ISHS Acta Horticulturae 766: XXVII International Horticultural Congress - IHC2006: International Symposium on Ornamentals, Now!
A MULTIPLE CROP, HIGH DENSITY SYSTEM FOR THE PRODUCTION OF GREENHOUSE CUT FLOWERS |
| Author: | R.G. Anderson |
| Keywords: | fast cropping, new production techniques, greenhouse mechanization, flower production efficiency, post harvest |
| Abstract:
Commercial cut flowers can be produced in a system adapted to modern automated greenhouse production systems. Plants can be grown with plug technology, mechanical seed sowing and robotic transplanters. Small pots appropriate for pot handling robots and sequential spacing can be coupled with ebb flood irrigation and palletized benches. Plant growth can be optimized in growth stages with computerized greenhouse control and assimilation lighting. In addition, plants can be harvested with the roots intact to enhance post harvest life. Studies evaluated changing crops in a standardized system in order to meet market peaks. Over the past 15 years, cut flower crops (roses, zinnia, snapdragon, bachelor button, angelonia, salvia, godetia, and chrysanthemum) were grown throughout the year to establish a year around production schedule. Plants were grown in 6 cm pots on ebb and flood benches where they were irrigated 1 to 4 times daily with a recirculated nutrient solution. Production stages – (1) Propagation Phase [optimum environment for seed or cutting propagation, highest plant densities, 200-600 plants m-2 for cuttings, 500-2000 plants m-2 for seedlings, crop time - 2 to 4 weeks], (2) First Growth Phase [optimum environment for this phase of plant growth, high to moderate plant densities (200-500 plants m-2), crop time - 2 to 4 weeks], (3) Second Growth Phase [optimum environment for this phase of plant growth, moderate to low plant densities (50-200 plants m-2), crop time - 2 to 4 weeks], and (4) Third Growing Phase or Harvest Phase [optimum environment for flower development for harvest] – were used for all the crops. Plant yields were increased by 100 to 300% by progressive spacing to change plant density while the plants were grown at peak productivity in this model system. | |
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