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.

Recovering from Sandy
Unprecedented. Once-in-a-lifetime. Frankenstorm. Somehow the words can’t begin to describe the effects of Hurricane Sandy—just as our words of condolence and support can’t begin to express how we feel. This awful combination of elements—hurricane, nor’easter and massive Canadian jet stream—has quite literally changed the landscape in too many areas. If you can read this, and if you’re safe, we’d like to hear how you fared. Send us your comments, your photos, your thoughts, and we’ll share them online. Contact us here.

Perennial Patent Company ready to register
Need help patenting those new plants? A new company can provide you with simple and cost-effective options for plant patent services. The Perennial Patent Co., founded by breeder agent Sam McCoy, streamlines the process of preparing and prosecuting a plant patent application, performing all necessary hort and legal services in-house. Saves time, saves money, saves confusion.
Read more here and here.

Nexus opens new facility
Nexus Corp., Northglenn, Colo., has opened a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Pana, Ill. Both steel and aluminum structures are manufactured in the Pana plant, where the added space more than doubles the footprint of the company’s original building. The Nexus Pana plant supplies both the Nexus and National Greenhouse product line for Nexus customers in the Midwest and along the East Coast. National Greenhouse Company (a Division of Nexus) has been in Pana since its inception in 1919. Read more>

Ruppert acquires The Watchman Group
Ruppert Landscape Inc. has announced its acquisition of The Watchman Group Inc., based in Kensington, Md. The company specializes in project management and site development and is focused on sports field and golf course development, including building structures, site infrastructure and wastewater treatment facilities. The Watchman Group has built a reputation as being a customer-focused company that provides quality, high-end results. Company founder, Jim Wachter, will be joining Ruppert as a Senior Project Manager. Read more>

2012 waterlily winners
Eight spectacular blooms were selected as best of the best in the International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society’s 15th annual New Waterlily Competition. Waterlily hybrids were grown out and photographed at the Denver Botanic Gardens under the supervision of aquatic horticulturist, Tamara Kilbane. Entries from around the world were judged by an international panel of aquatic plant experts. In addition, online and on-site voting was open to the public for People’s Choice Awards. This year’s winners include:
• Best New Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Tropic Punch’
• 2nd Best New Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Kiss the Sky’
• 1st Place Hardy Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Manee Red’ (pictured)
• 2nd Place Hardy Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Pink Pom Pom’
• 1st Place Tropical Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Tropic Punch’
• 2nd Place Tropical Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Sand Pearl’
• 1st Place Intersubgeneric Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Kiss the Sky’
• 2nd Place Intersubgeneric Waterlily: Nymphaea ‘Florida Aquatic Nurseries’ Deep Purple’
Read more>

Consolidated Greenhouse Solutions formed
Sylvia Courtney and Becky Yount have partnered to leverage their 55+ years of greenhouse experience and successfully launched Consolidated Greenhouse Solutions (CGS). CGS offers integrated services focusing on assisting greenhouse operators reduce overall costs while achieving their objectives. CGS will be working with architects and construction managers to provide a clear specification for competitive bids, assisting with maintenance planning, greenhouse modifications and renovations, equipment and control upgrades and trainings. Read more>

What’s on tap for CENTS
Don’t miss CENTS 2013, slated for January 14 to 16 in Columbus, Ohio. Why? Because you’d miss a Who’s Who of speakers, including Bridget Behe, Michael Dirr, Jim Paluch, Tom Shay and Frank Mariani. Other highlights include the ONLA Management Master Class, Growers Energy Solutions Interactive Learning Center, a Hands-on Tool Pavilion, Landscapers’ Challenge and the Young Professional Leadership Summit. You can register online, but don’t wait too long. You know how frustrating last-minute airline reservations can be. Read more>

People News

Castorani receives IPPS Award of Merit
Steve Castorani, president of North Creek Nursery in Landenberg, Penn., has received the IPPS Award of Merit, the highest honor bestowed by the Eastern Region of the International Plant Propagators’ Society, for his “significant contributions to the field of plant propagation or production.” Castorani is a past president of the IPPS Eastern Region, and previously was named Fellow. Read more>

