Campus News

Pricey petunias

Despite mild winter weather, greenhouse growers are facing high heating bills, meaning that there may be fewer staples-such as Easter lilies and poinsettias-this year. The Washington Post quotes UGA horticulture professor Paul Thomas, who says in the long run, consumers should expect higher prices if the industry will survive. Profit margins for growers are shrinking, he adds, and only those who were able to buy long-term energy contracts before prices rose sharply are doing well.