Chronica Horticulturae volume 49 number 2 ... - Acta Horticulturae

In 1997 the government of Ontario transferred
the management of the HRIO along with several
other research and educational facilities to
the University of Guelph. The HRIO became
integrated into the Department of Plant
Agriculture and for the most part research programs
continued uninterrupted.
VINELAND RENAISSANCE
‘Vandalay’, a Vineland Sweet Cherry cultivar.
technology to meet their needs covering everything
from seed to consumer products.
During its history, the station became known as
the province’s centre for plant breeding, releasing
more than 50 varieties of peaches, apricots,
cherries and plums, and 18 varieties of vegetables,
many of which were given the signature
“V” name. Thanks to the breeding programs
over the past century, Ontario has an extended
fresh-market peach season and an extensive
series of hardy cling processing peach varieties
(Vulcan, Vinegold and Veecling). There are several
improved cherry cultivars such as
Tehranivee, Vandalay and Vic. There have also
been Vineland-bred commercial varieties of
grapes, apricots, tomatoes, sweet corn, asparagus,
strawberries, plums and ornamentals. A
number of winter hardy rhododendrons and
azaleas were developed at Vineland and the
breeding stock is still used by rhododendron
breeders today.
As well as plant breeding, Vineland researchers
were also instrumental in developing new production
practices. New management techniques
including alternative grape and tender
fruit training systems, pest management recommendations,
greenhouse fertility systems, nursery
container protocols, and site suitability mapping
were developed in response to the needs
of the horticultural industry.
While research was the primary purpose of the
Vineland research station, over the past century
it has been very much a part of the local community.
In the early years, many of the station’s
researchers, farm workers and students lived on
site in station houses and boarding lodges.
Families would socialise together, share meals
prepared from station produce and brew their
own wine from Vineland grapes and other
fruits. Station children played in the trees and
ravines and defended research plots with a
sense of ownership, running inside to report on
trespassers. Numerous other activities were also
carried out at the station in those early years
including ice harvesting, fruit processing and
canning. Cans of peaches, jellies and jams from
Vineland were even sent to Europe for
Canadian soldiers during the First World War.
Vineland is now in the midst of a time of significant
change. Although there had been a century
of horticultural research successes, gradual
withdrawal of funding in recent years had seen
staff numbers dwindle and facilities fall into disrepair.
It was evident that a transformational
plan was needed for the station to succeed in
the next century.
And so, one hundred years after that initial gift
of land from a local entrepreneur, the revitalization
process began. In August 2006 a
“Vineland Renaissance” advisory panel was
formed, which consulted with numerous
groups including government agencies, farm
organisations, academic centres, business leaders
and tourism operators to develop a transformational
vision and a business case for the
future of the facility.
The Vineland Renaissance business case outlined
the evolution of Vineland into a worldclass
research institution and international hub
for horticultural research, innovation and commercial
activity. It also listed a number of
Vineland scientist Daryl Somers oversees the propagation of grapevine rootstock in
preparation for next season’s grafts.
ISHS • 16