DOCSLIB.ORG

Should I Grow Wildflowers? Information Kit Reprint – Information Current in 2000

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Should I Grow Wildflowers? Information Kit Reprint – Information Current in 2000 Should I grow wildflowers? information kit Reprint – information current in 2000 REPRINT INFORMATION – PLEASE READ! For updated information please call 13 25 23 or visit the website www.deedi.qld.gov.au This publication has been reprinted as a digital book without any changes to the content published in 2000. We advise readers to take particular note of the areas most likely to be out-of-date and so requiring further research: • Chemical recommendations—check with an agronomist or APVMA www.apvma.gov.au • Financial information—costs and returns listed in this publication are out of date. Please contact an adviser or industry body to assist with identifying more current figures. • Varieties—new varieties are likely to be available and some older varieties may no longer be recommended. Check with an agronomist, call the Business Information Centre on 13 25 23, visit our website www.deedi.qld.gov.au or contact the industry body. • Contacts—many of the contact details may have changed and there could be several new contacts available. The industry organisation may be able to assist you to find the information or services you require. • Organisation names—most government agencies referred to in this publication have had name changes. Contact the Business Information Centre on 13 25 23 or the industry organisation to find out the current name and contact details for these agencies. • Additional information—many other sources of information are now available for each crop. Contact an agronomist, Business Information Centre on 13 25 23 or the industry organisation for other suggested reading. Even with these limitations we believe this information kit provides important and valuable information for intending and existing growers. This publication was last revised in 2000. The information is not current and the accuracy of the information cannot be guaranteed by the State of Queensland. This information has been made available to assist users to identify issues involved in wildflower production. This information is not to be used or relied upon by users for any purpose which may expose the user or any other person to loss or damage. Users should conduct their own inquiries and rely on their own independent professional advice. While every care has been taken in preparing this publication, the State of Queensland accepts no responsibility for decisions or actions taken as a result of any data, information, statement or advice, expressed or implied, contained in this publication. Cultivated wildflowers for Queensland 33 5 Cultivated WILDFLOWERS in Queensland This chapter describes the major cultivated Australian wildflowers and South African proteas that are grown in Queensland and other emergent and minor Australian species that are suitable. It includes detailed information on what wildflowers grow best, production characteristics, markets, and advantages and disadvantages. There is also a crop rating for the major traded species. Contents Major traded cultivated species..............................................................34 Corroboree flower, Snowballs ................................................................34 Eucalypt species ...............................................................................................35 Kangaroo paw ...................................................................................................36 Leucadendron species ....................................................................................37 Leucospermum species, Pincushion protea ......................................38 Protea species ....................................................................................................39 Rice flower .........................................................................................................40 Waxflower ..........................................................................................................41 Crop rating—major species traded .....................................................42 Emergent and minor traded species ...................................................42 Acacia, Wattle or Mimosa...........................................................................42 Baeckea.................................................................................................................44 Banksia—East coast .....................................................................................45 Cassinia and Ozothamnus species ..........................................................46 Christmas bush (Festival bush) ...............................................................47 Everlasting daisies ...........................................................................................48 Flannel flower ...................................................................................................49 Grevillea .................................................................................................................50 Leptospermum (Tea-tree) ...........................................................................52 Melaleuca, Honey myrtle, Paper-bark..................................................53 Ptilotus ....................................................................................................................54 Scholtzia ...............................................................................................................55 Should I Grow Wildflowers? 