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Patrick Desnoyers asked:


About Basic Care of Seeds

It is important to maintain the freshness of the seeds in order to facilitate proper germination. This is why we store all of our seeds in a refrigerator dedicated for this purpose. Therefore, in order to preserve their freshness until you are ready to begin the germination process, you can store the purchased seeds in the plastic bag we have provided. You can place the seeds in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator.

About Germination Instructions

Once you are ready to germinate your seeds, you have two (2) germination methods: natural germination or forced germination.

Natural germination: Sow seeds outside in autumn. Overwintering the seeds will accomplish all the necessary natural processes seeds require to germinate. Next spring, you should have sprouted seeds.

With forced germination, you are accomplishing the germination process artificially. Therefore, you will need to follow the steps listed below. Each seed is different. However most of them require three (3) steps. Some may require more while others may require less. These steps are: the scarification, the stratification and sowing.

1 - Scarification

Each seed has a shell around the live inner part. Some are harder than others. The goal of the scarification process is to soften the shell and allow water to reach the inner part of the seed. You will scarify the seeds by placing them in water, usually a glass or a bowl, for a period of twenty four (24) to forty eight (48) hours. The norm appears to be the use of warm water. Some seeds require boiling water while others require water at room temperature. Normally, the viable seeds will drown after the twenty four (24) hour period while others will float on top. If there are still seeds floating after the forty eight (48) hour period, you can discard them as they are empty seeds. Once completed, you are ready to begin the next step ( please note that some seeds require you to proceed directly to the third step).

2 - Cold Stratification

The next step is the cold stratification period. This step is where all the magic of nature occurs. In nature, most of the seeds fall from the trees in autumn. Consequently, seeds spend the winter period under colder temperature permitting the chemical in the seeds to develop and trigger the germination process once the ideal temperature is reached in spring. In the forced germination process, you attempt to recreate the winter period. In order to accomplish this process, use the following materials:

Plastic Ziplock bag

Paper towel

Water

Fold the paper towel in two and moisten with water. It should not be dripping wet but humid. Place your seeds on the humid paper towel and fold it over the seeds. Place the paper towel with the seeds in the ziplock plastic bag and store them in your refrigerator for a period varying from thirty (30) to one hundred and twenty (120) days. We suggest that you check your seeds every thirty (30) days in order to prevent rot and allow for proper air circulation. You will also check for germinated seeds. If this is the case, take the germinated seeds and proceed to the next step. If not, wait the required period and then proceed to the next step.

3 - Sowing

Sowing can be accomplished in the ground or in a pot. You can use any soil suitable for planting and growing. Make a small opening in the soil (approximately half (1/2) an inch deep), place the seed in the opening and cover it with a few millimetres of soil. Keep the soil moist.

Extra steps for certain species

If you choose to germinate your seeds via the forced germination process, you may be required to follow this extra step. This step takes place prior to the cold stratification. All you have to do is expose the seeds to ambient room temperature for thirty (30) to ninety (90) days. This is called heat stratification and is accomplished by leaving the seeds exposed in a plate on your desk. After you have achieved this step, you resume with cold stratification.

David asked:


years, China has witnessed an increasing demand for displays as a result of the rapid growth for LED displays in stadiums and gymnasiums. Currently, LED displays have been widely applied in banking, railway stations, stadiums, gymnasiums and the advertisement industry. The display screen has transformed from a traditional monochrome static display to full-color video display.

In 2006, the market demand for LED displays in China was valued at 4.05 billion Yuan, an increase of 25.1% over year 2005. The demand for full color displays amounted to 1.71 billion Yuan, accounting for 42.2% of the total market. Ranked next were the dual-color displays with a demand value of 1.63 billion Yuan, accounting for 40.2% of the entire market. Monochrome displays were not expensive, and so also achieved a total revenue of 710 million Yuan.

Now with the approaching of the Olympic Games and the World Expo, more and more LED displays will be used in stadiums, gymnasiums and roadways. LED displays will be enjoying a rapid growth in application of sports squares. As the market demand for full color displays grows in the sectors of stadiums, gymnasiums, and advertisements, full color LED displays will occupy an expanding market proportion. People are predicting that the Chinese LED display market will have a CAGR of 15.1% from 2007 to 2010 and by 2010 market demand will reach 7.55 billion Yuan.

