Cut Flower Production Research Articles

Identification of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with cut flowers

Carnation, gerbera and lisianthus are an important part of the cut flower market worldwide, but plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) affect their production and quality. Therefore, rapid and accurate identification of PPNs is required for effective pest management programmes and crop rotation. In this study, a survey was carried out in the Antalya province of Turkey, an area where carnation, gerbera, lisianthus and chrysanthemum are commercially grown. A total of 79 soil samples were collected from greenhouses in the area, and 12 species-specific primers for identification of Meloidogyne, Pratylenchus and Rotylenchulus species were used for molecular detection. Pratylenchus thornei, M. incognita, P. neglectus, M. javanica, M. arenaria and M. hapla were detected in 98.73%, 88.60%, 65.82%, 34.17%, 22.78% and 5.06% of samples, respectively. Results showed combination of different PPN species in the soil of greenhouses where cut flowers were grown. These findings may be used to improve management practices, reducing losses in cut flower production.

North American Specialty Cut Flower Production and Postharvest Survey

In the United States and Canada, there has been an increase in the demand for local specialty cut flowers and a corresponding increase in production. To assess the needs of the industry, we electronically surveyed 1098 cut flower producers and handlers in the United States and Canada regarding their current cut flower production and postharvest problems, and customer issues. We received a total of 210 responses, resulting in a 19% response rate. The results showed that the main production problem was insect management; crop timing was the second most important problem and disease management was the third. Crop timing encompasses a range of related issues such as determining the correct harvest stage, harvest windows that are too short, flowering all at once, or lack of control when the crop is ready to harvest. The main postharvest problems were temperature management, hydration, and flower food management. Timing and stem length were the two most mentioned species-specific production issues, with each one listed by 10% or more of the respondents for eight of the total 31 species. Regarding on-farm postharvest handling, hydration and vase life were the two most mentioned issues; they were reported for five and three species, respectively. For postharvest during storage and transport, damage and hydration were the most common issues; these were listed for three species each. The most commonly mentioned customer complaints were vase life and shattering, which were reported for six and two species, respectively. These results will allow researchers and businesses to focus on the major cut flower production and postharvest issues and on crops that are most in need of improvement in North America.

An Overview of Upcountry Cut Flower Industry, Sri Lanka

Floricultural products exports bring a considerable amount of income to Sri Lankan economy and there is a huge development potential. Upcountry is a main cut flower production area in the country. This study’s focus is to identify the general information on cut flower production, marketing, problems and suggestions for the improvement. This is a descriptive study where field survey was conducted in three districts in Sri Lanka. Primary data were collected through face to face and telephonic interviews with 58 flower growers by using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Discussions were held with flower exporters, flower sellers and personnel from Department of National Botanical Gardens and Export Development Board. Snowball sampling methods were used to select the flower growers. Secondary data were collected from the books, research articles, institutional publications and internet. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 17). Majority (79.2%) of the respondents were females and mean age of the respondents was 51 years. Cultivation of food crops and flowers was the main source of income of the majority (74.5%). Asetermaria, Desi, Gerbera, Chrysanthemum, Rose and Lilies were the main flowers cultivated and the average monthly income received from flowers was LKR 28,250.96. Selling to the wholesalers visiting the village is the most prominent local marketing method for the growers. A continuous demand exists in the international market for cut flowers. Even though flower exporters are willing to buy flowers from the area, continuous and quality supply of flowers is a problem. Unavailability of proper market alone was identified as the main problem by 42.3% of respondents. It is recommended to motivate farmers for production planning. Export quality flower production at the village level, more tailor made trainings to growers, integrated approach to provide inputs, market and information in one package will provide solutions for the issues encountered in the sector.

Evaluation of Trachelium Cultivars as Cut Flowers

Trachelium caeruleum has been grown in the United States as a cut flower for about a decade. Only two cultivars, 'White Umbrella' and 'Purple Umbrella', were readily available for commercial use before 1997, but nine new cultivars became available in the last few years. Comparative performance trials have been lacking for these cultivars in the United States. This trial evaluated 11 cultivars of Trachelium for cut flower production performance (vegetative and flowering characteristics) and postharvest longevity. This document is HS991, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date May 20, 2004.

