ISHS Acta Horticulturae 64: Symposium on Production of Potted Plants and Cut Flowers
OPENING ADDRESS |
| Authors: | E. Strømme, T. Askvig |
| Abstract:
Floriculture, the production of flowers and pot plants for ornamental purposes, has become a major part of the Horticultural plant production. This is especially the case in the Western European countries where statistics show that the wholesale value of floriculture products equals or even surpasses that of vegetables or fruits. In these countries flower production has a long tradition. In recent years we have been witnesses to an increasing flower production, especially of cut flowers in countries nearer to equator where excellent conditions for flower growing may be found at high altitudes. The Floriculture market in Western Europe and the U.S.A. may today be characterized by an increasing import of cut flowers from these "new" countries and attempts on part of the traditional Floriculture industry of the "old" countries to adjust to this situation. The problems in the new and the old countries may be different but in both cases research is needed for improved cultural methods and better quality. The cultural methods are subject to constant changes. In propagation new methods employing meristem and tissue culture have been adopted for rapid propagation of disease-free nuclear plants. The old soil mixtures have been replaced by standardized growing media and a refined technique of watering and fertilization involving the use of sophisticated injector systems which allow a precise administration of nutrient elements has been introduced. Research on the effect of the environment on growth and flowering has made it possible to define cultural conditions giving a high degree of control of the development of the plants and of their time of flowering. Chemical growth regulators have been developed which present a valuable tool in controlling growth and plant height. Improved methods of handling and storage are the results of better understanding of factors affecting the keeping quality of Floriculture products. These examples of changes taking place also indicate subjects which are important research areas, and which also have been the theme for recent international symposia. Especially the Commission for Protected Cultivation has been active in arranging symposia dealing with problems of glasshouse crop production. The present symposium has a rather wide title: "The production of potted plants and cut flowers". The purpose is, in contrast to symposia dealing with specialized fields of investigations, to bring together specialists from different areas in order to look at the production process as a whole. We have, therefore, asked for papers in propagation, nutrition, growth and development, crop planning and post-harvest physiology. Originally, we had planned to have an introductory lecture in each of these fields. Due to certain circumstances, only two introductory lectures will be given, one by Dr. Arnold Bik from the Netherlands in nutrition and one by professor Halevy from Israel in post-harvest physiology. I would like to thank these two for being willing to come and share their views and experiences with us. In addition we have succeeded in obtaining papers from all the areas we wanted. This symposium was originally planned for last year when we celebrated the 50th anniversary for the department of Floriculture at our university. But as you know, the research station at Aalsmeer in the Netherlands, celebrated the 75th anniversary and we wanted in no way to detract from such an important event. The reason for making it a joint symposium between Norway and Sweden is that the Agricultural University of Sweden after the completion of an extensive building program now can present a Floriculture department which with respect to greenhouses and research facilties is quite remarkable. We would very much like you to see this institution and to give you the opportunity to get acquainted with the work going on there. On behalf of professor Kristoffersen, myself and our co-workers who have done most of the preparatory work I wish you again welcome and I hope it will be an interesting symposium. On behalf of the four organizations, which have the pleasure of being your hosts tonight, I would like to take the opportunity to wish you all a most heartily welcome. The four organizations are: The Norwegian Horticultural Association, The Cooperative Salesorganization Gartnerhallen, The Cooperative Purchasing Association L.O.G. and Norsk Frø, a firm dealing with seeds, young plants and everything else needed by the producer. The Horticultural Association is built up by four nationwide organizations, The Flower Growers, The Vegetable Growers, The Nurseries and The Juniors. All together we have about 2000 members and cover very well the glasshouse production both of flowers and vegetables. We represent at least 95% of the flowerproduction, and may be a little less of the vegatable production under glass. We must, however, admit that we for various reasons have not succeeded so well in getting the out of door producers of vegetable as members, though a considerable amount of the products are produced by our members. As regards to the nurseries near up to 100% have joined the organization. The Salesorganization Gartnerhallen is organized all over the country, with about 4500 members selling 100% of their production of flowers, vegetable, fruit, and potatoes. The country has been divided into 9 districts each with their own