34 Cultivated wildflowers for Queensland Major traded cultivated species Corroboree flower, Snowballs Type Filler. Stenanthemum scortechinii can be fresh natural, fresh dip- dyed, preserved natural and pre- served dyed. Production Harvest from June to October, with a peak in August and Sep- tember. Main markets Main market is Japan. Still in the development phase on domestic and other export markets. Main advantages Relatively disease-free and easy to DaviD Hockings grow. Easy to handle and hard to Stenanthemum scortechinii in cultivation damage. Light in weight. Fresh flowers have a long vase life, sometimes greater than three weeks. Prices are generally good for good quality product. Apparently fewer disease problems than most other wildflowers. Frost tolerant to -5 or even -9°C. Main disadvantages Prices can be erratic. Needs further market exposure. Prone to phosphorus toxicity prob- lems on high phosphorus soils. Peter Beal Does not perform well in arid con- Bunch of dyed Corroboree flower ditions such as western Queens- land and the Dry Tropics. Other Cold room not necessary unless Key requirements picking in advance of orders. Has Acid, well-drained, low phospho- a vase life exceeding three weeks. rus soil. Peter Beal Needs good quality water as the Fresh Corroboree flower stem crop has a low salt tolerance. Should I Grow Wildflowers? Cultivated wildflowers for Queensland 35 Eucalypt species Type Silver foliage—suitable as both fresh and preserved product. Flow- ering buds (filler) and flower—suit- able as fresh product. Some species have potential for preservation. Production Silver foliage can be produced year- round with good management. Soft tips associated with spring growth can be a problem. Con- ausBuD ausBuD trolled irrigation may assist, but Eucalyptus forrestiana Eucalyptus kruseana unseasonal rains can contribute to soft tips. Bud and flower species are usu- ally available from January to September, with the bulk of production during autumn and winter. For example, Eucalyp- tus tetragona, January to April; E. erythrocorys, February to March; E. lesouefii, June to September; E. forrestiana, August to October. Main markets Fresh silver foliage is suited mainly to the domestic market as it is ausBuD ausBuD grown extensively overseas. Buds Eucalyptus cineria Eucalyptus tetragona and flowers are exported, mainly Most foliages and some bud spe- to Japan. E. tetragona and E. for- cies are well suited to preserving Key requirements restiana have been well accepted in and colouring. Silver foliage—grow in most loca- Japan and have potential in other tions that have well-drained soils. Main disadvantages Asian countries as well as Europe Bud and flower types—inland Susceptible to many insect pests and America. areas with low humidity and well- and fungal diseases, which need drained soils are preferable. The Ausbud cooperative has re- to be controlled by a management cently started marketing a range program. Also susceptible to a Other of eucalypt buds under common range of leaf blemish disorders, Information on the productive names to these countries. the causes of which are poorly life of the crop is limited, due to understood. a short history of production and Main advantages development. Good vase life. Unique bud and Susceptibility to Phytophthora root flower formations. rot can be a significant problem, but varies with species. Some Long harvest period because of a forms with large buds and fruit are range of bud species. bulky and expensive to transport. Should I Grow Wildflowers? 36 Cultivated wildflowers for Queensland Kangaroo paw Type Focal filler. Anigozanthos species and Macropidia fuliginosa. Production Main flowering period in Queens- land is from June to December; peak is in October. Main markets Major market is Japan. European and other Asian markets are com- paratively small. Half the production is exported. The newer winter-flowering va- rieties sell well on the domestic ken Young market. Anigozanthos ‘Big Red’ and ‘Bush Dawn’ Main advantages One of the top three commercially grown cut flowers in Australia. Considered a
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Cravens Peak Scientific Study Report
    Geography Monograph Series No. 13 Cravens Peak Scientific Study Report The Royal Geographical Society of Queensland Inc. Brisbane, 2009 The Royal Geographical Society of Queensland Inc. is a non-profit organization that promotes the study of Geography within educational, scientific, professional, commercial and broader general communities. Since its establishment in 1885, the Society has taken the lead in geo- graphical education, exploration and research in Queensland. Published by: The Royal Geographical Society of Queensland Inc. 237 Milton Road, Milton QLD 4064, Australia Phone: (07) 3368 2066; Fax: (07) 33671011 Email: [email protected] Website: www.rgsq.org.au ISBN 978 0 949286 16 8 ISSN 1037 7158 © 2009 Desktop Publishing: Kevin Long, Page People Pty Ltd (www.pagepeople.com.au) Printing: Snap Printing Milton (www.milton.snapprinting.com.au) Cover: Pemberton Design (www.pembertondesign.com.au) Cover photo: Cravens Peak. Photographer: Nick Rains 2007 State map and Topographic Map provided by: Richard MacNeill, Spatial Information Coordinator, Bush Heritage Australia (www.bushheritage.org.au) Other Titles in the Geography Monograph Series: No 1. Technology Education and Geography in Australia Higher Education No 2. Geography in Society: a Case for Geography in Australian Society No 3. Cape York Peninsula Scientific Study Report No 4. Musselbrook Reserve Scientific Study Report No 5. A Continent for a Nation; and, Dividing Societies No 6. Herald Cays Scientific Study Report No 7. Braving the Bull of Heaven; and, Societal Benefits from Seasonal Climate Forecasting No 8. Antarctica: a Conducted Tour from Ancient to Modern; and, Undara: the Longest Known Young Lava Flow No 9. White Mountains Scientific Study Report No 10.
