FLOWERS WORLD

Labour
Outdoor cut flower production is management and labour intensive. The major components of production, for
example planting, weeding and harvesting, all require trained labour. The larger the area you have in production
the more labour you’ll require. If you have a crop which flushes, such as daffodils or tulips, you must have
a large, instant labour force available. Decide whether you want to have full-time workers for the duration of
the production season or if you want to do most of the work yourself, supplemented with occasional contract or
causal labour during extra busy times.

Conclusion
Field grown cut flowers offer an almost endless variety of crop choices and alternatives. Before starting a
commercial operation it’s essential to thoroughly investigate crop and market alternatives. Knowing your area’s
climate, combined with good crop and market knowledge, will help you to narrow down your crop alternatives.
The final crop mix may be a combination of annuals, biennials, perennials, woody cuts, bulbs and ornamental
grasses. The key to a long cash-flow period is staggered production. A thorough knowledge of weed control,
plant diseases, and insect pests is needed to produce a clean, damage-free crop for the market. The crop’s
selling price and returns must at least cover the expenses of the field preparation, cuttings, seeds, plugs,
planting, harvesting, labour and your own wages. It would also be nice if there was some additional profit. If
your operation doesn’t cover these, you should re-examine your crop mix and production methods. Maybe a
change in crops or market focus will improve the returns

Harvest
The stage of harvest varies with each species. The
proper stage of openness is a critical factor in vase
life. Flowers cut at an advanced stage of development
will have a shorter vase life. Alternatively,
flowers harvested too tight may never open. Either
problem will not attract repeat customers. Table 3
lists the stage of harvest for many crops. Several
other factors, such as the plant species, cultivar,
weather conditions, distance to the market place,
and end use, play a role in when flowers are harvested.
Generally, harvesting should be done early in the
morning after the dew has dried. The stems are still
filled with water and the cooler morning temperatures
prevent heat building up within the bunches.
When harvesting, keep in mind that a high-qualtiy
product is essential for success and grade accordingly.
A clean, sharp knife or clippers should be
used for cutting. Once stems are cut, they should
quickly be placed in a clean bucket filled with tepid,
clean water and preferably a floral preservative.
Full buckets should be placed in a cool, shady spot,
or even better, in a cooler until they are marketed.
Freshly cut flowers should be left in the floral
preservative solution for a minimum of 2 to 3 hours
before they are sold.

Post Harvest
Sleeves, either clear or decorated, are an important
part of post-harvest care. They minimize mechanical
damage and tissue water loss. If properly used,
sleeves can give the perceived image of higher
quality product. Look for sleeves which have air
ventilation holes and are easy to use.
Floral preservatives help to maintain the quality of
flowers and help to extend their vase life. With
some species, they're critical in flower development.
Preservatives contain a combination of
ingredients which extend vase life by supplying a
food source, reducing pH, and reducing bacterial
action. It is the combination of the proper stage of
harvest, high quality water, floral preservatives, and
cooling which all interact to prolong vase life and
consumer satisfaction. One final note, cut flowers
must never be stored with fruits or vegetables. Most
release ethylene gas which causes accelerated
ripening and flower petal drop

Fertilizer
Before adding any fertilizer or organic matter have
the soil tested to determine its nutrient level.
Unless your soil is very fertile, or you have incorporated
a well composted manure before planting, the
plants will need supplemental nutrition. A complete
fertilizer should be used, for example 8-8-8 or 10-
10-10, at a rate of 7 to 10 kilograms per 100 square
metres. It should be incorporated into the soil
during the preliminary bed preparations. This can
be done each time before planting annuals and
perennials. Established perennials also need some
fertilizer. It can be applied as a side dress in early
spring when plants are actively growing and after
harvest to promote root and leaf growth. Good
post-harvest growth provides plants with an improved
overwintering ability and also acts to improve
next year’s harvest. Whether fertilizer is
applied in spring or after harvest, it’s important to
keep the fertilizer away from the stems and leaves
to minimize the chances of burning tender growth.
If you have a trickle irrigation system you can use
liquid feeding through the irrigation system. Again,
a complete fertilizer should be used at a concentration
of about 200 to 300 ppm nitrogen, with weekly
feedings.

