(INTERVIEW STARTS AT 7:27) This episode of STEM is true Breaking News! A new business unit at Ball Horticultural Company was launched and the name revealed within days of this podcast’s release! In fact, my guest and I recorded this beforehand - only after I was sworn to secrecy. But now that internal announcements have been made, the logo has been unveiled and everything is off and running, I’m thrilled to welcome you to BloomStudios!
In this episode, general manager Scott Rusch shares exactly why Ball has entered the global cut flower space in this new and exciting way, how BloomStudios got its name, how critical collaboration will be as this new unit evolves and a bit about his team. Then, we get into macro trends in the cut flower and indoor plant market and some top varieties for growers to consider when approaching this expanding category. Next, Scott shares resources to help greenhouse growers of any size get started in cuts – there are a ton! – and we wrap up with a look at some goals for BloomStudios over the next 3 years.
There’s so much great information packed into this episode and Scott is such a fantastic guest – I’m really psyched for you to hear all about BloomStudios!
Connect Four Articles: https://www.latimes.com/home/la-hm-millennials-plant-parents-20180724-story.html https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-leafy-love-affair-between-millennials-and-our-houseplants https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-04-11/the-one-thing-millennials-haven-t-killed-is-houseplants https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/young-urbanites-are-filling-their-homes-and-the-void-in-their-hearts-with-houseplants/2017/09/06/ec98993c-89c8-11e7-961d-2f373b3977ee_story.html
Previous STEM Podcasts that discuss Cut Flowers: Episode 18 - Jamie Kitz on Growing & Giving: https://stempodcast.podbean.com/e/jamie-kitz-on-growing-giving/ Episode 20 - Dr. Marvin Miller Unplugged: https://stempodcast.podbean.com/e/dr-marvin-miller-unplugged/
Resource Links: PMA Flower Trends Forecast: https://www.flowertrendsforecast.com/flower-trends-forecast-2020-publication LocalFlowers.org Intro Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEXs9UUgqqg American Grown Flowers: https://www.americangrownflowers.org Ball Seed Cut Flower Catalog: https://www.ballseed.com/PDF/Catalogs/18463%20BSC%20catalog_CutFlowers_Final_LR.pdf Ball Seed Cut Flower Guide: https://www.ballseed.com/CatalogsBrochures/PdfAssets/pdfpage.aspx?pdfid=961 PanAmerican Seed Cut Flower Catalog: https://www.panamseed.com/PdfAssets/pdfpage.aspx?pdfid=280
Contact Links: Email Guest General Manager Scott Rusch: scott@bloomstudios.com Email Portfolio Manager Mary O’Connor: mary@bloomstudios.com Email Product Development Manager Reid Snyder: reid@bloomstudios.com Email Host Bill Calkins: bcalkins@ballhort.com
NEW! Connect on Instagram - @STEMGreenhousePodcast
Connect with Ball Seed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ball-seed-co/ See Ball Seed Videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BallSeedVideo