Commercial Floriculture Survey
Project Code = 922 What is Floriculture?
The cultivation of flowering plants (and other greenhouse crops) 6 categories – Annual bedding plants – Potted flowering plants – Foliage plants – Cut flowers – Cut cultivated greens – Herbaceous perennials What is not floriculture?
Woody perennials (trees, shrubs, etc.) Fruits 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 - Cut Flowers – Section 2 - Potted Flowering Plants – Section 3 - Perennials Same for azaleas 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 Chrysanthemum Alstroemeria
Gerbera Daisy Delphinium Gladioli
Peonies
Fast growing industry in Alaska 3 – 5 years from plant to harvest – Some growers may not have reached full harvest status at time of survey Cut flower, 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 Garden 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 leaves – 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 Ferns 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 Fern Boxwood Eucalyptus
Cedar Spray Holly Huckleberry Green Ivy Propagative Floriculture Material Section 7
Cuttings, plugs, liners, tissue culture, pre-finished plants Bare root perennials (e.g. hostas) Sold wholesale only – Not ready to be sold to homeowner – Not flowering or too small Plug Trays
Cuttings or seeds 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 roots), 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 pesticide warning signs are on display After pesticides 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)