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games will directly promote the demand for LED displays in stadiums and gymnasiums. Furthermore, the Olympic Games has high requirements for screen quality, so high-end displays will see an increase in applications, such as Led display,Led manufacturer,Electronic signs etc. As a result, the increase in quantity and quality of LED displays will drive a higher speed of development. In addition to stadiums and gymnasiums, important events like the Olympic Games and the World Expo will directly promote the use of LED displays in the advertising field. Advertising agencies at home and abroad will certainly cherish the business opportunities brought by these events, and increase their revenue from advertising displays, thus facilitating the development of the display field.

Furthermore, these important events will be accompanied by a great many large activities, and the government, the media and other organizations will probably hold related activities during the Olympic Games and the World Expo. Some of these activities may require the application of large LED displays, thus promoting the LED display market and the leasing market as well.

In addition to this, the convening of these two sessions will stimulate the demand in government sectors for LED displays. As an effective instrument in the delivery of public news, the LED display is probably adopted by more government sectors such as the transportation and taxation

departments and authorities from industry and commerce.

Stadiums and gymnasiums, and outdoor advertisements are the two largest application fields for LED displays in the Chinese market. Outside of that, LED displays are mainly utilized in some engineering projects. Generally, the LED display projects for stadiums and gymnasiums, as well as the advertising industry, are primarily paid for through open tender, while some display projects for enterprises mainly adopt bidding to accrue revenue.

Owing to the distinct properties of engineering, LED display projects often confront funding problems. As most stadiums and gymnasiums are government projects, featuring relatively abundant capital, LED display manufacturers suffer less pressure to lower the price. While in the field of advertising, another important application field for LED displays, LED display enterprises suffer strong pressure to decrease prices because project investors vary in economic strength and mainly rely on the advertising income from displays to maintain the normal operation of the company. Post investors have a lot of flexibility in advertising income from LED displays. Investors have no guarantee of sufficient funds so LED display enterprises often wrestle with funding advertising projects.

Meanwhile, there are plenty of LED display enterprises in China. Some enterprises wage price wars to seize market shares. Sometimes there have been low quotations for bids. The interindustrial pressure of competition is increasing. In order to guarantee sound development, reduce credit risk and the amount of bad and doubtful debts, some important LED display enterprises in China are usually prudential in undertaking advertisement projects.

Currently domestic LED display enterprises are dominant in the Chinese market for their greater number and lower price. Domestically-funded and produced LED display enterprises not only meet domestic market demand but also export goods to the overseas markets. In recent years, some internationally- known LED display enterprises have gradually transferred their production bases to China due to cost pressure. For example, Barco set up a production base for displays in Beijing; Lighthouse has a production base in Huizhuo; Daktronics set up their own production plant in China. As for some display enterprises like Mitsubishi, who have not yet entered the Chinese market, have also witnessed the potential development of the Chinese market and are preparing to enter into it. With the increasing number of production bases in China set up by international LED display enterprises, together with the considerable number of domestic LED display enterprises, China is growing to be the key production base of LED displays globally.

web conferencing and remote support asked:


In today’s global economy the demand for a fast and easy to use Web Conferencing solution has never been greater. As a result, RHUB has responded and developed their TurboMeeting Version 4.0 web conferencing and remote support appliance. Version 4.0 was recently released with some of the most exciting upgrades to date. Some of the upgrades include remote printing, LDAP integration for enterprise models only, video broadcast, and flash-based view-only client with faster and reliable view-only experience with no download of any kind.

 

Version 4.0 supports 200+ attendees in one meeting room and has improved recording with better reliability as well as smoother fast-forward and reverse. You will find that the speed of your meeting is faster because of improved compression algorithms. File transfer for remote support and remote access will also be faster and easier to do.

 

TurboMeeting Version 4.0 by RHUB appliance still offers remote support for PC and Mac users and includes an upgrade to view-only function for a Mac presenter. This is the only appliance that offers a patent pending Universal Attendance technology that provides support sessions by using a browser on any platform including Windows, Windows Mobile, Mac, iPhone, Unix and Linux. You can remotely access computers at home or in the office from anywhere, anytime.

 

Your web-based meetings are still secure because it runs behind your own corporate firewall. In addition, this easy to use on-premise plug and play appliance allows you to truly own and control your web conferencing technology without the need for additional IT resources. You can use TurboMeeting for web conferencing, webinars, remote support and remote access without requiring participants to download and install software.

 

To learn more about Turbomeeting 4.0 Web Conferencing and Remote Support Appliance, visit RHUB www.rhubcom.com web site.

