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)
Alstroemeria Standard Carnations Pompon Chrysanthemum Delphinium Gerbera Daisy 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 Hydrangea Orchids Florist Roses
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.
1 st number = number of cell packs in flat Cell Packs and Flats 2 nd number = number of 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 Green Ivy Holly Huckleberry
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 round to grow plants Heating and cooling systems Irrigation system Controlled environment Used to decrease light intensity on plants Reduces stress and watering needs Helps transition plants 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)