Welcome to 'Sprout,' American Nurseryman's e-newsletter published on the first and third Thursdays of each month. For even more, be sure to read our October issue.

Bobcat announces price increase
Bobcat Company has announced it will raise the price of power units, attachments and select loader options effective Dec. 1. Models scheduled to become 2012 Interim Tier 4 (iT4) compliant will increase by 5.25 percent. According to the company, this “will be the lesser of two planned price increases for these models.” Stay tuned. Read more>

Monrovia goes mobile
If you’re on the go—and really, who isn’t these days?—then Monrovia is ready to keep up. The company is the first major grower to launch a website compatible with iPhone, Blackberry and Android technology. Designed for easy navigation with one of those little hand-helds, the site has a look and feel similar to Monrovia’s sit-at-your-desk portal. You can search through the database of 2,500+ plus plants, plus you can access design inspiration under such headings as Zen, Cottage, Contemporary, Eco-Friendly, Tropical and Classic. Read more>

Auxano Group debuts
Looking for marketing help? Industry veteran George Atkinson has the answer. Atkinson recently established a new strategic marketing company for the hort industry. The Auxano Group, with an emphasis on solving marketing, branding and product development puzzles, aims to make sense of the challenges unique to horticulture. Grower? Retailer? Check out the company’s web site. Read more>

Shop small!
You’re ready for Black Friday, right? And maybe for Cyber Monday? What about Small Business Saturday? Established last year by American Express to push business for the majority of businesses in this country that are, well, small, the day’s another hook to grab the consumer dollars that we’re told will be flowing a bit more smoothly this holiday season. You can get help with promos —signage, ideas, etc.—by visiting the AmEx Small Business Saturday web site. Read more>

IR-4 protocols ready for comment
IR-4 has finished developing the first drafts of its 2012 protocols in entomology, pathology and weed science—and you can help improve and finalize them. If you’re a grower, a researcher or are in Extension, you can download the proposed documents, review them and send your comments to IR-4. But please do so by Dec 1, 2011. Read more>

2062? Where will you be?
Ever wonder what the industry will be like in 50 years? (We’re curious, too.) Listen to what prognosticators have to say at the National Green Centre this January in Kansas City. On Sunday, Jan. 8, a panel of industry experts will discuss what the customer of 2062 will buy and on Monday, another group will talk about what the industry will sell. (Let’s hope the two agree.) Find out what you’ll need to do to position your company for the market of the future. Read more>

Burpee’s Youth Garden Award
Burpee Home Gardens is now accepting applications for the 2012 “I Can Grow” youth Garden Award, which supports urban school and community gardens across the U.S. In Spring 2012, five grand-prize winners will be awarded up to 500 vegetable and herb plants, including the Burpee BOOST collection; 5 gallons of Daniels® Plant Food plus one hose-end sprayer; and a Flip Video™ camera to document the garden’s progress throughout the year. The top two entries will also receive $2,500 for gardening supplies and on-site assistance from Burpee Home Gardens experts. Download applications at the link below—and please submit them no later than Friday, Dec. 23. Read more>

The social life of plants
Here’s the question: Just how socially adept are plants? Researchers at McMaster University, Ontario, have been trying to determine whether plants perform best with family or with strangers. In other words, do they thrive in the loving embrace of friends and loved ones, or do they benefit from the diversity provided by unrelated neighbors? It’s a tricky little puzzle, and much of the research has revealed contradictory results. Yet, as one scientist stated, “Simply put, social environment matters to plants.” Apparently, plants can recognize their kin and may be moved to “cooperate” with them. With holiday gatherings right around the corner, we might want to take note. Read more>

Did you know?
There's no escape! Sprout is now available on your iPhone and iPad. So if you're in the field, at the airport or shopping at Target — but please, not if you're behind the wheel — you can find us on your mobile device. Don't miss a second of Sprout, sent to you on the first and third Thursdays of each month. Now ready wherever you are.