Erik Weinstein asked:


You should choose a trade show display based on the trade show or event for which you will be using the display. The display that best presents the products, services, and company image desired, will attract future customers. Frankly, a display is designed to do assist in creating or maintaining brand awareness. For once an attendee has been lured to your display; your booth’s job is done. It is then up to you to throw down the hammer and commandeer that attendee as a future customer.

With only an ephemeral moment to seize the attention of a trade show attendee, your trade show display must make a plea to your target audience’s needs. Your display has to effectively communicate who you are, what you do, and how your company can be of aid.

But, determining the correct display can be a daunting task. When purchasing a trade show display, you want to choose a professional based company with expertise and excellent customer service. If you consider the questions listed below you will have a much better idea of the direction for your display needs. Keep in mind; you will be limited by the size of your booth. Working under that premise, take a look at some options for that area.

1) What is the booth size?

2) What is the show budget?

3) How many individuals will be working the show?

4) What are the marketing and sales objectives?

5) How will the display be transported to the show?

6) Will graphics need to be created?

By answering these questions, you will narrow the search for a display booth. Once objectives and your trade show calendar for the year have been set, the next step is to choose a display. The display decision should be based on the specific show objectives, budgetary restrictions, as well as, corporate branding goals and guidelines. If for example you are a marketing director for a big company with an unlimited budget and want to position yourself as a leader in your industry, a large booth space and a custom or high end modular exhibit for enhanced appearance would best suit your needs. If, on the other hand, you are a startup or small company with a limited budget, a great choice would be to consider an inexpensive Pop Up Display. Most companies fall somewhere in-between these two extremes.

Pop Up Displays are the most popular option for spaces at sales events and conferences. There is a wide range of pop ups and most are available with podium wraps to convert your carrying case into a podium or small table. Further, Pop Ups can be complemented with shelving, peninsula counters, backlit headers, literature racks, and other accessories which can convert an ordinary Pop Up into unique marketing tool. Some of the key factors to look at in selecting a pop-up are durability, ease of setup, availability, fabric colors, and warranty. If you sometimes exhibit in smaller spaces, you could consider a convertible booth which can be easily converted to a smaller size. Each display booth uses a frame that can “pop up” allowing the display to be assembled in minutes. The frames are extremely durable and make it easier for individuals to set up and tear down. They are made of different components, some graphite, steel, and/or extruded aluminum. Manufacturers would argue their frame is the strongest, the lightest, or simply the best. Just remember each represents their particular calling card. You could equate it to the myriad of different HD televisions now available on the market. Though, when broken down to its bare essence, no one is any better than the next. The makeup from one frame to another is not overly important. Further, most of these displays have one thing in common… a lifetime warranty on the frame. Some offer a one year warranty on their display. The frame is the most important piece to your display. Every model, big or small, is a great portable trade show display choice for any trade show exhibitor. Today, marketers must achieve their goals with reduced budgets. Again, Pop Up Displays will assist you in stretching your budget because they are lighter weight and designed for easy set-up and tear-down. Further, you will save on storage, transportation, and labor costs.

Panel System Displays are an alternative to Pop Ups, and depending on their quality and countertop options, can provide a higher end look than a Pop Up Display. Panel displays generally hold more weight than Pop Ups, so they can work well if you have heavier products or a number of computer monitors to display. They are constructed of upper and lower panels that are assembled via heavy duty bolts. Panel systems give you an extreme amount of flexibility of design choices as displays can be custom created to your needs. Flexibility also abounds in color selection as upper and lower panels can be different. Most come with panels covered in fabric, be sure to select the color that best matches your companies logo, brand, products or overall image.

Modular Exhibits are high end exhibits that provide a custom look but can still be setup in a few hours, shipped in standard rotomolded plastic cases, and thus have a lower total cost of ownership than custom booths. Modular exhibits generally use higher end materials including tensile fabric structures, extruded aluminum frames, high end composites and laminates, and innovative bold designs. Modular exhibits will hold more weight and can also be used to hold large plasma screens and LCD panels.

Truss Systems provide a brash, modern, and unique look to a display. They are also excellent functional components that can be used to mount lighting, projectors, and Plasma or LCD panels. The fact that truss systems have a high weight bearing capacity makes them great for displaying heavier weight products like computers, machine parts, free weights, etc. They also have a unique dramatic look that works well with certain target markets. The beauty of Truss systems is the ability to be used in conjunction with other display structures like Pop Up and Panel System.

