ANALYSES OF BIOLOGICAL, TECHNICAL AND ECONOMICAL ASPECTS OF PRODUCTION METHODS IN FLORICULTURAL ENTERPRISES

As expected, production methods and therefore growth and development of the plants as well as the financial results differ widely from firm to firm.

In Northern Germany the production of Poinsettias has been investigated in 10 enterprises. For the collection of information on the development of the plants detailed measurements are carried out in a distance of about three weeks by the author. The temperature of air and soil as well as the humidity and light intensity are registrated as important factors minutely by a microcomputer. The growers obliged themselves to keep an exact record of their measures of cultivation such as fertilization, watering, plantprotection, etc.

The procuction methods, the climatic conditions of the locations and the physical and economical results of the enterprises are compared with each other. With these results we intend to explain the differences in yield, quality and proceeds. The results are discussed with the growers and their local advisory service.

As for Poinsettias similar data-collections are prepared for the description of growth and development of other ornamental plants. A long term aim of these investigations is to establish and test growing models.

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