Entries for 2025 (52)

Dec 26, 2025
a retention pond Water Quality & Fertilizer Food for Thought (Part 3) Technical Services
Let’s continue the conversation about water quality and elevated EC by covering blending water with non-RO sources. PROBLEM: Reducing the EC of your water can lead to a number of benefits. Last ...

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Dec 19, 2025
A reverse osmosis system Water Quality & Fertilizer Food for Thought (Part 2) Technical Services
The conversation surrounding water quality continues and takes a quick step back to follow up on our tech tip from two weeks ago. And next Friday, as a belated Christmas Gift, we’ll cover blending water ...

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Dec 16, 2025
A vase of flowers in pink, yellow and red. Cut Flower Choices for Retail Garden Centers Your Ball Seed Team
Plant lovers across North America are clamoring for their own backyard cutting garden spaces. The ability to grow and enjoy their own floral bouquets is very attractive. Plus it fosters neighborly connections as personal and ...

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Dec 10, 2025
Supporting Poinsettias With Consumer Outreach Supporting Poinsettias With Consumer Outreach Katie Rotella
The poinsettia selling season is upon us, and all the industry's hard work supplying, producing, growing and shipping this seasonal class of plants is making its way into the hands ...

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Dec 05, 2025
two liners on a scale background. What You Need To Know About BA Technical Services
Usually our weekly tips are courtesy of Ball Seed Technical Services troubleshooter Nick Flax, but this week Dr. Josh Henry is taking over with some special tech training on a specific plant growth regulator: Benzyladenine. ...

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Nov 28, 2025
Water Quality Deep Dive - Soluble Salts, Macro- and Micronutrients and pH Water Quality Deep Dive - Soluble Salts, Macro- and Micronutrients and pH Technical Services
We’re continuing last week’s discussion about interpreting water test results. PROBLEM: Alkalinity is arguably the most important water quality factor to monitor and manage when growing greenhouse crops, but it’s not ...

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Nov 25, 2025
Collage of a man holding a video camera, printed news, mobile apps BallSeed.com Newly Redesigned to Support Every Successful Season Your Ball Seed Team
Check out all the latest updates and resources built to help you grow today! Product Index – Find crop details by category or product form to support ...

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Nov 21, 2025
Water Quality Deep Dive – Understanding Alkalinity Water Quality Deep Dive – Understanding Alkalinity Technical Services
Do you know how to interpret your water quality tests? This week, let’s start with a deeper understanding of alkalinity. PROBLEM: When you send water samples off for testing and results ...

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Nov 19, 2025
Gorgeous landscape view of the mums at the Ball Seed Ball for Fall Event Ball for Fall 2025: A Ball Seed Event Jessie McMillin
Need to Know Uniform bloom timing: Families bred for synchronized flowering, reducing labor and simplifying scheduling. Expanded color palettes: Rich oranges, ...

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Nov 14, 2025
Greenhouse photo of poinsettia Fungus Gnat G'nonsense Technical Services
Nick Flax is following up last week’s Grower Tip on Rhizoctonia with another poinsettia tip — this time the challenge is fungus gnats. PROBLEM: When a beautiful poinsettia crop is ready ...

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Nov 10, 2025
cover of 2026 poinsettia catalog Now Available: 2026 Selecta One® Poinsettias Catalog Your Ball Seed Team
The new 50-page catalog from Selecta One features the latest Poinsettia varieties for 2026. See three new introductions to help make your program merry and bright: ...

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Nov 07, 2025
A whitening poinsettia plant on a bench experiencing symptoms. Disease Pressure On The Rhiz Technical Services
There are some interesting poinsettia symptoms showing up lately. Here’s why they required a closer look from out pathologists to avoid misdiagnosis of the causal pathogen. PROBLEM: Over the last couple ...

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Oct 31, 2025
A yellow sticky card trap filled with bugs is set above a wide bench of seedlings. Hide And Seek With Bugs Technical Services
As you and your team prepare for a top-notch pest-scouting season in 2026, here are some tips from Ball Seed Technical Services expert Nick Flax. PROBLEM: A key to revamping your ...

