Linnaea Newman

Above are photos depicting the proper steps given to exterior landscapers for plant installation.  Simple and direct, the instructions can be followed even without wording as long as the installation person can look at the pictures.  Proper Interior planting is no different, other than we use soilless medium in our interior settings.  What one major flaw could we eliminate in our installations that would give interior plantscape designs a much better chance of survival?  

Spending on Employee Training Remains Stable

According to Leah Carlson,
Employee Benefit News

"Corporate investment in employee training has remained constant, while technology use in training programs has grown, partly due to the expanding size and scope of some businesses.

That’s the main message from the American Society for Training & Development’s latest report. The organization’s survey of 344 employers yielded these key findings:

• Technology-based programs were expected to account for 29.4% of employee training last year, up from 23.6% the previous year.
• Employers expected to spend about $812 per employee on training last year, which is similar to previous years.
• Employers expected to provide about 30 hours of training per employee last year, up from 26 the previous year.
• Management, IT and business practices were among the most common training topics last year.

A recent EBN Quickpoll garnered similar results. About 32% of respondents said they use technology very often to deliver training programs, while 38% said they use it sometimes, and 30% said they don’t use it.

Brenda Sugrue, ASTD’s senior director of research explains, “Investing in employee learning continues to be a priority for business leaders. Organizations are linking learning to performance and the bottom line, and they understand the relationship between creating a skilled workforce and achieving enterprise-wide success. … The perceived and demonstrated value of training is increasing.”

"The way to get good ideas is to get lots of ideas, and throw the bad ones away." 

Dr. Linus Pauling, American theoretical chemist and biologist 1901-94

If you have ever been challenged for a time and cost effective means to relase "Crypts" into large interiorscape plantings, try this: Find a long bamboo or wooden pole with an approximate diameter of three-sixteenths to one-quarter-inch; insert one end of the pole through the pre-manufactured hole in the Green Methods (@ greenmethods.com)  jar lids and into the jar of beetles, being careful not to injure any of them.  The beetles will climb up the pole to the other end, which should be tucked into the target plant or tree’s foliage. 

If it’s not too hot, they may fly off the pole, but should still make it to the foliage — eventually.  Everyone I’ve told of this technique and encouraged  to try it has reported excellent results. I now suggest this dispersal method to everyone.  Now, isn’t this fun?

Last advisory: don’t wear white (or yellow) clothing when you’re releasing C. montrouzieri. They are attracted to white and light colors and may find YOU irresistible.  To avoid catching the beneficial beetles on any yellow sticky traps you may be using, remove traps from the site temporarily.