New Foliage and Cut Flower Species from North Queensland – Commercial Potential
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
New Foliage and Cut Flower Species from North Queensland – Commercial Potential A report for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation By Joanna Arthy and Kaylene Bransgrove May 2003 RIRDC Publication No 03/043 RIRDC Project No DAQ-262A © 2003 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 0642 58611 X ISSN 1440-6845 Identification of Native North Queensland Rainforest Species for Cut Flower and Foliage Production Publication No. 03/043 Project No. DAQ-262A The views expressed and the conclusions reached in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of persons consulted. RIRDC shall not be responsible in any way whatsoever to any person who relies in whole or in part on the contents of this report. This publication is copyright. However, RIRDC encourages wide dissemination of its research, providing the Corporation is clearly acknowledged. For any other enquiries concerning reproduction, contact the Publications Manager on phone 02 6272 3186. Researcher Contact Details Joanna Arthy Queensland Horticulture Institute Queensland Department of Primary Industries PO Box 1054, Mareeba, Queensland 4880 Phone: (07) 40484651 Fax: (07) 40923593 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 1, AMA House 42 Macquarie Street BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: 02 6272 4539 Fax: 02 6272 5877 Email: [email protected]. Website: http://www.rirdc.gov.au Published in May 2003 Printed on environmentally friendly paper by Canprint ii Contents Contents........................................................................................................................................iii Foreword ...................................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................... v Project Staff.................................................................................................................................. vi Abbreviations .............................................................................................................................. vii List of Tables..............................................................................................................................viii Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................... ix 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 General Introduction ........................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Objectives............................................................................................................................ 2 2. Methodology ............................................................................................................................. 4 2.1 Pictorial Survey and Selection of Species........................................................................... 4 2.2 Propagation.......................................................................................................................... 6 2.3 Establishment of Field Trials .............................................................................................. 6 2.4 Field Trial Management.................................................................................................... 10 2.5 Post Harvest Evaluation .................................................................................................... 12 2.6 Market Assessments of Cut Foliage.................................................................................. 17 2.7 Plant Profiles ..................................................................................................................... 20 2.8 Extension........................................................................................................................... 20 3. Results and Discussion............................................................................................................ 23 3.1 Pictorial Survey and Selection of Species......................................................................... 23 3.2 Propagation........................................................................................................................ 23 3.4 Field Trial Management.................................................................................................... 24 3.5 Postharvest Evaluation ...................................................................................................... 25 3.6 Market Assessments.......................................................................................................... 29 3.7 Plant Profiles ..................................................................................................................... 33 4. Implications and Recommendations ....................................................................................... 42 Appendix One ............................................................................................................................. 43 Appendix Two............................................................................................................................. 44 Appendix Three........................................................................................................................... 51 Appendix Four............................................................................................................................. 52 Appendix Five............................................................................................................................. 54 iii Foreword The potential of rainforest plants native to North Queensland for commercial cut flower and foliage production has long been recognised by the owners of Yuruga Nursery on the Atherton Tablelands and personnel from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Queensland. The flowers and foliage of the native North Queensland rainforest plants identified for inclusion in this project are attractive, exotic in appearance and, in many cases, new to the market. The project has identified and evaluated a total of nineteen species for their potential as commercial cut flower and foliage products across three different growing regions on the Atherton Tablelands. The ability of the plants to grow in the three different regions and the perceived market demand for the products have been the two most important factors for selection of suitable species. This publication explains the methodology of the project and reports on the species selected for commercialisation, together with the implications for these selections in a fledgling industry set to develop on the Atherton Tablelands and surrounds. This project was funded from RIRDC Core Funds, which are provided by the Federal Government. This report, a new addition to RIRDC’s diverse range of over 900 research publications, forms part of our Wildflower and Native Plants R&D program, which aims to improve the profitability, productivity and sustainability of the Australian wildflower and native plant industry. Most of our publications are available for viewing, downloading or purchasing online through our website: ! downloads at www.rirdc.gov.au/reports/Index.htm ! purchases at www.rirdc.gov.au/eshop Simon Hearn Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation iv Acknowledgements The financial support, cooperation and assistance of Peter and Ann Radke, owners and managers of Yuruga Nursery, are gratefully acknowledged, as well as the technical assistance of Garry Sankowsky (IT Manager and Scientific Advisor, Yuruga Nursery). The support, assistance, cooperation and willingness of the field trial site holders, Neil and Debbie Sweedman, Chris and Vagn Terp and Maureen and Trevor Pearce, are greatly appreciated. The technical assistance and expertise of Kathy Grice (Plant pathologist, DPI, Mareeba) and Stef De Faveri and Ross Storey (Entomologists, DPI, Mareeba) is also gratefully acknowledged. The time commitment and support of the following people (exporters and wholesalers) are also greatly appreciated and acknowledged: Greg Lamont, Lynch Flowers; Brian Harris and Peter Brooks, Collina Export; Bruce Cameron, Austwinds Internation Pty Ltd; Adrian Parsons, WAFEX; and Andrew Landy, The Australian Flower Company. The development of the original pictorial survey by Judy Noller, Marketing Officer, Queensland Horticulture Institute, is also acknowledged. v Project Staff From January 2000 to December 2001, Ms Kaylene Bransgrove of the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Mareeba, was the project officer and principal investigator. From January 2001 to early June 2002, no project officer was assigned to the project. In the absence of the project officer, Yuruga Nursery (the commercial partner of the project and members of the project management team) assumed a greater role of liaison with site holders and provided guidance regarding production issues in this time. From June 2002 to November 2002, Ms Joanna Arthy (DPI, Mareeba) was the project officer and