Recent progress in night-break lighting technique based on photoperiodism of chrysanthemum

Flowering control is one of the most important techniques in floriculture. The control of day length makes year-round cut-chrysanthemum flower production possible. Night-break is the most widely used flowering control method in both cut flower and pot chrysanthemum production. In this study, we investigated the effects of night-break, night-break time, and light quality on chrysanthemum flowering. On comparing the wavelengths of red (R) light used for night-breaks, it was observed that the inhibition effect on flowering was higher in the wavelength range of 620-640 nm than at 660 nm, in which the conversion efficiency of phytochrome is high. The effect of R light and R + far red (FR) light on the inhibition of flowering changes with the length of night-break. The effect of R light is higher with a short night-break. On the other hand, when the duration of night-break is long, both R and R + FR light showed equivalent inhibition effects, and the effect of R + FR light was higher than R light in some varieties. The most effective time for night-break was not the middle of the dark period, but near the end of the cultivar-specific critical dark period. As the night-break time was extended, the inhibitory effect on flowering initially increased with night-break time up to a certain time period, beyond which the effect decreased again. The results obtained here are contrary to current perspective on night-break. Based on these findings, we propose a new night-break protocol for the inhibition of flowering in chrysanthemum.

Integrated plant nutrient supply for export quality cut flower production in LA Lilium ‘Nashville’

Integrated plant nutrient supply for export quality cut flower production in LA Lilium ‘Nashville’

Postharvest physiology and handling of cut Spartium junceum inflorescences

Spartium junceum is a deciduous perennial shrub with extreme resistance to drought that develops spike inflorescences with yellow, delicate, lightly scented flowers. In series of experiments, we investigated S. junceum postharvest performance and recorded various quality parameters. Harvesting S. junceum inflorescences at different developmental stages did not affect vase life (VL) or inflorescence fresh weight. However, significant differences between harvest stages were recorded on flower open rate (FOR; %) and flower fall rate (FFR; %). Sucrose pulsing at 2 and 5% (w:v) for 24 h resulted in significant increases in FOR, but no changes in FFR, inflorescence fresh weigh and solution uptake (SU) were recorded. Wet storage at 3 °C effectively increased VL and maintained quality of inflorescences for over 40 days. S. junceum showed a moderate sensitivity to exogenous ethylene. Exposure of inflorescences to 5 and 10 μL L−1 for 12 h resulted in significant decrease in VL and FOR, and also increase in FFR. 1-MCP treatments at 10 μL L−1 significantly increased VL by 2.2 d, FOR by up to 90% and maintained higher inflorescence fresh weight (P < 0.05) for 5 d (e.g. from day-3 to day-8), compared to the un-treated controls. The results of the present study suggest that S. junceum could, potentially, be cultivated commercially for specialty cut flower production.

Response of potted anthurium (Anthurium andreanum Lind.) to the K+: Ca+2: Mg+2 balance in the nutrient solution

The climatic conditions of the humid tropical areas of México allow the year-round production of cut flowers and potted plants of anthurium. However, the scarce basic and applied research on tropical ornamental species limits the development of technology to increase productivity and quality. In this article, we are reporting the information as to the effect of the proportions of potassium (K+), calcium (Ca+2), magnesium (Mg+2) in the nutrient solution on anthurium growth using mixture analysis and response surface methodology. The sum of all the three cations was 20 meq L−1 and each one is expressed as a fraction of this total concentration. Response surface analysis detected that spathe and leaf areas decreased in plants fed with solutions of high proportions of Mg+2. Total shoot and root fresh weight, as well as total dry weight and root volume, also demonstrated the deleterious effects of high Mg+2. In general, the best growth occurred in two areas of the explored space; a) an area of high Ca+2, with optimum proportions ranging from 0.24–0.44 for K+, 0.54–0.68 for Ca+2, and 0.01–0.08 for Mg+2, and b) another area of high K+, on which the optimum proportions ranged 0.54–0.65 for K+, 0.25–0.29 for Ca+2, and 0.10–0.21 for Mg+2. Shoot and root K+, Ca+2, and Mg+2 concentration was significantly affected by the cation balances in the external solution, however, there was not a clear tendency as to the effect of each cation in the mixture; nonetheless, the internal K+: Ca+2: Mg+2 balances were affected by the balances in the nutrient solution, as in the shoot they were located in a very specific area of the explored space, indicating that anthurium plants accumulated more Mg+2 compared to what it is in the external solution, whereas Ca+2 was lower than that of the external solution. Plants accumulated K+ at high rates regardless of the external balance. In conclusion, the optimum nutrient solutions for anthurium may contain very wide ratios of K+ as long Ca+2 and Mg+2 are maintained at low proportion in the nutrient solution.

