Concerns surrounding the recent outbreak of the coronavirus have cancelled the California Spring Trials lineup. CAST is an annual week-long event held in various locations throughout the state of California that showcases the newest plant varieties, outdoor trials, new merchandising and signage products and much more. See the following timeline for more information on each stop’s cancellation: Syngenta Flowers , Sakata Seed America and Griffin Greenhouse Supplies pulled out of the event on Wednesday citing concerns about the health and safety of employees, their families and customers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. March 12,10:17 a.m. EST: In a statement issued early Thursday, Dutch breeder Beekenkamp announced that it is no longer participating in the 2020 California Spring Trials. March 12, 12:00 p.m. EST: PlantHaven International has canceled its stop after California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statement calling for the cancelation or postponement of non-essential gatherings of more than 250 people. "Needless to say, this leaves us no choice but to cancel our California Spring Trials event in Santa Barbara," said CEO Robert Bett in an email. March 12, 1:33 p.m. EST: American Takii has become the latest breeder to withdraw from CAST. HilverdaFlorist was also scheduled to showcase at the Takii stop, but they also will not be attending. Schoneveld has also canceled and will not be participating in the event. March 12, 1:40 p.m. EST: Ball Horticultural currently still plans on hosting its CAST stop. According to a spokesperson, they expect a "very low turn out," but still have plants and displays for any attendees who make it out to their stop in Santa Paula, California, barring any decrees that limit public events in Ventura County. To date, there have been two confirmed cases in the county. March 12, 2:00 p.m. EST: Green Fuse Botanicals and its partners, Westhoff, Shoneveld Breeding, One Floral Group and T.O. Plastics have pulled out of CAST as well, citing concerns about the coronavirus and the safety of its employees. Green Fuse Botanicals will compile digital presentations of its 2020-2021 introductions in order to showcase its breeding lines. Skagit Horticulture […]
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