Robert H. Stamps

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Professor of Environmental Horticulture
and Extension Cut Foliage (Florists' Greens) Specialist

University of Florida
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
Mid-Florida Research & Education Center*
2725 Binion Road, Apopka, FL 32703-8504
Phone: (407) 884-2034
Facsimile: (407) 814-6186 
E-mail: rhs@ifas.ufl.edu
  • Ph.D. Horticultural Science, University of Florida - 1984
  • M.S. Environmental Biology, University of Illinois - 1974
  • B.S. General Science, Coe College - 1970
Research responsibilities (0.6 FTE) include conducting basic and applied research, including field research, on factors influencing production and postharvest keeping quality of cut foliage crops (florists' greens). A main focus of the research is to develop economically sound and environmentally responsible production, storage and shipping methods. Research areas include cold protection using water and crop covers, evaluation of growing media and adjuvants, irrigation and nutrient management, new crop development, postharvest physiology and weed management.

Extension responsibilities (0.4 FTE) include providing leadership in statewide educational programs for the cut foliage industry. This entails working closely with county extension faculty and staff to plan and execute extension programming; interfacing with cut foliage producers, allied suppliers, government agencies and the University of Florida; providing programs on production and postharvest handling of cut foliage crops including leatherleaf fern, ornamental asparagus species and others; and producing research reports (Cut Foliage Research Notes), a newsletter (Cut Foliage Grower), bulletins, circulars and articles for trade journals and the World Wide Web.
Selected publications:

Stamps, R. H. and M. R. Evans. 1999. Growth of Dracaena marginata and Spathiphyllum 'Petite' in sphagnum peat- and coconut coir dust-based growing media. J. Environ. Hort. 17(1):49-52.

Stamps, R. H. 1998. Cold protect your crops. Ornamental Outlook 7(10):34-35.

Stamps, R. H. and D. W. McColley. 1997. Chlorothalonil fungicides reduce vase life but not yield of leatherleaf fern [Rumohra adiantiformis (Forst.) Ching]. HortScience 32(6):1099-1101.

Stamps, R. H. 1996. Developing improved irrigation and nutrient management practices: A case study - leatherleaf fern. Soil Crop Sci. Soc. Florida Proc. 55:71-73.

Stamps, R. H. 1995. Effects of shade level and fertilizer rate on yield and vase life of Aspidistra elatior 'Variegata' leaves. J. Environ. Hort. 13(3):137-139.

Stamps, R. H., T. A. Nell and J. E. Barrett. 1994. Production temperatures influence growth and physiology of leatherleaf fern. HortScience 29(2):67-70.

Stamps, R. H. 1993. Prodiamine suppresses spreading dayflower (Commelina diffusa) facilitating hand-weeding in leatherleaf fern (Rumohra adiantiformis) ground beds. J. Environ. Hort. 11(2):93-95.

Stamps, R. H. 1992. Prodiamine controlled Florida betony (Stachys floridana) in leatherleaf fern (Rumohra adiantiformis). Weed Technology 6:961-967.
*Dr. Stamps holds an affiliate appointment in the Department of Environmental Horticulture on the main campus at Gainesville.

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