2025 Blogs

Reducing the EC of your water can lead to a number of benefits. Last week, I covered how installing a reverse osmosis (RO) system can be a solution. But that’s not always an option.

The conversation surrounding water quality continues and takes a quick step back to follow up on our tech tip from two weeks ago.

Plant lovers across North America are clamoring for their own backyard cutting garden spaces. The ability to grow and enjoy their own floral bouquets is very attractive. Plus it fosters neighborly connections as personal and custom homemade gifts of ...

In late November, we wrote about a bunch of water-quality concepts, irrigation water testing, macro and micronutrients, and so on.

The poinsettia selling season is upon us, and all the industry's hard work supplying, producing, growing and shipping this seasonal class of plants is making its way into the hands and homes of consumers. From commercial businesses, municipalities or...

What is benzyladenine? Benzyladenine (BA) is a synthetic cytokinin that disrupts apical dominance, stimulating lateral bud break and improving branching.

Alkalinity is arguably the most important water quality factor to monitor and manage when growing greenhouse crops, but it’s not the only factor that requires special attention and care.

See for yourself how BallSeed.com makes it easier to plan, grow and stay informed all in one place. When timing is everything, quick answers matter. That’s why we’ve updated our website, so it’s simpler than ever to search, navigate, order and access...

When you send water samples off for testing and results come back, you need to know what to do with that information.

What a great turnout we had at the first-ever Ball for Fall Event. Growers from around the Midwest came out to see our fantastic Garden Mums showcase here at The Gardens at Ball in West Chicago. Having the opportunity to visit on two different days, ...

Nick Flax is following up last week’s Grower Tip on Rhizoctonia with another poinsettia tip — this time the challenge is fungus gnats.

The new 50-page catalog from Selecta One features the latest Poinsettia varieties for 2026.

There are some interesting poinsettia symptoms showing up lately. Here’s why they required a closer look from out pathologists to avoid misdiagnosis of the causal pathogen.

As you and your team prepare for a top-notch pest-scouting season in 2026, here are some tips from Ball Seed Technical Services expert Nick Flax.

With a mission to not only help growers cultivate exceptional plants, we also find a need to help growers connect with customers in meaningful, profitable ways. Take a look at these trends we’ll be seeing in 2026. Learn how to engage younger generati...

Here’s a helpful tech sheet from the Ball Seed Technical Services team detailing strategies for minimizing the risk of Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) in your greenhouse.

In the September issue of Greenhouse Product News (GPN magazine), or very own Jose Sanchez, Ball Seed regional business manager, was a featured contributor with a highlight on Dianthus barbatus Kiwi Mellow Cool. This Selecta One cut flower variety re...

This week, Nick Flax has been working with growers across North America on an issue that usually arises later in production but seems to be hitting early this year.

This week, Nick Flax is preempting some later-season poinsettia issues related to chlorosis … and provide some strategies to deal with the issue if it arises in production.

Relive our 2025 Ball For Fall garden mum trials event in The Gardens at Ball through this virtual tour of the grounds.

Allow us to re-share the following tips and tricks for controlling Lewis mites on your poinsettia crop. Our technical services experts posted these in the Tech On Demand newsletter almost one year ago to the day. In other words, this pest seems to be...

The season is changing and it's time for a check-in. Keep your poinsettia production moving in the right direction with this week's tip.

Fall is upon us. Join us in the comparison gardens here at Ball Seed. Drone view of a garden with lots of colors We invite you to evaluate more than 200 mums on display, including the complete Ball Mums lineup and top-performing companion plants. Y...

The Ball Mums 2026-2027 Catalog is here! This 90-page catalog includes an extensive selection of mums, carefully curated to give you flexibility, reliability and performance. Whether you’re looking for bold colors, uniform timing or exceptional shelf...

The summer plant trialing season is coming to its close, but The Gardens at Ball in West Chicago can still be toured – from the comfort of your office or on-the-go.

We’re just about to hit fall décor season, and cabbage and kale are seasonal favorites of garden shoppers. However, growers face a couple of pests that attack these crops that could them unsellable. Nick has some tips below, and Josh put together a s...

Nick Flax is digging deep into a disease that’s been reported on garden mum crops recently, which has led to a bunch of calls and messages hitting his phone through the Ball Technical Services “hotline.”

