Specialty Cut Flower Production and Marketing - UC Agriculture and ...

ATTRASpecialty Cut Flower Productionand MarketingA Publication of ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service • 1-800-346-9140 • www.attra.ncat.orgBy Janet BachmannNCAT AgricultureSpecialist© NCAT 2006Special thanks to the manycut flower growers around thecountry for their contributionsto this publication, and to JudyM. Laushman, Executive Directorof the Association of SpecialtyCut Flower Growers, Inc.,for reviewing it.ContentsIntroduction ..................... 1What Should I Grow? .... 2Markets .............................. 3Production Basics ......... 10Harvest andPostharvest ..................... 16Summary ......................... 21References ......................22Further Resources ........22ATTRA—National SustainableAgriculture Information Serviceis managed by the National Centerfor Appropriate Technology(NCAT) and is funded under agrant from the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture’sRural Business-Cooperative Service.Visit the NCAT Web site(www.ncat.org/agri.html) for more informationon our sustainableagriculture projects. Specialty cut flower production has the potential to increase income for both small and large farms.This publication discusses several marketing channels and lists flowers suitable for various markets. Itcovers production basics, harvest and postharvest handling, business planning and record keeping,and resources for further information.IntroductionEnvironmentally sound production techniques,increased farm diversification,and increased farm income are basicparts of sustainable farming systems. Specialtycut fl ower production and marketingoffers both small- and large-scale growers away to increase the level of sustainability ontheir farms. The tremendous variety of plantsthat can be grown as cut fl owers allows growersto choose those which are well-adaptedto the farm site and grown without large offsiteinputs. This variety also makes diversityin both production and marketing possible.And the high value of specialty cut fl owerscan increase farm income.The phrase “specialty cut fl ower” originallyreferred to all species other than carnations,chrysanthemums, and roses. As recently as1986, these three cut fl ower species, plusgladiolus, accounted for more than 80 percentof total cut flower production. (Dole andGreer, 2004) Since then, specialty cut fl owershave become the most important part ofthe U.S. cut fl ower industry. The combinedproduction of carnations, chrysanthemums,and roses was $78 million in 2002, representingonly 15 percent of total cut fl owerand foliage production. In contrast, specialtycut production totaled $443 million.Cut lilies, once a relatively minor greenhousecut fl ower, have replaced roses as themost important domestically produced cutfl ower. Leatherleaf fern, gerbera, gladiolus,©2005 clipart.comand tulips are the remainder of the top fi vespecialty cuts. (Dole and Greer, 2004)As specialty cut flowers become moreimportant to the fl oral industry, growersare fi nding that these fl owers make it easierto compete with imported products. Flowersthat don’t ship well or can’t handle longintervals in a box can be picked by a localgrower in the morning and be in a shopper’shouse that afternoon. Specialty cuts canbe grown as annuals or perennials, from

Mark Cain (left) of Dripping Springs Garden presents bouquets to Carol Eichelbergerand Jean Mills of Coker, Alabama, at the Fayetteville Farmers’ Market.Related ATTRAPublicationsAgricultural BusinessPlanning Templates andResourcesCommunity SupportedAgriculture (CSA)Direct MarketingEntertainment Farmingand Agri-TourismFarmers’ MarketsFarmscaping to EnhanceBiological ControlFlame Weeding forVegetable CropsMarket Gardening: AStart-Up GuideOverview of Cover Cropsand Green ManuresPrinciples of SustainableWeed ManagementRoot Zone Heating forGreenhouse CropsSeason Extension Techniquesfor Market GardenersSelling to RestaurantsWoody Ornamentals forCut Flower GrowersPhoto by Janet Bachmannseeds, plugs, or bulbs. They include woodyplants from which fl owers, stems, fruits, orfoliage are harvested. They can be grownin the field, in unheated hoophouses, and inheated greenhouses. By producing unusual,high quality fl owers, using proper postharvesthandling techniques, and by providingexcellent service, growers can continue toexpand markets for specialty cuts.If you are considering specialty cut fl owersas a farm enterprise, you should do asmuch research as possible before puttingone plant in the ground. The most valuableinformation comes from other growers.Other sources that you can rely on includethe Association of Specialty Cut FlowerGrowers, Cooperative Extension, suppliers,and ATTRA.What Should I Grow?A tremendous number of choices are available.How can you choose, given such a vastarray? Consider the following.