Pests and Diseases
Weeds are a serious problem in field grown cut
flower crops. They compete for nutrients, water,
space, and light. Fumigating the soil before planting
helps to control weed seeds, insects, and some
diseases. Pre-emergent herbicides are also available;
check for phytotoxicity problems on your
crops before applying. If herbicides are used, they
must be applied accurately, at the right time, and at
the right stage of weed growth for maximum effect.
Always check the label for safety factors, target
weeds and possible phytotoxicity problems. Never
use the same sprayer for herbicides and any
other type of spraying. Chemical weed control
should be only a part of a full weed control program.
Although it is time consuming and expensive,
hoeing and hand weeding are also part of a
weed control program. Organic mulching of the
crop is another option; it acts to keep the weeds
down, it retards soil drying, and as it breaks down it
adds organic matter to the soil. Weed barriers are
another possibility, many different types are available
on the market. Usually they’re either plastic or
paper. They have the added benefits of reducing
soil splashes on flowers and leaves and reducing
evaporation from the soil surface.
You should be able to identify insects and know
their life cycles so that effective measures are used
at the right time to control the pest. Make a habit of
checking each bed several times a week to try and
catch insect outbreaks early. Make integrated pest
management (IPM) a central part of your pest
control strategy. The goal is to attain an acceptable
level of insect control with the minimum use of
pesticides. Montoring and record keeping are
essential parts of IPM.
One of the most important factors in controlling
disease is to start with healthy plants. Practice
good sanitation. Your fields should be free of weeds
and crop debris. Water early in the day so that any
germinating fungal sports will be killed by the sun.
Use a plant spacing that allows for adequate air
movement in and between plants. Dry foliage
reduces the incidence of leaf spots and Botrytis.
When harvesting, disinfect your tools frequently,
particularly when working between different crops
or production areas. If it can be avoided, never
move from a diseased section to a healthy section.
Boots and clothing can trap spores and weed seeds
and then move them to new areas. Be familiar with
the diseases that crops are the most susceptible to;
know when outbreaks are most likely to occur and
recognize early disease symptoms.

Irrigation
The two main types of irrigation systems are
overhead and trickle. Overhead watering is cheaper
and easier to install than trickle systems, but
overhead is an inefficient use of water. Trickle
systems have less run-off and more water reaches
the roots because less is lost through evaporation
and contact with leaves and flowers. As a result,
plants irrigated via a trickle system tend to have
lower incidence of disease and lodging because the
leaves and flowers don’t get soaked with every
irrigation. Trickle watering is best suited for longer
term crops.
Plants should never be irrigated close to dusk; wet
foliage combined with the cooler night temperatures
are perfect conditions for disease inoculation
and spread. It’s best to start irrigation in the early
morning to allow foliage to dry before nightfall.
Irrigation frequency depends upon the temperature
and the crop requirements. Irrigation must be done
often enough to prevent water stress. Wilting
should not be your indicator of when to water
because the resulting stress can decrease production.
A general rule of thumb is 2.5 centimetres of
water per week, but the amount required is affected
by the crop, irrigation system, rainfall, temperature
and soil structure. These factors will determine
whether it is more practical to soak the soil and
apply a certain volume per week or to apply small,
frequent irrigations throughout the week

Supports
Some plants will need a support system to prevent
lodging and to keep flower stems off the soil. When
stems fall over they are often unmarketable because
of dirt, crooked growth, or uneven flower
display. There are several methods to choose from:
wire or plastic mesh, strings or sticks. The crop
type and your harvesting method will affect the
choice. Most growers choose to use a mesh system.
It’s important to install the mesh system
before the plants actually need it; once plants
require support they are too big to install the mesh
without damaging the plants. If you want to avoid
having to install a support system, choose naturally
dwarf plants. Keep in mind that to be used for the
fresh cut flower market, flower stems need to be a
minimum of 30 centimetres in length. The exceptions
are those flowers which are used in dry flower
work.

Planting Density
The number of plants to grow per square metre, or
the planting density, is a trade-off between increased
yield and decreased quality. While close
spacing produces increased yields per square metre
it results in smaller flowers and lower quality. Stems
are generally weaker and longer due to the decreased
light levels. The incidence of disease can
be higher due to the decrease in air movement
caused by the crowding. Increased space between
plants results in better quality, but lower yields per
square metre.
Planting density varies with plant size, the number
of years between replanting, the sensitivity of the
crop to disease, the method of harvest and the
staking requirements. It also varies with each plant
species; most seed catalogues or supplier’s guides
give recommended spacings. Some spacing
principles are common to most crops. For example,
the larger the size of the mature plant the more
room that will be needed between plants. Gypsophila
will need much more room than a smaller
plant like zinnia. In general, perennials are planted
less dense than annuals to allow for the several
years of growth between digging up and splitting.
Plants that are prone to foliar diseases, for example
snapdragons, which are susceptible to powdery and
downy mildew, will benefit from a wider spacing
due to the increased air circulation. Perennials
which need staking may benefit from an increased
density where the flower stems tend to support
each other

