The recent European Region-hosted International Tour is the first tour I have attended, and despite returning to NZ in mid-July I still think a lot about some of the amazing experiences I had. A number of places we visited were already on my bucket list, but then there were the unexpected –  the visit to Solitair Nursery in Belgium, where prices went up to a heart-stopping  40,000 Euros or $62,500 in our money, for a single tree – a 40 year old yew. Another highlight, the tour in boats around the canals of Boskoop provided a glimpse into how the 700+ nurseries in that area used boats in the past to transport their plants, all bare-rooted stock grown in the damp, peaty soils. In complete contrast was the futuristic sight of robots sticking cuttings at Delifor.

I’ve included two photos from the tour of moments that struck a chord with me. The first shows a plant tag from a clematis for sale at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show at one of their many spectacular plant stalls.Yes it’s Clematis vitalba looking very demure and unthreatening in its little pot. Who’d have thought? It just goes to show that a weed which is a dazzling star in its adopted country's National Pest Plant Accord may still be treasured where it came from. I’m not sure how much they were charging for it. The second photo shows a small corner of the RHS Wisley AGM trials, with lettuces in the foreground and a bumble bee hanging basket trial behind it. Being shown around Wisley by their staff was a wonderful experience, like stepping through a portal into the pages of an RHS gardening book.

This tour wasn’t sightseeing all day every day for some of us, though. Lindsey and I took part in the International Board meetings held at various times throughout the tour. And then the conference itself at the end of the full tour kept us on our toes – 7.30am (!) starts, with talks in the morning and tours in the afternoons. For those of you who read about the International Tours and think these are only open to Board and Committee members, that is not the case. If you are an IPPS member from any region you can register and attend. Next year’s International Tour and Conference is being hosted by the Eastern Region, and will be around the New York/Delaware area (details to be confirmed). However in the meantime if an overseas trip to an IPPS Conference appeals, then think about next year’s Pacific Rim Conference being hosted by the Western Region. This is not an official International Tour and Conference, it is the Western Region’s own regional conference, but away from their home base. It’s being held in Hawaii and their invitation is out – “Let’s Meet in the Middle”. This will be advertised a lot more in the upcoming months.

Back in NZ here, and you would have received an email with details of the Waikato Field Trip in October. Antony has done a great job putting such an interesting itinerary together, and it would be well worth coming along if you are free on those days to Seek and Share. Just remember to send your registration form in by the due date so catering details can be finalised. I hope to see many of you there.
Now I did say in the last newsletter that I was going to talk more about horticultural education in NZ but that will wait till next time as this is a very full newsletter. Here’s to some warmer and drier weather coming your way.

Kind regards, Jill



        

IPPS Waikato Field Trip
October 27th and 28th 
  

2017 Pukekohe Conference
  

Described as the best Plan B confence ever held. That was the Pukekohe conference summed up to its best. The reason? At MPI’s request, the field trips to nurseries were cancelled due to Myrtle rust leaving Lindsey Hatch and the rest of the conference organising committee to come up with a plan B for field trips at very short notice.

The 2017 conference was also a joint one with the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture with their AGM and awards being held on the Thursday evening, along with the Banks Memorial Lecture which was presented by Terry Hatch on his trip to the Sub-Antarctic Islands.
Friday morning saw world record holding shearers Sam and Emily Welch talk about their achievements before opening conference. The Horticentre 5 Pack were then introduced- Devin Westley (Southern Woods), Eve Llves (Waimea Nurseries), Courtney Rudman (Starter Plants) and Ursula Keswick (Te Horo Ornamentals) along with Kelly Broadlick from Fourth Corner Nurseries in Washington State representing the Western Region.

Papers were presented on Plant Breeding, Island revegetation and Garden Favourites before buses headed off on a re-jigged field trip visiting the Punchbowl Kiwifruit packhouse, Perry’s Berrys, the Auckland Botanic Gardens and Arylies Garden where Bev McConnell spoke to the group. It was then off to Ardmore Aerodrome for the AGM, Happy Hour and dinner which had a Faulty Towers theme.

Saturday morning saw papers presented on the respective exchanges between the New Zealand and Western Regions, travels through central Asian countries,  ornamental pumpkins and kiwifruit before Paul Fisher demonstrated the use of plant growth regulators on ornamentals. Lindsey and Terry Hatch then played tour guide as the led the buses around the Pukekohe area and some of its landmarks. There were visits to Joshua Orchids and a cucumber grower before finishing up at Pukekohe Hill.

