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Getting Started in Wildflower Growing How to grow native Australian and South- African species for the cut flower market JULY 2013 RIRDC Publication No. 12/090 Getting started in wildflower growing How to grow native Australian and South African species for the cut flower market First edition By Bettina Gollnow July 2013 RIRDC Publication No 12/090 © 2013 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 978-1-74254-432-8 ISSN 1440-6845 Getting started in wildflower growing - How to grow native Australian and South African species for the cut flower market (first edition) Publication No. 12/090 The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable regions. You must not rely on any information contained in this publication without taking specialist advice relevant to your particular circumstances. While reasonable care has been taken in preparing this publication to ensure that the information is true and correct, the Commonwealth of Australia gives no assurance as to the accuracy of any information in this publication. The Commonwealth of Australia, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the authors or contributors expressly disclaim, to the maximum extent permitted by law, all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any act or omission, or for any consequences of any such act or omission, made in reliance on the contents of this publication, whether or not caused by any negligence on the part of the Commonwealth of Australia, RIRDC, the authors or contributors. The product trade names in this publication are supplied on the understanding that no preference between equivalent products is intended and that the inclusion of a product name does not imply endorsement by RIRDC over any equivalent product from another manufacturer. Users are reminded of the need to follow safe work practice when applying any techniques described in this publication. This includes identifying, assessing and managing any occupational health and safety risks. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL Users of agricultural (or veterinary) chemical products must always read the label and any Permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any Permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the Permit by reason of any statement made or omitted to be made in this publication. Some of the chemical use patterns quoted in this publication are approved under Permits issued by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) and in force at the time the publication was prepared. Persons wishing to use a chemical in a manner approved under Permit should obtain a copy of the relevant Permit from the APVMA and must read all the details, conditions and limitations relevant to that Permit, and must comply with the details, conditions and limitations prior to use. The Commonwealth of Australia does not necessarily endorse the views in this publication. This publication is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. However, wide dissemination is encouraged. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to RIRDC Communications on 02 6271 4100. Researcher contact details Name: Ms Bettina Gollnow Formerly Development Officer (Floriculture) NSW DPI (briefly Industry & Investment NSW – Primary Industries) Email: [email protected] In submitting this report, the researcher has agreed to RIRDC publishing this material in its edited form. RIRDC contact details Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 2, 15 National Circuit BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 Phone: 02 6271 4100 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Fax: 02 6271 4199 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.rirdc.gov.au/ Electronically published by RIRDC in July 2013 Print-on-demand by Union Offset Printing, Canberra at www.rirdc.gov.au or phone 1300 634 313 2 Foreword This guide brings together both published and unpublished information, industry expertise and the authors’ experience in the Australian flower industry to assist potential and new growers in their efforts to become profitable commercial growers of flowers and foliage from native Australian and South African species. It aims to make potential investors well aware of the risks, challenges and costs ahead, guiding them through the requirements of a feasibility study and business plan. This guide provides new growers with practical information about growing, harvesting, and postharvest handling and treatment of wildflowers. This is a practical ‘how to’ manual that covers all aspects from selecting the site to marketing the blooms. The advice on crop maintenance, postharvest care and information sources will assist new and established growers alike. While focused on NSW, reflecting the experi- ence of the various authors, much of the information applies to wildflower growing on the east coast of Australia and beyond. Established growers will also benefit from the information about crop maintenance and postharvest handling, and the information sources and references. The project was funded from RIRDC Core Funds, which are provided by the Federal Government, supported by the former NSW Department of Primary Industries (now part of Industry & Investment NSW). Many members of the Australian wildflower industry—growers, wholesalers, exporters and researchers—have generously shared their technical knowledge. This publication, an addition to RIRDC’s diverse range of over 2000 research publications, forms part of our Wildflowers and Native Plants R&D program, which aims to aims to improve the profitability, productivity and sustainability of the Australian industry. Most of RIRDC’s publications are available for viewing, free downloading or purchasing online at www.rirdc.gov.au. Purchases can also be made by phoning 1300 634 313. Craig Burns Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation 3 Acknowledgements Senior and coordinating author: Bettina Gollnow, formerly of NSW DPI Edited by Matthew Stevens, ScienceScape® Editing, Sydney This publication includes information previously published by the former NSW Agriculture as Getting Started in Native Flower Growing (ISBN 0 7347 1020 8). This was first published in October 1996 and reprinted with minor revisions in August 1997. A second edition was published in January 1999 and reprinted with minor revisions in May 2001. This new manual contains new and more extensive infor- mation. It incorporates information published in the Flowers and Ornamentals section of the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ website and technical information prepared for various grower workshops, publications and conferences. It also covers South African species which are grown and marketed similarly to Australian native flowers. David Wood and the Sapphire Coast Producers Association are acknowledged for information includ- ed in Chapters 2, 8, 9, 10, 14 and 15, first published in their Native Flower Growers Starter Kit. Chapter 3 includes information adapted in part from workshop notes prepared for flower growers by Geoff Cresswell (former plant nutrition chemist, NSW Agriculture), and from the Australian Flower Growers Seminar Proceedings 1999 (produced by IHM Pty Ltd). The information in Chapter 6 is adapted from an earlier NSW Agriculture Agfact (H9.1.19), Growing Proteas Commercially, which was originally adapted with acknowledgement from the WA Department of Agriculture Farmnote Growing Proteas. Chapter 8 includes information from the NSW Agriculture Agnote DPI/157, The Economics of Cut Flower Production (1997), by Philippa Mathias and Bettina Gollnow. Chapter 14 includes information from Neil Wade published in the Flowers and Ornamentals section of the NSW DPI website (‘Postharvest care of cut flowers’). Sincere thanks go to Tim Bailey, Craig Scott and Helen Tremain for their helpful comments. Photos: Joe Ekman, John Faragher, Brian Freeman, Bettina Gollnow, Gordon Meiklejohn, Lowan Turton, Ross Worrall and Angus Carnegie (myrtle rust, p. 117, courtesy of NSW DPI) 4 About the authors Bettina Gollnow provided extension support to the commercial NSW cut flower industry as the Industry Development Officer (Floriculture) for the NSW Department of Primary Industries for over 18 years until her retirement in 2010. During that time, Bettina sought to bring industry members together through publications, regular industry events and a range of technical resources. She has completed two projects for RIRDC. One developed the current industry R&D plan and reviewed the achievements of the previous Wildflower and Native Plants R&D Plan. Most recently, she produced the quality speci- fications for Australian wildflowers and the supporting postharvest manual. Dr Ross Worrall was Special Research Horticulturist, NSW DPI, until his retirement in 2010. Over a 40-year career, Ross worked on the commercial development of Australian native plants. He conduct- ed research in the areas of plant physiology, potting mixes, breeding systems, new product develop- ment, postharvest management and plant propagation. Jonathan Lidbetter works with NSW DPI and has spent almost 20 years researching problems and opportunities faced by the nursery and cut flower industries, with a particular emphasis on native plants