    [Show full text]
  • CRANE's CAPE TOURS & TRAVEL P.O.BOX 26277 * HOUT BAY * 7872 CAPE TOWN * SOUTH AFRICA TEL: / FAX: (021) 790 0616CELL: 083 65 99 777E-Mail: [email protected]
    CRANE'S CAPE TOURS & TRAVEL P.O.BOX 26277 * HOUT BAY * 7872 CAPE TOWN * SOUTH AFRICA TEL: / FAX: (021) 790 0616CELL: 083 65 99 777E-Mail: [email protected] SOUTH AFRICA'S SOUTH-WESTERN CAPE 1 – 14 OCTOBER 2011 Participants Val Codling George and Susan Battle John and Jan Croft Leader Geoff Crane Report and wildlife lists by Geoff Crane. Photos edged red by Geoff Crane and edged blue by John or Jan Croft, all taken during the holiday. More of Geoff’s photos can be seen via http://www.honeyguide.co.uk/wildlife-holidays/westerncape.html Cover photo – Southern Double-collared Sunbird; Strelitzia 'Nelson Mandela'; Southern Right Whale. As with all Honeyguide holidays, £40 of the price per person was put towards a conservation project in the host country. £250 from the Honeyguide Wildlife Trust Ltd. was matched by Geoff Crane and donated to the SABAP2 project ( http://sabap2.adu.org.za/index.php) . This is updating the first Southern African Bird Atlas Project which ran from 1987-1991 and culminated in the publication in 1997 of two volumes on the distribution and relative abundance of southern African birds. Our contribution will be used to atlas areas that no-one has yet been to. As at November 2011, the amount of all conservation contributions made through Honeyguide since 1991 totals £73,500. 2 South Africa’s South-Western Cape 1 – 14 October 2011 DAY 1. Saturday 1 st October 2011 Orientation tour / Silvermine Nature Reserve / Kommetjie Overcast with a light wind. The flight arrived on time (to the second) and we had cleared the airport by 9am.
    [Show full text]
  • Welcome: New Varieties & Product Concepts
    Welcome: New Varieties & Product Concepts 2022 Beauty inside Profit from Benary’s Branding — Increase your Bottom Line Breeder • Benary provides many worldwide renowned brands to you such as Nonstop® Begonias, BIG Begonias, ® Seed Broker / Distributor Graffiti Pentas — just to name a few • Utilize those brands for your own competitive advantages Young Plant Producer • Benary brands have built recognition, consistency, and loyalty over the years Finished Plant Producer • Strong brands help to communicate quality through the entire supply chain: from the breeder -> to the young plant Retail producer -> to the grower -> to retail -> to the end consumer • Profit from Benary’s branding and Consumer marketing worldwide Profit from Benary’s Branding — Increase your Bottom Line • Benary does not accept renaming and cherry picking of the following brands: • BIG Begonia x benariensis • BIG DeluXXe Begonia x benariensis • Groovy Begonia boliviensis • Funky® Begonia x hybrida • Nonstop® & Nonstop® Mocca Begonia tuberhybrida • Nonstop® Joy Begonia tuberhybrida • Brainiac Celosia cristata • PollyNation Echinacea purpurea • Merry Berry Gaultheria procumbens • Graffiti® 20/20 Pentas lanceolata • Pop Star Platycodon grandiflorus • Joey® Ptilotus exaltatus • Cats® Viola wittrockiana • BellaDaisy Bellis perennis Begonia Nonstop® Nonstop® — THE Industry Leader in Tuberous Begonias Begonia tuberhybrida F1 Nonstop® Series • A full color range in green foliage • Nonstop® is best for premium quality production • Ideally suited for 12-13 cm / 6” pots, baskets
    [Show full text]
  • Native Plants Sixth Edition Sixth Edition AUSTRALIAN Native Plants Cultivation, Use in Landscaping and Propagation
    AUSTRALIAN NATIVE PLANTS SIXTH EDITION SIXTH EDITION AUSTRALIAN NATIVE PLANTS Cultivation, Use in Landscaping and Propagation John W. Wrigley Murray Fagg Sixth Edition published in Australia in 2013 by ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Reed New Holland an imprint of New Holland Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd Sydney • Auckland • London • Cape Town Many people have helped us since 1977 when we began writing the first edition of Garfield House 86–88 Edgware Road London W2 2EA United Kingdom Australian Native Plants. Some of these folk have regrettably passed on, others have moved 1/66 Gibbes Street Chatswood NSW 2067 Australia to different areas. We endeavour here to acknowledge their assistance, without which the 218 Lake Road Northcote Auckland New Zealand Wembley Square First Floor Solan Road Gardens Cape Town 8001 South Africa various editions of this book would not have been as useful to so many gardeners and lovers of Australian plants. www.newhollandpublishers.com To the following people, our sincere thanks: Steve Adams, Ralph Bailey, Natalie Barnett, www.newholland.com.au Tony Bean, Lloyd Bird, John Birks, Mr and Mrs Blacklock, Don Blaxell, Jim Bourner, John Copyright © 2013 in text: John Wrigley Briggs, Colin Broadfoot, Dot Brown, the late George Brown, Ray Brown, Leslie Conway, Copyright © 2013 in map: Ian Faulkner Copyright © 2013 in photographs and illustrations: Murray Fagg Russell and Sharon Costin, Kirsten Cowley, Lyn Craven (Petraeomyrtus punicea photograph) Copyright © 2013 New Holland Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd Richard Cummings, Bert