The formal dinner was held at the Pukekohe Racecourse with the theme of an ‘Evening at the Races’ with the auction being held and awards presented. Congratulations to Jeff Elliott who was presented with the Award of Merit and Brent McKenzie (who was unable to attend conference ) was announced as the recipient of the John Follett Award of Recognition. The band then cranked into action for the rest of the night.

Sunday morning saw the last of the papers presented on Potatoes, Breeding Dahlias, Agapanthus and Biosecurity concerns followed by a discussion on Myrtle Rust and an invitation to next years conference in Palmerston North was extended before lunch brought conference to a close. 
 

2017 Pukekohe Conference Paper Summaries
  

'Mind Blowing'

2018 IPPS New Zealand Region Conference
April 26th - 29th
Hotel Coachman
Palmerston North
 

 

Applications now open for 2018 Four Pack
  

Five Pack 2017
 

Eve Llves: Thank you for having me. I had a great time with a great group of people. I have been to several conferences and this one was very different. Everyone were friendly and welcoming. I liked that we didn't have to stay inside all day long and listen to lectures all day. I loved all the field trips and visits in the afternoons and morning sessions as well. I left the conference full of energy and motivation. I am very grateful for the opportunity.

Courtney Rudman: Attending the IPPS Pukehohe conference provided a great opportunity to meet with like minded individuals, embrace inspiration and have discussions with expert horticulturalists and suppliers. I enjoyed spending time with Ursula, Eve, Devin and Kelly (Western Exchange); who like myself are new to the industry and keen to learn as much as possible from the experienced members of IPPS. I recommend that employers nominate their new staff members for the 4 pack positions available at the Palmerston North 2018 conference; this provides the opportunity to connect with individuals that have tremendous knowledge- I hope to see you there!

Devin Westley: It was great to meet a group of other young Horticulturalists, and to meet a few of the industry leaders along the way.
The conference was still quite interesting even with all of the last minute plans, and back up trips following the rust dramas.
I was very impressed with the Ayrlies Garden tour. The amount of work that has gone into establishing the area, and the amount of passion for plants that Bev had during her talk, with her trying to create a lasting piece of art was quite inspiring.
The final dress up evening was a good bit of fun, thanks again to Lindsey for the late/early pickup and Maccas run.
With all going well I'll hopefully get to see a conference go to plan next year in Palmy.

Below left to right: Kelly Broadlick (Western Exchange), Devin Westley, Ursula Keswick, Eve Llves, Courtney Rudman. 

 The Award of Merit is the IPPS New Zealand Region’s most prestigious award. It is decided by a panel of 3 committee members: the president (that’s me), the secretary (Glenys, who’s competing in dragon boating in Bali at the moment), and the 2^nd VP (Antony). There are 3 criteria that we as the panel have to look at when we consider our choice of who this may be awarded to. These criteria are:

• Meritorious service to IPPS New Zealand
• Meritorious service to New Zealand horticulture
• The person must be an active member at the time of presentation

This person is a long standing member of the New Zealand Rhododendron Society. With his interest in a large number of plant species, he has also been a member of the Tree Crops Association and a member of the New Zealand Olive Growers Association, plus he served on their Canterbury committee for 5 years. For a couple

Now that’s explained I’ll talk a bit about this year’s Award of Merit winner, starting with his service to New Zealand horticulture.ofyearsIn addition, and in a gesture of giving back to the local community, he joined the local fire brigade at one stage, but according to my sources that only lasted two weeks – perhaps he was worried about having to attend callouts on a Tuesday when he was half way through a painting! Some of you here may have been in these other horticultural societies alongside him, and some of you here may

he was on the Growers Group of the old NGIA as well.havemodelled for him on a Tuesday…
The most important of these 3 criteria for the Award of Merit is meritorious service to IPPS New Zealand.

This member has been very active in IPPS for many years, including a long stint on the executive committee. Visits to his nursery are legendary, and each time a group is hosted around the nursery there is something new that he has been working on – this may be the fog versus mist debate, it may be mega cuttings, it may be how green waste or the water is recycled on the property, but you can guarantee something major will have changed since you’ve last visited. And that’s because he seems to like challenging boundaries and challenging accepted practices.  
And then there are the talks at conferences over the years where he shares his knowledge. Jeff is so passionate about his subject he’ll sometimes drop the odd F bomb in his talks, you can guarantee his talks are never dull. He gave a talk in 2010 about his career and how it started with an old window from the neighbours before he graduated to using his brother’s old parakeet cage as his second go at a prop unit.  

