ELSEWHERE IN THE 



field for sporting events and then 

 easily roll it back out for concerts 

 and other events. This invention is 

 patented." 



This system "would consist of a 

 grid-like steel superstructure base that 

 would support a trussed metal floor 

 panel and grid-like side panels. Made 

 of rock, gravel, and soil, it would 

 make the job of preparing a field less 

 time-consuming and less labor inten- 

 sive; "The Moveable Grass Playing 

 Field System woiJd turn a domed sta- 

 dium into a multi-use facility." 



For details, contact Kelly Walmsley 

 at 412-288-2136, ext 157.) 



Flow^ers of the Year 



New groups announce their "Flower 

 of the Year." This could become te- 

 dious, but hasn't yet, with plenty of 

 flowers to go around. 



On October 30, 1998, the As- 



sociation of Specialty Cut Flower 

 Growers (ASCFG) announced the 

 "1999 Fresh and Dried Cut Flow- 

 ers of the Year" at its national 

 conference in Raleigh, North 

 Carolina. Candidates were nomi- 

 nated by the membership, then 

 chosen by the ASCFG board. Both 

 winners had been trialed in the 

 National Cut Flower Trials and 

 had received high marks. 



The "1999 Fresh Cut Flower of 

 the Year" is Zinnia 'Benary's Giant' 

 series from Benary Seed. Zinnias in 

 this series come in twelve separate 

 colors and a mix. 



Unlike many zinnia cultivars, 

 'Benary's Giant' is productive the 

 entire season in most areas of the 

 country. (Growers in southern 

 states may want to make a second 

 planting in July for fall harvest.) 

 Plants are vigorous and more mil- 

 dew-tolerant than most other zin- 



nias. Stems average 16-30 inches; 

 the first flower or two may be 

 short and should be removed. 

 Flowers have long vase life and re- 

 tain their colors well. 



The "1999 Dried Cut Flower of 

 the Year" is Gomphrena 'Qis Car- 

 mine' from Kieft Seeds Holland. 

 'Qis Carmine' is a new color for 

 the species Gomphrena haageana, 

 complementing 'Qis Red' and 'Qis 

 Orange.' It's seen as exceptionally 

 productive , with dark leaves, long 

 stems (10-18 inches), and large 

 flower heads. Gomphrena is heat- 

 tolerant and should be planted af- 

 ter soil has warmed. 



For information on seed sources, 

 contact Dennis Reynolds (Benary) at 

 630-790-2378 or Jeff McGrew 

 (Kieft) at 360-445-2031. For infor- 

 mation on the ASCFG, contact Judy 

 Laushman at 440-774-2887 or use 

 its new web site: www.ascfg.org. 



^I^Pleasant 



" " INNOVATIONS IN Fl ( 



INNOVATIONS IN FLORICULTURE 



7316 PLEASANT STREET LOUDON NEW HAMPSHIRE 03301 



603-435-8361 OR 1-800-343-4784 



FAX 603-435-6849 



FEBRUARY / MARCH 1999 



