UNIT 1 MAJOR CUT FLOWERS Major Cut Flower Structure 1.0 Objectives 1.1 Important Cut Flower Crops - Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Gerbera, Statics and Rose 1.2 Carnation 1.2.1 Introduction 1.2.2 Climate 1.2.3 Soil 1.2.4 Propagation 1.2.5 Planting 1.2.6 Season and cycle 1.2.7 Carnation growing period 1.2.8 Irrigation 1.2.9 Fertilization 1.2.10 Support nets 1.2.11 Pinching and Disbudding 1.2.12 Harvesting and Post harvest handling of cut flower 1.2.13 Propagation 1.2.14 Insect, Pest, Disease and Physiological disorders 1.3 Chrysanthemum 1.3.1 Taxonomy 1.3.2 History 1.3.3 Use of Chrysanthemum 1.3.4 Classification of Chrysanthemum 1.3.5 Cultivars for land and pot Culture 1.3.6 Soil Preparation 1.3.7 Essential Environmental factors 1.3.8 Planting and month wise operations 1.3.9 Irrigation 1.3.10 Nutrition 1.3.11 Propagation 1.3.12 Growth Substance 1.3.13 Harvesting and Storage of Flowers 1.3.14 Plant Protection 1.4 Gerbera 1.4.1 Growing environment 1.4.2 Commercial varieties 1.4.3 Soil and growing medium 1.4.4 Disinfection or sterilization of soil 1.4.5 Transplanting 1.4.6 Watering or Irrigation of Gerbera 1.4.7 Nutritional requirement 5 Cut Flowers 1.4.8 Propagation of Gerbera 1.4.9 Harvesting of Flowers 1.4.10 Yield of cut flowers 1.4.11 Plant Protection 1.5 Statice 1.5.1 Species 1.5.2 Soil and climate 1.5.3 Seed sowing and planting 1.5.4 Varieties 1.5.5 Irrigation 1.5.6 Propagation 1.5.7 Fertilizer 1.5.8 Plant Protection 1.5.9 Harvesting of flowers 1.6 Rose 1.6.1 Botanical description 1.6.2 Propagation 1.6.3 Varieties 1.6.4 Soil 1.6.5 Essential Environmental Factors 1.6.6 Production Factors 1.6.7 Pruning, Bending, development of bush, Disbudding and De-shooting 1.6.8 Manuring, Fertilization and Irrigation 1.6.9 Harvesting and Post Harvest Management of Flower 1.6.10 Plant Protection 1.7 Let Us Sum Up 1.8 Key Words 1.9 Further References 1.10 Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises 1.0 OBJECTIVES After going through this unit, you will be in a position to: explain the purpose and utility of growing cut flowers, to assess the different growing components, explain the production techniques for cut flower, post harvest management of cut flowers, and marketing strategy of cut flower crops. 1.1 IMPORTANT CUT FLOWER CROPS – CARNATION, CHRYSANTHEMUM, GERBERA, STATICS AND ROSE Flowers have been associated with the human life since the time immemorial. 6 These are symbol of peace and love. Their uses on various occasions i.e. festivals, social and family functions and religious ceremonies are known since generations. Major Cut Flower Cut flowers provide aesthetic environment indoor. In the modern stressful life, importance of cut flowers is further increased as these help in releasing stress by creating natural and energetic environment. These five flowers are very important cut flowers out of ten cut flower crops and have long self vase life under water. Frequent changes of water and re-cutting the stem ends will ensure a good steady flow of water up the stem. If flower foods are not used one should change the water and re-cut the stems every two days. In case of use of flower foods re- cutting every five days is enough. Watering the foam daily is required if arrangement is in foam, as it dries out quickly. Now you will study each cut flower crop one by one in detail as follow: 1.2 CARNATION Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant, belonging to the family Caryophyllaceae. It has been under cultivation by man for over 2000 years. There are about 250-300 species of Dianthus comprises annuals and evergreen perennials but only a few are cultivated. The most common cultivated species are D. caryophyllus, D. barbatus and D. chinensis. The D. chinensis (Annual Carnation) is commonly known as Indian pink, Chinensis or Japanese pink. The species D. barbatus (Biennial Carnation) is commonly known as Sweet William, grows mostly from seeds and prefers warm climate. The stems are glabrous; leaves are opposite, broad and flat. The flowers are solitary. The present day perpetual Carnation was developed from cross between D. caryophyllus (female parent) and D. chinensis (male parent). They are grouped into standard and spray types on the basis of flower size. The standard type produces large single flowers on a longer sturdy stem. They suffer from diseases when grown under warm humid climates. The spray or miniature types produce many flowers of a smaller size on a short stem and are suitable to warm climates. The most common varieties of carnation are: Arthur Sim, Sunrise, Lemon drop, Pink Dona, Master, Liberty, Tempo, Lavender, Searia, Santiago, Granda, Raggio di sole etc. 1.2.1 Introduction