What's the Daffodil?
Students speak out against poisoning flowers, university responds
Aubra Whitten
Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: News
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An anonymous campus landscape employee said he was instructed to dig up daffodils Feb. 6.
He said he had three days to dig and unearthed approximately 5,000 bulbs. He was told that what he did not dig up would be destroyed by using the herbicide Image.
After he dug up the bulbs, he took them to campus landscape's greenhouse, where they were put into a planter to be preserved.
"We gave about 1,000 bulbs to the Horticulture Club for them to plant around their greenhouse and to sell at their spring sale," he said.
While he did not destroy any bulbs, he said other employees sprayed Image in areas with the bulbs.
Although Foglesong was unavailable for comment, he said in a University Relations press release that the daffodils are receiving normal maintenance and replacement.
Ricky Brock, operations coordinator of grounds services, declined to comment, deferring to MSU executive director of facilities management Jim Jones, who could not be reached for comment.
In a press release, Jones said some shrubs and flowers are being removed or replaced because they have thinned out or spread over time.
He also said the daffodil bulbs would be stored and replanted at a later time.
Meghan Schultz, president of the Horticulture Club and senior horticulture major, said she visited the facilities management building to get the details on the decision.
She said she was told that orders were to "destroy them" and to dig up all bulbs or spray them "until they didn't come up."
One employee showed her the herbicide that was to be used to spray the daffodils, Schultz said.
"The herbicide they were supposed to use costs $100 for a small bottle," Schultz said.
Another campus landscape employee, who also wished to remain anonymous, said workers were told to get rid of all the daffodils by digging them up, using a line trimmer or spraying them with herbicide.
The employee said that the daffodils sometimes appear to be sparse because they are typically planted in a naturalistic manner.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 12
sarah
posted 2/15/08 @ 1:04 PM CST
Those daffodils are (or were?) one of the most attractive features of MSU's campus.
I am confused why they were removed and why our president was unable to give a clear answer. (Continued…)
Ash
posted 2/15/08 @ 3:24 PM CST
If daffodils is the only thing you tree huggers have to worry about, quit school and join Team Obama and his travelling turd burglers.
Daffodils??????? The next thing you'll be whining about is those craptacular "VOTE FOR ME" signs that Doc won't let you trash the campus with. (Continued…)
Jed Pressgrove
posted 2/15/08 @ 3:35 PM CST
Ash, you had me inspired at two points: (1) turd burglers and (2) craptacular. Please share more.
Bob Ross
posted 2/15/08 @ 7:54 PM CST
"We don't make mistakes, we just have happy little accidents." I like to make my own little happy world with friendly little daffodills.
Pete
posted 2/16/08 @ 7:04 PM CST
Ahh . . . we can tell the Young Republicans are out of their basements when authority worship, "turd burglers," and hits on Barack Obama pollute the Reflector comments. (Continued…)
Mississippi Muddpuppy
posted 2/16/08 @ 8:49 PM CST
Speaking of the Air Force's love for its general, you might want to check out the YouTube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLPk2YlTrwI
Quite enlightening. (Continued…)
Carmon
posted 2/18/08 @ 3:18 PM CST
Thanks Pete! You are right. This is just the tip of the ugly iceberg. I am a female grad student that has been trying to get a light turned on outside of Allen Hall for over a semester. (Continued…)
Sisyphus
Sisyphus
posted 2/18/08 @ 3:38 PM CST
My apologies Carmon. I typed your name wrong in my original post.
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