Lacebark Inc. Horticulture Research Station
Home of the first true red crapemyrtles.
And the invention of RootMakers
"There are no rules here-- We are trying to accomplish something." -- Edison
And the invention of RootMakers
"There are no rules here-- We are trying to accomplish something." -- Edison
Located just west of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Lacebark Inc. is
Dr. Carl Whitcomb's plant development and horticultural research station. It is the home of the best red crape myrtles, Dynamite® and Red Rocket®, as well as additional patented crapemyrtle and other Oklahoma Tough!® brand plants that have become industry standards.
Dr. Whitcomb's 40+ years of research has led to 37 patents and innovative products such as:
RootMakers- the original air root pruning container system. RootTrappers- root tip trapping soft sided containers
RootBuilders- expandable air root pruning containers
MicroMax- THE micronutrient fertilizer
Besides continuing to develop new cultivars of trees and shrubs and grasses, his research also addresses nursery production methods in containers, field, and transplanting into the landscape regarding water chemistry, nutrition, improving root systems, weed control, cover crops, and water conservation.
Dr. Whitcomb also does consulting and speaking on a variety of topics as time allows. (carl@lacebarkinc.com)
A dry but colorful entry to Lacebark Research Farm, thanks to the chinese pistache trees.
October 28, 2022, Dr. Carl Whitcomb received the OSU Agriculture Champion Award. Here is a brief video about some of his innovations and accomplishments including development of new red crape myrtle, invention of root pruning containers, and research on improving methods for growing plants.
Visitors enjoy the display of color at the Oklahoma State University Botanic Garden.
Dr. Whitcomb addresses an old myth claiming that one should not fertilize plants during the first year after transplanting.
Management of both water and air within a container are critical for healthy plants. Here, Dr. Whitcomb discusses container drainage, depth, and soil media composition.
Dr. Whitcomb will monitor each crapemyrtle so see if one makes the cut.
An early step in becoming a Whit Cultivar is field evaluation for various characteristics.
Just a quick peek with some aerial video
Crapemyrtle colors to evaluate... a tough job but someone has to do it. : -)
4 practical ways to stimulate root branching.
Learn about this attractive new crapemyrtle that never blooms!
Dr. Carl Whitcomb discusses overwintering plants in containers and how root system structure affects protection from extreme temperatures.
Oklahoma Gardening visited Dr. Whitcomb for a tour and some insight on how he creates new crape myrtle.
One of the only known crapemyrtle to rebloom on same panicle for a spectacular ruby red flower show.
Here's what makes this new plant by Dr. Whitcomb special.
Another of the Play It Again collection, new Double Feature(R) can put on a 100 day flower show in Oklahoma.
The original Play it Again (R) cultivar, Rhapsody in Pink(R) has stunning dark foliage and reblooms on the same panicle for amazing landscape color.
An antique world map still provides valuable information about where plants can grow.
Plants can tell you a lot of information if you set up the experiment correctly.
Narrated by Dr. Carl Whitcomb himself, this is just part of the history, growing methods, and evaluation used to arrive at the select 'Whit' Cultivars Collection of crapemyrtle such as Dynamite, Red Rocket, and Pink Velour.
A few key points from Dr. Whitcomb's Field Day. Ask about the DVD for this filmed educational event.
(Patents #’s 1—7 Assignment to Oklahoma State University was required.)
(Patents #’s 8 and beyond were assigned to Lacebark Inc.)
48. 2022 Oklahoma State University Agricultural Champion Award
47. 2013 Honorary Member award of the Southern Nurserymen's Association, Atlanta, GA.
"For Outstanding Contributions to the Association and Horticulture Industry".
46.2006 Henry A. Wallace Award from Iowa State University College of Agriculture.
45.2003 Gold Medal Award by the Oklahoma Horticulture Society. "In recognition of your willingness to share your knowledge and experience in horticulture to nursery professionals and to all American gardeners".
