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Larry and I agree we sometimes make too many a backlog in the 1-gallon, so it’s time to make a count and
cuttings of some of our plants to make sure we have toss some out. Lastly, Larry purchased several of the Top
enough. Then someone had to tell us that we have Hat type holder uppers. The plastic Keeper Uppers are
enough out in our greenhouses. We have overloaded really showing their age at 25 years. We have been using
ourselves with Crepe Myrtles, Rheingold Arborvitaes the new ones as needed and they are working well. We
and seedling Southern Magnolias, for instance. The overlap the bases, one next to the other, to add to the
overload in magnolia seedlings happened because we holding power. I’ve also thought that, if needed, we could
found a supply of grafted Teddy Bear, Bracken’s Brown add two sod staples to the outer base ring, but we will do
Beauty, DD Blanchard and Little Gem. As they grew to a this on a case-by-case basis. A
salable size they cut into the sales of our seedlings, but
we kept some available for those that want inexpensive
magnolias. In another instance a few years ago, a Mike Hemming
year’s crop of Compacta Japanese Hollies didn’t root to Eastern Shore Nurseries Inc
the bottom of their 3-gallon containers. So, during that 410-822-1320
winter I repotted them into a different container mix, and esn@goeaston.net
they grew fine after that. That crop, after being delayed easternshorenurseries.com
a year, is still affecting our supply by overloading our
number of 3-gallon Compacta on hand. This has caused

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (Continued)

In the past ten days, pretty much every individual I’ve
talked with has expressed their jolt that Stanton’s passing
has caused, by expressing “It can’t be, I just spoke with him
last week.” And I know that is true; I spoke to him the week
before last, too. We generally spoke at least once a week.
I believe Stanton was one of the few individuals left with
preference to actually have a live conversation with people,
rather than text or email. If you knew Stanton, you knew a
phone call was the best way to reach him.
Stanton was also the industry “cruise director.” He hosted
annual gatherings at his farm. I recall one year our family
Leslie Cario, Stanton Gill, and George Mayo volunteering in the MNLGA booth
went and Stanton hosted a turtle race. Our children were
at MANTS 2024
thrilled to see the turtles up close and personal. In true
Stanton form, he got a little distracted during the race and was game for it. And he made you feel welcome, included,
didn’t notice that one of the turtles actually raced away to and valued.
permanent freedom. In closing, on behalf of Maryland’s ornamental horticulture

Stanton also spear-headed the annual industry holiday industry, I wish to express our gratitude to Stanton for
lunch. Current industry folks as well as retirees would come his passion and dedication to us all – our businesses and
from near and far to have a little downtime and celebrate ourselves as individuals. A
the holidays. And….there were always games – trivia, Vanessa Finney
present swaps, “name that baby.” You name it, Stanton Executive Director, MNLGA

Membership Matters • WINTER 2024 11