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Oct 27, 2025
Watering geraniums with a hand wand and hose Engaging the Younger Generation in Horticulture Jaime Kedrowski
Need to Know Industry solutions for growers trying to attract a younger generation. Helping growers not only succeed but thrive ...

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Oct 24, 2025
A close up of petunia leaves. Tobacco Mosaic Virus Management Plan Technical Services
Here’s a helpful tech sheet from the Ball Seed Technical Services team detailing strategies for minimizing the risk of Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) in your greenhouse. PROBLEM: If presence of TMV ...

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Oct 18, 2025
The cover of GPN magazine with a pink flower with a bee on it. IN THE NEWS: Dianthus Cut Flower Highlight in GPN Magazine Katie Rotella
In the September issue of Greenhouse Product News (GPN magazine), or very own Jose Sanchez, Ball Seed regional business manager, was a featured contributor with a highlight on Dianthus barbatus Kiwi Mellow Cool. This Selecta ...

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Oct 17, 2025
Three pictures of Poinsettia bracts, dark green with mottled chartreuse and rust colors. Poinsettia Leaf Spot Pathogen Or ... ? Technical Services
This week, Nick Flax has been working with growers across North America on an issue that usually arises later in production but seems to be hitting early this year. PROBLEM: This ...

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Oct 10, 2025
A bench of poinsettias experience chlorosis Chlorotic Poinsettias in the Fall and Suggested Strategies Technical Services
This week, Nick Flax is preempting some later-season poinsettia issues related to chlorosis … and provide some strategies to deal with the issue if it arises in production. PROBLEM: Later this ...

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Oct 03, 2025
A green Lewis mite on a leaf with a second photo of foliage undersides for scouting Lewis Mites Remix Technical Services
Allow us to re-share the following tips and tricks for controlling Lewis mites on your poinsettia crop. Our technical services experts posted these in the Tech On Demand newsletter almost one year ago to the ...

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Sep 26, 2025
A greenhouse filled with green bracts of poinsettias. Preventative Checklist for Poinsettias Technical Services
The season is changing and it's time for a check-in. Keep your poinsettia production moving in the right direction with this week's tip. PROBLEM: An ounce of prevention is worth a ...

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Sep 15, 2025
Drone view of a garden with lots of colors Come Join Us for Ball for Fall 2025: Mums Event Your Ball Seed Team
Fall is upon us. Join us in the comparison gardens here at Ball Seed. We invite you to evaluate more than 200 mums on display, including ...

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Sep 09, 2025
Catalog on a table with hands 2026 Ball Mums Catalog is Now Available Your Ball Seed Team
The Ball Mums 2026-2027 Catalog is here! This 90-page catalog includes an extensive selection of mums, carefully curated to give you flexibility, reliability and performance. Whether you’re looking for bold colors, uniform timing or exceptional ...

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Sep 03, 2025
A colorful landscape design with a curved walkway and trees. Take the Virtual Tour of the Gardens at Ball Your Ball Seed Team
The summer plant trialing season is coming to its close, but The Gardens at Ball in West Chicago can still be toured – from the comfort of your office or on-the-go. ...

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Aug 22, 2025
a mottled leaf underside with green worms eating holes into the foliage. Take Care of Your Cabbage and Kale Technical Services
We’re just about to hit fall décor season, and cabbage and kale are seasonal favorites of garden shoppers. However, growers face a couple of pests that attack these crops that could them unsellable. Nick has ...

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Aug 15, 2025
Botrytis Management for Maturing Mums Botrytis Management for Maturing Mums Technical Services
Nick Flax is digging deep into a disease that’s been reported on garden mum crops recently, which has led to a bunch of calls and messages hitting his phone through the Ball Technical Services “hotline.” ...

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Aug 11, 2025
Group of people walking through a garden on a sunny day 2025 Ball Seed Customer Days Recap and 3D map Your Ball Seed Team
It was an amazing turnout at this year’s Ball Seed Customer Days. With temps reaching into the high 80s°F in West Chicago at The Gardens at Ball, we welcomed 1,680 visitors to the event. Guests ...

