The fifth annual CCE Cut Flower Webinar Series begins on January 6, 2026 and continues over 5 weeks on Tuesdays. This is a very popular series of online events you won’t want to miss, with topflight speakers, a wide variety of subjects concerning growing cut flowers and plenty of interaction between speakers and attendees.  Webinars will be recorded, and all the recordings will be sent to registrants for future review.

SESSION 1:  1/6/2026

1:00 PM        Updates on the Cut Flower Cost Calculator

Speaker: Steve Hadcock, Agriculture Entrepreneurship and Market Development Educator, Team Leader of Capital Area Agriculture and Horticulture Program, Cornell Cooperative Extension

2:00 PM       Great Woody Cuts: From Field to Vase

Speaker: Dr. John Dole, Professor, Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University

SESSION 2:  1/13/2026

1:00 PM      So You Want to Grow Some Perennials as Cuts? - a few comments that you won’t find on the Internet or Chat GPT from a scarred veteran of cut flower foibles

Speaker: Dr. Allan Armitage, Emeritus Professor of Horticulture, the University of Georgia, Author of “Specialty Cut Flowers”, “The Field Guide to Specialty Cut Flowers”, and 15 other books

2:00 PM        Industry Trends from a Regional Wholesaler’s Perspective

Speaker: Jessica Balnaves, Founder & Owner of Flower Aggregate

SESSION 3:  1/20/2026

1:00 PM        Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation: A Sustainable Path to Disease-Free Cut Flowers

Speaker: Dr. Francesca Hand, Professor of Ornamental Pathology, Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University  

2:00 PM        Biochar Use in Cut Flower Production: Practical Insights

Speaker: Dr. Debbie Aller, Senior Extension Associate, Program Coordinator, the New York Soil Health Initiative, Cornell University

SESSION 4:  1/27/2026

1:00 PM        Bugs in my Blooms?  Using beneficial insects in cut flower high tunnels*

Speaker: Dr. Elizabeth Lamb, Senior Extension Associate, Ornamentals IPM Coordinator, Cornell Integrated Pest Management

2:00 PM        Propagation Techniques for Plants That Are Used for Cut Flowers

Speaker: Dr. Mark Bridgen, Professor of Plant Breeding, School of Integrative Plant Science, Horticulture Section, Plant Breeding and Genetics Section, Cornell University

SESSION 5:  2/3/2026

1:00 PM        Managing Powdery Mildew, Leaf Spots and Root Rot on Cut Flowers*

Speaker: Dr. Margery Daughtry, Plant Pathologist, School of Integrative Plant Science, Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section, Cornell University

2:00 PM         Managing Pests in (and Out of) Cut Flower Production*

Speaker: Daniel Gilrein, Entomologist and Associate Agricultural Program Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County

3:00 PM         Market Trends and New Cut Flower Varieties for 2026

Speaker: Dave Dowling, Cut Flower Specialist, Ball ColorLink

* NYSDEC pesticide application credits will be provided.

For assistance with registration or  program questions, contact: Jingjing Yin, jy578@cornell.edu or 518-429-8608.