California Spring Trials tour planned for horticultural professionals

An intense, educational trip to several key California Spring Trial locations has been planned for April 9-13, 2010. The tour was organized by horticultural professors Mark Bridgen and Neil Mattson of Cornell University, Brian Krug of the University of New Hampshire and Roberto Lopez of Purdue University. 

Spring Trials tour itinerary:

April 9: Fly into San Jose, Calif., stay at designated hotel.

April 10: Tour departs for Golden State Bulb Growers in Watsonville; Syngenta Flowers/Goldsmith Seeds in Gilroy; Speedling (including Thompson & Morgan, GreeNex USA, Hem Genetics, MasterTag, Plant Source International and Schoneveld Twello) in San Juan Batista and Sakata Seed in Salinas.

April 11: Dummen USA in San Luis Obispo; Greenheart Farms in Arroyo Grande; Jiffy, Northern Innovators, Skagit Gardens and Florist de Kwakel, all in Santa Barbara.

April 12: PlantHaven in Santa Barbara; Ball Horticultural Co. (including PanAmerican Seed, Kieft Seeds and Selecta First Class) in Santa Paula; GroLink in Oxnard (including Green Fuse Botanicals). The final stop will be Suntory in Somis, if time permits.

April 13: Depart either Los Angeles airport (LAX) or Burbank Airport.

The tour package includes the cost of first class hotel accommodations, bus transportation, lunches and experienced guides. Dinners and transportation into San Jose and out of Los Angeles or Burbank are not included. Cost per person is $540 double occupancy or $720 for a single room. Registration deadline is Jan. 29, 2010. For online reservations, go to www.concepts.us.com and click on Event Registration, then to the site labeled Pack Trials Excursion for Greenhouse Growers April 9-13, 2010. For more: Mark Bridgen, (631) 727-3595.