USDA Gets New Power  
A new law, called the Plant Protection Act (PPA), passed by Congress gives the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) power to impose tough civil penalties for smuggling agriculture products that may contain pests or diseases into the United States. Individuals violating the PPA may be fined up to $50,000, and businesses may be fined up to $250,000. First time offenders carrying prohibited agriculture products through ports of entry not for monetary gain may be fined up to $1,000.

Artificial Flowers Gain Favor in Japan 
Sales of artificial flowers have increased 500% in Japan recently. Popular choices are orchids, blue poinsettias and roses. Increased popularity is attributed to improved techniques that make artificial flowers look more realistic. 

Gene Responsible for Flowering Discovered  
Scientists at CSIRO in Australia claim to have discovered a "flowering switch gene" which causes plants to switch from the end of their vegetative growth phase to begin flowering. Manipulating the gene may make it possible to regulate flowering time with respect to climate conditions to increase production. It is predicted that it will take about six years to produce crops with modified flowering habit. 

Can Greenhouse Plastic Prevent Diseases? 
A new plastic greenhouse film has been reported to reduce fungal disease and damage by flying insects. The film is said to block out ultraviolet light in a certain spectrum which many disease-causing fungus are said to require to reproduce. Also, since flying insects "see" in this ultraviolet range, they are purportedly inhibited from flying and spreading.
E-mail: xlinfo@opico.co.uk 

Floating Greenhouses 
A project has been proposed in The Netherlands to build greenhouses on floating rafts. The floating greenhouses can be relocated easily to accommodate changes in water level, wind and sun direction to reduce energy costs. The plan has been suggested to increase efficiency of use of limited land resources.

Publications Available From AAN 
Interesting publications covering a wide variety of subjects are available from the American Nurseryman Publishing Co. through their catalog sales department. A list of publications can be obtained by: 
Calling 1-800-621-5727 or 
E-mail  books@amerinursery.com 

Post Harvest Cut Flower Treatment
Anti-bacterial agents that prevent stem base bacterial development are included in a product for post-harvest treatment of cut flowers to increase shelf life. Available from Danziger Israel, "Forever Solutions" is offered for carnations, roses, asters and limonium, as well as for foliage. 
E-mail: danziger@netvision.net.il  

Internet On-Line Businesses 

• www.egarden.com 
  Has been launched to provide on-line business-to-business service for garden products. The site provides an opportunity for businesses to sell directly to buyers at reportedly lower cost. Items can be posted for sale for a monthly fee and percentage of gross revenue. Buyers can use the site at no cost. 

• www.florecom.nl 
  Provides information to breeders, brokers and others about selling and buying on the internet. This site also allows auctions for dealers and breeders to do business electronically. 

• www.flowerandplant.org 
  Is a web site of the San Diego (California) County Flower and Plant Association that includes links to its' members and lists products available. Growers and wholesalers can be contacted for ornamentals and related products. 
  

Dutch Rose Auction Statistics Available 
A new publication by Jeremy Pertwee from Elesvier International reports latest statistics about rose sales through the auctions in The Netherlands, by variety. The publication also includes the Rose Data Base 2000 which provides marketing information. 
E-mail: J.McIntyre@ebi.nl