery rate to plant size to optimize pes-ticide application.

Madeline Waring, Pesticide Specialist with the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands in Abbotsford, will introduce the topic of pes-ticide buffer zones. Many pesticide labels now include restrictions on product use around sensitive environmental areas, including both aquatic and terrestrial areas, and Madeline will offer tips to minimize these buffers.

Denny Bruck, Research Entomologist with USDA-ARS Horticultural Crops Research Laboratory in Corvallis, will share his extensive research on the control of root weevils with Metarhizium anisopliae (Met52). Met52 is an insect pathogenic fungus that is registered in Canada to manage black vine weevil in container grown crops. Learn about the factors that impact the persistence and efficacy of M. anisopliae in soilless media.

Brock Glover and Renee Prasad, E.S. Cropconsult Ltd. in Surrey, will talk about aphid control and whether biological

control is a viable option. While a number of effective insecticide options are avail-able, biological control may provide opportunities that respond to concerns for worker safety and changing customer attitudes.

Once again it is a pleasure to have Mario Lanthier, CropHealth Advising & Research in Kelowna, on the program. Mario will discuss the findings of three years of field trials on the efficacy of newer pesticides against common tree borers. These products have low toxicity to humans and the environment and would replace conventional pesticides being removed from the market by the federal government. His presentation will review results for clearwing moths, peach tree borer, ash-lilac borer, metallic borers such as bronze birch borer, and curculios such as white pine weevil (spruce weevil).

Peter Isaacson, National IPM/Minor Use Coordinator for CNLA, will talk about research on the management of viburnum leaf beetle, while Tracy Hueppelsheuser, Entomologist with the MAL in Abbotsford, will discuss insect diagnostics and how to differentiate good and bad bugs.

David Holden, Survey Biologist with the CFIA in Burnaby, will address the topic of exotic insect threats. He will provide infor-mation on the identification, distribution, biology, signs/symptoms, potential impacts and potential prevention methods for key exotic insects with high potential impact should they be discovered in BC nurseries.

Register early because this is a program that you won’t want to miss! Look for your registration form in this issue’s Extras. For more information, contact Hedy Dyck at (604) 574-7772 ext 105 or email [email protected].

CNLA Members Save with TELUSMembers of the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association and their employees are eligible to receive 10% off select wireless TELUS Business Share Plans.

Visit www.CanTalkWireless.ca/CNLA orcontact your local CanTalk Wireless storefor complete plan details.

Surrey (604)541-9887Langley (604)530-4684Mission (604)814-3291Chilliwack (604)[email protected]

13

Most discoveries are made serendipitously: scientists, inven-tors, and explorers—in the process of looking for one entity—discover something completely different. The dis-covery of phosphorus (P), an essential plant macro nutrient and the “middle number” in a chemical fertilizer guarantee, is no exception.

In 1669 a German alchemist named Hennig Brand was attempting to create the “Philosopher’s Stone”. This mysti-cal material was thought to be an elixir for immortality and have the power to turn lead into gold. While he was boiling down human urine he isolated a white crystal that glowed in the dark and burned with an intense white flame. He had not found the “Philosopher’s Stone” but instead discovered P; Brand aged, then distilled approximately 1,100 liters of human urine to get 60 grams of P.

Early agriculturalists understood the benefits of fertilization with different manures. Prior to Brand’s discovery, the Inca in Peru realized the benefits of adding P to soil (although they did not know exactly what it was). Seabird and bat manures (guano) were the primary source of Ican P fertil-izer. Guano was subsequently shipped around the world until the early 1800’s when it was replaced by bone meal. The acidification of bone meal, and ultimately that of mined rock phosphate increased P availability and enabled the production of chemical P fertil-izers. Over 80% of the world’s production of P is devoted to plant fertilization.

Alchemy and Fertility

Phosphorus and the Philosopher’s StoneMike Van Ham, Senior Environmental Scientist, RPF, RPBio, PAg, SYLVIS, New Westminster, BC

Important Agri-Stability deadlinesMohini Singh O.B.C., Communications Officer, AgriStability

As the year comes to a close, the AgriStability administration would like to remind producers about some important deadlines:

Those producers who missed the September 30 deadline to submit their 2009 AgriStability/AgriInvest Harmonized form can still submit the forms. The final deadline is December 31, 2010. But those producers receiving a benefit payment will have to pay a penalty of $500.00 for each month the forms are filed late. The maximum is $1500.00. These deadlines cannot be changed or appealed. Producers who miss the December 31 deadline will not be eligible for the 2009 program year.

Please be advised that producers who missed the April 30, 2010 deadline and have not paid their 2010 fees, have until December 31, 2010 to do so. Remember, a 20 per cent penalty applies.


