COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ornamental weed control, insect and mite pest diagnostics and new production technologies are just some of the topics being covered in pre-show workshops at the 79th Ohio State University Nursery Short Course and Central Environmental Nursery Trade Show (CENTS).
The event, sponsored by the Ohio State University Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, the OSU Extension Nursery, Landscape, and Turf Team, and the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association, will take place Jan. 21-23 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.
Pre-show programs will take place on Jan. 20 beginning at 7:30 a.m. and lasting until 8 p.m. Some programs are free with an OSU Nursery Short Course badge or exhibitor pass. However, most require a registration fee. OSU Nursery Short Course admission is not required to attend the workshops, but the workshop fees also do not include admission to CENTS.
The following is an outline of workshops being offered:
• 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. -- 12th annual Perennial Plant Seminar, co-sponsored by the Perennial Plant Association and OSU Extension Master Gardener volunteers.
• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. -- New Production Technologies workshop: There has been an increase of interest in two new types of nursery stock production: pot-in-pot and retractable roof greenhouses. Both technologies will be examined. This workshop will be conducted at the Ohio State University greenhouse facility. Shuttle service will be provided to and from the convention center. Pre-registration of $100 before Jan. 4 is required.
• 10 a.m.-4 p.m. -- Ornamental Weed Control workshop: Using ornamental herbicides effectively can reduce operating costs, improve plant quality, and shorten rotation times. Several weed scientists will present options for field and container nurseries, landscape sites, and problematic weeds. This workshop will be conducted at Ohio State University. Shuttle service will be provided to and from the convention center. Pre-registration of $100 by Jan. 4 is required.
• 1 p.m.-4 p.m. -- Insect and Mite Pest Diagnostic workshop: Get an in-depth, practical look at diagnosing insect and mite problems of ornamental plants. Registration fee is $75 by Jan. 4 and $100 at the door.
• 1 p.m.-4 p.m. -- Your Profit Enhancement workshop: Imagine 33 money-saving ideas you can implement within 33 hours of returning home. Learn what others have done to immediately boost their profits and how you can increase what's in your pockets. Registration fee is $75 by Jan. 4 and $100 at the door.
A free program on viburnums and hydrangeas will also be offered on Jan. 20 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. by retired University of Georgia horticulturist Michael Dirr. Dirr earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in horticulture from Ohio State University. He has been responsible for introducing more than 70 plants out of the Georgia Plant Introduction Program. He is the author of 12 books and has also published more than 300 scientific and popular papers and articles. He writes a monthly column for Nursery Management & Production, in which he discusses new crops and trends in woody plants.
Dirr will offer a program, Viburnums and Other New Plants in the Woody World, from 6 p.m.-6:50 p.m., and another program, Hydrangeas for American Gardens, from 7:10 p.m.-8 p.m.
Several workshops will also be offered on Jan. 23. They include:
• 1 p.m.-4 p.m. -- Creating Lifelong Customers: Discover the power of branding, how to effectively target potential and existing customers, and the fundamental principles of real-life practices of stellar customer service. Registration fee is $75 by Jan. 4 and $100 at the door.
• 1 p.m.-4 p.m. -- Communicating Your Expectations to Employees: Learn more about the four fundamental communications to improve working relationships between employers and employees. Registration fee is $75 by Jan. 4 and $100 at the door.
• 1 p.m.-4 p.m. -- Designing Your Retirement Plan to Maximize Tax Reductions or Sell Your Company to Employees: Learn about various strategies and see what leading retirement plans offer for your business. Registration is $75 by Jan. 4 and $100 at the door.
The Ohio State University Extension Nursery Short Course will offer more than 120 educational sessions for nursery, landscape, garden center, tree care and turf professionals. CENTS will highlight hundreds of exhibitors within 426,000 square feet of space. Trade show hours are from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 21 and Jan. 22, and from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Jan. 23. Ohio State University Nursery Short Course sessions take place at various times throughout the three-day event. For complete show details including registration and hotel information, exhibitor listings and a short course agenda, log on to http://www.onla.org, or call (800) 825-3350.
For more information regarding the Ohio State University Nursery Short Course program, contact program coordinator Cheryl Cuthbert at (614) 247-4353 or e-mail cuthbert.9@osu.edu.