People News

Dow AgroSciences scientist honored
Thomas Sparks, a Dow AgroSciences Research Fellow, has been granted the 2012 International Award for Research in Agrochemicals by the Agrochemical Division of the American Chemical Society. According to Dow, Sparks was instrumental in the development of the spinosyn class of insecticides. Read more>

BooShoot expands
BooShoot, a biotech company specializing in bamboo, has expanded with the addition for four key executives. Pettus Randall has been named CEO; Lars P. Nilson is EVP for sales and marketing; Jerrin Victor is senior director of production and R&D; and Dr. Dmytro P. Yevtushenko is director of research and development. Read more>

Gooch joins Direct Solutions
Direct Solutions announces the addition of Bryan Gooch as North American Marketing Manager. Read more>

Suttie joins Aris Horticulture
Aris Horticulture announces that Alison Suttie has taken the position of assistant business manager at the company’s Fort Myers, Fla., facility.Read more>

Miramar adds Stockton, promotes Danzer
Alan Stockton returns to Miramar Wholesale Nurseries as key accounts manager, and Ken Danzer has been promoted to shipping manager. Read more>

Buchholz joins Skagit Gardens
Skagit Gardens announces that Mark Buchholz has joined the company as finished sales manager. Read more>

Passings

Bryan Champion
Fifth generation nurseryman Bryan Champion, president of Herman Losely & Son Nursery in Perry, Ohio, passed away Nov. 10. Champion served as president of the Nursery Growers of Lake County, Ohio; the ANLA’s Wholesale Nursery Grower’s Association and the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association. He was 47. Read more>

Hot Products

Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’
Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’ from PlantHaven provides constantly swirling color throughout the seasons: In early spring the leaves emerge with lime-green centers and bright yellow edges on bright red stems; in summer, the yellow matures to gold and the variegation does not burn or scorch in the hottest of weather; in fall and winter the foliage color deepens to shades of orange and fiery red. Read more>

WorkPro cab systems
Curtis Industries has added a new cab system for John Deere’s 1000 Series compact tractors. The new cab system offers the most legroom in the entire WorkPro series. The cabs come in both hard-sided and soft-sided editions that maintain full ROPs certification to retain the integrity of the vehicle. The hard-sided edition features hard doors with deluxe sliding windows and wiper-ready glass rear panel. Both versions come standard with pin-hinged doors for easy removal in minutes and key locking outside handles. The cabs measure 61 inches from floorboard in height. Read more>

Hedge trimmer
Shindaiwa has introduced the DH232 hedge trimmer, a double-sided model available in 24- or 30-inch lengths. Featuring a lightweight design for greater operator comfort, the DH232 is powered by a dependable 21.2 cc professional-grade, 2-stroke engine that delivers plenty of power to cut through thicker branches. It also features laser cut and precision-ground blades, a vibration reduction system and a front exhaust system. Read more>

Angled frame conveyor
Need a lift? QC Industries offers the AS40Z Series of angled frame conveyors designed to enable elevation changes not possible with a flat conveyor. The design resists twisting and employs the company’s Z-Track design. AS40Z Conveyors are available in three configurations for any elevating or lowering application. The L is a horizontal to inclined configuration and the R is inclined to horizontal, while the Z is horizontal to inclined to horizontal. The three most popular angles—30°, 45° and 60°—are available as standard, while others are available as special orders. Read more>

6-watt LED landscape light
Larson Electronics’ Magnalight has introduced a powerful LED alternative to halogen landscape lighting that provides the same amount of light as halogen lamps while using only a fraction as much energy. The 6-watt HOLL-LED6W provides as much light as standard 50-watt halogen landscape lights and produces a much cleaner and whiter light output while using far less power. Designed for outdoor landscape applications, this LED light fixture is ruggedly constructed, waterproof, powerful, and offers the long, 50,000-hour operational life of LED technology. Read more>

OxiDate OMRI listed
OxiDate Ready to Spray fungicide/bactericide from BioSafe Systems now is OMRI Listed for use in organic gardening. The product is a hook-to-hose system for use in fruit and vegetable gardens, to help control diseases such as Botrytis and dollar spot. Read more>

Finally: Be kind to our web-footed friends