I remember that talk well, and the paper that followed. Who else would write:
“I was 21. I had a hot prop bed, I was ready to root anything I desired.
And I pretty much did, I was a legend in my own mind”.
I was editor at that time, and he wanted to call this paper “A hot bed for a good root”. I couldn’t talk him out of it, and was not sure the reaction I’d get if I sent it through to the International Editor. So before I did agree to this I thought I’d do a bit of a survey, and looked through all the Black Books from the past 10 years to see if there were any other dodgy titles that set a precedent. I only came across one – a paper Jeff had previously published called “Practical workshop  - How to make a hormone”!
Jeff Elliott, you’re an editorial nightmare but you’re also a bit of a legend in IPPS. Please come up and accept this very well deserved Award of Merit.

Citation prepared by Jill Reader
  

Brent McKenzie joined the IPPS New Zealand Region in 1977. He has been Historian since the 1980’s until resigning earlier this year. During his time as our historian, Brent has faithfully collected and stored all our articles, newsletters and in general maintaining our archives.

He came onto the New Zealand executive in 1986, serving as President from 1990 – 1992 and International Director 1993 – 1994.  Some may remember he did the ode to the haggis at the conference in Palmerston North in 2003 (with a bit of lubrication required) and then again at the Dunedin conference in 2006 (more successful I think)

Brent left school to work for Charles (Chas) McLaughlin, Argyll Nurseries for 4 years. Chas went to the inaugural Christchurch IPPS meeting and joined Brent as a member. He then went to work at the Dunedin Botanic Gardens completing an apprenticeship in Horticulture and gaining the National Diploma in Horticulture, winning the Tannock Memorial Prize. He worked at DBG for 13 years ultimately running the propagation facility at the gardens, which also served the City Parks Department. 

He then did another 5 years as a Research Associate for Crop and Food Research at Invermay working with South American plants, including Gevuina. When this was scaled down in 1997, he opened his own gardening business which he still operates in Dunedin. During these years he spent a number of New Zealand winters in England working with Christopher Lloyd at his Great Dixter garden in East
Sussex.

Citation prepared by Philip Smith

Kelly Broadlick - IPPS Western Region Exchangee

 

Greetings from the far side of the Pacific!  It has been a busy couple of months since I returned from NZ.  With the wettest fall/winter/spring on record, followed by a 55 day dry streak this summer (the longest stretch in six decades), the weather has been a bit challenging.  I’ve been doing my best to enjoy the summer sunshine, squeezing in as many sailing and hiking adventures as I can.  My big experiment at work is keeping me on my toes but going well. 

Now that I’ve had some time to process my trip, I’m realizing how much I was able to take away from the exchange.  It’s hard to summarize what I learned (there was no central theme, just a lot of little nuggets of wisdom), but here are a few things that come to mind.

I learned that there’s not necessarily one “right way” to do anything.  I saw ten different nurseries solve the same problem ten different ways, and they all worked.  I picked up some great design ideas from clever custom-built carts, lifters, and workbenches, and put a name to this ingenuity when I learned about the term “number 8 wire”.  At least two different nurseries mentioned that you don’t have to be large to be successful, quite a different tune from the business mentality of the US.  I learned that history can provide some useful insights when dealing with new pathogens, and that a good balance of being proactive, cautious, and patient is often the best approach.  I also learned that there is a wealth of knowledge and experience in the hands and heads of the IPPS NZ chapter, and that there is a big effort to pass that on before people retire.  Some of these were familiar themes from my experience in the states.  Others were new.  All are memories that I will carry with me as I move forward in my career. 

 One major theme that did stand out from my trip was how willing folks were to share information.  I’m sure this is at least in part because Kiwis (and plant people) are inherently friendly folks, but I suspect it is also a reflection of IPPS membership.  I was really struck by the professionalism and the camaraderie of the NZ IPPS chapter.  It is obvious that you all care very deeply about growing healthy plants, running good businesses, and caring for the environment.  In each other, you have an invaluable resource for dealing with new challenges to the industry, myrtle rust being just one example.  As I begin to get more involved with the Western US IPPS chapter, my fingers are crossed that it is as supportive (and fun) of a community as yours.   