• Ease of cultivation. This may beespecially important if you are abeginner. Sunfl owers and zinniasare examples of easy-to-cultivatefl owers. They can be direct seeded,and they emerge and grow quickly.• Ease of handling. Sunfl owers canagain be used as an example. Theyhave strong stems and are easy tocut and transport without bruisingor shattering the fl owers.• Color. What is popular at your market?Does it combine well with othercolors you have chosen? Whites andpinks are popular spring weddingcolors; oranges and coppers may bemore popular in the fall.• Fragrance. Fragrance sells—to mostpeople. Customers at the Fayetteville,Arkansas, Farmers’ Marketbegin asking for extremely fragranttuberoses two months before theyare available—but some growerscannot stand to bring even a bucketfulto market in a closed van.• Old favorites. Think of customerswho see a bunch of sweet peasand buy them because they arereminded of their grandmother’sfl ower garden. Zinnias can again beused as an example.• New introductions. New cultivarshelp you stay competitive in a competitivemarket. Membership inthe Association of Specialty CutFlower Growers (ASCFG) is oneway to keep up to date on newones. The ASCFG in cooperationwith seed companies sponsors trialsof new varieties every year.Results of the trials are reported inthe winter issue of The Cut FlowerQuarterly. Rudbeckia Prairie Sun,Dianthus Neon Duo, and countlessnew sunfl owers are among theexciting introductions trialed byASCFG volunteers.• Vase life. Will the cuts last a week?Or longer?• Stem length. Florists love longstems. But there are exceptions,such as lily-of-the-valley and grapehyacinth, that are naturally shortstemmed.• Local growing conditions. Accept thefact that some plants are not welladapted to your climate. Ask localExtension agents, garden clubs, andPage 2 ATTRA Specialty Cut Flower Production and Marketing

The following tips for selling to fl orists bydelivering to their shops are gleaned fromthe ASCFG Forum.• Introduce yourself with a bucketof free samples, a fl yer that liststhe fl owers you grow, your deliveryschedule, payment terms, and businesscard. (Try putting the businesscard on a refrigerator magnetto go on the cooler door.)• Deliver in bunches of 10, sleeved orun-sleeved. This makes it easier topull the fl owers out of buckets withoutdestroying other blooms.• E-mail or fax a list of what you haveto offer after harvesting, then callfor orders, or bring the fl orist outto your van full of fl owers for the“ahhh” effect and let him or herchoose on the spot.• Deliver on the same day and sametime every week. Florists need todepend on you if they have downsizedstanding orders from wholesalersso that they can buy from you.• Use buckets with your name/labelon them so you can leave them topick up the following trip.• Ask for payment on delivery unlessyou have sold to them often enoughto feel comfortable about setting upan account.• Offer only the best. Consistencyin quality, quantity, and varietyis crucial.Expect retail fl orists to get excited aboutnew or unusual cuts such as branches withfruit on them or pods of okra on stalks.And although they may be able to get fl owersfrom wholesalers for a little less, theyappreciate the quality and freshness oflocally grown cuts. Good sellers includethe following:Ageratum, Agrostemma, Allium, Ammimajus, Apple mint, Bupleurum, Curly willow,Dahlia, Delphinium, Digitalis, Feverfew,Gomphrena, Grasses, Hosta leaves,Hydrangea, Larkspur, Lemon/cinnamonbasil, Lenten rose, Lilies, Lily of thewww.attra.ncat.orgValley, Lisianthus,Mountain mint, Nigella,Penstemon, Peony,Redtwig dogwood, Rudbeckia,Salvia, Snapdragon,Spanish bluebell,Sunflower, Sweetpea, Sweet William,Tulip, Veronica, Yarrow,and Zinnia.Wholesale floristsThe wholesale florists’market is the most©2005 clipart.comdemanding as far asgrading, uniformity, consistency, and packaging.Wholesale florists assemble andmake available high-quality flowers forretail fl orists. They offer retailers a timelyand dependable supply, one stop shopping,large or small quantities, product guarantee,and credit. To sell to wholesale fl orists,Harrison “Red” Kennicott, of KennicottBrothers in Chicago, in a presentation at the2002 ASCFG annual convention and tradeshow, advised growers:• Get acquainted with as many peopleas possible in a wholesale house, toget to know the wholesaler.