I late chaffer a UF / IFAS research center and receive an eyeful of innovation . Zhanao Deng of the UF / IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department had do an array of beauties , 20 caladiums from his glasshouse at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center . They are young cultivar for nurseries , garden centers , landscape firm and gardeners .
by Scott Angle , University of Florida
It ’s the closest Zhanao ever come to self - forwarding . And it works . I ’m still carrying images in my idea of his creations with name like Garden White , Cosmic Delight , and Seafoam Pink , and they prompt me of Zhanao .
I mistrust some of you at FNGLA may think of him a destiny , too . Your backing for his study has been important in his development as one of the premier nursery plant breeders in the nation .
He has great support from colleague , too . People like Sandy Wilson and Gary Knox love get together with him . They had to go behind his back because they cognise he ’d object to them ( successfully ) nominating him as a fellow of the American Society of Horticultural Science .
Ben Bolusky has told me about at least four FNGLA research President Grant to Zhanao . I do n’t recollect the amounts , and I do n’t need to . The authoritative matter is the grants signal support and precedency validate the relevancy of his work . After all , he ’s not breeding just to impress me . He ’s create the plants you grow and deal at your nurseries .
You bonk Zhanao well as creator of caladium , sire of sterile lantana . In other commodities , we ’ve paired experienced traditional breeders with scientist who specialize in the use of the tool of biotechnology . In Zhanao ’s instance , we appear to have both wrapped up in one .
Zhanao uses molecular markers , genetic linkage map , ploidy manipulation and more to get to the right colors , form and patterns which make attractive industrial plant . One fellow scientist remembered confab with a full cousin , who has nursery in Cincinnati , who distinguish him his best - sell lantanas are “ Bloomify Rose ” and “ Bloomify Red , ” two of Zhanao ’s creations .
He ’s not just quondam - school / new - schooling versatile . He ’s among the few greenhouse plant breeders who get across over to intellectual nourishment craw . ( Do n’t vex , he always cross back to ornamental . )
When we announced in October that a team contribute by citrus breeder Fred Gmitter at our Citrus Research and Education Center had sequence the genome of trifoliate orange , an significant milepost in their quest to develop a citrus greening - tolerant citrus tree diagram , there was Zhanao again .
Zhanao is also working on developing blackberry bush cultivars which can be commercially grown in Florida . He ’s essay to keep abreast the path of blueberry pioneers whose cultivars postulate a crop from nothing to an $ 80 million - a - year industry on virtually 1,000 farm in Florida .
Another touchstone of his versatility is his dedication to all three branch of the land - grant commission . In addition to his workplace in the lab , he ’s among a cell who hope to launch a PhD programme in plant engender next spill . He ofttimes demonstrate his work at airfield days and other Extension activities .
He also invite visitor to tour the hops garden he helped create at Gulf Coast REC . 3 Daughters Brewing in St. Petersburg has used Zhanao ’s hops in several limited - discharge heap , including one he bring to a UF / IFAS event which was labeled “ Deng Good Beer . ”
Zhanao , if you ’re reading this , that would be a expectant particular for display for my next sojourn to Gulf Coast REC . It wo n’t last nearly as long as a Cosmic Delight . But you’re able to reckon I ’ll toast your skill and productiveness as I do a little “ timber control ” on the intersection .
As a scientist of aesthetics , Zhanao interpret the advantage he has as an embassador for science and factory farm and the storytelling powerfulness of a houseplant . For me , this story now includes the kick from convey the coup d’oeil Zhanao gave me of the future of Florida agriculture .
Source : FNGLA
