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Volume
11 No. 1, Winter 2002
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FEATURE
ARTICLES
Lightning
strikes
By Dr Glynn Percival and Dr Tom Smiley
Lightning strikes can cause serious damage to trees, rendering them a
potential danger to the public and traffic. In this article Drs Glynn
Percival and Tom Smiley discuss the dangers of lightning strikes on trees
and details results of their experiments investigating standard and experimental
lightning protection systems.
The evolving role
of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
By Professor Peter Crane
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is one of the most important centres in
the world for the study of plant diversity. Professor Crane describes
how it came to be, what its current status is, and how it can be conserved
and used sustainably for human benefit.
Material benefits
By Sue Minter
The Convention on Biological Diversity is primarily a treaty for conservation.
It has greatly affected procedures for dealing with the international
exchange of germplasm but, as Sue Minter explains, the jury is still out
on what it has delivered in terms of conservation beneifts.
Grower communications
HorTIPS has released details of its plans for the final phase of its 15-month
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs DEFRA) contract to
identify the major technological problems facing each sector of the horticulture
industry and to communicate to growers some of the potential solutions.
Research report:
Propagation of gerbera under controlled conditions
By Drs H M Behl, V L Goel and J Misra
REGULAR FEATURES
Report back
Final report on DETR study monitoring and assessment of peat and alternative
products for growing media and soil improvers in the UK (1966-1999).
Research around the world
Institute News
Classified
Letters to the Editor
Book
Reviews
Horticultural Diary
 |
Volume 11 No. 2, Spring 2002 |
FEATURE ARTICLES
Top seed
By Hugh Poths.
Pressure on profit margins, emphasis on maximising yield and the need
to produce top-quality product while minimising costs, means seed quality
issues have never been so important. Hugh Poths considers the importance
of seed viability and vigour.
Opportunity knocks
By Chris Garside
Amenity horticulture is booming and is set to do so for the next few years,
providing opportunities for those dedicated to training, prepared to take
on responsibility and demonstrate their commitment. Chris Garside considers
the evidence and reviews part-time courses.
Problem solvers
By John Sales
A garden is a process, not an object. John Sales considers the principles
necessary for looking after gardens and discusses the role of the gardens
adviser.
Dragons Blood
Plant extract 'Dragons Blood' has been used since ancient times as a medicine
and as a pigment. Jane Pearson provides a background to the substance
and looks at the collections at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew.
REGULAR FEATURES
Report back
Research
around the world
Voice of the Institute: Review
of Horticultural Research and Development (PDF document)
Voice of the Institute: Mayor
of London's Biodiversity Strategy
Voice of the Institute: Systematic
Biology and Biodiversity
Institute News
Classified
Book
Reviews
Horticultural Diary
 |
Volume 11 No. 3, Summer 2002 |
FEATURE ARTICLES
Vital attraction
By Chris O'Toole.
Every third mouthful of human food is dependent on the largely unmanaged
pollination services of bees. And these insects also play a vital rôle
in the maintenance of the seed banks on which much of horticulture depends.
There is a growing realisation that the honeybee is not always the best
pollinator and there is pressure to find additional bee species as managed
alternatives. Chris O'Toole of Oxford University's Bee Systematics and
Biology Unit reviews recent work in the field and predicts exciting ways
in which growers in Britain and Europe will soon be able to recruit native
mason bees and take charge of their own pollination needs..
Fruitful conclusions
By Terry Read
Terry Read reveals how snapping off the buds of a bed of tulips - as a
three-year-old - triggered his plant collecting gene and his career in
horticulture. Old nursery sites and derelict walled gardens feature widely
in his quest, rather than the expected exotic foreign landscapes, while
mentors such as Robert Garner and Harry Baker added fuel to the fire!
Niagara's outdoor
classroom
By Anne Marie Van Nest
From humble beginnings as a struggling agricultural farm, the Niagara
Parks Botanical Gardens and School of Horticulture, in Niagara Falls,
Canada, has evolved to be a horticultural showplace where 36 students
eat, sleep and breathe horticulture for their education and the appreciation
of almost a million visitors. Anne Marie Van Nest, an instructor at the
NPBG and School of Horticulture outlines the role the establishment plays
in educating horticulturists for the future.
Testing times
By Neil Bragg
Neil Bragg looks at the research and commercial development of new materials
for inclusion in horticultural substrates.
REGULAR FEATURES
Report back
Research
around the world
Voice of the Institute: GLA
Green Spaces Investigative Committee
Voice
of the Institute: Quinquennial
Review of Horticulture Research International
Institute
News
Classified
Book
Reviews
Horticultural
Diary
 |
Volume 11 No. 4, Autumn 2002 |
FEATURE ARTICLES
Weathering climate
change
By Richard Bisgrove
Climate change models suggest that the UK will become hotter as a result
of increasing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
Richard Bisgrove outlines the scenarios and suggests that gardens offer
a model of what might be achieved in the wider environment to mitigate
and reduce the impacts of climate change.
Quality counts
By John Rotherham
Performance indicators have become important tools for amenity managers
in their pursuit of continuous improvement. John Rotherham reviews the
current range of best value indicators, both national and local, and looks
at future developments.
HorTIPS: the achievements
By Professor Geoff Dixon
Professor Geoff Dixon reports on behalf of the HorTIPS Team on the objectives
and achievements of the HorTIPS project.
Pesticide policies
By David Croft
David Croft reports on consumer reaction to pesticides and reviews Co-operative
Group's policies on pesticide management.
Chill out
By Nigel Eggington
Greenhouses are man's principal attempt to improve plants' upper environment.
But in summer they can be too hot. Nigel Egginton looks at the effects
and benefits of evaporative air cooling in greenhouses.
REGULAR FEATURES
Report
back
Research
around the world
Voice of the Institute: Review
of Seed Certification in England
Voice of the Institute: Fees
for National Listing and Plant Breeders'Rights
Institute News
Classified
Book
Reviews
Horticultural Diary