Speaking of wonderful folks, I would be remiss if I did not thank all of my generous hosts (Juliette Curry, Antony Toledo, Philip Smith, and Mary Duncan) for taking such good care of me during my stay.  I can’t thank you enough for the home cooking, comfy beds, and good company.  I also owe a big thanks to everyone who took the time to show me around their nurseries and answer all of my questions.  And thanks as well to everyone I got to meet and chat with before, during, and after the conference.  Meeting and getting to know you all was my favorite part of the trip. 

I know it’s a long flight away, but please do get in touch if you are ever in the area.  We are always happy to show folks around Fourth Corner Nurseries, and happier still to show off our beautiful mountains and coastline.  You can always reach me at kelly@fourthcornernurseries.com.  

Thanks again!

Cheers,
Kelly

 

The IPPS New Zealand Region has chosen Dharini Marinkovich as the recipient of the Western Region Exchange Scholarship for 2017. Dharini will be travelling to Canada and the United States in October, first visiting nurseries around Vancouver before continuing on into the United States with further nursery visits in Washington and Oregon before attending the IPPS Western Region’s conference in Wilsonville, Oregon.
Dharini works for noted plant breeder Dr Keith Hammett as an assistant plant breeder working with Dianthus, Dahlia, Clivia, Sweet Pea, Helianthus and Polyanthus. In this role, Dharini assists in a number of areas in these breeding programs from hand pollination, evaluating and record keeping through to maintaining parent blocks.
It was while Dharini was completing a Batchelor of Science at the University of Auckland that she discovered an interest in plants and later while working at Seedling Systems Nursery, she discovered plant breeding which appealed to her because of its scientific and practical components. “At this early stage, I can only say I want to be involved in plant breeding in my future career because I enjoy all aspects of running and maintaining a breeding programme” says Dharini. “The exchange will be a great opportunity for me to see the potential of ornamental plant breeding as a career and give perspective to my work with Dr Keith Hammett as I have learned the importance of the international market in sustaining New Zealand based plant breeding businesses”. 
 

 

I was born in Papakura in 1970 and lived in Manurewa where Terry my father started Joy Plants with the help of Mum who the nursery is named after. At the age of two we moved to Pukekohe with my brother and sister where I have lived to this day in the Pukekohe East area a small rural part within Pukekohe. Living on the nursery I grew up with potting mix in my blood, food, pants, and boots!! In other words I had no chance with parents who had a love of the outdoors. Our local primary school held annual vegetable or flower garden competitions and pet days which also had very much a horticultural theme. Having green fingers meant the Hatch children were seen winning a number of the prizes to be had, possibly a little bit of an advantage over some but all the same we still had to put in the hard yards.

In 1987 I became a member of IPPS at 17 I would have been the youngest member at Tauranga conference possibly in international. At theconference all new members were made to stand up and asked to do some sort of induction. At the time I was attending Wesley College and someone felt it appropriate for the all new members to perform the Haka. I was ask to lead the handful of new members this was done with ease as we would do this at most rugby games and at many other events held by or at the college. Maybe this could be something that could be bought back??

I have always had a passion for nature and growing I had my first Eden Glasshouse at about the age of 7 and soon had it fullwith succulents and cacti having the need for a second house add which also was filled very quickly. This would see me selling plants at shows alongside dad for pocket money and a need for more space as my collection increased. I also had pet chickens and various other fowl also a mix of sheep from pet days. Along with running and scouting I was very busy, also working for the neighbour on his farm where we would drive tractors, motor bikes and forklifts etc. Voluntary Conservation work has seen me getting to many NZ offshore islands which has given me a passion for native flora and fauna.

A passion to travel has seen me go on several trips to Australia many with my parents to IPPS conferences where I would be spoilt by many of the various IPPS members that would join from overseas as I was the youngest on the trips. Also the Islands, Fiji and the Solomon’s, the later was to visit ex school mates and would see me return a second time to do scuba diving and one of the highlights of my life experiences. Not long after I returned I would get engaged to my wife to be Joanna (Jo) who I have now been married to for 25 years and bought up our five children none of whom work in the nursery. My Life has many other facets but clearly IPPS has played a big part of my life, and been an important reason for me staying in the growing of plants and feeding my passion to travel and learn.  