Crop Selection
An important concept to keep in mind with field grown cut flowers is that your
crop selection and yield must be market driven, not production driven.
Unless you are near a large population centre, like the Fraser Valley, most
cut flowers are sold through niche markets, and therefore have a limited
demand. Excess volumes will only serve to lower prices. Determine a
flower's end-use to decide whether it’s an industry staple or a specialty-niche
market item. For example, is it used as a filler, or is it only used as a focal
point in wedding work? Another consideration is whether you want to sell
your crop as fresh or as dried flowers, or a combination of both. These
factors will help in your plans to settle on a crop mix, marketing venue, and
on the volumes the market might bear. There are many market options
available: the United Flower Growers’ Co-op, farmer’s markets, supermarkets,
garden centres, roadside or city stands, hotels, restaurants, craft stores,
florists, or as a pick-your-own. Depending upon your location and crop
choice, you may sell your product through one or more market outlets.
When deciding your crop mix, don’t overlook some of the more common
money makers. Novelty and specialty flowers are great, but the crop mix
should include some traditional items, even if they’re predominantly used as
fillers. Traditional crops and named cultivars are often easier to grow because
there is more production information available. On the other hand, if a
flower is found in most home gardens there may not be a high demand for it
in the regular growing season. Always be on the lookout for new and unusual
flowers. Spend your winters reading North American, European, and Japanese
seed catalogues and books on gardening and perennials. Remember to
introduce new species gradually to the market
place. Just because you think it’s the perfect flower
don’t expect Joe and Josephine Consumer to want
it in large volumes. Evaluate varieties not just by
their appearance, but also for other important
criteria like vase life, fragrance, hardiness and
drought tolerance.
Production factors to consider include:
• cost of production
• production per square metre
• the length and ease of extending the
production season
• resistence to pests
• stem length
• ease of harvesting
One final important consideration; be sure that you
can manage the cultural requirements of a new
crop. Local climate, the length of the growing
season, the number of frost-free days, and rainfall
will constrain your crop choice. Crops must not only
be able to grow in your climate, but they must also
suit your production techniques and anticipated
selling window. By growing a combination of annuals,
biennials, perennials, bulbs, woody cuts, and
ornamental grasses many growers try to achieve
staggered production and cash-flow. Table 2 examines
some of the advantages and disadvantages of
the various crop types and provides a partial list of
plants that can be used as cut flowers. More than
one botanical name appears for some plants due to
reclassification. If you plan to market the cuts as
fresh cut flower bouquets, there should be a broad
selection of species to provide a good mix of
colour, forms, and shapes throughout your marketing
period. But don’t overextend yourself by trying
to grow too many species. Start off slow and as
your knowledge and expertise expands, you can
then increase your crop selection.

Crop Selection
An important concept to keep in mind with field grown cut flowers is that your
crop selection and yield must be market driven, not production driven.
Unless you are near a large population centre, like the Fraser Valley, most
cut flowers are sold through niche markets, and therefore have a limited
demand. Excess volumes will only serve to lower prices. Determine a
flower's end-use to decide whether it’s an industry staple or a specialty-niche
market item. For example, is it used as a filler, or is it only used as a focal
point in wedding work? Another consideration is whether you want to sell
your crop as fresh or as dried flowers, or a combination of both. These
factors will help in your plans to settle on a crop mix, marketing venue, and
on the volumes the market might bear. There are many market options
available: the United Flower Growers’ Co-op, farmer’s markets, supermarkets,
garden centres, roadside or city stands, hotels, restaurants, craft stores,
florists, or as a pick-your-own. Depending upon your location and crop
choice, you may sell your product through one or more market outlets.
When deciding your crop mix, don’t overlook some of the more common
money makers. Novelty and specialty flowers are great, but the crop mix
should include some traditional items, even if they’re predominantly used as
fillers. Traditional crops and named cultivars are often easier to grow because
there is more production information available. On the other hand, if a
flower is found in most home gardens there may not be a high demand for it
in the regular growing season. Always be on the lookout for new and unusual
flowers. Spend your winters reading North American, European, and Japanese
seed catalogues and books on gardening and perennials. Remember to

introduce new species gradually to the market
place. Just because you think it’s the perfect flower
don’t expect Joe and Josephine Consumer to want
it in large volumes. Evaluate varieties not just by
their appearance, but also for other important
criteria like vase life, fragrance, hardiness and
drought tolerance.
Production factors to consider include:
• cost of production
• production per square metre
• the length and ease of extending the
production season
• resistence to pests
• stem length
• ease of harvesting
One final important consideration; be sure that you
can manage the cultural requirements of a new
crop. Local climate, the length of the growing
season, the number of frost-free days, and rainfall
will constrain your crop choice. Crops must not only
be able to grow in your climate, but they must also
suit your production techniques and anticipated
selling window. By growing a combination of annuals,
biennials, perennials, bulbs, woody cuts, and
ornamental grasses many growers try to achieve
staggered production and cash-flow. Table 2 examines
some of the advantages and disadvantages of
the various crop types and provides a partial list of
plants that can be used as cut flowers. More than
one botanical name appears for some plants due to
reclassification. If you plan to market the cuts as
fresh cut flower bouquets, there should be a broad
selection of species to provide a good mix of
colour, forms, and shapes throughout your marketing
period. But don’t overextend yourself by trying
to grow too many species. Start off slow and as
your knowledge and expertise expands, you can
then increase your crop selection.