Custom Exhibits provide the ultimate in branding and high impact. As their name infers, they are custom built, ergo, designed to meet very specific show objectives and may include elements like conference areas, theater spaces, rotating towers, as well as, numerous product and service display positions. Given the higher cost of design, construction, shipping, installation and dismantling, these exhibits are best equipped for those willing to invest $25,000 or more for their trade show display. The payoff in a custom exhibit can be huge because it can set you apart from the competition and create an indelible branding image of your company as an industry leader.

With each of the above-fore-mentioned display types, designing attention-grabbing graphics for your booth is essential to setting yourself apart from your competitors. Below, you will find some important strategies to consider:



The 10 foot rule. Make sure all logos and text can be clearly read from a distance of 10 feet ( i.e. Rule of thumb for text is 2″ per 10′ of distance viewed)



Limit bullet points to 10 words or less… Less is more.



Infuse a bounty of visual images to illicit emotion and make your exhibit unforgettable



Make your logo simple to view even from a long distance. You want to make sure that your target audience can find you at a glance. High visibility is a priority.



Consider using mural graphic panels to increase the value and emotional impact of your display. Remember, “Perception is Reality!”



Remember, purchasing a trade show display allows you complete freedom of expression. Be cognizant that the exhibit design should revolve around your specific tradeshow needs. The Trade Show Display, Exhibit or Booth should project your company’s individuality, character, and panache. Over time purchasing a new tradeshow display may be your most economical long term solution to your trade show needs. Once you’ve answered the questions presented earlier and understood the dynamic differences between the many display options, you will be more informed and better suited to create your new display space.

Check the complete article at: http://www.smashhitdisplays.com/Trade-Show-Articles-News-Tips-Suggestions/2006/March/How-to-choose-the-correct-trade-show-display.htm

Marcie Snyder asked:


You know your soil is “clean”, that your soil is not contaminated in any way because you got your soil tested, so now you’re looking for some organic seeds to plant. At this point you are probably asking yourself, “How do I know that the seeds I am buying are organically grown and where is the best place to buy my seeds?”

Well, you can wait till the last minute and chance buying your seeds at your nursery or such places as Canadian Tire or Home Hardware. However, your best bet is to plan ahead and order via seed catalogs so that you can identify whether the company’s seeds are organically grown.

When looking for companies, look for those who have labels for the seeds which they grow and sell. Those who grow and sell organic seeds will use one or more of these labels: U for untreated, O for organic, OP for open-pollinated, and H for heritage.

Untreated seeds (U) are seeds which have not been coated with chemicals that are harmful to soil, life, and humans.

Also, organic growers refuse to plant any seeds that have been genetically modified, that is, seeds in which the genes of anything from a pesticide-resistant weed to an animal or even bacterium have been inserted or spliced right into the seeds’ DNA for two reasons:

Organic growers have no idea whether these injected genes will mutate into something that will endanger a person’shealth, such as create different allergens in the food, damage the liver or the kidneys, combine with the good bacteria in the gut to create its own version, etc.

The second reason concerns the environment. Once introduced into the environment, no one can predict where the wind will carry the GMO seeds, and there could be irreparable damage done if these genetically engineered plants cross breed with wild ones.

Organic seeds (O) come from plants which have been grown via organic methods.

Open-pollinated (OP) is the best type of seed because these seeds are capable of reproducing themselves. You can save the seeds from these plants, let them dry off, store them in plastic bags, and use them the following year.

Hybrid seeds, even though they are open-pollinated seeds, do not always reproduce true to type. The hybrid seeds will grow, but you might have some variance in your results, so if you want the exact same type of plant, it’s usually necessary to buy new seed every year. The company will usually identify those hybrid seeds which do reproduce true to type.

Heritage seeds (H) are a little more difficult to find, for they are not necessarily sold in mainstream seed catalogs.

Heritage seeds have been passed down from generation to generation and are usually a collector’s item. These organic seeds are generally sold through small seed companies and seed saving organizations who try their best to keep them in circulation to preserve a diminishing genetic diversity. Often people who are interested in heritage seed will find other people who are willing to exchange seeds and thus grow their little collection.

If interested in conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the diversity of open-pollinated plants where members are encouraged to save and exchange seeds, please contact one of the following for more information:

Seeds of Diversity Canada, SoDC, Box 36, Stn. Q, Toronto ON M4T 2L7; voice mail (905) 623-0353 or Seed Savers Exchange, a large US organization that promotes seed saving, at SSE, 3026 North Winn Road, Decorah IA 52101 USA.

You can always google “organic seeds + your location” to find a place close to you where you can find companies who grow and sell seeds for those interested in only organic gardening, the best way to produce big, healthy, nutritious vegetables.