GrowerTalks - Green Profit - Inside Grower

10/27/2025

In episode 206 of the Tech On Demand podcast, host Bill Calkins sat down with Susannah Ball, fourth-generation owner of Ball Horticultural Company, and Seth Reed, Ball’s Global Sustainability Manager, for an inspiring conversation about what it really means to “do better” when it comes to sustainability in horticulture. The conversation is also available as a video—ALL LINKS BELOW!

Susannah and Seth break down how a 120-year-old global company focuses on people, community and the planet—from aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to empowering the launch of impactful initiatives at Ball companies around the world. You’ll hear how teamwork drives innovation, how smart sustainability can lead to resilience and why Ball chose this moment to release its 2025 sustainability report titled “Sowing Sustainability.”

Whether you manage a greenhouse or garden center, lead a team or just want to make your business more future-focused, this episode offers practical insights and plenty of inspiration to grow greener and stronger—together.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/NzC_c_00-KM?si=BGTCYgupBDxCz90U

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2KIut9nP7cIfU8263KmOTW?si=bd4e777250504dc4

APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tech-on-demand-brought-to-you-by-growertalks/id1523055762

In this episode of the Tech On Demand podcast, host Bill Calkins sits down with Susannah Ball, fourth-generation owner of Ball Horticultural Company, and Set...

10/24/2025

NEW Wave petunias for 2026 from PanAmerican Seed!

10/24/2025

Don’t forget the new Besties series of osteospermum from Danziger for next spring!

10/21/2025

PESTTALKS E-NEWS IS OUT! Read & Subscribe at https://www.growertalks.com/Newsletters/View/?article=5077 - topics include:

🦠 Virus-Resistant Tomatoes!
NRGene and Philoseed have introduced tomato seeds with resistance to ToBRFV—great news for growers fighting this tough virus.

🐛 What’s Bugging Growers?
The latest IR-4 survey highlights top pests: thrips, mites, scales, and aphids. Powdery mildew, Fusarium and Botrytis lead disease concerns.

🔬 IR-4 Sets 2026–2027 Research Priorities
Top national targets include Phytophthora, Botrytis, thrips, and herbicide safety for hydrangea and cut flowers.

🕷️ Broad Mite Control Updates
Experts confirm Neoseiulus cucumeris and A. swirskii are top choices for broad mite management—cost-effective and reliable.

🎓 Disease Management Course
UF/IFAS offers an online greenhouse disease course starting Nov. 10—perfect for plant health pros.

🐝 A Useful Wasp Rescued
Meet Larra bicolor, a helpful wasp controlling mole crickets across the South.

10/20/2025

In case you missed ACRES ONLINE E-NEWS last week, here are some highlights! Read & subscribe at https://www.growertalks.com/Newsletters/View/?article=5072

💥 Proven Winners + Staple Street Capital
A major consolidation! Four Star Greenhouses and Pleasant View Gardens have partnered with private equity firm Staple Street Capital to form one unified Proven Winners company. The goal? Stronger growth, better service, and a single voice for the iconic brand.

🇳🇱 Schneider Young Plant Bankruptcy
Following the recent closure of Bunnik Plants, another major Dutch grower, Schneider BV, has declared bankruptcy — but is actively pursuing a restart. Market pressures, energy costs, and oversupply continue to challenge European producers.

🌼 Ball for Fall Debuts
Ball Seed hosted its first-ever “Ball for Fall” trials in West Chicago, showcasing mums, pansies, and fall color genetics. Growers loved the side-by-side comparisons and voted on their favorites — including standout varieties like Spicy Pumpkin Orange and Cosmic Fireball Red.

🌸 And Finally … LEGO Botanicals are Blooming at Costco!
From hibiscus to Japanese maples — they’re labeled “18+,” but we say: buy them for the kids and the plant nerds in your life. 🌺

10/17/2025

Here's what you'll find in the Tech On Demand newsletter this week.

Read: https://www.growertalks.com/Newsletters/View/?article=5076

Subscribe: https://www.growertalks.com/Newsletters/Signup/?newsletter=techondemand

10/13/2025

GREENTALKS E-NEWS IS OUT! Read & subscribe at https://www.growertalks.com/Newsletters/View/?article=5070

🐛 Vermicompost Insights: A new study shows that while heat-treating worm compost changes its microbes, it doesn’t hurt lettuce seedling growth—but too much compost can increase salinity and slow emergence.

♻️ Reusable Trays in Action: Royal FloraHolland is testing Europe’s Euro Plant Tray to cut single-use plastics and meet new EU packaging rules.

🐝 Pollinator Research: Scientists found different insects need different levels of natural habitat—hoverflies need 6%, bumble bees 18% and butterflies a whopping 37%! Quality habitat matters just as much as quantity.

⚡ REAP Uncertainty: USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program remains in limbo amid a partial government shutdown, leaving renewable project funding unclear.

🌾 Montana Outpost Reflections: Jennifer White reminds us that sometimes the best thing we can offer—whether to customers or ourselves—is permission to slow down, do less and simply be.

10/10/2025

TROPICAL TOPICS E-NEWS IS OUT! Read & Subscribe at https://www.greenprofit.com/Newsletters/View/?article=5069

Topics include:

✈️ Headed to TPIE 2026? Book your hotel now!
Florida in January fills up fast, and this year’s Tropical Plant International Expo (Jan. 21–23, Ft. Lauderdale) has big upgrades — including the brand-new Omni Hotel next to the convention center (and yes, rooftop views + an outdoor Opening Reception on the water 😍).

