BioWorks Inc. announced that EcoVita, a homogeneous granular organic fertilizer, has been added to its Verdanta biofertilizers product family.

EcoVita will be manufactured and supplied to BioWorks by DCM Corporation of Belgium, a leading producer of natural and organic-based fertilizers in Western Europe.

EcoVita is suitable for a wide variety of crops with its gentle release curve including:

• Organic fertilization as a base nutrition in potting mixes
• Leafy vegetables
• As a top dressing for fruiting vegetables
• Roses and other ornamentals  

The new fertilizer offers long-lasting and continuous action for 75 -100 days and contains organic phosphorous (5% P2O5) for fast rooting. Nutrients in EcoVita are gradually released by the soil microbes, in addition to producing humus for better rooting and less leaching. EcoVita is OMRI Listed, making it suitable for use in organic production.

'We're pleased to introduce EcoVita 7-5-10 as our organic NPK product to complement our organic products K-Vita^® 2-0-20 and PL-2 2-0-6. Organic growers can now have an organic product with uncomposted nutrient sources that attract a diverse group of microorganisms into the root zone," said John Francis, technical services manager at BioWorks.

Verdanta granular fertilizers are developed using the exclusive Minigran Technology - a unique formulation providing dust-free, organic and organo-mineral microgranules with a homogeneous composition that assures a perfectly uniform nutrient analysis in every granule. It flows freely through all types of application equipment and offers better control of nutrient release.

Source: BioWorks

FMC Professional Solutions, a division of FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC), recently announced the appointment of Robin Slatter as director of product development. 

In this position, Slatter will oversee the development of new products for the U.S. non-crop markets, which include the pest, turf management and nursery/greenhouse industries, both professional and consumer segments. He will also serve on the division's leadership team.

"FMC has always been focused on customer-driven innovation. By bringing Robin to FMC, we are re-affirming our commitment to delivering new products that meet the current and anticipated needs of the market,” said Bethwyn Todd, director of FMC Professional Solutions. "Robin knows how to collaborate with both customers and research partners to develop and launch novel products. He will play a key role in this process from generating ideas to making them commercially successful. We are happy to have him." 

Slatter has 35 years experience in product development, technical service, sales, marketing and strategy. Prior to joining FMC, he was Managing Director of the Environmental Science Division at Valent BioSciences. He has also held development and sales management positions at Sumitomo Chemical and Bayer Environmental Science.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A new collection of Fine Vines Mandevillas are joining the HGTV HOME Plant Collection this summer, according to Randy Hunter, Managing Partner of Agricola Management Group, exclusive licensee for the Plant Collection. The vigorous new mandevillas are available in three colors – Deep Pink Paradise, Soft Pink Breeze, and Ruby Splash. A leading home and lifestyle brand, HGTV worked in conjunction with Agricola Management Group to develop the new mandevillas that join both the 2014 Expressions Annuals Collection and the Smart and Stylish Shrubs Collection.

“These Mandevillas offer important advantages for both retailers and consumers including better disease resistance and more vigorous growth than more traditional mandevillas. Our Fine Vines Mandevillas are climbing, bush-form vines with colorful blooms and heavy flowering so they deliver big impact on patios, porches and garden trellises,” Hunter said. 

Fine Vines Mandevillas are available in gallon size single and two gallon containers. Consumers also have the benefit of HGTV Know How! – referring to the plant care tips, landscaping inspiration and gardening ideas featured on the products, online and in retail stores.

For more information, go to www.hgtvhomeplants.com.

The American Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA) and OFA  - The Association of Horticulture Professionals, mailed ballots today, Aug. 28, 2013, for a member vote on the consolidation of the two organizations, according to a news release. Ballots were distributed to all eligible members as defined by each organization’s bylaws, and completed documents must be  received in the associations' respective offices by 4 p.m. EST Friday, Sept. 27, 2013. OFA will hold an additional, in-person vote on Saturday, Sept. 28, in Columbus, Ohio. The results of the combined OFA votes and the ANLA ballot count will be announced following the completion of the in-person vote.
 
The ballot question follows the final approval of the consolidation voted upon by the boards of OFA and ANLA at their meetings in July. 

"Both boards hired legal and other expert counsel to review the consolidation of our two organizations," said ANLA President Bob Terry, owner of Fischer Farms in Oregon, in the release. "As leaders, we have spoken with our members and they truly believe that a new trade association, with the combined resources, membership, and staff of ANLA and OFA will best serve the future success of our industry." If approved by the members, a new organization will be formed to represent the whole of the plant industry, including breeders, greenhouse and nursery growers, garden center retailers, distributors, interior and exterior landscape professionals, florists, students, educators, researchers, manufacturers, and all of those who are part of the industry supply chain.

OFA President Mark Foertmeyer, owner of Foertmeyer & Sons Greenhouse in Ohio, said, "More than two years ago, we asked the question 'should we work together?' and the answer was 'yes.' The success of our partnership led us to say, 'dating has worked well, how about getting married?' The time has come to walk down the aisle together."
 
OFA past President Bobby Barnitz adds, "This decision is right for our industry, it is right for our members, and it is right for my business. I encourage OFA's members to vote 'yes' on the consolidation."
 
For more information about the proposed new horticulture industry trade association visit www.onevoiceoneindustry.com.