Comprehensive Application of Different Methods of Observation Provides New Insight into Flower Bud Differentiation of Double-flowered Paeonia lactiflora ‘Dafugui’

The analysis of herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) floral bud initiation and differentiation from autumn to early spring is important because flower formation is strictly correlated with flowering in late spring. A clear understanding of peony flower development would allow management practices to be optimized for stable annual production and supply of cut flowers. The aim of this research was to study the time-sensitive characteristics underlying flower development in peony cultivar ‘Dafugui’. Flower bud differentiation was assessed by paraffin and hand-made slices, as well as stereomicroscopy. Both methods have strengths and weaknesses. Our observations are not entirely consistent with those of previous studies. Flower bud differentiation in ‘Dafugui’, which starts from late September to mid-April of the following year, is divided into differentiation of the lower parts (separate differentiation periods for the bracts, sepals, petals, stamens, and pistillodes) and upper parts (separate differentiation periods for the petals, stamens, and pistil), and is closely related to annual changes in ambient temperature. Differentiation of lower flower buds takes place before winter dormancy, whereas that of upper parts starts early in the following spring, and finally forms a double-flowered type. The three methods used in this article can be used to study P. lactiflora flower bud differentiation and can contribute to an understanding of this process in the future.

Market Potential of Cut Flowers Produced in the Marginal Upland Communities in Leyte

Cut flower production can be an alternative livelihood source to farmers who are dependent on subsistence farming. This study aimed to assess the market potential of cut flowers produced in the marginal upland communities in Leyte, specifically Inopacan, which is considered as one of the poorest municipalities in Region 8. This study employed a survey research design where data on the purchasing behavior, consumption, and preferences of the consumers toward buying cut flowers were collected. The respondents were selected using a non-probability sampling technique by means of purposive sampling. Key informant interviews with the florists were also conducted to ascertain the demand and supply situation of cut flowers in the region. Conjoint analysis was used to determine the preferences of the consumers toward buying cut flowers. Results showed that price strongly influenced the consumers in their purchasing decisions. Locally sourced cut flowers are preferred due to its extended longevity. Only around one-fourth of the total local demand can be provided by the local growers, thus production in the marginal uplands in Inopacan, Leyte is seen to have favorable market potential given the climatic condition of the area.

First report of Colletotrichum truncatum associated with anthracnose disease on tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) in India

Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) is an important commercial flower crop grown in Karnataka for its beautiful and fragrant cut flowers. Recently, an association of anthracnose disease (incidence ranged from 18 to 27%) characterized by the dark concentric sunken necrotic lesions with spore mass in the acervuli on leaves and peduncles of Tuberose was observed in a field survey conducted during October 2015 to March 2016. The pathogen was isolated on PDA medium. The fungal colony on PDA was grayish to dark gray. Conidia were falcate, one-celled, hyaline. Based on the micro-morphological, and cultural characteristics the pathogen was identified as Colletotrichum truncatum. The ITS-rDNA, GAPDH and ß-tubulin sequences of the pathogen were sequenced using ITS1/ITS4, GDF1/GDR1, T1/Bt2b primer pairs. nBLAST search and phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the pathogen was C. truncatum. Koch's postulates were conducted on 45-day-old tuberose plants by foliar application of conidial suspension of C. truncatum. Development of typical anthracnose disease was recorded after 18 days of post-inoculation and the pathogen's identity was confirmed by re-isolation and identification. The anthracnose disease associated with Tuberose is a major constraint for the production of quality cut flowers. This is the first report of C. truncatum causing anthracnose on Tuberose in India.