Russell joins Abbott-IPCO
Brian Russell has been appointed Sales Manager for the Southeastern U.S. for Abbott-IPCO, Dallas. Russell will be based in Hickory, N.C., and will be responsible for grower sales. Read more>

Hunter promotes two
Greg Hunter has been promoted to Chief Operating Office of Hunter Industries, and Gene Smith has been promoted to replace Hunter as the company’s Vice President of Marketing. Smith previously was Director of Marketing for Commercial and Residential Irrigation. Read more>

Passings

George Morrell
George Morrell, 67, founder of landscape management company The Morrell Group in Atlanta and a vice president of Valleycrest Companies, died October 16. Read more>

Hot Products

Top-handled chain saw
The CS-355T is ECHO’s premier top-handle chain saw targeted to arborists. The compact design offers the best combination of lightweight, easy starting and powerful cutting performance at an affordable investment. Weighing in at 8.0 lbs, the CS-355T features a 35.8 cc commercial-grade two-stroke engine. Built with operator comfort in mind, the CS-355T also features an ECHO-exclusive palm rest that provides greater control, supporting the operator’s hand and preventing the hand from sliding. A G-Force Engine Air Pre-Cleaner™ provides a clean air supply to the engine by pulling dust and chips from the air box. An easy-access, rear-mounted air filter provides superior filtration for longer engine life. Cut-outs on the dual-post chain brake handle provide a clear view of the bar and chain. Read more>

Virtual tradeshow app
Solve on-the-job hassles with an easy, gaming platform on the iPhone or iPad—a new, free mobile app that eliminates many of the time-consuming aspects of delivering a landscape project while earning “Tradeshow Bucks” for using favorite vendors. LandSpec Pro Tradeshow LLC (LSPT) is a win-win, free app that connects landscapers with plants, materials, services and equipment. The app lets you plan on the go; upload, tag and make notes and changes on client site plans; access current inventory and pricing from participating vendors—and more! Read more>

MustGrow™ Invest™ nematicide
MustGrow™ Invest™ from MPT Mustard Products and Technologies is a granular product that has been EPA approved as a broad-spectrum nematicide with pending OMRI Organic Certification. The patented formulation uses specific extracts from a select variety of mustard seeds, which are combined and added to a de-oiled mustard meal. This formulation results in high levels of the active Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC). MustGrow™ Invest™ is stable until activated with water, at which point the AITC—a volatile compound—is released. Read more>

Compact track loaders ’n’ skid steers
Bobcat introduces the 500 frame-size skid-steer and compact track loaders, providing operators with increased visibility, a more comfortable cab and easier serviceability to maximize jobsite efficiency. The seven new machines include the S510, S530, S550, S570 and S590 skid-steer loaders and the T550 and T590 compact track loaders. The S510, S550 and T550 feature a radius lift path, providing operators the reach and visibility they require for dumping over a wall, backfilling or loading flatbed trucks. The S530, S570, S590 and T590 models feature a vertical lift path, providing operators the ability to lift heavier loads higher, making it easier to clear high-sided truck boxes and hoppers, as well as placing pallets loaded with heavy material. Read more>

Landscape dolly
Bon’s Landscape Tie Dolly features a v-shaped bed and a wide, 39-inch wheel base for easy maneuvering of heavy and cumbersome loads around the work site. The bed is well balanced on the wheels, making it ideal for moving large railroad or landscape ties. It is equipped with large, 16-inch diameter pneumatic wheels. Bed length is 30 inches; width is 16 inches; handle is 29 inches long. The unit weighs 55 pounds. Read more>

ArborVAC
Bandit Industries’ new ArborVAC is a heavy-duty yard vacuum that also functions as a blower and compact processing machine that pulls in debris ranging from leaves to wood chips and stump-grinding mulch—then chops it and sends it out the direction chute. A discharge chute is also available, allowing the processed material to be deposited where it’s needed. The machine is available with gas engines from 14 to 27 horsepower. Read more>