Commercial Floriculture Survey

Project Code = 922 What is Floriculture?

 The cultivation of flowering (and other )  6 categories – Annual bedding plants – Potted flowering plants – Foliage plants – Cut – Cut cultivated greens – Herbaceous perennials What is not floriculture?

 Woody perennials (, , etc.)   Vegetables – Greenhouse-grown vegetables – Vegetable transplants for commercial use  Tobacco seedlings Where do we report them?

 Some plants such as Roses appear in several different locations in the questionnaires  Floriculture Survey – Section 1 - – Section 2 - Potted Flowering Plants – Section 3 - Perennials  Same for and mums Cut flowers – Section 1

 Used in floral arrangements, bouquets, etc.  Can be grown in greenhouse or field  Sold as: – Stems (roses, lilies, tulips) – Bunches (pompon mums) – Spikes (gladioli, snapdragon) – Blooms (cut orchids) Pompon Standard Carnations Alstroemeria

Gerbera Daisy Delphinium Gladioli

Peonies

 Fast growing industry in Alaska  3 – 5 years from to harvest – Some growers may not have reached full harvest status at time of survey  Cut , Potted perennial Potted Flowering Plants for Indoor or Patio Use – Section 2

 As the title implies, must be potted and must be used indoors – Not in landscape – Not winter hardy usually  Usually pots made out of plastic but can be any material  Pot size determined by diameter  Carrier trays vs. flat African Violet Potted Chrysanthemum

Easter Lily

Poinsettia

Orchids Florist Roses Hydrangea Herbaceous Perennials Section - 3

 Winter hardy and used in the landscape

 Plastic or peat pot

 Pot sizes – Diameter – Volume Hosta Chrysanthemum

Phlox Daylily Annual Bedding / Garden Plants Section 4

 Generally used in the landscape  Pots, flats, cell packs, hanging baskets  Who determines container? – It depends on who is selling them. 1st number = number of cell packs in flat 2nd number = number of Cell Packs and Flats cells in a cell pack

606 806

flat

1206 cell pack Flats

 Traditionally, came in one size 11” X 22”  Recently, many varieties and sizes of flats around the country  Square flat – 17" square or 13" square  Streamlined, rectangular flats – 7" X 19" or 9" X 21". Salvia Ageratum Vegetable transplants (for home use only)

Combination planters Zinnia Foliage Plants – Section 5

 Grown primarily for their ornamental – Flowers are secondary  Section 4 – Other foliar plants. Only record annual plants here.  Section 5 – All other foliage plants for indoor or patio use.  Only report palms that are for indoor or patio use. – Exclude those grown for outdoor landscaping. Report these on the Nursery Production Survey Aglaonema Dieffenbachia Philodendron

Pothos Ficus Potted Cut Cultivated Greens – Section 6

 Used in floral arrangements and other ornamental purposes.  Do not include edible greens or those collected from the wild. Leatherleaf Boxwood Eucalyptus

Cedar Spray Holly Huckleberry Green Ivy Propagative Floriculture Material Section 7

 Cuttings, plugs, liners, culture, pre-finished plants  Bare perennials (e.g. hostas)  Sold wholesale only – Not ready to be sold to homeowner – Not flowering or too small Plug Trays

 Cuttings or started in each cell  Cell size decreases as cell number increases  Some operators specialize in plug production  Plants are transplanted into pots or cell packs  Less transplanting shock since root systems are separated Holding vs. Growing On

 Growing on implies that the plants are unfinished and need more growth (or flowers) before selling retail or wholesale – Propagator sell plugs to grower  Holding means that the plants were purchased finished and growth just needs to be maintained before selling retail – Grower sells to Home Depot Basic Propagation

 When do propagative materials become finished plants? – It varies greatly, from a few weeks to several months, to even several years, depending on the type of plant. – It also depends on whether the grower is using seeds, cuttings or tissue cultures. – Ultimately, the change occurs when the growers feel that the plants are large enough (have well established ), that they can be sold to consumers, with confidence that they will survive. Greenhouse Types –Section 8

 Roof covering or “glazing” material determines the type of greenhouse  Glass  Rigid plastic – Acrylic, polycarbonate, fiberglass, etc.  Film plastic – Polyethylene film Multiple glazing materials

 Record based on glazing material of the roof  Picture to the right would be recorded as a film plastic house regardless of the acrylic walls

Greenhouse Styles

 Quonset or Polyhouse – 2 layers of polyethylene with air in the middle – Cheap to build – Expensive to maintain – “Temporary” structures – Also used for over wintering of landscape materials – a.k.a. hoop house, high tunnel Greenhouse vs. Shade house

 Most can be used year  Used to decrease light round to grow plants intensity on plants  Heating and cooling  Reduces stress and systems watering needs  Irrigation system  Helps transition plants  Controlled environment between greenhouse and planting  Used during growing season only  No direct temperature control Worker Safety

 Do not enter a greenhouse/nursery when warning signs are on display  After have been applied, the pesticide label states a certain period of time must pass before anyone is allowed in without protective gear (varies for each pesticide)