Cut flower production potentials in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The potential of cut flowers is underexploited in Nigeria. A survey was conducted in Port Harcourt south Nigeria to investigate the status of public awareness on cut flower production and its potentials. There were 122 respondents including 26 growers/sellers and 96 being consumers/buyers. Most growers (58.2%) were 26-45 years old, while many 34.7% buyers were 36-45 years old. Five top cut flowers in demand were Heliconia aurantiaca, Alpinia purpurata, Etlingera elatior, Celosia argentea and Strelitzia reginae. Top five attractions to cut flowers are aesthetics, colour, scent, size and bloom. The major constraints to the industry are land, fund and lack of public awareness. Of the 96 respondents, 73% were aware of cut flower production while 27% were not conversant with cut flowers. On monthly basis, 24% spent less than N 2000 (5.0 USD) on cut flowers while 46% did not purchase cut flowers at all. The survey showed 15.6% spent between N 2500-5000 (7.0-14.0 USD), 6.3% spent between N 5500 and 10000 (15.0-27.3 USD) while 7.3% spent over N 10,000 (27.3.0 USD). Only 26% purchased cut flowers all-year-round while 42.7% never bought at all. However, 64.6% were willing to purchase cut flowers if made available while 35.4% were not interested at all. Production of cut flower is a viable small to medium scale (SME) enterprise which could redress unemployment in Port Harcourt and environs.

The Effect of Bulb Sizes on the Yield and Some Plant Characteristics of Bunch-Flowered Daffodil (Narcissus tazetta subsp. tazetta L.)

This study was conducted to determine the effect of different bulb sizes on the yield and some plant characteristics of bunch-flowered daffodil (Narcissus tazetta subsp. tazetta L.) under the conditions of Harran Plain during 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 winter crop production periods in accordance with randomized blocks design with 3 repetitions. Three different bulb sizes (8-10 cm, 10-12 cm and 12-14 cm circumferences) of Viransehir ecotype bunch-flowered daffodils were used. In the study, the plant height (18.40-30.82 cm), number of scape (leafless stem) (0.38-2.63 number plant-1), number of flowers (1.48-4.67 number scape-1), bulb sizes (12.80-13.90 cm), bulb weights (44.58-51.78 g), increase ratio of the bulb size (2.05-43.70 % (cm/cm)), number of bulbils (0.48-4.88 numbers plant-1), bulbil sizes (6.67-9.60 cm) and bulb yields (9.99-11.89 kg m-2) were investigated. Statistical analyses indicated that all properties studied were affected by the bulb size. The bulb size with 12-14 cm was found to be suitable for cut flower production and the bulb sizes with 10-12 cm were suitable for bulb production and landscaped areas.

Plant spacing and phosphate fertilization on costus

The Cheilocostus speciosus is a species with ornamental potential, but the lack of scientific and technical information for fertilization and management of cut flowers production, turns essential to research in this area on floriculture. The aim of this work was to evaluate the production of C. speciosus fertilized with different levels of phosphate and plant spacing. Four treatments were used in a factorial scheme, with two plant spacing (1.20 x 0.80 m and 1.20 x 1.60 m) and two levels of phosphate fertilization (35 and 70 g per plant). The variables analyzed were number of vegetative stems, clump height, number of inflorescences, inflorescence diameter, inflorescence height and stem with inflorescence height. The interaction plant spacing and P doses for height of stem with inflorescence showed that the 1.20 x 0.8 m spacing presented the best results independently of the P dose applied and for clump height treatment the spacing 1.20 x 0.80 m and 35 g P showed the best results. Phosphorus fertilization had no effect on C. speciosus flower production for all other variables analyzed, and the spacing 1.2 x 0.8 m is recommended for C. speciosus flower production.

