Trip Report

Master Gardener State Fair 2005

What a wonderful day, Thursday October 13th turned out to be for our Brunswick Master Gardener group's trip to Raleigh to visit the North Carolina State University (NCSU) Phytotron Lab, the Horticultural Exhibits at the State Fair, and Tony Avents' Plant Delights nursery. The morning was grey as we left the Extension Center in Bolivia around 8:30AM. Charlie Spencer (driver) and wife Lou were up front in the Brunswick Extension Services van, which carried 12 of us. Then another five vehicles carried the remainder of our group. We appreciated our drivers which allowed the rest of us to nap and chat and enjoy the ride to Raleigh. We stopped at the rest area in Warsaw and then continued to our first stop at NCSU where we picked up the parking permits from host Dr. Frank Blazich. Now here's where we got the idea that this trip would be something of an adventure. Somehow, two cars were not told that the parking permit was to be used in the parking garage, not the parking lot where they received the permits from Dr. Blazich. So with four vehicles in the parking garage, we waited, waited and waited until we decided to proceed to the Phytotron Lab, where Dr. Blazich, Director Judy Thomas and Dr. Carol Saravitz were ready to welcome our group. Director Thomas told us that Phytotron means 'Plant plus Instruments.' The lab, a collection of growth chambers , is one of the largest facilities in the nation that offers precise, reproducible, controlled environments for studying plant growth. Researchers may vary light, moisture, temperature or soil composition in a reproducible manner. The lab is funded by research money. However recently, freshman botany classes are using the lab to grow tomatoes, with and without proper moisture. Then they compare the resulting plants. Also, Director Thomas told us that the lab has been selected for plant research by the Homeland Security Agency; this agency will have its own secure space at the lab. Polish researchers are using the lab to study the impact of cooler temperatures on watermelon and cantaloupe growth. We toured the growth chambers, with experiments involving Frasier firs, geraniums, rice, tomatoes and hydroponics geranium test of changes in pH factor. The Phytotron Lab was a most interesting experience.

Next stop was the State Fairgrounds, about 20 minutes from the lab on a normal day. But this being the day before the official fair opening day, it took almost an hour to get most of our caravan of vehicles parked in the same place, a field across from the main gate. By now it was close to 2 PM, so we hurriedly ate our lunches that some brought, and we shared lunch with others without lunches. Then we headed to the Exposition Center building where April Blazich was awaiting us. April is the superintendent of the horticultural exhibit area and she heads the judging of the produce at the fair and gave us a behind the scene tour of what is involved. There were all varieties of sweet potatoes, white potatoes, squash, cucumbers, collards, broccoli, eggplant, pecans, peanuts, hazelnuts, chestnuts, apples, persimmons, kumquats, citrus and so much more, all grown in NC. Produce categories being judged included Oriental produce, Mexican produce and traditional produce. Mrs. Blazich said the NC State Fair is the only fair offering these other produce categories. The fair gives an opportunity for the public to try these non-traditional produce. We saw some "gee whiz" produce like a 854 lb pumpkin, 206 lb watermelon, 12.6 lb sweet potato and some weird looking produce. For sure, "Goodness does Grow in North Carolina. " After eating some of everything at the fairgrounds, touring the gorgeous Flower and Garden exhibits, plus 4-H and Home Economics exhibits, art and photography and so much more, we ended our tour at Friday noon.

After an early lunch, we left the fairgrounds and headed for Plants Delight nursery. On the way we made a short stop at the Farmers Market. When we assembled at Plants Delight we were introduced to Adrianne. She is a very knowledgeable young woman who gave us a quick history of the nursery and took us on a guided tour of the premises. We were introduced to a variety of gardens, including display areas, trial beds, propagation houses and sales houses. The display gardens were accessed by walking trails that took us through rock gardens, bog gardens, aquatic gardens and southwestern gardens. It's hard to imagine that this has all evolved in 15 years. It shows what proper selection, hard work, and dedication can accomplish.