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Aug 08, 2025
pots of plants in production with wet substrate. Root-Zone Management in Outdoor Container Crops Technical Services
With so many container crops in production this time of year, Dr. Josh Henry wanted to discuss keeping roots heathy when the weather is unpredictable. PROBLEM: Field-grown container crops, including garden ...

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Aug 01, 2025
A green leaf with yellow-brown spots and lesions A Bump In BLS Technical Services
This week growers are seeing leaf spots in a few different crops. Here's what to look for, some tips for identification, and various methods of control. PROBLEM: The latest heat wave ...

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Jul 24, 2025
Woman holding the award for Haba Hydrangea Haba Hydrangea Wins Retailers’ Choice Award Your Ball Seed Team
From July 12-15th, we had an amazing turnout at Cultivate’25 in Columbus, Ohio, this year! Our experts had the chance to connect with conference attendees to talk about the latest varieties and new improvements all ...

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Jul 18, 2025
Mums Growing Guide on a tablet next to a laptop Attention Mums Growers! New Growing Guide is Here Your Ball Seed Team
When it comes to mums, Ball Seed® has you covered. In the new 2026-2027 Mums Growing Guide, you’ll find what you need for a successful program again and again. Check out our quick A-to-Z Reference ...

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Jul 18, 2025
A closeup of a Mum experiencing crown bud Crown Bud Management + Mum Nutrition Technical Services
We’re circling back on an issue our Technical Services team has covered many times in the past (even earlier this year) because the questions keep coming as temps stay high this summer — crown budding ...

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Jul 15, 2025
Desktop screen with flip book image 2026 New Varieties Catalog Now Available Your Ball Seed Team
Growers can find the latest from Ball Seed in our catalog featuring all the new 2026 varieties. Available now to North American growers, you’ll see the ...

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Jul 11, 2025
An Interesting Summer Pest An Interesting Summer Pest Technical Services
Have you had issues with the Colorado potato beetle? Many growers have had run-ins with this pest. This week, Nick Flax from Technical Services shines the proverbial spotlight on this summertime nuisance. ...

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Jul 07, 2025
Outdoor event with people walking around flower beds and a gazebo Plan Your Visit to Customer Days at The Gardens at Ball Your Ball Seed Team
Come find out what’s new at this year’s Ball Seed Customer Days! Be the first to see new plant introductions for 2026 and find your next best seller. Open only to the trade, you’ll get ...

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Jun 27, 2025
A black pot showing young mum shoot growth. Mum Stewardship Under High Heat Technical Services
Here’s a concern that’s come up during one of Nick Flax’s numerous calls with growers across North America: How to beat the heat — or at least manage the problems it can cause — in ...

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Jun 20, 2025
Rooting Hormone Application and Moisture Management Rooting Hormone Application and Moisture Management Technical Services
This week, Dr. Josh Henry shares some technical training he's developed to help growers better understand Rooting Hormone. Problem: Without understanding the process of rooting, or the latest best practices for rooting ...

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May 30, 2025
A large-size mixed container filled with white petunias and white salvia. pH Creep in Large Containers Technical Services
Each week, Ball Technical Services expert Nick Flax shares a concern that’s come up during one of his numerous calls with growers across North America. Today he’s revisiting a spring production topic that can come ...

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May 20, 2025
Outdoors in the Gardens at Ball with tents and colorful flowers Register Now for Ball Seed Customer Days 2025 Your Ball Seed Team
Sign up today for Ball Seed Customer Days and come visit us in West Chicago, IL. Choose either Thursday, July 24 or Friday, July 25 and ...

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Apr 30, 2025
Anne Geddes stands next to a large print of artwork on an easel featuring babies in pink pots next to Wave petunias. Babies & Blooms! Wave® Petunias Collaborates with Iconic Photographer Anne Geddes®, Launches Sweepstakes Katie Rotella
The garden industry is abuzz with all the ways Wave® Petunias from PanAmerican Seed® is celebrating its milestone anniversary of 30 years in 2025. Adding to the excitement, at this ...