Meiotic Defects and Premature Tapetal Degeneration Are Involved in the Low Fertility of Oncidesa Gower Ramsey, an Important Cut-flower Orchid

The dancing-lady orchid, Oncidesa Gower Ramsey, is an important cultivar for cut-flower production, but it has low pollen fertility in breeding programs. In this study, we compared the pollen germination in vitro, sporad type, and pollinia development of Oncsa. Gower Ramsey and a diploid species, Oncidium sphacelatum Lindl (one of its grandparents). In Oncsa. Gower Ramsey, the pollen germination in vitro was lower as compared with those in Onc. sphacelatum. In addition, the frequency of abnormal sporads in Oncsa. Gower Ramsey was higher than those in Onc. sphacelatum. In Oncsa. Gower Ramsey, the middle layer and the tapetum were disorganized before meiosis, and subsequently they degenerated at the early tetrad stage. In contrast, the middle layer and the tapetum of Onc. sphacelatum began to degenerate at the early tetrad stage and fully disappeared at the bicellular pollen stage. These results suggested that the abnormal meiosis caused by unbalanced genomes and the premature degeneration of the middle layer and the tapetum could probably result in the abnormal pollen development and the low fertility of Oncsa. Gower Ramsey.

Bulb Circumference Influences Growth and Crop Quality in Pineapple Lily

The objective of this study was to determine effects of bulb size on production time and factors influencing crop quality in pineapple lily (Eucomis sp.) cultivars developed originally for cut flower production. The percentage of bulbs producing an inflorescence increased as bulb size increased. One hundred percent of bulbs &gt;18 cm circumference flowered in three of the four cultivars whereas ‘Tugela Jade’ exhibited 88% flowering. The number of flowers per inflorescence increased as bulb size increased. Scape length increased as bulb size increased in ‘Reuben’. Inflorescence length increased as bulb size increased in ‘Reuben’, ‘Tugela Jade’, and ‘Tugela Gem’. Days to anthesis from planting decreased as bulb size increased in ‘Reuben’ and ‘Tugela Jade’. For all cultivars, the largest bulbs produced the greatest number of leaves per plant and the highest quality inflorescences, largely attributable to the larger number of flowers produced per inflorescence compared with smaller bulbs.

Foliar application of citric and malic acid to stock plants of rose alters the rooting of stem cuttings

BackgroundAs the world’s best-selling cut flower, there is a high demand for propagated rose plants. Auxins are the dominant growth regulator used to improve the rooting of cutting; however, their application remains a labor-intensive process, and on the other hand, side effects like poor shoot growth exist. Organic acid sprays have enhanced many physiological traits of plants which justified surveying their possible effect on the rooting process in the current study.MethodsDifferent concentrations of citric or malic acid were sprayed to stock plants of rose (Rosa x hybrida cv. ‘Sherbet’) prior to taking cuttings. Malic or citric acid (3, 6, or 9 mM) was applied five times on a 14-day interval in a commercial cut flower production greenhouse. Single-node cuttings were prepared and were rooted under mist. Data collected included rooting percentage, root count, root and shoot length and dry weight, and root-to-shoot ratio (R:S).Results and discussionThe rooting percentage was enhanced by all treatments. Citric acid enhanced root number at 6 mM level followed by 3 mM citric acid. Average root length was increased by all treatments except 3 and 6 mM malic acid. All CA treatments increased shoot length, while it remained unaffected by MA treatments. CA at 3 and 6 mM level and 6 mM MA increased shoot dry weight, but only 9 mM CA increased the root dry weight.ConclusionBoth organic acids had positive effects on rooting response of ‘Sherbet’ roses. However, the mechanism of observed responses to organic acids remains to be studied. While they enhance the physiological performance of stock plants, they can also simultaneously both enhance the rooting as well as the shoot growth of the new plantlets.

Prospects of Women Cut Flower Enterprise for Sustainability Approach: A Case Study