    [Show full text]
  • Pathogens Associated with Diseases. of Protea, Leucospermum and Leucadendron Spp
    PATHOGENS ASSOCIATED WITH DISEASES. OF PROTEA, LEUCOSPERMUM AND LEUCADENDRON SPP. Lizeth Swart Thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Agriculture at the University of Stellenbosch Supervisor: Prof. P. W. Crous Decem ber 1999 Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za DECLARATION 1, the undersigned, hereby declare that the work contained in this thesis is my own original work and has not previously in its entirety or in part been submitted at any university for a degree. SIGNATURE: DATE: Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za PATHOGENS ASSOCIATED WITH DISEASES OF PROTEA, LEUCOSPERMUM ANDLEUCADENDRONSPP. SUMMARY The manuscript consists of six chapters that represent research on different diseases and records of new diseases of the Proteaceae world-wide. The fungal descriptions presented in this thesis are not effectively published, and will thus be formally published elsewhere in scientific journals. Chapter one is a review that gives a detailed description of the major fungal pathogens of the genera Protea, Leucospermum and Leucadendron, as reported up to 1996. The pathogens are grouped according to the diseases they cause on roots, leaves, stems and flowers, as well as the canker causing fungi. In chapter two, several new fungi occurring on leaves of Pro tea, Leucospermum, Telopea and Brabejum collected from South Africa, Australia or New Zealand are described. The following fungi are described: Cladophialophora proteae, Coniolhyrium nitidae, Coniothyrium proteae, Coniolhyrium leucospermi,Harknessia leucospermi, Septoria prolearum and Mycosphaerella telopeae spp. nov. Furthermore, two Phylloslicla spp., telopeae and owaniana are also redecribed. The taxonomy of the Eisinoe spp.
    [Show full text]
  • Indigenous Plants of Bendigo
    Produced by Indigenous Plants of Bendigo Indigenous Plants of Bendigo PMS 1807 RED PMS 432 GREY PMS 142 GOLD A Gardener’s Guide to Growing and Protecting Local Plants 3rd Edition 9 © Copyright City of Greater Bendigo and Bendigo Native Plant Group Inc. This work is Copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the City of Greater Bendigo. First Published 2004 Second Edition 2007 Third Edition 2013 Printed by Bendigo Modern Press: www.bmp.com.au This book is also available on the City of Greater Bendigo website: www.bendigo.vic.gov.au Printed on 100% recycled paper. Disclaimer “The information contained in this publication is of a general nature only. This publication is not intended to provide a definitive analysis, or discussion, on each issue canvassed. While the Committee/Council believes the information contained herein is correct, it does not accept any liability whatsoever/howsoever arising from reliance on this publication. Therefore, readers should make their own enquiries, and conduct their own investigations, concerning every issue canvassed herein.” Front cover - Clockwise from centre top: Bendigo Wax-flower (Pam Sheean), Hoary Sunray (Marilyn Sprague), Red Ironbark (Pam Sheean), Green Mallee (Anthony Sheean), Whirrakee Wattle (Anthony Sheean). Table of contents Acknowledgements ...............................................2 Foreword..........................................................3 Introduction.......................................................4
    [Show full text]
  • Table of Contents Below) with Family Name Provided
