EdenBioscience news

Eden, the maker of the famous Messenger, was a news item in Yahoo Finance. In short, looks like Eden sold the assets and proprietary rights to this technology but are retaining most marketing rights. I love Messenger and don't find these news as a reason to discontinue use, however makes me wonder why the rest of the world didn't go as crazy as I did over this wonderful product. I guess that is for each of us to decide.

http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/061204/0190614.html

I love that stuff! Bet the price goes up considerably now. Too bad. I should have re-ordered at the end of summer.

There was a co-op last summer. Maybe someone will host another.

I was part of that co-op last year. Then I told a fellow Master Gardener about Messenger and how well my plants responded to it. She called the company and asked them if she could order it directly. They gave her the same price that the co-op got....$1.80 per pack. And they asked her to talk it up at area nurseries.
I think they had a great product, but didn't have a good marketing plan. Just hope they don't hike the price this spring. I think I'm addicted to it! The only plant that had a negative response was an Australian fern. I had seeds come up for the first time that I know I planted a couple of yrs before....cleome, butterfly vine.....

Hi Nery!

I keep wanting to try messenger. I was told I could find it at Lowes, but I've looked and looked, and can't find it there...
-T

howdy T! My understanding is that messenger is here to stay, but w/ new owners. I thought mine did great w/ roses; however, I also applied slow release fert and epsom salts so was it messenger or was it a combination? I will definitely continue to use it. I think DGers as a group have been supporters of Messenger through the 2-3 coops that have been organized, so I expect they will treat us well next spring if another one is to be organized.

Ok, but can you get it at Lowes? Was I told wrong, or just couldn't find it?
-T

I discovered it here, I think in the rose forum. I have never seen it elsewhere outside of DG or the Eden Bioscience website. When I was at ARE in Nov., I asked their propagation guru about Messengert and he poo-poo'd it in favor of oxigenated compost tea, which ARE is crediting for virtually zero disease problems and lower chemical expenses on their rose crops. However, he spoke a little bit too fast about Messenger, suggesting to me he didn't really know about it but felt compelled to give an opinion, after all, he is the propagation guru, lol. It wasn't Mike Shoup, it was somebody under his direction.

Thank you, Nery.

I was about to lose my mind, looking & looking for it ,at Lowes...lol...
-T

I order a product from Garden's alive called Green Guard. It claims it is a plant growth enhancer. The packet contains 0.35 oz. This amount is mixed with three gallons of water.The package says the Harpin ingredient contains 3.0 % and inert ingredients 97.0%. I don't remember what I pay for the product.
Is this what you are all talking about in Messenger?

I just called Eden Bioscience and they've sold the commercial end, but not the home and garden business. Messenger will still be available and the price will be the same. Green Guard is same thing, just repackaged for Gardens Alive.
As for ordering, here's what I was told. If you order a box of 60 one gallon pks, the price is $120. and they pay shipping. There's also a computer code that lowers the price even more ( I think this makes it $1.80 per pkg, but not sure). To get that lower price, you have to call direct (888-522-5976) and tell them the garden club or group you're associated with. Sounds pretty easy. And you can still order just a few if you like.
Hope that helps....
Sandi

The only place I have ever seem Messenger, outside of the DG co-ops, was in independent nurseries and garden centers. It was pretty pricey there; more than double what we paid here in the co-ops.

Thanks for that link Nery, I have a little bit of almost worthless stock in EDEN; perhaps it will come back up and I will salvage my reputation and a few $.

News flash: just found www.biconet.com - phone 615 370 4301. they sell Messenger. packet making 3 gallons - $9.50.
Or one making 9 gallons - $19.50 good price or not?
Anyone use products with Humic Acid? Sounds like a miracle to me.

The co-op price for the 3 gallon package last summer was $4.42 and the regular price, at that time, was about $6.50 or $6.75. Your price seems a bit high to me.

Oh, sorry to hear Messenger is having a rocky time of it. It seems to me that it should have really caught on. I hope they can sustain the home-gardening end of it and keep afloat.

The harpin protein that is the active ingredient in Messenger and Green Guard is still very controversial since it is made by a genetically modified organism. That may be affecting the sales.

Do you know who bought it? I told my daughter that I bet Bayer would buy it. At that time, last summer, Bayer had just bought the Hi Yield Di-Syston which is the systemic in the rose 2 in 1.

I am not a business person, but if you look at their website and also do a little research on the financial part, it looks like they put all of their money in facilities, equipment, and salaries. Just my thoughts about it.

Jeanette


Edited to add:

Also, if you look at their website there is a place to put your zip code to find a dealer near you.

This message was edited Dec 25, 2006 2:08 AM

This message was edited Dec 25, 2006 2:14 AM

I typed in my zip code and no retailers around me (at all), but did look at their online store. This one sounded like a nice set:

https://www.edenbio.com/garden/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=80
is that on ok price??
-T

You might wanna hold off till Spring for the co-op...the prices was cheap and I bought from both!!!!

Loretta is right....I wouldn't buy now!

Oh Brinda!! Aren't you the one that had the coop last time? Are you going to have another in the spring?

Jeanette

Yes Jeanette, I did two of them last spring and summer. I may do another.....

If it's genetically altered, it should be safe. I worry more about products modified by hormones and chemicals.Genetic engineering is here to stay.

Have to disagree with you on that one woodspirit. Genetically modified organisms have contiminated much of the US food supply. All legitimate, independent studies done on the ingestion of GMO foods have shown them to be deleterious to human and animal health. We will continue to push for mandatory labeling of genetically modified products in the US. That way those who want to buy GMO products can do so,and those who do not want them, can chose not to buy them. We do not have that choice in the US at the moment.
The harpin protein products need appropriate labeling. It is much too soon to assume these are safe.

Hmmmmmm, so we shouldn't be eating that yummy super sweet corn because it has been genetically modified to be sweeter ?????

Seedpicker did you find your Messenger? I offered to send you some but didn't hear back so I am assuming you got some?

Jeanette

ardesia, to answer your question, was your super sweet corn genetically modified or hybridized to increase the sweetness? There is a big difference between these techniques.
You may want to watch the Future of Food video. It's now available for free viewing online at this link:
http://tinyurl.com/y6nx9d
more info on health issues associated with GMOs.
http://blpublications.com/html/body_genetically.html

Getting back to the original topic of this thread, there are no long term studies on the effect of harpin protein on the health of the plant, nor the impact on nutrition & human health. A few DGers have posted that their shrubs seemed to wear out prematurely. I'm searching for the post so I can add a link.

Jeanette-
Hi there! I've been off Daves for a while...sending you mail.
-Taylor