It was an amazing turnout at this year’s Ball Seed Customer Days. With temps reaching into the high 80s°F in West Chicago at The Gardens at Ball, we welcomed 1,680 visitors to the event. Guests registered to attend on either July 24 or 25th and the g...

With so many container crops in production this time of year, Dr. Josh Henry wanted to discuss keeping roots heathy when the weather is unpredictable.

This week growers are seeing leaf spots in a few different crops. Here's what to look for, some tips for identification, and various methods of control.

From July 12-15th, we had an amazing turnout at Cultivate’25 in Columbus, Ohio, this year! Our experts had the chance to connect with conference attendees to talk about the latest varieties and new improvements all under one roof. With more than 10,0...

When it comes to mums, Ball Seed® has you covered. In the new 2026-2027 Mums Growing Guide, you’ll find what you need for a successful program again and again. Check out our quick A-to-Z Reference Chart, as well as expert recommendations on reliable ...

We’re circling back on an issue our Technical Services team has covered many times in the past (even earlier this year) because the questions keep coming as temps stay high this summer — crown budding and how to avoid it when producing mums in the ho...

Growers can find the latest from Ball Seed in our catalog featuring all the new 2026 varieties. Available now to North American growers, you’ll see the latest lineup of annuals, perennials and potted plants. Don’t forget we also have a wide variety o...

Have you had issues with the Colorado potato beetle? Many growers have had run-ins with this pest. This week, Nick Flax from Technical Services shines the proverbial spotlight on this summertime nuisance.

Come find out what’s new at this year’s Ball Seed Customer Days! Be the first to see new plant introductions for 2026 and find your next best seller. Open only to the trade, you’ll get a first-hand look at the flowers on display to compare, plan and ...

Here’s a concern that’s come up during one of Nick Flax’s numerous calls with growers across North America: How to beat the heat — or at least manage the problems it can cause — in your garden mum crop.

This week, Dr. Josh Henry shares some technical training he's developed to help growers better understand Rooting Hormone.

Each week, Ball Technical Services expert Nick Flax shares a concern that’s come up during one of his numerous calls with growers across North America. Today he’s revisiting a spring production topic that can come up again this time of year — as many...

Sign up today for Ball Seed Customer Days and come visit us in West Chicago, IL.

At Ball Seed, we pride ourselves on our wide assortment of product categories to supply you, the grower, with the inputs you need for successful programs.

The garden industry is abuzz with all the ways Wave® Petunias from PanAmerican Seed® is celebrating its milestone anniversary of 30 years in 2025. Adding to the excitement, at this year’s California Spring Trials the Wave brand announced it has forme...

Our suppliers are very important to us. Ball Seed Gold Service Suppliers set us apart from the rest by delivering top-quality assistance that makes all the difference. Here, we introduce you to Ball Tagawa Growers based in Arroyo Grande, California.

Ball Seed is making a major upgrade to our fulfillment system to speed up shipping, improve accuracy, and maintain top seed quality. Shipping seeds to growers has been our job since our company started in 1905. This new technology will allow us to pr...

This year’s California Spring Trials were filled with anticipation for the growing season.

Let’s finish up this two-part tip on downy mildew, a problem the Tech On Demand team helps growers deal with every year. Last week, we shared ID and life cycle info. This week, we’re focusing on management strategies.

Our suppliers are very important to us. Ball Seed Gold Service Suppliers set us apart from the rest by delivering top-quality assistance that makes all the difference. Here, we introduce you to Van Wingerden Greenhouses based in Blaine, Washington.

This week Nick Flax is kicking off a two-part tip on downy mildew, a problem the Technical Services team helps growers deal with every year. This week, he’ll share ID and life cycle info. Next week will be all about management strategies and useful r...

Find top-performing plants and services for garden centers and landscape clients with our latest brochure. The 2025 edition of the combined Thrive and Flourish brochure provides expert plant advice to landscape growers and garden center businesses.

Nick Flax is part of the Ball Seed Technical Services team. As a Technical Services Specialist, Nick describes himself as “the emergency room doctor for greenhouse crops.”

Our team is excited to tour the California coast for you! From March 26-29, 2025, the California Spring Trials (CAST 2025) will once again welcome visitors throughout these coastal trials with plant breeders showing off their latest genetics.

Dave Dowling comes to us with a friendly reminder on how to handle snow that's on top of your greenhouse or high tunnel.