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Apr 21, 2025
collage with people from Tagawa Greenhouses Gold Supplier Spotlight: Ball Tagawa Growers Your Ball Seed Team
Our suppliers are very important to us. Ball Seed Gold Service Suppliers set us apart from the rest by delivering top-quality assistance that makes all the difference. Here, we introduce you to Ball Tagawa Growers ...

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Mar 31, 2025
Collage of colorful flowers from CAST25 Trials Wrap-Up: CAST 2025 Jaime Kedrowski
This year’s California Spring Trials were filled with anticipation for the growing season. With a forecast that worked out beautifully for all those who traveled to the California coast, attendees experienced new product introductions up ...

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Mar 21, 2025
Collage of people in a greenhouse Gold Supplier Spotlight: Van Wingerden Greenhouses Your Ball Seed Team
Our suppliers are very important to us. Ball Seed Gold Service Suppliers set us apart from the rest by delivering top-quality assistance that makes all the difference. Here, we introduce you to Van Wingerden Greenhouses ...

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Mar 21, 2025
A hand shows the undersides of an impatiens leaf with sporulation Don't Get Down in the Downy Mildew Dumps (Part 2) Technical Services
Let’s finish up this two-part tip on downy mildew, a problem the Tech On Demand team helps growers deal with every year. Last week, we shared ID and life cycle info. This week, we’re focusing ...

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Mar 14, 2025
Don't Get Down in the Downy Mildew Dumps (Part 1) Don't Get Down in the Downy Mildew Dumps (Part 1) Technical Services
This week Nick Flax is kicking off a two-part tip on downy mildew, a problem the Technical Services team helps growers deal with every year. This week, he’ll share ID and life cycle info. Next ...

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Feb 11, 2025
Brochure cover with colorful outdoor plants 2025 Thrive and Flourish Brochure Now Available Jeff Gibson
Find top-performing plants and services for garden centers and landscape clients with our latest brochure. The 2025 edition of the combined Thrive and Flourish brochure provides ...

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Jan 23, 2025
A greenhouse at night during the winter Cold-Weather Priorities with Nick Flax Your Ball Seed Team
Nick Flax is part of the Ball Seed Technical Services team. As a Technical Services Specialist, Nick describes himself as “the emergency room doctor for greenhouse crops.” ...

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Jan 15, 2025
Logo for CAST with an outline of the state of California CAST 2025: We Are Here for You Your Ball Seed Team
Our team is excited to tour the California coast for you! From March 26-29, 2025, the California Spring Trials (CAST 2025) will once again welcome visitors throughout these coastal trials ...

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Jan 10, 2025
Greenhouse with a sunken roof from heavy snow To Greenhouse Growers: Clear Off that Snow Your Ball Seed Team
Dave Dowling comes to us with a friendly reminder on how to handle snow that's on top of your greenhouse or high tunnel. With snow falling across parts of the U.S. ...

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Dec 12, 2025
Water Quality & Fertilizer Food for Thought (Part 1) Technical Services
In late November, we wrote about a bunch of water-quality concepts, irrigation water testing, macro and micronutrients, and so on. Apparently, that sparked a fire in many of you, because Nick Flax received a LOT ...

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Oct 08, 2025
Tour Our Garden Mum Trials Katie Rotella
Relive our 2025 Ball For Fall garden mum trials event in The Gardens at Ball through this virtual tour of the grounds.   ...

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May 15, 2025
Darwin Perennials Day is June 18 Your Ball Seed Team
At Ball Seed, we pride ourselves on our wide assortment of product categories to supply you, the grower, with the inputs you need for successful programs. One of the hottest categories lately is Perennials. These ...

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Apr 07, 2025
How We Are Servicing You – Even Faster Your Ball Seed Team
Ball Seed is making a major upgrade to our fulfillment system to speed up shipping, improve accuracy, and maintain top seed quality. Shipping seeds to growers has been our job since our company started in ...

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