W.D. Holley Floriculture Research Program

Applied Research in Floriculture

Applied Research in Floriculture and Greenhouse Production
W.D. Holley Floriculture Research Program

Research Reports

Program Overview

The W.D. Holley Research Program honors W.D. "Bob" Holley, Professor Emeritus at Colorado State University. Professor Holley joined Colorado State University in 1949 and conducted research on carnations, roses and .other greenhouse crops until 1974. He is renowned for his expertise on carnation culture and has lectured and consulted throughout the world. Professor Holley bred and introduced several carnation varieties to the greenhouse industry, co-founded Pan American Seed Company, co-authored books on carnation production and greenhouse management and pioneered many changes that became standards for the greenhouse industry. Professor Holley enjoyed teaching and reveled in the education of his students. During his 25-year tenure, he advised more than 70 undergraduate and 50 graduate students. Many of his students were motivated to become industry leaders, researchers and/or teachers.

The Research Program honors W.D. Holley by conducting problem-solving research targeted to the needs of the floriculture industry. The program is a collaborative effort of Colorado State University and the Colorado Floriculture Foundation. It is managed to give selected Colorado State University undergraduate students unique, hands-on experiences in planning, conducting and summarizing research and publishing the results. Research projects are solicited from and underwritten by horticulture and allied industries and assigned to outstanding, upper-level undergraduate students. The W.D. Holley Research Professor at Colorado State University tutors and directs the student's research. Research is conducted at the facilities of Colorado State University. New, state-of- the-art greenhouses, laboratories and outdoor trial plots are dedicated to the W.D. Holley Research Program. Collaborators in related disciplines are available in the CSU College of Agricultural Sciences and the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture.

The W.D. Holley Research Program is a center for applied research in floricultural crops at Colorado State University. Many aspects of plant physiology, ecology and culture are investigated including: nutrition, growing media, water relations, photosynthesis, photoperiod, high intensity lighting, plant growth regulators, temperature relations, vernalization, flowering, vegetative propagation, seed germination, and new variety evaluation. The focus of the program is on results of practical research that have immediate application in commercial horticulture. Support, advice and direction come from a floriculture industry advisory committee. Major funding for the W.D. Holley Research Program in Floriculture comes from the horticulture industry, the Colorado Floriculture Foundation and Colorado State University.

The Student Research Scholars

Outstanding students at Colorado State University have an opportunity, not usually available at the undergraduate level, to conduct research at a major, research university. In so doing, they gain valuable practical experience by honing their skills in the art and science of commercial plant culture. Students assigned to a research project receive financial assistance for conducting, successfully completing and publishing their results. Academic credit hours are offered, if needed, for completion of the research. Only one academic year is needed to complete most of the projects. Some may be completed in one semester. Internships for the financial support of
selected students are available from the Colorado Floriculture Foundation and the horticulture industry. Qualified students may apply for these research internships by contacting the CSU Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture.

Program Director

The W.D. Holley Research Professor, Dr. David E. Hartley, directs the Research Program. Dr. Hartley has extensive experience in both academia and industry. He was the Extension Greenhouse Specialist at the University of Missouri for 10 years and Associate Professor of Floriculture at Colorado State University for 8 years. More recently he held positions as the research director, technical services manager and regional program manager for the Paul Ecke Ranch of Encinitas, Calf. for 20 years. The program director prepares the research proposals, solicits funding, tutors selected undergraduate students in research methods, directs the research projects and oversees timely publication of the results. Businesses, corporations, associations and individuals can get more information about fulfilling their plant research needs, while students gain valuable experience as potential future employees, by contacting:

Holley Floriculture Research Program
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO 80523-1173
Phone: 970 491-4351

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Last updated: April 28, 2005