Growing a healthy cut flower sector
April 27, 2021
By John Dietz
The niche for cut flowers is looking stronger and healthier than a few years ago. Here’s an inside look at what’s happening, plus integrated strategies for keeping cuts healthy amid declining chemical product options. April 27, 2021
Boondock Flower Farm has 3,000 tulips ready to bloom plus several hundred daffodils. Later, Bailey Dueker plans to sell ranunculus and anemones, then sunflowers, zinnias, dahlias and grasses. Photo credit: Boondock Flower Farm.
It’s a bear to pursue year-round cut flower production in the boondocks of Saskatchewan, but credit one Bailey Dueker for lots of grit.
Ontario welcomes interim greenhouse floriculture specialist
January 19, 2021
Andrew C. Wylie steps in as Ontario s acting greenhouse floriculture specialist.
With over 10 years of experience in agricultural research focused on greenhouse production, Andrew C. Wylie has stepped in as acting greenhouse floriculture specialist for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).
Wylie grew up with his family’s specialty mushroom operation near Wiarton, Ont. He also co-founded Heritage Organic Research Co. Ltd. (Herio) in 2007, where he developed novel nutrition and IPM strategies that are being used in organic greenhouses across North America.
During his Ph.D. studies at Simon Fraser University, B.C., Wylie developed a system to assess microbial biocontrols for organic greenhouse production systems. He also holds an M.Sc. in Plant Science from the University of British Columbia and a B.Sc. in Microbiology from the University of Guelph.