PhD., Genetics, Pennsylvania State University, 1963
M.S., Horticulture, Pennsylvania State University, 1960
B.S., Horticulture, Pennsylvania State University, 1959

REGAL PELARGONIUM:
The research focuses on the fundamental aspects of floral initiation including characterization of the floral response. Specific breeding objectives are the development of genotypes that can initiate flowers at high temperatures, improved post production quality and insect/disease resistance. The cultivar improvement program has resulted in the introduction, patenting and licensing of twelve cultivars for commercial production.

ZONAL GERANIUMS:
Development of genotypes with novel leaf patterns and plant growth forms that can be asexually propagated and produced in the greenhouse. Successful genotypes will also have superior garden performance.

• Robert W. Langhans Visiting Scholar in Floriculture, Cornell University, 2002.
• Alex and Jesse Black Award for Research, College of Agricultural Sciences, Penn State, 2002
  
• Pennsylvania Flower Grower Award. Pennsylvania Floral Industry Association, 2000
  
• Luther Burbank Award, for Outstanding Achievements in Plant Breeding, American Horticultural Society, 2000
• Named J. Franklin Styer Professor of Horticultural Botany, 1992
• Induction to the Floricultural Hall of Fame, in recognition of lasting contributions to the advancement of floriculture, Society of American Florists, 1990
• Alex Laurie Award, for outstanding contributions to floricultural research and education, Society of American Florists, 1990
• Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science, 1986
• Bronze Medal for Research, African Violet Society of America, 1981
• Special recommendation for Horticultural Achievement, All America Selections, 1964

1. Riseman, A. L. and R. Craig. 2000. Physiological and morphological traits associated with zinc deficiency in Exacum. Plant and Soil. 219: 41-47.
2. Loehrlein, M. and R. Craig. 2000. Floral ontogeny of Pelargonium xdomesticum. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 125(1):36-40.
3. Uchneat, M.S., K. Spicer, and R. Craig. 1999. Differential response to floral infection with Botrytis cinerea within the genus Pelargonium. HortScience. 34(4):718-720.
4. Grazzini, R. A., P.R. Paul, T. Hage, D. Cox-Foster, J. Medford, R. Craig and R. O. Mumma. 1999. Tissue-specific fatty acid composition of glandular trichomes of mite-resistant and -susceptible Pelargonium xhortorum. J. Chem. Ecol. 25 (4):955-968.
5. Uchneat, M.S., A. Zhigilei, and R. Craig. 1999. Differential response to foliar infection with Botrytis cinerea within the genus Pelargonium. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 124(1):76-80.
6. Grazzini, R. A., D. S. Walters, J. Harmon, D. J. Hesk, D. Cox-Foster, J. Medford, R. Craig and R. O. Mumma. 1997. Inheritance of biochemical and morphological characters associated with two-spotted spider mite resistance in Pelargonium xhortorum. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 122(3):373-379.
7. Harman, J., P. Paul, R. Craig, D. Cox-Foster, J. Medford, and R. O. Mumma. 1996. Development of a mite bioassay to evaluate plant resistance and its use in determining regeneration of spider mite resistance. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 81:301-305.
8. Schultz, D. J., E. B. Cahoon, J. Shanklin, R. Craig, D. L. Cox-Foster, R. O. Mumma and J. I. Medford. 1996. Expression of a delta⁹ 14:0-acyl carrier protein fatty acid desaturase gene is necessary for the production of omega⁵ anacardic acids found in pest-resistant geranium (Pelargonium xhortorum). Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 93:8771-8775.
9. Grazzini, R.A., D. Hesk, E. Yerger, D. Cox-Foster, J. Medford, R. Craig and R.O. Mumma. 1995. Distribution of biochemical and morphological characters associated with small pest resistance among cultivars of Pelargonium xhortorum. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 120(2):343-346.
10. Grazzini, R.A., D. Hesk, E. Yerger, D. Cox-Foster, J. Medford, R. Craig and R.O. Mumma. 1995. Species distribution of biochemical and morphological characters associated with small pest resistance in Pelargonium xhortorum. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 120(2):336-342.