• Provide information on yourproduct.• Avoid being oversensitive tocomments.• Have a good understanding aboutsupply, pricing, timing, and whetheror not the sales are to be on consignment.He recommends the Society of AmericanFlorists, the national trade associationthat represents all participants in the U.S.fl oral industry, as a source of marketingand best practices information. (Kennicott,2002) Its 15,000 members include retailers,growers, wholesalers, importers, suppliers,manufactures, educators, and students.Its consumer Web site, www.aboutfl owers.com, promotes the use of fl owers. You canlocate wholesale fl orists through the WholesaleFlorists and Florist Supplier Association.See Further Resources for contactinformation.The wholesaleflorists’market is the mostdemanding as far asgrading, uniformity,consistency, andpackaging.ATTRAPage 7

Yes, a bride can be quite choosy or not. Iguess it depends on the individual. Somewant to know what is going to be in each corsageand bouquet, and others just want to gowith a color scheme and, perhaps, a style.Generally, the brides who contact me (and90 percent of the time it is the bride) at thefarmers’ market seem to be the most fl exible,maybe because they see my bouquetsand feel more comfortable or know that is thestyle they want. (Larsen, 2004)Contract GrowingIf someone asks you to grow fl owers for awedding or other event, but you are not preparedto do any more than that, you can getsomeone else to do the arrangements. Onefall a young woman who had purchasedfl owers from me for several years came bythe farmers’ market to tell me she was gettingmarried the next summer on July 9and wanted me to grow the fl owers for herwedding. She had chosen Stargazer liliesas her main fl ower and set the July weddingdate because that is when Stargazersbloom locally. The only other fl owers shewanted were additional Oriental lilies andglads in colors to harmonize with Stargazers.During the winter, I referred her to severalWeb sites where she could view liliesand glads, asking her to let me know whichvarieties she liked. I ordered bulbs andplanted them on two different dates, hopingthat enough would bloom at the right time.Then I started wondering about how thefl owers would be delivered to the chapel 50miles away and who would arrange them.I knew I wouldn’t have the time, skills, orvases to do this. I asked my friend whethershe had someone to arrange the fl owers.She hadn’t thought about that yet, but proceededto fi nd a fl oral arranger, anotheryoung woman I had met at the farmers’market. What a relief. That left me withnothing to do but to keep hoping the fl owerswould bloom at the right time and deliverthem to the farmers’ market, where thearranger would pick them up. I expressedmy concern about the lilies being in bloomat the right time to the floral arranger.She assured me that she could get themfrom a wholesaler any time of the year.More relief.www.attra.ncat.orgInternetIn the past decade,the Internet hasbecome an importantmarketing tool. TheInternet allows growersto reach customersthat they couldnot have reached inother ways withoutconsiderable expense.More than 6 percentof all Internet transactionsinvolve flowersales. (Carter, 2004)Simple e-mail messages can be used toinform and educate customers, let themknow what is available and when, and buildrelationships. E-mail can also be used totake orders. Third-party Web sites, whichoffer a template for you to use to list yourfarm and products at no or low cost, areanother way to inform and educate.Building your own Web site is a big step,but it may be an excellent way to increaseyour markets. The Thiessen family farm inOntario began accepting Internet orders forfl owers in 1996. The family has 30 acresof apples and offers wagon rides, a cornmaze, and PYO apples. They say, however,the Internet sale of fl owers has generatedthe most profi t for the farm and kept it inbusiness. Sales have grown to the pointthat other growers, one in Connecticut andthree in California, have joined the effortas suppliers, with Thiessen supplying about40 percent. The products can be seen atthe Web site www.GrowerFlowers.com.