Perennial Herbaceous Production
Dr. Terri W. Starman Hort 429 Greenhouse Crop Production
Herbaceous Perennial Production Trends
Perennials in flower Increased demand Increase in number and diversity Get plants to flower on specific dates and to precise specifications
Flower Induction
Photoperiod Vernalization Juvenility
Seed grown perennials
Flowering depends on seedling age or maturity, vernalization (cold), and photoperiod. Usually obligate cold requiring perennials have to be a minimum age (have a certain leaf or node number) before the cold period begins. Breeders should be able to develop lines that bloom and mature with fewer leaves.
Photoperiod
Flowering in response to LD
LD required grower can use NI LD beneficial
Horticulturally required Horticulturally beneficial
LD not required
Vernalization and Juvenility
No cold required Cold will hasten or improve flowering Cold required for flowering
Delivery of the Cold Treatment
320F to 450F (410F) Plug flats or pots as long as the leaf # is adequate Small amount of light 25-50 fc Hoop houses not as consistent and reliable as a cooler 10 weeks SD can sometimes substitute for cold
Yoder in Salinas, CA
Founded over 75 years ago, Yoder Brothers is a world leader in flowering research and breeding. The Salinas Valley of California is home to Yoder chrysanthemum cut flower, rose and carnation breeding operations and azalea, perennial and poinsettia production.
Vegetative Annuals
Dr. Terri Starman Dept. of Horticultural Sciences Texas A&M University
Top Ten Reasons for Vegetative Annual Crops
1. Plants that might otherwise never be available if they must be produced from seed 2. Individuality vs. uniformity 3. Good performing cultivars that do not reproduce by seed 4. Sterile plants have bigger, showier flowers that last longer
Why Vegetative Crops con't?
1. 2. 3. 4. 2-3 years vs. 7 years to bring to market Superior to seed counterparts Popularity of container gardens Enhanced garden performance and consumer satisfaction 5. They're fast and easy to produce 6. They're pretty
What are some Vegetative Annual Genera?
Angelonia Argyranthemum Bracteantha Calibrachoa Diascia Scaevola
Also Begonia, Coleus, Dahlia, Fuchsia, Geranium, Jamesbrittnia, Double Impatiens, New Guinea Impatiens, Lantana, Nemesia, Osterospermum, Petunia, Sutera, Torenia and Verbena
Container Gardens
Dr. Terri W. Starman
Growers are having these thoughts about the current climate in the Floriculture Industry.....
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There's downward pressure on prices. Our products are becoming commodities. Am I making money? Should I grow Crop A or Crop B which is more profitable? Should I take the value-added or commodity approach?
Some Thoughts on Niche Marketing
What is the product life cycle in today's market? We know when to start growing a certain cultivar, but when do we stop growing that cultivar? Small growers are like small fish, they need to swim faster.
Why Grow Vegetative Annuals?
Extend sales before and after spring peak and in the fall Differentiate product from competition Offer unique product assortment (different sizes of containers) De-emphasize commodity items Add value to products Popularity of container gardens
Spring Mixes
(Start Week 3, early to mid January) Product Sizes
10-inch container gardens, hanging baskets and 4-inch pots for make-your-own
Vegetative Annual Plant Materials
Argyranthemum Antirrhinum Bacopa Brachyscome Diascia Nemesia
Summer Mixes
(Start Week 9, late February) Product Sizes
12-inch mixed baskets and 14-inch and greater container gardens, 4-inch for make-your-own
Plant Materials
Sun Shade Ageratum Begonias Angelonia Ferns Bidens Heliotrope Coleus Heuchera Jamesbrittnia Impatiens Pentas Phlox Portulaca Scaevola
Fall Mixes
(Start Week 34, early to mid August) Product Sizes
10 and 14-inch containers gardens and 4-inch for make-your-own
Vegetative Annual Plant Materials
Argyranthemum Bracteantha Calibrachoa Diascia Nemesia Osteospe...