Nearby your area you might have seen, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Gerbera, Statice and Roses. The cut flowers stands the use of flowers after detachment. These are the common top ten cut flowers worldwide. Cut flowers means the flowers which have large strength and long was life more than seven days, after flower harvesting. Flowers of these crops are valued for its keeping quality, wide array of colours and forms and ability to rehyderate after long transportation. These qualities form the basis of many floral arrangements and mixed bouquets. Carnations have many characteristics which suit today’s consumers and markets, including larger blooms, pleasant clove-scented fragrance and a long vase life. 7 Cut Flowers Carnation flowers are also used for bedding, pots, rock gardens, window boxes and edging. Owing to its ever increasing demand in the world market, high quality Carnations are also being cultivated in India. The major production centers are located around Pune and Bangalore. Carnations are now being commercially grown in Solan, Shimla, Mandi, Kullu, Chamba and Bilaspur districts in Himachal Pradesh, perls of Punjab, Uttarakhand, southern states. Chrysanthemums, often called ‘mums’, are a genus Chrysanthemum of about 30 species of perennial flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, native to Asia and northeastern Europe. Now, botanically it belongs to Dendranthema grandiflora. Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) is commonly known as Transvaal Daisy, Berbrton Daisy or African daisy, produces very attractive long stalk cut flowers. Its flowers are of various colours and forms, suitable for different flower arrangements. Its cut blooms have 7-12 day vase life. Apart from upcoming huge domestic consumption it has got great potential in export also. Several species of statice are popular garden flowers; they are generally known to gardeners as statices. They are grown both for their flowers, and for the appearance of the calyx, which remains on the plant after the true flowers have fallen, and are known as “everlasting flowers”. The rose is one of the oldest flowers having been grown for over 7000 years. It is the most favourite gift on special occasions, like Birth Days, X-MAS, Day, Happy New Year, and Valentine’s Day. World consumption of roses has crossed 40 billion marks today and the Western Europe consumes more than half of this quantity. Holland is the biggest auction center (Alsmeer with 750000 M2 floor areas). In India too, the commercial floriculture has come a long way. Starting from a few units in Pune and Bangalore, the industry now boasts of over 200 units opting for export. 1.2.2 Climate There are three climatic major factors essential for carnation growth. i) Light : Carnations perform best in relatively cool climate. It is a long day plant requires approximately 21.5 K lux sunshine for at least 8 hours a day. High light intensity is detrimental to a young crop and may cause leaf burning and weak foliage. It leads to infection of parasites such as red spider mites. ii) Temperature : Temperature is a major factor that influences the growth and flowering, colour, grade and the quality of cut flowers. The location having a day temperature of 10°C is good for high quality Carnations. The optimum temperature for production of standard Carnation is 18-23°C. High temperature produce inferior quality flowers. iii) Humidity: The optimum humidity for growing Carnation is between 50-65 %. When humidity is higher; plants become susceptible to fungal diseases like Alternaria and Botrytis. Very low humidity is detrimental to a young crop and may cause leaf burning and weak foliage and infection of parasites such as red spider mites. 1.2.3 Soil Selection of site is very important for successful Carnation cultivation. Since roots of Carnation are highly susceptible to poor drainage conditions, it needs 8 well drained and aerated soil. The growth of roots in heavy soil is very much Major Cut Flower restricted and adversely affects the growth of plants and quality of flowers. A rich sandy loam or loam soil is ideal for its cultivation. Soils having higher silt or clay content should be amended by incorporating organic matter or compost. The pH 6-7 and EC 0.8-1.6 ms/cm at 25°C is ideal. Both higher and lower pH has been found to show adverse effects on flower production. The site selected for plantation should be free from weeds, nematodes or soil borne pathogens. Pre-plant sterilization with stem, sun or 5 % formalin is beneficial. Reused soils may contain many pathogens especially Fusarium, which makes some beds unsuitable for Carnation cultivation even after disinfection.