ISHS Acta Horticulturae 430: VII International Symposium on Flowerbulbs
THE HISTORY OF BULB GROWING IN ISRAEL |
| Author: | M.L. Weijel |
| Abstract:
From 1921 up till 1945 there was no real commercial bulb growing in the area which is now Israel. Bulbs were mainly used in very limited quantities for gardening. During the period 1945–1955 small scale commercial bulb growing developed, especially Gladiolus corms and Iris bulbs. First research efforts in flower and bulb-growing began when it was realized that climatic conditions in Israel might have some distinct natural advantages for growing geophytes. In 1954, the first commercial consignment of flower-bulbs was successfully exported to the United States by the late Zvi Gazit from Kibbutz Gevim. From 1955 till 1965, a proportionally tremendous effort was made to develop Gladiolus and Iris production for export. This effort was not successful mainly because of phytopathological problems, but also, because of low profits. The effort Zvi Gazit made to develop growing some wild species as commercial crops was discontinued after his untimely death. It was therefore decided in the years 1963–1965 to assign very low priority to bulb growing and to shift the main development effort to cut flowers like roses. Notwithstanding this decision, during the period 1965–1996, a very select group of growers, extension officers and research workers carried on, and succeeded, to develop production methods and to build an export market especially for Narcissus “Paper White”, Ranunculus, Liatris, Anemone and Hippeastrum bulbs. In addition, production of Lilium longiflorum, Aconitum and Eremurus was developed to supply Israeli flower growers with planting material. The results of these efforts are reflected in the 1994–1995 export figures. These reached a value of $20.1 million for bulbs and for flowers grown in Israel from locally produced bulbs. This figure represents approximately 10% of the value of all Israeli ornamental-plant and cut-flower exports. Working on this history, it became clear to me that bulb growing is now carried out by very professional growers. Furthermore, and not less important, several very capable and highly motivated extension and research workers are “supplying” the Israeli bulb growing industry with an increasing stream of knowledge and breeding products. Several of the producers are themselves active in breeding programs. This may again open the perspective of using the potential of the indigenous Israeli floral gene pool. It was a great experience for me, while working on this history, to meet again many of the leading growers and old colleagues, to reminisce about those who are no longer with us, to “dig up” the past, to consider the present and to dream again about the future. In conclusion, it can be said that the flower-bulb industry is based on professional know-how of a select group of growers, extension, research and marketing specialists. With that - it seems not too optimistic to expect that by the end of this decade considerable development in Israeli flower bulb growing and export will be realized. | |
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