    1 Australian Plants Society Plant Table Profiles – Sutherland Group (updated August 2021) Below is a progressive list of all cultivated plants from members’ gardens and Joseph Banks Native Plants Reserve that have made an appearance on the Plant Table at Sutherland Group meetings. Links to websites are provided for the plants so that further research can be done. Plants are grouped in the categories of: Trees and large shrubs (woody plants generally taller than 4 m) Medium to small shrubs (woody plants from 0.1 to 4 m) Ground covers or ground-dwelling (Grasses, orchids, herbaceous and soft-wooded plants, ferns etc), as well as epiphytes (eg: Platycerium) Vines and scramblers Plants are in alphabetical order by botanic names within plants categories (see table of contents below) with family name provided. Common names are included where there is a known common name for the plant: Table of Contents Trees and Large shrubs........................................................................................................................... 2 Medium to small shrubs ...................................................................................................................... 23 Groundcovers and other ground‐dwelling plants as well as epiphytes. ............................................ 64 Vines and Scramblers ........................................................................................................................... 86 Sutherland Group http://sutherland.austplants.com.au 2 Trees and Large shrubs Acacia decurrens
    [Show full text]
  • Protea Newsletter International
    Protea Newsletter International An e­Newsletter for the International Protea Industry and Scientific Community to Promote Communication, Cooperation and the Advancement of Science, Technology, Production and Marketing (and to promote the Hawaii Protea Industry) Volume 2, Number 1, April 2009 Editor: Ken Leonhardt Chairman, lnternational Protea Working Group (IPWG), International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) Professor, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii USA Contents: A visit to South Africa ............................................................................. 2 International Horticulture Congress announcement .................................. 3 New protea poster from the University of Hawaii..................................... 4 A message from the Hawaii State Protea Growers Corporation ................ 4 A message from the Zimbabwe Protea Association .................................. 5 Protea night­life ....................................................................................... 6 Proteaceae cultivar development and uses ................................................ 6 Sample costs to establish and produce protea ........................................... 6 Research funding awarded by the IPA...................................................... 7 New cultivar registrations......................................................................... 7 Recent books on Proteaceae ....................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Report on Visit to Lyrebird Lane Quite a Crowd Travelled to Lyrebird Lane Little Forest, to Enjoy the Extensive Garden of Catriona and Phil
    Report on visit to Lyrebird Lane Quite a crowd travelled to Lyrebird Lane Little Forest, to enjoy the extensive garden of Catriona and Phil. As leaders of the Petrophile and Isopogon Study Group, they share a keen interest in domesticating these members of the Proteaceae family. Phil has spent some years perfecting a process of grafting the difficult to grow but horticulturally desirable Western Australian species onto more reliable Eastern states rootstock. From this work he has ventured to graft many difficult to grow plants within the Proteaceae family, including Banksia, Dryandra, Grevillea and Hakea species onto stocks which not only survive, but thrive in his Phil and Catriona ponder a garden conditions. (Phil has kindly supplied an extensive list difficult question during their of the successful grafts in his garden, which follows this opening comments at the last report) meeting Catriona and Phil’s property is located on the edge of the escarpment overlooking Lake Conjola and Milton at an elevation of 350m, just below the Little Forest Plateau area of the Morton National Park, about ten kilometres from the sea, and is a garden set on the rich soils of former rainforest pockets, comprising two hectares of volcanic soil known as Milton monzonite. Whilst we marvelled at the plants and the almost perfect maintenance, both Catriona and Phil were quick to point out aspects which they struggled with. First of course, as the soil retains so much moisture, many plants simply grow too quickly, then being top heavy, are affected negatively by the strong westerly winds which flow down from the nearby escarpment.
