Build a Winning Lavender Program

(Interview starts at 6:17.) Our guest today is Chris Fifo, former head grower and current technical expert working with Darwin Perennials and KieftSeed. Chris has been with us on STEM before – back in episode 13 where he helped demystify perennial production with Leland Toering but this time he will focus on one crop and dive deep into the lavender pool covering this popular crop from start to finish. We spend some time talking about the recent growth in popularity of lavender, as well as how it is currently positioned in the market. Then Chris takes us into the virtual greenhouse to help you develop a frost to frost lavender program using the most optimal methods to deliver the correct temperature, light, nutrition, gases and PGRs to your crop. The goal is to help you ship the absolute best lavender crop top market because we know that when top notch lavenders arrive at retail, they sell fast. After we talk production, Chris spends some time helping you select the best varieties for each use – from early season to Fall and from landscape performance to indoor use and essential oil production. Although I do like episodes where the guests and I jump from topic to topic, sometimes it’s nice to focus. And trust me – this episode is focused squarely on lavender.

Resources:

Build a Winning Lavender Program Slideshow: https://www.slideshare.net/bcalkins/build-a-winning-lavender-program
Darwin Perennials Blog on Lavender Trials: https://www.darwinperennials.com/Blog/2019/02/14/lavender-trial-results-chicago-botanic-garden.html
Darwin Perennials Resources: https://www.darwinperennials.com/Culture/
KieftSeed Resources: https://www.panamseed.com/perennials.aspx
Darwin Perennials 2019 Catalog: https://www.ballseed.com/Virtual/2019_Darwin_BSC/index.aspx
KieftSeed 2019 Catalog (Perennials P. 142): https://www.ballseed.com/Virtual/2020_21_PasCatalog/index.aspx
Darwin Perennials Day 2019! https://www.darwinperennialsday.com/default.aspx

Contact Links:

Email Guest Chris Fifo: cfifo@darwinperennials.com
Email Host Bill Calkins: bcalkins@ballhort.com
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