🎨 Color trends for 2026?
Muted tones rule — think Universal Khaki, Smokey Jade, and Warm Eucalyptus. The perfect backdrop for tropical blooms and vibrant pots to pop!

🌸 Think Pink this October.
Shout-out to for reminding us that Breast Cancer Awareness Month isn’t over yet. Promote your pink blooms and help spread awareness 💗.

💡 Smart thinking from Deroose Plants:
When tariffs hit hard, they found innovative ways to keep plants moving and business booming — proof that creativity grows even in tough times.

10/10/2025

Here's what you'll find in the Tech On Demand newsletter this week!

Read: https://www.growertalks.com/Newsletters/View/?article=5068

Subscribe: https://www.growertalks.com/Newsletters/Signup/?newsletter=techondemand

10/08/2025

GREEN PROFIT'S buZZ! E-NEWS IS OUT! Read & Subscribe at https://www.greenprofit.com/Newsletters/View/?article=5066

Our very own Jen Polanz just got back from The Garden Center Group Fall Event in Raleigh — and wow, what a trip! From unique garden centers to powerful talks on culture, AI, and creating standout customer experiences, it was an event packed with inspiration.

One highlight? 🌲 Homewood Nursery & Garden Center — serene, rooted in Raleigh, and beautifully shoppable. Their “Rooted in Raleigh” message says it all.

💡 Jen also floated a great idea: a Garden Pro Program where customers can learn to “think like a pro” (hands-on, of course!). What do you think—would your shoppers dig that?

But that’s not all this week:

🥗 Botanical Bento – the next big trend from Garden Media Group’s 2026 report! Think “garden in a box” — curated, mindful, and totally Instagrammable. Perfect for a winter houseplant workshop.

💘 A Fine Romance – Turns out, romance is trending! From books to blooms, people are craving real connection. How are you bringing a little love story into your displays?

💻 Webinar Alert #1: Garden Center to E-Commerce Powerhouse
👉 October 20 @ 1 p.m. ET – Learn how Bast Brothers grew their business online.

🌸 Webinar Alert #2: America In Bloom: Year-Round Container Programs
👉 October 14 @ Noon ET – Learn to build beautiful, community-wide color displays all year long (and it’s free!).

🍺 10-Cent Beer Marketing Magic:
A California brewery’s 10¢ happy hour is turning heads—and creating community. Maybe there’s a “super-cheap, super-short” promo idea waiting for your garden center, too.

📍Next year’s Garden Center Group event? Cleveland, OH — get ready to rock it!

10/07/2025

ACRES ONLINE E-NEWS IS OUT—AND IT'S A POWER-PACKED EDITION! Read & subscribe at https://www.growertalks.com/Newsletters/View/?article=5064

Topics include:
🏆 Last Call for CEAs!
Controlled-environment growers — don’t miss your chance to enter the Cultivating Excellence Awards 2026! Winners will be celebrated at Indoor Ag-Con in Las Vegas, Feb. 11–12.
👉 Nominate your company today!

♻️ Reusable Plant Trays in Action
Royal FloraHolland is testing Europe’s Euro Plant Tray — a big move toward eliminating single-use plastics. Could this be coming our way next?

🥞 Cracker Barrel’s Branding Crash Course
Turns out, you can take the “country” out of Cracker Barrel … and nobody’s happy about it. A $700M rebrand gone wrong = lessons for all of us in knowing your audience.

💡 Branding Wisdom from Pen & Petal
Your brand isn’t your logo — it’s your story. Be consistent, authentic, and engaging to create customers for life.

🌸 Benary’s New CAST Home
After years in Watsonville, Benary is moving its Spring Trials to Por La Mar Nursery in Santa Barbara. New location, same legendary creativity (and maybe another Begonia Beer?).

🎨 Color-Matching with Terra Nova
Terra Nova pairs perennials with 2026’s trending paint hues — from Melodious Ivory to Warm Mahogany. Plant design meets interior design!

🎙️ Congrats to Bill Calkins!
200+ episodes of Tech on Demand! That puts him in the top 1% of all podcasters. Listen to the latest episode featuring Syngenta’s Dr. Brian Krug and Dr. Jamie Gibson.

🎉 55 Years of Ball Publishing Dedication
Cheers to Bill Calkins (20 years), Adriana Heikkila (20) and Kim Brown (15) — all celebrating (career at Ball) milestones in 2025

🌿 Register Now for MANTS 2026
Don’t procrastinate — January 7–9 in Baltimore. Early Bird rate: $20 until Dec. 5. It’s where serious green business gets done.

🪴 Wholesale, Meet Digital: Selling via Faire
Growers are finding new customers (and sales) through the wholesale platform Faire — one Apopka grower sold $100K in nine weeks!

🎬 Finally … Watch “Women’s Work”
A new PBS documentary celebrates America’s female farmers. Airing on public TV starting October 1, with special showings Oct. 12 for National Farmers Day.

10/03/2025

PHOTO DROP! First ever (and second day of) the Ball for Fall event hosted by in West Chicago! Featuring Ball Mums and other mums from different breeders. Along with fun fall combo inspiration. Over 100 growers and sales reps on an unseasonably warm early October day. 🌞