    [Show full text]
  • Thesis Sci 2009 Bergh N G.Pdf
    The copyright of this thesis vests in the author. No quotation from it or information derived from it is to be published without full acknowledgementTown of the source. The thesis is to be used for private study or non- commercial research purposes only. Cape Published by the University ofof Cape Town (UCT) in terms of the non-exclusive license granted to UCT by the author. University Systematics of the Relhaniinae (Asteraceae- Gnaphalieae) in southern Africa: geography and evolution in an endemic Cape plant lineage. Nicola Georgina Bergh Town Thesis presented for theCape Degree of DOCTOR OF ofPHILOSOPHY in the Department of Botany UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN University May 2009 Town Cape of University ii ABSTRACT The Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR) houses a flora unique for its diversity and high endemicity. A large amount of the diversity is housed in just a few lineages, presumed to have radiated in the region. For many of these lineages there is no robust phylogenetic hypothesis of relationships, and few Cape plants have been examined for the spatial distribution of their population genetic variation. Such studies are especially relevant for the Cape where high rates of species diversification and the ongoing maintenance of species proliferation is hypothesised. Subtribe Relhaniinae of the daisy tribe Gnaphalieae is one such little-studied lineage. The taxonomic circumscription of this subtribe, the biogeography of its early diversification and its relationships to other members of the Gnaphalieae are elucidated by means of a dated phylogenetic hypothesis. Molecular DNA sequence data from both chloroplast and nuclear genomes are used to reconstruct evolutionary history using parsimony and Bayesian tools for phylogeny estimation.
    [Show full text]
  • Rock Garden Quarterly
    ROCK GARDEN QUARTERLY VOLUME 53 NUMBER 1 WINTER 1995 COVER: Aquilegia scopulorum with vespid wasp by Cindy Nelson-Nold of Lakewood, Colorado All Material Copyright © 1995 North American Rock Garden Society ROCK GARDEN QUARTERLY BULLETIN OF THE NORTH AMERICAN ROCK GARDEN SOCIETY formerly Bulletin of the American Rock Garden Society VOLUME 53 NUMBER 1 WINTER 1995 FEATURES Alpine Gesneriads of Europe, by Darrell Trout 3 Cassiopes and Phyllodoces, by Arthur Dome 17 Plants of Mt. Hutt, a New Zealand Preview, by Ethel Doyle 29 South Africa: Part II, by Panayoti Kelaidis 33 South African Sampler: A Dozen Gems for the Rock Garden, by Panayoti Kelaidis 54 The Vole Story, by Helen Sykes 59 DEPARTMENTS Plant Portrait 62 Books 65 Ramonda nathaliae 2 ROCK GARDEN QUARTERLY VOL. 53:1 ALPINE GESNERIADS OF EUROPE by Darrell Trout J. he Gesneriaceae, or gesneriad Institution and others brings the total family, is a diverse family of mostly Gesneriaceae of China to a count of 56 tropical and subtropical plants with genera and about 413 species. These distribution throughout the world, should provide new horticultural including the north and south temper• material for the rock garden and ate and tropical zones. The 125 genera, alpine house. Yet the choicest plants 2850-plus species include terrestrial for the rock garden or alpine house and epiphytic herbs, shrubs, vines remain the European genera Ramonda, and, rarely, small trees. Botanically, Jancaea, and Haberlea. and in appearance, it is not always easy to separate the family History Gesneriaceae from the closely related The family was named for Konrad Scrophulariaceae (Verbascum, Digitalis, von Gesner, a sixteenth century natu• Calceolaria), the Orobanchaceae, and ralist.
    [Show full text]
  • Field Grown Cut Flowers
    Nursery FACTSHEET September 2015 Field Grown Cut Flowers INTRODUCTION The culture of field grown flowers is an area of floriculture that is generating a lot of interest and is enjoying a steady growth rate. It provides a way to enter the floriculture industry without the $100 to $150 per square metre capital costs that are involved in some greenhouse crops. Recently, the largest area of growth has been in the specialty cut flowers as opposed to the more traditional field grown crops like statice, dahlias and gypsophila. As gardening increases in popularity, home consumers are becoming familiar with the many new and different flower species. In turn, consumers are starting to look for and demand these flowers in floral design work. Site Selection Whether you plan to lease or own the land, there are basic, yet important, site considerations (see Table 1). It is easier if you start with a suitable site rather than try to modify it later. Table 1. Considerations when selecting a production site Soil: It should be fertile and well drained. Soil tests are a basic management tool. Even if you are familiar with the soil in the area, it must be tested to determine pH, organic matter and nutrient levels. A pH of 6.0–6.5 is suitable for most cuts. Know the requirements of your crop before you make any major changes. Water: Good quality water must be available in sufficient quantities. Have the water source tested to determine essentials like pH and EC (salinity). Terrain: Flat land is easier to work. Watch out for low lying pockets that might be prone to early and late frosts, or flooding during the wet months.
    [Show full text]