March 2023 - 6

INDUSTRY NEWS
from americanhort to you
Gain Key Insights at Cultivate'23
BY JENNIFER GRAY AND CELINA YOUNG
The Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) will once
again take the stage at Cultivate with a full slate of
tHRIve Sessions, July 15-18, in Columbus, Ohio. These
educational sessions provide all segments of the green
industry an opportunity to hear key insights from leading
researchers nationwide.
HRI, the AmericanHort foundation, was created to
help improve the green industry through research that
addresses critical issues and provides solutions and
innovations. tHRIve sessions at Cultivate feature HRIsupported
research endeavors representing all four of
HRI's strategic focus areas: quantifying plant benefits,
creating innovative solutions, gathering consumer
insights, and producing practical and actionable solutions.
tHRIve sessions at Cultivate are grouped around key
topic areas. The first group of sessions explores plant
breeding research. Growers want to breed and market
plants that have spectacular appeal and beauty, but also
want them to be durable, resilient, pest resistant, and noninvasive.
Speakers in these sessions will address important
considerations for the next generation of nursery crops,
including breeding hardy hibiscus and asclepias, as well as
taking a closer look at the art and science of sterility and
regulation in buddleja breeding.
Technology is at the heart of solving problems and
creating innovative processes for many production
systems; tHRIve sessions at Cultivate will provide a look
at some of the latest technology projects. First up is a
look at how semi-transparent solar power cell design has
the potential to both generate electricity and transmit
light for crop production. Next, attendees will learn how
fluorescence imaging can be used as a low-cost method
for early stress detection in plants. Finally, if you've ever
been curious about drone technology applications in
horticulture, you won't want to miss three back-to-back
HRI ANNOUNCES 2023
FUNDED RESEARCH FOCUSES
The Horticultural Research
Institute (HRI) is providing nearly
$400,000 in grant support for
11 projects working to tackle green
6 MARCH 2023 GPNMAG.COM
sessions introducing drone usage for everything from
scouting to disease control, fungicide applications to
pest management, and the application of beneficials
and bioinsecticides.
Pollinators and native plants continue to be popular
topics with consumers. A series of tHRIve sessions at
Cultivate will include a look at the data behind consumer
perceptions on native plants, provide practical tips
for building a better monarch butterfly garden, and
demonstrate how to identify annual and perennial plants
for pollinators.
HRI has a long history of supporting projects that help
the industry tackle the most persistent and tricky pest and
disease management issues. A series of tHRIve sessions
will focus on the latest research in these areas. Come hear
updates on spotted lanternfly, red-headed flea beetle and
the curious vascular streak dieback. Experts will discuss
what is known and dive into the challenges the industry
continues to face.
Finally, a new addition to the tHRIve session lineup at
Cultivate'23 is a half-day program on Saturday focused on
the essentials of hydroponic production. Our speakers will
cover technologies such as lighting and lighting control,
hydroponics systems, nutrient rootzone management,
plant response to the environment, and more. This program
wraps up with an open panel discussion with internationally
recognized scientists and engineers in academia and the
industry sector, ready to set you up for success.
Cultivate'23 general registration opens March 15. Learn
more at www.americanhort.org/cultivate. Explore HRIfunded
research and tHRIve webinar recordings at
www.hriresearch.org.
Jennifer Gray is a research programs administrator at the
Horticultural Research Institute; and Celina Young is a marketing
communications specialist.
industry issues ranging from pest
management to new technologies,
from developing marketing insights
to battling plant diseases.
" Research is essential to
accelerating business growth, "
says Brian Decker, HRI board
president and president of
Decker's Nursery, Groveport, Ohio.
" HRI is committed to supporting
research in the priority areas of
quantifying plant benefits, creating
http://www.americanhort.org/cultivate http://www.hriresearch.org http://www.GPNMAG.COM
March 2023

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