NGI Updates | Your Levy at Work

Growers, retailers and landscapers urged to participate in data survey

Final calls are underway for Australia’s national statistics survey, with production and retail nurseries, as well as landscaping businesses, urged to participate to help gain a greater understanding of the nursery value chain.

The nationwide survey is being managed by independent research agency, Down to Earth Research, in partnership with ACIL Allen Consulting, Nursery & Garden Industry Australia (NGIA) and Hort Innovation.

Similar to 2017, the survey will aim to interview approximately 300 green life production nurseries and, for the first time ever, will expand its reach to survey key green life customers such as retail nurseries and landscaping business.

Plant Life Balance expands beyond living spaces

by Levy Communications • NGI Updates

The nursery industry’s marketing campaign Plant Life Balance has released two new plant looks for retailers, to encourage customers to introduce more green life into their work and living spaces.

The new looks, known as Beachy Green and Hanging Botanica, mark the expansion of the marketing campaign from beyond the home and into our local shops, cafes and offices.

It features two green innovators, who share their own spaces and communicate the importance of achieving Plant Life Balance across all parts of their lives.

Updated digital kits containing images of new looks have been sent to retail nurseries on November 19. Nurseries can also download and print the kit here.

Pest of the month: Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV)

by Levy Communications • NGI Updates

Category: Virus

Symptoms:

The symptoms found on an infected plant will vary with the genus, species, cultivars and growth stages of the plant, and the strain of the virus.

In cucurbits, symptoms described range from light yellow green spots, vein clearing and crumpling on young leaves, to chlorotic mottling, leaf deformation, plant stunting, bleaching of mature leaves and necrosis at later stages of growth. Symptoms on fruit can include fruit abortion, fruit malformation, fruit drop, uneven ripening, internal yellowing, breakdown and discoloration of the flesh.

In cucumber, fruit become soft and has a reduced shelf life, slightly reduced size and overall reduced yield.

Other mosaic diseases, caused by potyviruses, can cause similar symptoms. This makes the disease difficult to identify by symptoms alone and laboratory tests are necessary to confirm infection. More

The application deadline for 2019 Hort Masterclass has been extended!

by Levy Communications • NGI Updates

Lisa Bassington and Patrick Noonan – Hort Masterclass Graduates.

There is still time to apply for the 2019 Masterclass in Horticultural Business. Scholarship applications will now close Monday, 19 November.

General applications to participate in the course are due Monday, 10 December 2018.

Described as a mini-MBA, the Masterclass runs for 10-months and provides a comprehensive, affordable and accessible program for those looking to accelerate their horticultural career.

This year, the nursery industry has several scholarships on offer; each valued at $10,000 to cover tuition costs.

Why apply?

We’re on the brink of a green era, so we need to make sure we are propelling the careers of our future industry leaders, to facilitate this growth. Nursery employers and employees that have a passion for building their skills and the industry’s capacity are strongly encouraged to apply!

Don’t miss your chance – apply today at: http://www.utas.edu.au/tia/study/masterclass-in-horticultural-business/apply-now

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Nationwide survey to collect nursery data kicks off

by Levy Communications • NGI Updates

Nurseries who receive a call to contribute to the Nursery Industry Statistics 2017/18 to 2019/20 (NY17008) survey are encouraged to get involved in order to build an accurate snapshot of the industry and its contribution to the Australian community.

Managing the survey are independent agencies, Down to Earth Research (DTER), who oversaw the surveying last year. Over the next few months, the research team will survey around 300 green life producers to collate annual figures relating to business profitability and productivity, as well staffing and social statistics.

Growers and staff are reminded that any data or information they provide remains strictly confidential and will not be available to peers or other organisations. Instead, the data will be aggregated with other businesses, and presented as an overview of the industry. More

Improving your Plant Life Balance: A marketing update

by Levy Communications • NGI Updates

Plant Life Balance (PLB) is the national consumer marketing campaign within the 202020 Vision Program, for the Australian nursery industry. Since its inception, PLB has aimed to raise awareness about the benefits of plants and to deliver a return on investment to levy payers by boosting the demand for green life.

As part of the campaign, an augmented reality greening app was developed for consumers – including the most novice of plant owners – to drive engagement online and across retailers. The mission was to widely spread the wellbeing benefits of ‘going green’, and to show how plants improve our surrounds. More