Floriculture in Nagaland has taken a big leap in the state's economy helping the growers, who for the love of flowers can now meet their daily expenditures and other needs through this venture. The demand of fresh cut flowers has brought a huge impact in the Floriculture sector providing income as well as employment especially among the home makers and unemployed youths. The present study being undertaken during the agricultural year 2014–2015 in Dimapur and Kohima districts of Nagaland for the assessment of production and marketing of cut flowers as the study comprises of 75 numbers of sample respondents by following a multi-stage stratified simple random sampling method based on the flower growers. The sample population was categorized under alstroemeria, lilium, anthurium, gerbera and orchid group of growers. The average family size were 5.56, out of which 100.00 per cent were literate, as the worker constitutes 46.66 per cent of total population, the overall total cost of cut flower growers were 46, 600.00/-per acre, as the gross income were 2, 32, 520.00/-per acre, the net return were 1, 82, 782.00/-per acre and overall benefit-cost ratio were 4.97: 1. There were three (3) marketing channels are identified for the marketing of cut flowers in both the districts, as the Producer's share in consumer's rupees were found highest on channel-I, regarding impact has enhanced by 1, 20, 131.80/-per acre to their annual income, while 23, 101.52/-was increase in their annual expenditure on food items as well as on their annual savings, also an attempt has been made to study the constraints faced by the cut flower growers during the production viz; requirement of more care was foremost followed by lack of timely availability of planting materials, while the marketing constraints include the lack of knowledge on post harvest techniques as the foremost followed by lack of storage facilities and it was least on lack of transportation facilities etc;

Oriental × Trumpet Interspecific Hybrid Lily Cultivar with Double Color,‘Crown Bell’

A new Oriental × Trumpet (OT) intersectional hybrid lily cultivar (‘Morning Bell’) with flourishing growth and high resistance to leaf burn and Botrytis infection was developed at the Taean Lily Experiment Station of Chungcheongnam-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services in 2015. In 2008, the yellow-flowered female parent, Lilium OT hybrid ‘Altari’ was c rossed with t he p ink-flowered male parent L. Oriental hybrid ‘Solaia’ using a cut-style pollination method. Adaptation trials were conducted on the candidate line to develop various characteristics through in vitro seed culture, multiplication, and seedling from 2009 to 2012. The first selection was made in 2013, and the line was tentatively named ‘OT13-9’. In this study, the external shape type, bulb production, growth, and flowering characteristics of ‘OT13-9’ were compared with those of ‘Candy Club’ from 2013 to 2015. Consumer preference for the evaluated characteristics was surveyed during a lily flower show held at the Flower Research Institute in 2014, and a second selection, named ‘Chungnam OT-3’, was made according to results from the show. This line was registered as the OT intersectional hybrid lily cultivar ‘Morning Bell’ in 2015. The natural flowering time of ‘Morning Bell’ began on July 2, which was similar to that of ‘Candy Club’ at the central district. The plant height of ‘Morning Bell’ was 120.8 cm, and flowers were of the following three types: double color (white-pink), dark with pink spots, or upward blooming. Production of high quality cut flowers and bulbs required careful use of general cultivation techniques, including control of diseases and insects and nutrient/moisture management.

Türkiye’de Kesme Çiçek Üretim ve Ticaretinde Mevcut Durum, Sorunlar ve Çözüm Önerileri

Nowadays, cut flower production has become an income-generating activity branch. Global cut flower production area was 609.000 ha in 2014 which was 39% of total indoor plants production area. Primary continents in cut flower production are; Asia, Pacific and America, and primary countries are; USA, Japan, Italy, Holland, Ecuador, Colombia and Kenya. Europe has a 63% of share and American Continent has 29% of share in global cut flower export. The biggest cut flower exporters in the world are; Holland (56%), Colombia (17%) and Ecuador (11%), and the biggest cut flower importers are; USA (18%), Germany (15%) and Holland (14%). Due to geographical location and climate conditions, Turkey has an advantage in cut flower production. In terms of production area size, cut flowers take a 26% of share among the indoor plants area in Turkey. According to Turkish Statistical Institute (TSI) data, total cut flower production area in Turkey was 1.195 ha by 2016, and it has a 68% of share in indoor plants production. Mediterranean region comes first that has a 46% of share in cut flower production area in Turkey with 5.095 da. In terms of production area, İzmir has the largest share (41.25%). Turkey’s indoor plants export volume is 81.5 million USD which is 26th in the world. Among product groups, cut flower has a 34% of share in export with 27.7 million USD, and Holland is the country that Turkey exports cut flower most (19.29%). Among the cut flowers, carnation is produced and exported most in Turkey. Cut flower sector is open for improvement, therefore taking actions towards market demands, and product diversification would be beneficial for the sector improvement.