Overview

My academic interests lie in floriculture, greenhouse cropping systems and the physiology of ornamental plants. My research and extension efforts in flower bulb forcing and use are substantially supported by the Dutch flower bulb export industry as well as US companies and Foundations. Findings from my research group have been adopted by many in the floriculture industry worldwide. I also provide leadership for the Seeley Conference, a major floral industry think tank held annually in Ithaca, and I teach courses in herbaceous plant materials and greenhouse management and crop production.

Research Focus

The focus of my group is essentially in the areas of floricultural crop production and postharvest physiology, especially with flower bulbs. We are interested in growth control, ethylene effects on plants, interactions of specific plant pathogens (e.g., Fusarium oxysporum fs tulipae) and tulip bulbs in terms of ethylene evolution by the pathogen, carbohydrate metabolism in bulbous plants and physiological disorders (physiological diseases) in floricultural crops. We are also heavily involved in outdoor trialing and evaluation of annuals and perennials in Ithaca’s USDA Hardiness Zone 5 climate.

Outreach and Extension Focus

I communicate my research findings through a newsletter and the Flower Bulb Research Program website. In addition to talks to grower groups, I also provide leadership for the annual Seeley Conference, and collaborate on the annual Cornell Floriculture Field Day.

Teaching Focus

I am responsible for two formal courses, Hort 3000 (Annuals and Perennials, aka Herbaceous Plant Materials), and Hort 3100 (Greenhouse Crop production and Marketing). Additionally, I usually direct several independent studies each semester and give guest lectures in other courses.

Additional Links

• Cornell Flowerbulb Research Program
• Bluegrass Lane Annual Flower Trials
• Cornell Greenhouse Horticulture
• Seeley Conference
• Using Alcohol to Reduce Growth of Paperwhite Narcissus
• Link to CALS Research and Impact
• Link to Research & Expertise Across Cornell

Selected Publications

Journal Publications

• Miller, C. T., Lockhart, B., Daughtrey, M. L., & Miller, W. (2012). Iron deficiency may result in interveinal chlorosis of Shamrock Plant (Oxalis regnellii). . 6:99-103.
• Cerveny, C. B., Miller, W., & Taylor, A. G. (2011). Storage temperature and moisture content affect respiration and survival of Ranunculus asiaticus dry tuberous roots . HortScience. 46:1523-1527.
• Whipker, B. E., Hammer, P. A., & Miller, W. (2011). Nutrient partitioning in ‘Nellie White’ Lilium longiflorum at anthesis for two temperature regimes. . Acta Horticulturae. 900:119-124.
• Miller, C. T., & Miller, W. (2011). Investigating interveinal chlorosis in Oxalis regnellii. Acta Horticulturae. 886:183-186.
• Miller, C. T., Mattson, N. S., & Miller, W. (2011). Fertilizer composition, concentration and irrigation method affect growth and development of Oxalis regnellii and Oxalis triangularis. . HortScience. 46:1110-1115.
• Hou, J. Y., Miller, W., & Chang, Y. A. (2011). Effects of simulated dark shipping on the carbohydrate status and post-shipping performance of Phalaenopsis. Journal of the American Society for Horticulture Science. 136:364-371.
• Liou, S., & Miller, W. (2011). Factors affecting ethylene sensitivity and 1-MCP response in tulip bulbs. Postharvest Biology and Technology. 59:238–244.
• Cerveny, C. B., & Miller, W. (2010). Ranunculus asiaticus dried tubers accumulate water through the physical process of imbibition. Acta Horticulturae. 886:335-338.

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