to correspond with each column of sowing. Each plant 

 date column is wide enough to record how many plug 

 trays of seedlings were left over or whether there 

 were not enough. If we consistently have extra plug 

 trays, 1 can trim the number for the next year and 

 save some money. 



Lastly, there is a series of columns for miscella- 

 neous sizes, containers, etc. We offer some bedding 

 plants in 4 1/2-inch pots, hanging baskets, color 

 bowls, and odd cell pack configurations. Each column 

 is headed by the particular sow-date that provides 

 the seedlings. 



As I proceed through the growing season, every- 

 thing gets recorded in this table or on this crop's 

 page. Any deviations in plug trays sown, 1020's trans- 

 planted, or any other container size discrepancy is re- 

 corded in red ink in the appropriate cell of the table. 

 Blue ink is used as the original table color. Immedi- 

 ately after the season ends, in late |uly, pencil is 

 used to make changes for the next year. Later in the 

 fall, usually in November before I get too busy with 

 poinsettias and Christmas, I spend a week at my desk 

 making tables in a new notebook for the upcoming 

 year. Every pencil note finds its way into the new 

 table. If there is one thing I hate it is making an ad- 

 justment to solve a problem and not seeing the ad- 

 justment find its way into the next cycle's production. 



In conclusion, I can not understate the impor- 

 tance of a scheduling notebook. Someday I will find 

 the time to computerize the procedure and make life 

 a bit easier. But for now, if I am on an airplane and 

 the pilot tells me that we are about to crash and 

 there are not enough parachutes for both me and my 

 notebook, my notebook gets the parachute and not 

 me. That's how important I consider scheduling to be 

 in my business. 



Dr. Peter Konjoian is part-owner of Konjoian's Greenhouses 

 in Andover, MA. Peter is also president of Konjoian Floricul- 

 ture Education Services, Inc., 48 Brundrett Avenue, kndover 

 01810. He can be reached via phone at 508-683-0692 or 

 fax at 508-683-6962. 



THE GREEN SPOT 



^^ 



A Narrative with a Lesson 



THE SITUATION. 'This apple," the woman said, 

 showing the produce manager an apple from the dis- 

 play, "has a spot on it." 



it had been a long day and manager wondered how 

 many more "bad" apples — and complaints — were in the 

 pile. They all had to be perfect, he thought; from pile to 

 carriage, from pile to carriage — that's how it's supposed 

 to work. He made a note to call the distributor. 



The distributor really didn't see the harm of a spot 

 on one apple, but he needed the supermarket's busi- 

 ness and, after the call from the manager, he decided 

 to call the grower. 



The grower didn't want to spray more — it was ex- 

 pensive; it took time, but he needed the distributor to 

 move his product into the stores and after the phone 

 call, he decided to increase pesticide applications. 

 THE MORAL. Growers, wholesalers — educate your cus- 

 tomers! The spot wasn't bad. The woman just didn't 

 know. 



Natural growing techniques will often produce crops 

 of superior health. Many though, will produce less 

 than perfect plants — perfect by nature's standards, but 

 not the consumers' and these consumers are often the 

 people demanding less pesticides. 



Some of Nature's imperfections are already in our 

 lives. Are you bald? Do you wear glasses? is an apple 

 with a spot on it on your kitchen table? 



Don't be easy: aim for quality. But help your cus- 

 tomers to lighten up and put things in perspective. 

 Mike Cherim of The Green Spot, Lid , a New Hampshire Com- 

 pany supplying biological conlrol agents and associated pest and 

 disease management supplies nationwide, can be reached at 603- 

 942-8925. 



Route loi 

 PO Box 266, DubUn, NH 



603-563-8180 



Perennials ♦ Herbs ♦ Wildflowers 



no Varieties in 6-cell Packs 



UPS shipping Available 



Annual Bedding Plants (6-cell packs) 



Zonal Geraniums (4 i/z" pot) 



Hardy Mums in Season 



Perennials (available in 2, 3, 4 and 6 qt. pots) 



THE PLANTSMAN 