Photo below: Lindsey, his wife Jo and children at their 25th wedding anniversary celebration            

In early May several New Zealand IPPS members, including Philip and myself, headed across to Perth to attend the Australian Regions annual conference. Prior to the official pre-conference tour kicking off we spent a few days touring around the area south of Perth known as Australia’s South West. We headed for the Walpole Wilderness Area which encompasses 13 national parks with the immense karri, jarrah, marri
and tingle trees towering over every town in the region. The area is also regarded as the ‘food bowl’ of Western Australia, with some of the most productive soils around and a wide variety of locally grown produce available year round.We at the lushness of the flora the further south we marvelledtravelled from Perth, in particular the amazing grass trees (Xanthorrhoea nic-named Black Boys) that were everywhere. They were quite impressive with many flowering, possibly due to recent forest fire events with the intense heat forcing them to flower. Grass trees epitomize the Australian bush – they are hardy and thrive in nutrient – poor soils and respond to wildfires by flowering profusely.  As we headed south we did drive past very recent fire sign - some of it still smoking...a little unnerving! 

Near the town of Walpole is the Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk. Here a 600 metre walkway gently rises 40 metres above the forest floor carrying you up into the canopy of the majestic giant red tingle trees (Eucalyptus jacksonii), which grow as high as 75m, and their smaller relative, the yellow tingle trees (Eucalyptus guilfoylei) which grow to a height of about 40m (they don’t buttress like the red tingle).  The red tingle is unique to the Walpole Wilderness Area and needs approximately a metre of rain every year in order to thrive. We got a bird’s eye view of these sky-scraping trees as we wound our way upwards and through the forest’s upper canopy. The views out over these majestic tingle trees were breathtaking. Down below the sky-walk is a boardwalk that takes you down through a grove of veteran tingle trees called the Ancient Empire. The largest, or better described stoutest, tingle is approximately 400years old, with a trunk circumference at breast height of 23m and standing around 30m in height. Having lost some of its upper trunk it is much lower in height than many other old red tingles, but is recognised as being the ‘Giant Tingle’ due to girth. Forest fires often act to hollow out the buttressed bases of these trees creating large cavities, some of which we could walk right through, getting an up close view of the fire scarred buttresses.

Click on the link below to download and read Janines full report of the IPPS Australian Region conference in Perth and pre tour.  

Photos clockwise from lower left-hand side:

Workpower Nursery
Natural Area Nursery
Pre conference tour group
Lynch Group Flower Wholesaler
Ellenby Tree Farm


 

Prepared by Courtney Rudman 
 

Please note that the majority of the websites listed also include extra links if you wish to further expand your research.
 
Principal Website:
 
NZPPI. (2017). NZPPI Myrtle Rust Risk Management Protocols. Retrieved from http://nzppi.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1ff568e218521d384c3b1f63d&id=23c4ee3d54&e=c1398a14e5
 
New Zealand Websites:
 
DOC. (2017). Myrtle Rust. Retrieved from http://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/biosecurity/myrtle-rust/
 
DOC. (2017). Myrtle Rust found in New Zealand. Retrieved from http://www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2017/myrtle-rust-found-in-new-zealand/
 
Ganley, B. (2017). The threat of Myrtle Rust to New Zealand and how science is contributing to our preparedness. Retrieved from http://nzppi.co.nz/documents/ppsis17/ppsis-myrtle-rust-2017.pdf
 
MPI. (2017). Protection and Response: Myrtle Rust. Retrieved from http://www.mpi.govt.nz/protection-and-response/responding/alerts/myrtle-rust/
 
 
Australian Websites:
 
McDonald, J. (2013). Australian Nursery Industry Myrtle Rust Management Plan (Version 3) -2013. Retrieved from http://nzppi.co.nz/documents/pests/NGIA-Myrtle-Rust-Management-Plan-2013.pdf
 
NGIA. (2011). Managing Myrtle Rust in Australia. Technical Nursery Papers (Issue No. 6). Retrieved from
https://www.ngia.com.au/Attachment?Action=Download&Attachment_id=1442
 
NSW Department of Primary Industries. (2017). Myrtle Rust. Retrieved from http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/plant/established-plant-pests-and-diseases/myrtle-rust