OPENING ADDRESS

You probably all know that Israel has a long history. Some of you may not recall the history of plant propagation in this land. When the flood waters receded and Noah and his family came out of the ark, "Noah a man of the soil proceeded to plant a vineyard" (Genesis, 9:20). Bible commentators explain that he took vine twigs with him onto the ark and after the flood, rooted them as hardwood cuttings. It seems that high humidity propagation is not such a modern practice after all.

Almost 6000 years later, Israel is now a much dryer country and has only 4000 sq. km of arable land. The scarcity of soil and water forces us to cultivate intensive crops, amongst these, ornamentals have a dominant place. The succes of intensive cultivation depends, amongst other factors, on the quality of available propagation material.

Israeli growers started exporting flowers only 23 years ago. Today, the annual value of this export is over 200 million dollars and this dynamic industry is still growing. Such rapid expansion was only possible with a concomitant development in size and quality of the nursery industry. Moreover, nursery products make up a good part of what is exported side by side with cut flowers.

A similar trend, from cut flowers to other products can be detected worldwide. This is motivated on the one hand by the consumer's rising standard of living and on the other hand by the grower's constant search for new and profitable crops.

Exchange of knowledge is essential for this process and that is exactly the purpose of our gathering. The flow of knowledge is never undirectional and that is why we are so happy to welcome delegates from 5 continents.

Four years ago we proposed to host this meeting in Israel and we are very glad now that, in spite of the unexpected postponement, so many of you were able to come and attend the symposium.

Many organizations and people were instrumental in organizing the symposium. In order to devote most of our time to lectures and discussions, I shall simply thank them all collectively. They are all mentioned in the program booklet and they really deserve our warm appreciation.

On behalf of the organizing committee let me welcome you and wish you a fruitful symposium and a pleasant stay in Israel.


GREETINGS

Amir Hagiladi
President, The Israeli Society for Plant Propagation

On behalf of the Israeli Society for Plant Propagation, I should like to welcome you to the Second International Symposium on Propagation of Ornamental Plants.

The Israeli Society for Plant Propagation was founded 11 years ago. It has 150 members who are nurserymen, research scientists and extension officers who are all actively involved in the ornamental plant industry. Floriculture plays a leading role in Israeli horticulture. Over the past ten years the value of exported flowers has risen from 80 to 200 million dollars. Our products are exported to Europe and the United States of America. This has been achieved by constant research and development and also because we have wonderful growers. Great efforts are being made in the development of new and unique flower crops and other horticultural commodities. High quality propagating material is the basis for achieving this goal.

I hope that the motto of our society which is "Seek and Share" will be fulfilled through the exchange of ideas and information amongst us. I hope we shall all benefit from the sessions and professional tours. I wish us all a fruitful and pleasant symposium, and last but not least, to those of you who are in Israel for the first time - have a good time! We say that the first visit is for whetting the appetite, so, please come again to the Holy Land.

M. Fruchter
The Production and Marketing Board of Ornamental Plants

On behalf of the Production and Marketing Board of Ornamental Plant, as well as myself, I should like to extend greetings to the participants and guests of the Second International Symposium on Propagation of Ornamental Plants.

The Production and Marketing Board of Ornamental Plants, commonly known as the "Flower Board" is a statutory growers' corporation which administers, supervises and plans the production and export of flowers, bulbs and ornamental plants, grown by over 3,500 families throughout the country. Exports via the Flower Board amounted this year, to over 150 million U.S. dollars F.O.B.

Flowers and ornamental plants are today the number one export branch of Israeli agriculture, and Israel has become in the course of the years one of the most important winter season producers outside of Europe, and, an influential factor in the international flower market.

Ornamental plant production for export is expected to expand due to the current upheaval in Israeli agriculture causes by the severe shortage of water.

A new approach will be required in planning production according to water availability, and, it will be directed to crops which can produce maximum revenue per unit of water. Ornamental plants for export have an important place among such crops. A modern plant propagation industry is the foundation of the flower industry and there can be no progressive horticulture without research and exchange of knowledge.

Symposia of this type are of tremendous importance for gathering and exchange of information by participants.

I should like to repeat my welcome to our visitors and wish you all a usefull, effective, as well as an enjoyable gathering that will produce practical and continuing results for the benefit of all of us in the ornamental plant industry.