44.2003 Author's Award of Excellence, International Society of Arboriculture, Feb. 2004. "In recognition for his significant impact in the field of arboriculture through the publication of books, articles, and technical papers".
43.Sidney Meadows Award of Merit, presented by the Int. Plant Propagator's Society, Oct. 9, 2000.
42.Strathmore's Who's Who 1998. "Individuals who have demonstrated leadership and achievement in their profession".
41.Who's Who in Science and Engineering, The Marquis Who's Who Publication Board. 1997.
40.Distinguished Alumni Award, Neodesha Kansas High School. 1996.
39.Fellow: International Plant Propagator's Society. Nov. 3, 1993.
38.President, International Plant Propagator's Society, Southern Chapter. 1989.
37.Program Chairman, International Plant Propagator's Society, Southern Chapter. 1988.
36.1988 Quill and Trowels Communication Award for Specialty Book by Association of Garden Writers.
35.Outstanding Industry Person, 1987, Florida Nurserymen's Association.
34.Slater Wight Memorial Award, 1986, Southern Nurserymen's Association.
33.Honorary Life Member, Oklahoma Horticulture Society. 1986.
32.Outstanding Oklahoma Nurseryman, 1985. Oklahoma Nurserymen's Association.
31.Nurseryman of the Month. Nursery Business Magazine, March 1984.
30.L.C. Chadwick Award. 1983. American Association of Nurserymen for "superior teaching, guidance, and motivation of students in the nursery and landscape arts and sciences."
29.Education and Research Committee, Inter. Soc. of Arboriculture.
28.Honorary Member, Oklahoma Nurserymen's Association, 1982.
27.Grand Review Board, Horticulture Res. Inst.
26.Editorial Review Board: Journal of Environmental Horticulture, Nursery Research Journal and Journal of Arboriculture.
25.Conference Discussion Session Moderator, Southern Region International Plant Propagator's Society, 1982.
24.Membership Committee, Southern Region International Plant Propagator's Society, 1982- 1985.
23.Review board, Horticulture Res. Inst. For publication and grants, a division of the American Assoc. of Nurserymen, 1980-present.
22.Chairman Student Affairs Committee, OSU, Faculty Council, 1979 & 1980.
21.Special recognition and plaque presented by the Oklahoma Nurserymen's Assoc., 1979 Annual Convention for Research Relative to the Oklahoma Nursery Industry.
20.Faculty Council. Elected to 3-year term, 1979.
19.Faculty Council. Elected to 1-year term, 1978.
18.Review Board, Nursery Res. Journal, 1978-present.
17.Porter Henegar Award for "excellence in research relative to the nursery industry", 1978.
16.Honorary Life Membership, Tulsa Nurserymen's Association, Tulsa, OK. 1978.
15.Who's Who in the South and Southwest.
14.Advisor, Undergraduate Student Research Award Recipient. International Plant Propagator's Society, December 1975. "In recognition of and outstanding paper in the art and science of plant propagation."
13.American Men of Science. Volume 12, 1973.
12.Dictionary of International Biography, Vol. IX, 1972.
11.Award of Appreciation. Florida Nurserymen and Grower's Association. 1971.
10.Award of Appreciation. Florida Nurserymen and Grower's Association. 1970.
9.Speaker's Citation. Institute of Sanitation Management Conf., Florida, 1970.
8."Call Him Doctor Now". The Florida Nurseryman, 14:12, 1969.
7.Personalities of the South. 1969 Edition.
6.Speaker's Club. Golf Course Superintendent's Assoc. of America, 1968.
5.Special award by Iowa State University Horticulture club for voluntary service and support, April 1967.
4.Gamma Sigma Delta.
3.Golf Course Superintendent's Association of America Scholarship. 1966.
2.Outstanding Horticulture Senior Award, Kansas State University, 1964.
1.Academic Honors, KSU, 1963.
405-377-3539
but emailing carl@lacebarkinc.com is best contact method
2104 North Cottonwood Road, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74075, United States
Open today | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm |
www.rootmaker.com
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