Phosphorus, an essential plant nutrient, was first isolated from human urine

14

PHortWest November 2010

As an essential plant nutrient, P is involved in “transfer” reac-tions—transferring energy and genetic material within the plant. Typical foliar P concentrations are 0.2 to 0.5% in mature leaves. More important is the ratio of P to other essential nutrients in plant tissue to achieve optimum growth. Typical ratios in mature foliage are nitrogen to P (3:1) and P to zinc (200:1). Deficiencies in P appear as slow growing stunted plants. The deficient plants can appear dark green, with older leaves showing a purple colour as limited P is transferred within the plant from old leaves to new leaves. Plant symptoms from an excess of P are not common, and typically observed as a foliar deficiency in iron or zinc.

Understanding the forms of P in the soil is important to ensure P availability to plants. In most soils, P is found in equal amounts of organic and inorganic forms. Organic P is found in humus and decomposing organic matter. As the organic matter is mineral-ized (broken down), inorganic P is released. Soil organisms do this mineralization, and are most efficient in warm, moist soil. In one year a very small amount (about 1-2%) of the organic P is mineralized to inorganic P. Inorganic P is important, as plant roots assimilate only this form of P. For plant assimilation the inorganic P must also be soluble to allow uptake by the root.

The forms of inorganic P in the soil are all anions—meaning they have a negative charge. These inorganic forms of P will bind with cations in the soil—other elements with a positive charge. Examples of cations include calcium (Ca), iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al). Reactions in the soil between inorganic P and these cations result in the P becoming insoluble or “bound up” within the soil. If it is not soluble inorganic P, plants cannot assimilate it. The presence of Ca, Fe and Al in the soil are important determinates in P solubility, as is the soil pH.

Inorganic P is most readily available in the soil between pH 6 to 7. At lower soil pH (between pH 5 to 6), the inorganic P becomes bound up with Al. Lower than pH 5, reactions with Fe immobilize even more of the inorganic P. Above pH 7, inorganic P is made increasingly unavailable by reacting and combining with Ca.

All these reactions are ongoing in the soil: the mineralization of organic P to mineral forms, and the reaction of these mineral forms with elements that change their availability. Plant roots can also support mycorrhizae, a fungal relationship. This fungal association greatly increases the surface area of the plant roots and assists with the P uptake.

When acidic soils are fertilized with P fertilizers, lime is often required to increase the soil pH and prevent the P fertilizer from being “bound up” by Al and Fe, as described above. Phosphorus fertilizers often occur in compounds with calcium and sulfur, and these formulations should be understood with respect to their effect on soil pH and P solubility.

A soil can contain relatively high concentrations of P, but most of the P is either in an organic form and mineralizing slowly, or an inor-ganic form and bound tenaciously to cations or soil particles. Phosphorus is very immobile in soils. This is the opposite of nitrogen. In soils with excess nitrogen, inorganic forms of nitrogen (nitrate) can leach and adversely affect water quality. With P it is not the move-ment of inorganic P but the movement of soil itself—soil erosion into water bodies that can result in pollution and eutrophication.

Understanding soil fertility and the availability of essential plant nutrients to ensure optimum plant survival and growth is both an art and a science. There are many soil tests for phos-phorus—total, organic, inorganic and different laboratory methodologies to estimate the availability of inorganic P depending on different extractions. In evaluating soil P fertility it is important to use the correct methodology to provide mean-ingful comparative information.

Growing media and fabricated soil specifications often identify a range for soil P, which is often interpreted incorrectly. High inorganic P in growing media does not necessarily imply an environmental concern. The availability of inorganic P is deter-mined by solubility. Elevated inorganic P in soil is not like inor-ganic nitrogen—it does not readily leach.

Phosphorus fertilizers are expensive, and there is a worldwide finite limit to the amount of mineral phosphate rock available. It is estimated that within 30-40 years the demand for P fertilizer will exceed the supply. Compounding this shortage is regional disparity—a handful of countries hold the majority of the min-eral reserves. Judicious use of P fertilizers is prudent. The appropriate use of animal manure and biosolids as P sources in fabricated soil and as fertilizers is important.

Fabricated soils benefit from the stable forms of P present in bio-solids. Much of the P arriving at the wastewater treatment plant will have originated from the arable land to begin with, as the food produced on those lands is ingested in the city, ultimately ending up in biosolids. The P in these fabricated soils is retained in these soils, particularly following planting, which initiates the soil-plant cycling of P.

Irony and serendipity are best friends. Fertile fabricated soil is a valuable commodity for the horticulture, landscape and con-struction industries. The P content of biosolids (from which many soils are fabricated), together with our understanding of the forms and availability of P has led to innovative chemical processes to recover a portion of the P directly from wastewater treatment plants.

This is a non-fictitious full-circle “Philospher’s Stone” that once again obtains fertilizer P from pee…

Alchemy and Fertility

MetroGro.indd 1 11/1/10 11:16:27 AM

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Documents

Dealing With The Underground Economy pg 10 - Hortwest Magazine article by Rick Cleghorn