L4 Advanced Plant Production Topic 2 Flower Production

SEFIKENG CAMPUS Flower Production in a Nursery Environment Advanced Plant Production Level 4 TO P I C 2 : F L O W E R P R O D U C T I O N SO 2.0 LO 2.1.1 – 2.1.5 Downloaded from hlayiso.com M R M OT S O E T S O E T. E

Lesson Outcomes • Students should be able to explain the concept of flower ‘cultivar’ and give examples. • Each cultivar is cultivated according to its economical importance. • Relevant propagation techniques will be applied in flower production. • Control measures for pest and diseases affecting flowers are identified. • Flower production process from planting to wholesaler must be explained. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

CULTIVARS (CULTIVATED VARIETY) • Is an assembly of plants selected for desirable characteristics that are maintained during propagation. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

CULTIVARS (CULTIVATED VARIETY) (CONT.) Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Lavender twist redbud • A c u l t ivar i s a p l a nt t h at i s p ro duc ed a n d m a i ntained by h o r t icul turi st s. E xa m ple: L avender t wi st i s a weeping form o f redbud, t wigs have a sl i ght z i gzag pattern . A l t h o ugh s o m e c u l t i vars o c c u rs i n n at u re a s p l a nt m u tat ion s, m o st c u l t ivars a re d eve loped by p l a nt b re eders a n d a re ca l l ed hy b r ids. T h e f i rst l ette r o f a cu l t i var i s ca p i tali zed a n d t h e te r m i s n eve r u t i l i zed, t h ey a re s u r rounded by s Downloaded i n gle q u o tat io n. from hlayiso.com

The cultivar’s economical importance • Flower market increased emphasis on quality. • Quality factors related to post – harvest keeping quality including environmental influence on flower longevity, as well as the influence of pathogenic microorganisms such as virus and diseases • As competition in the world market increases, quality becomes a more important factor. • Increasing vase life of flower life on a pot plant is an important goal. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Propagation techniques used for flower production Stem and section cutting • Stem and section cuttings: There are two types of stem cuttings, tip cutting (flower tip and small portion of stem) and section cutting (include 2 – 3 inch section of stem). • Flowers propagated from stem cutting – African violet and section cuttings – Helxine (baby’s tears). • Leaf cuttings: Flowers with soft, fleshy foliage Leaf cutting reproduce themselves from leaves. Leaf propagation is faster and reliable. • A healthy leaf with short stem is dipped by the end/tip into a rooting hormone and stuck into a moist propagation media. Downloaded from hlayiso.com • Flowers such as African violet and Sanseviera.

•Leaf vein cuttings: • 2nd method – slash vein of a larger • 1st method – cut leaf veins into leaf at 1 to 2 inch intervals on the sections, then place the bottom of underside of the leaf. Flower the vein pressed into the propagation examples such as Rex begonia and medium with leaf portion sticking up. Smithianthas (temple bells). Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Flower process Students should remember the nursery operations from previous lesson • A greenhouse extends the growing season and lets you produce more flower variety • In the greenhouse, measures against heat and cold apply to keep winter plants during winter or whenever the weather is not conducive to growing outdoor • Some flowers can only be grown in a greenhouse • These greenhouse must be equipped with automatic cooling heating and light shade adjustment systems. • Irrigation can be manual or automatic • Fields are transplanted with greenhouse grown transplants cuttings can also be used • Flowers must be planted and raised in beds, furrows depending on cut flowers type. • Flowers will have better quality when provided with staking and netting Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Flower process (Cont.) • When harvesting, cut flowers quality should be at it peak at the moment of harvesting. Some flowers are picked before opening, others when florets are half or fully open • Harvesting is done by hand with sheers or sharp knife to prevent damage and maintain optimum freshness • Do not lay flowers on the ground otherwise they may become contaminated by diseases. • Immediately after picking, put flowers in water mixed with floral preservative solution and keep in a cool shaded area • Flower grading include stem length, straightness and strength, flower size, vase life, Downloaded lack of defects, maturity, uniformity andfrom hlayiso.com foliage quality.

Flower process (Cont.) • Flowers that do not meet quality standard will fetch lower prices and have reduced ability to sell • Store flowers in cool temperature to maintain freshness • Transportation of flowers to buyers must be in a tempt and humid controlled environment. • When harvesting, cut flowers quality should be at it peak at the moment of harvesting. Some flowers are picked before opening, others when florets are half or fully open • Harvesting is done by hand with sheers or sharp knife to prevent damage and maintain optimum freshness Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Flower process (Cont.) • Do not lay flowers on the ground otherwise they may become contaminated by diseases. • Immediately after picking, put flowers in water mixed with floral preservative solution and keep in a cool shaded area • Flower grading include stem length, straightness and strength, flower size, vase life, lack of defects, maturity, uniformity and foliage quality. • Flowers that do not meet quality standard will fetch lower prices and have reduced ability to sell • Store flowers in cool temperature to maintain freshness • Transportation of flowers to buyers must be in a tempt and humid controlled environment. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Recap • The flower production is explained how it should be applied in the nursery environment. • Different kinds of flower cultivar is identified and explained • The economic importance of cultivars is explained. • Pests and diseases affecting flowers and the control methods are identified. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

STUDENT ACTIVITY Explain the best methods to control the following pests and diseases affecting flowers? 1. Major pests 2. Major diseases • Lily borers • Mites • Brown blight • Parasite algae and nematodes • Caterpillar • Grasshoppers • Downy mildew • Anthracnose • Thrips • Leaf rollers • Rust • Black spot • Aphidsa • White flies • Powdery mildew • Botrytis blight • Ants • Worms • Crown gall • Bugs • Snails • Beetle borers • Moths Downloaded from hlayiso.com

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