The STEM Podcast

The STEM Podcast

By Bill CalkinsTechnology
Download on the App Store

The STEM Podcast episodes

  • Selling to Different Tribes

    Bill Calkins is the host and guest of this episode of STEM identifying different tribes of likeminded shoppers and offering tips for how to attract and inspire them.

    32 min
  • Perennials: The Retail Color Bridge

    Greg Soles, a Product Representative with Darwin Perennials and a true advocate for perennial plants joins STEM to talk about crop scheduling and new breeding that result in profit during shoulder seasons using fresh, flowering perennials.

    35 min
  • Executing Your Plan with Priority and Timeliness

    Jason Twaddell, Territory Manager with Ball FloraPlant, joins STEM to talk about everything you need to consider from planning to shipping a crop of annuals so you hit critical dates. Reduce shrink and maximize profitability by executing at all stages of production.

    35 min
  • Getting Off to a Great Start

    Dr. Todd Cavins, Ball Seed Technical Services, joins STEM to talk about proper care and handling of young plants – specifically plugs and liners. Todd begins by discussing reasons to start with young plants versus seed or unrooted cuttings and the benefits of buying in plugs and liners. He then digs into some of the common challenges the technical services team runs into each Spring and some specific tips and tricks for receiving young plants.

    30 min
  • Drama in the Garden

    Dr. Marvin Miller (industry legend, Ball Seed market research manager, economist and trend spotter) joins us to talk about a strategy for greenhouse growers to consider producing more Jumbo Packs and 1801 sized material to meet the new needs of today’s younger shoppers and homeowners. Dr. Miller walks us through the demand from a statistical (and anecdotal) perspective, as well as pointing out how the economics are positive for growers. 

    32 min
  • Drama in the Garden
    Dr. Marvin Miller (industry legend, Ball Seed market research manager, economist and trend spotter) joins us to talk about a strategy for greenhouse growers to consider producing more Jumbo Packs and 1801 sized material to meet the new needs of today’s younger shoppers and homeowners. Not only do smaller formats like Jumbo Packs offer a lower price compared to 4.5 inch annuals, but also more opportunities for creativity when planting garden beds. These homeowners see beds planted in commercial landscapes and large estates and want to replicate the look at their own homes but can’t afford to use premium pots and also don’t want to use small cell packs. So what’s the alternative?
    Dr. Miller walks us through the demand from a statistical (and anecdotal) perspective, as well as pointing out how the economics are positive for growers. He also shares some top varieties to use in these pack formats (vegetative and premium seed inputs) and finally shares some thoughts on how to market them to retail shoppers.
    As he told me after the show, it’s time to think differently about bedding plants - outside the box is not exactly the goal - it’s more like creating a new box:
    • What we grow.
    • How we grow.
    • How we price.
    • Why we do it.
    Here’s a link to Dr. Miller’s own photography from The Gardens at Ball in West Chicago – planted from 1801s showing Drama in the Garden: https://www.slideshare.net/bcalkins/drama-in-the-garden
    And reflecting his findings that shoppers age 18-34 are all about individualization and creativity, here’s a timely story from the recent IPM Essen Show in Germany: http://www.floraldaily.com/article/13648/Green-stylist-Romeo-Sommers-highlights-trends-for-2018
    Connect Four
    Content from this episode includes four news stories related to labor – challenges and solutions. Here are some of the links referenced. For greenhouse growers, labor was a critical issue in 2017 and looks to be again in 2018. From training and company culture to automation and technology, there are many ways to mitigate the pressure.
    AutoStix – automation to alleviate labor challenges:
    http://www.hortibiz.com/item/news/autostix-the-newest-greenhouse-technology/
    http://www.greenhousegrower.com/technology/visser-ball-partner-on-new-sticking-technology-for-cuttings/
    Investing to increase efficiency, counteract labor challenges:
    http://www.greenhousegrower.com/management/state-of-the-industry-2017-growers-are-ready-to-invest-to-alleviate-labor-pains/
    Research indicates that workers have three prime needs: Interesting work, recognition for doing a good job, and being let in on things that are going on in the company. - Zig Ziglar
    Email Guest Dr. Marvin Miller: [email protected]
    Email Host Bill Calkins: [email protected]
    Tweet Host Bill Calkins: @billcalkins
    Connect with Ball Seed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ball-seed-co/
    Follow The Gardens at Ball on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GardensAtBall/
    See Ball Seed Videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BallSeedVideo
    Ball Seed Website & WebTrack Access: https://www.ballseed.com/
    I can’t understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I’m frightened of the older ones.
    – John Cage, composer
    32 min

About The STEM Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Insider Tips for Greenhouse Pros