HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2011-12-21, Page 17Nnal Star • Wednesday, December 11, 2011
NSETTIA CARE
Iping to gro$i a better Christmas classic
aser
ency
iscttias are North America's top
Virg potted plant and a multi -Mil -
()liar Niagara industry.
: the holidays, indoor spaces
le in red -and -green forests of this
pecialty.
a Niagara research centre has
ne a leader in helping growers
ahem in new commercial
ons.
Friday, the Vineland. Research
novation Centre held an open
to showcase cutting-edge varie-
rfected there.
eland is one of three major
-h institutions in Canada and the
at work with major poinsettia
ers. The others are at North Caro-
ate University and the University
'da,
alize the weather and light condi-
are *re very different here in Ontario
�r Florida" said Vineland green-
tt floriculture specialist Wayne
re introducing a number of vari-
and comparing them to the cur-
► available varieties. here," Brown
re testing them for bigger
b ching ability, plant form, post-har
v st shelf life, that kind of information.''.
he new varieties will have slightly
di erent patterns'of red, pink and white
th t may appeal to different markets.
ese issues are vital to breeders and
th industry, Brown said.
nd Vineland is one of the leading
s where we've provided the indus-
th a lot of practical information:'
tario alone produces 4.5 million of
hristmas classics a year, represent
-
p to $16.5 million in Farm -gate
pla
trY
, O
the
ing i
valu+
Ni
larges
ara has about 35 producers - the
concentration on the continent.
The local producers ship an esti-
mated 3.5 million of the plants every
year.
Poinsettia production in Niagara: and
the province has declined somewhat,
however.
A rising Canadian dollar, the U.S. eco-
nomic decline and increased comped-
tion have slowed exports south of the
border.
But considerable markets for Ontario
poinsettias still exist in Chicago and the
Boston -New York -Philadelphia
corridor,
Virtually nothing is imported from
the US. into Canada..
One of the biggest players in Niagara
is Jeffery's Greenhouses in St.
Catharines, which works closely with
Brown and the Vineland centre.
Jeffery's produces 150,000 pots of
poinsettias, representing about 15% of
its annual output. About 30% of the
poinsettias go to points south.
"It's a long (duration) crop," said
Rodd Gibson, Jeffery's, general
manager.
"The cuttings are started in July and it
is a difficult crop to produce without
any problems to eget there to look just
right before Christmas.
"No two years are alike with this
plant; we're constantly learning.
"We target them for Christmas sales
date, so we can'thave them ready too
early or too late.
"And we're done with them right
now," Gibson addd. "We're all shipped
out for the season."
Factbox
- Ontario produces about 4.5 million
poinsettias a year
• That's about $16.5 million in farm-
gate value.
- Niagara has about 35 producers, the
largest concentration on the continent.
- Niagara producers ship out an esti-
mated 3.5 million of the flowers every
year.
would like to take this opportunity
vt'ish everyone a Merry. Christmas
Nappy New Year! Thank you to
►,- customers for your loyal support
ver the past 32 years. We are your
fisurance company recommended
collision repair facility with
{)pp -premises rental vehiclesfor
your convenience.
lack Row if -r: Dennis Fleischauer,
rryl Greenwood, Jeff (Jake) Brown
ront Row 1-r: Joyce Hartman. &
Witham Dykstra
•
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482-7569
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Dave Sykes Signal Star
Sweet Sounds of Goderich f
Paul Howe of the Executive Committee of the Sound of
Goderich presents a cheque for $1,493 to Moe Nickles, one
of three managers of the Huron County Christen ureau.
The donation represents the proceeds from the successful
Sound of Goderich Christmas Concert held Nov. 29. The
funds will be used to kickstart the 2012 campaign that
provides food and gifts for needy families in Huron County.
•
•
.flaPPY
f Iolidays
and thank you for fur patronage
reyhaven Gardens
We have
itj
, ( • w ri/4
t4 . ,1•,,
Available by calling 519-523-9781
Lond. sboro
•
411,
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