membershipboard, with sales within their own districts exporting surplus to other districts. Thus they achieve a good grip on the national market. In each district there are various numbers of receiving stations, cold-storages and packaging plants for fruit and tomatoes. All together there are about 70–80 installations scattered all over the country. The total sales in 1975 was about 480 million kroners, which include importing goods for about 200 millions. This means that Gartnerhallen sells about 35/40% of the Norwegian production. Recently the company has gone into the freezing business. A plant has been installed in Tønsberg and started up in beginning of July with freezing cauliflower, and will include other products as the seasons go by. Another important function of the company is to take care of the surplus products in order to stabilize the prices. To be able to do this a certain amount of money is each year put to the disposal of all the agricultural cooperative organizations. The products will be put in odd storage of frozen, if possible exported, sold to industrial use or organized as cheap sale to the public. L.O.G., The Purchasing Organization, is also organized in districts nationwide. It is owned by the members who elect the board and the chairmen, but sells to everybody. The company was the first in this country to standardize the building of glasshouses in Norway. They have also made a very good job of organizing the production of young plants. Recently they have also gone into the program of producing disease-free plants of nuclear stock, together with the University at Aas and Gartnerhallen. Besides they sell all other things needed by the producer. Norsk Frø is organized as a joint stock company, and thus owned by the stock-holders. Anybody can buy shares, but a majority is owned by producers. It is also nationwide, and sells the same things as L.O.G., except for building glasshouses. Much of the market for private gardens is covered by Norsk Frø. I would like to say a few words about the trade these organizations are here to give service to, but will on this occasion restrict myself to the flower production. It mainly takes place in glasshouses. There is a small amount of Narcissus on free-land in the southwest, and around the cities we find a small production of Europian Chrysanthemums, Dahlias, Asters and the like. The first frost-nignt will usually put a limit to this production. In the area around Oslo it might come as early as at the end of August, but the season might also stretch into the middle of October. We have about 210 ha. of glass and plastic. More than half of it or 12–1300 da. is used for flowers, divided about equally between cut flowers and potted plants. We are only about 4 million people, and that means we have a little more than ½ sq.m. per inhabitant. This compares favourably with countries like Sweden and West-Germany, is a little more than in Great Britain, but, of course, Denmark and the Netherlands have far more, the latter about ten times as much. In other words, we aim our production towards the national market. There is a small but good export of certain specialities of young plants, for instance Euphorbias, Begonias and Campanulas, but the finished product is for the Norwegian market. This is protected in our production periods from import, through an agreement between the Government and the agricultural organizations, and is also regulated by the act of Trade-agreement between Norway and the Community in Brussels. During the winter, when the lack of natural light puts a severe restriction on our own production, the import is free for all products except flowering potted plants is bulb-flowers. There are certain regulations in the transition periods, when the import actually is closed, but the Norwegian production is unable to satisfy the market and a supplementary import is required. There is a very good communication and cooperation between the Association and the government agencies in these and all other questions. Import in these periods will never take place without hearing the Growers Association and it has only happened once or twice that our recommendations have not been followed. That puts us in a very responsible position, and we always have to be very careful also to take into consideration the interest of the florists and, of course, the consumer. But it has been acknowledged by our political and departemental authorities that the regulations have to protect and to further the Norwegian production. It has been acknowledges that this is a difficult country to produce and also a difficult country to distribute flowers in. It is not enough to cover the easy markets of the country, we have to look after all the parts Therefore, it is the difficult aim of the Association to take care of all our members. You see here at Bergeruds to day, and you will see tomorrow, some of our most modern installations. They are located in good districts. We also have pioneers in far off vallies and as far north as Alta on the latitude of Northern Alaska. The varying conditions creates special difficulties for the producers, but not the least to the scientists. Therefore, we are happy to welcome you all to Norway. May our eminent people at the Floriculture department at Aas have something to give you to take home to our colleagues in your own country. I am convinced that this international symposium will be a great stimulation to our institute, and thus for all of us who are engaged in the Floriculture industry. | |
