December 2021 - 9

INDUSTRY NEWS
led the trials,
along with
the head
grower at
each of the
sites.
The Lake
Mathews,
California,
trial site
spans a halfacre,
where 400
roses are planted
annually and observed in various groups
for three years, equating to more than
400 trial roses at any one time. There are
no chemical sprays of any kind, and those
roses that stay free of diseases and insects
are moved on to the next stage of trialing.
The roses that qualified during the
internal trials proceeded to external trial
sites, where they were deemed to be lowmaintenance,
easy-to-grow, highly blightresistant
roses that produced abundances
of large, true-rose flowers with many
deeply colorful petals.
The recently completed garden trials
review produced solid performance
information about the five hybrid rose
varieties that make up the True Bloom
Roses collection. Each of the varieties
displayed exemplary characteristics,
including 'True Passion', 'True Gratitude',
'True Friendship', 'True Sincerity', and 'True
Inspiration'.
Altman Plants, most notably, observed
improved performance as it relates to
resistance to black spot and powdery
mildew as well as aphids and other pests.
True Bloom Roses, when watered and
fertilized appropriately, should not require
pest control measures. Any appearance
should be negligible and handled by natural
predators. This same " good culture "
approach should also greatly reduce or
eliminate the need for fungicide treatment.
Visit www.altmanplants.com for more
information.
CALENDAR
JANUARY
5-7: Mid-Atlantic Nursery
Trade Show (MANTS)
Baltimore, Maryland
www.mants.com
For a more detailed list of events,
including regional shows throughout
the year, visit our calendar section at
WWW.GPNMAG.COM
19-21: Tropical Plant
International Expo (TPIE)
Tampa, Florida
www.tpie.org
25-28: IPM Essen
Essen, Germany
www.ipm-essen.de
FEBRUARY
1-4: ProGreen EXPO
Denver, Colorado
www.progreenexpo.com
28-March 1: Indoor
Ag-Con
Las Vegas, Nevada
www.indoor.ag
MARCH
9-11: World Floral Expo
New York, New York
www.hppexhibitions.com/wfe
30-April 3: 2022 California
Spring Trials
Various locations throughout California
www.2022cast.com
GREENHOUSE PRODUCT NEWS 9
PLANTHAVEN ANNOUNCES NEW
OWNERSHIP
Robert Bett and Jeanette Bett, two long-term
team members of PlantHaven International,
recently purchased the agency from founders
Geoff Needham and Maureen Needham.
Collectively, they bring 55+ years in managing
breeding portfolios on an international
marketplace. Former founder and CEO Geoff
Needham will mentor the new owners as a
consultant throughout the transition.
" The Betts joined our team 12 years ago,
with Robert assuming the role of CEO for the
last eight years. Maureen and I could not be
more thrilled to see them carry on the legacy
of this agency representing the most influential
independent plant breeding companies in our
industry, " says Geoff Needham.
Robert and Jeanette Bett have a long
relationship with PlantHaven International. They
began working with the Needhams in their roles
at Lyndale Kiwi Flora in Auckland, New Zealand,
in 2000. In 2009, the Betts accepted leadership
SMITHERS-OASIS LAUNCHES GLOBAL
SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE
Smithers-Oasis, a global expert in floriculture
and horticulture industries as well as a
foam technology specialist in industries like
temperature controlled packaging, has
announced its new Sustainability Program -
Do Good. Every Day.
" Eight years ago, when Smithers-Oasis
launched our first Sustainability Program, we
were one of the few companies in the floriculture
and horticulture industries to have a formal
sustainability platform, " said Robin Kilbride,
president and CEO of Smithers-Oasis. " Since
then, many companies in those industries have
developed something. Also, there are different
expectations for our businesses outside of our
heritage markets, such as temperature controlled
packaging. So, building on our business units'
local activities to support our original three pillars
of People, Planet, and Prosperity, we were ready
to significantly expand our program. "
The Smithers-Oasis Sustainability Program
positions with PlantHaven International and
moved to Santa Barbara, California.
Robert Bett adds, " We're beyond delighted
with the outpouring of support from the
breeders that PlantHaven International has
represented for so many years. It has exceeded
our expectations and excites us even more for
what's to come with PlantHaven 2.0! "
The new headquarters is located in the Riviera
Business Park, at 2060 Alameda Padre Serra,
Suite 202, Santa Barbara, CA 93103.
The PlantHaven California Spring Trials
location will also have a new home located at the
Santa Barbara Polo Club.
will focus on five areas of sustainability:
Employee Experience; Community Engagement;
Environment, Health & Safety; Product
Responsibility & Innovation; and Ethics &
Integrity.
Sustainability has long been a value at
Smithers-Oasis. OASIS Floral Foam with
biodegradable performance launched in 2014,
the first of its kind and still the only floral foam in
the world that has been certified and is available
in more than 50 countries. More recent launches
include OASIS TerraBrick Floral Media which is
certified OK compost HOME and OK compost
INDUSTRIAL, FloraLife Leafshine Silicone
Free, FloraLife Flower Food sachets made with
recyclable paper, and OASIS Grower Solutions
Horticubes AeroMax, which increases growth of
leafy greens up to 30%, significantly increasing
the output of hydroponic growers within the same
footprint.
To learn more about the Smithers-Oasis
Sustainability Program - Do Good. Every Day. -
go to smithersoasis.com/sustainability.
http://www.altmanplants.com http://www.smithersoasis.com/sustainability http://www.hppexhibitions.com/wfe http://www.progreenexpo.com http://www.tpie.org http://www.mants.com http://www.ipm-essen.de http://www.indoor.ag http://www.2022cast.com http://WWW.GPNMAG.COM
December 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of December 2021