(Carter, 2004)Related Products andAdded ValueDepending on your market, you may beable to increase your income with relatedproducts.•Posted to ASCFG Forum on how to chooseflowers suitable for weddings, by FarmhouseFlowers & Plants (Dave Dowling), on June29, 2004:I picked lisianthus yesterday and tossed a badflower on the ground. Today the leaves havewilted, but the flower still looks fine. You can doa test on any of the other flowers you are thinkingof using. Pick a couple of each variety, cut thestems to about 2 inches, and leave them lying onthe table. See what still looks good after a couplehours and again at the end of the day. Thoseshould be OK to use. Also think about crush-abilityof the flowers. If Grandma gets hugs all day,you don’t want her corsage to look like it wasstomped on by the grandchildren.Bulbs. Daffodils, tuberoses, and crocosmiaare a few that multiply andneed to be divided occasionally. Ifyou have earned a reputation amongother gardeners for your beautifuland unusual fl owers, they will beATTRAPage 9

pleased to have an opportunity topurchase starts of the same.• Potted plants. Consider puttingsome of those bulbs in pots, growingthem, and selling them asblooming plants.• Bedding plants. If you start yourown cut flowers from seed, youmight save a few of the same foryour customers so they can havetheir own cutting garden. It mayseem strange, but some of the bestfl ower customers at a farmers’ marketalso have fl ower gardens. Theyjust don’t want to cut from them.• Garlic braids, swags, wreaths, driedfl owers—and ornamental peppers,grasses, grains, and okra—are naturalsfor crafting. For ideas andinstructions, look for books in yourlocal public library, or go on-line.• Organically or naturally grown.Customers concerned about ournatural environment will appreciateknowing that you use farming practicesthat protect it. Organic certification may be a way to add valueto your fl owers. For local markets,talking with your customers aboutyour production practices may beeven more valuable.Production BasicsPlan for Season-SpanningBloomsDo you want year-round fl ower production?Or frost to frost? Or just one big splash?Planning is important regardless of yourchoice, and especially critical if you wantyear-round blooms.Steve and Susan Bender of HomesteadFlower Farm near Warrenton, North Carolina,presented their planting and harvestchart at the 2002 Southern SustainableAgriculture Working Groupconference and trade show. It is presentedon the opposite page as an example. Differencesin location and climate, market,and personal choices will result in differentschedules.Consider sequential planting and use ofcultivars that have different lengths of timeto maturity to get a continuous supply ofyour most popular cuts. Gladioli, for example,are ready to cut about 80 days fromplanting. You can make your fi rst plantingin mid-spring, and sequential plantings atintervals of a week or a month, ending atleast 80 days before the fi rst frost in thefall. Sunflowers, which are usually harvestedas one cut stem, also need sequentialplantings for a continuous supply. Check theinformation provided by your seed supplierfor length of time needed from planting toharvest; the time varies by cultivar.Soil-FertilityIf at all possible, fi nd a location with welldrained,sandy loam soil, high in organic matter,and with a neutral pH. If you don’t haveperfect soil, you can improve it with covercrops, compost, and mulching with organicmatter. Soil preparation is the most importantjob you will do in the flower garden.Alex and Betsy Hitt of Peregrine Farm inNorth Carolina have spent more than 10years developing a system that maintainsor improves soil organic matter content bythe conscientious use of summer and wintercover crops combined with minimal tillage.Their planting rotation, which includesvegetables, fl owers, and cover crops, is presentedin the ATTRA publication MarketGardening: A Start-Up Guide. The Hitts useseveral tools and concepts to make the systemwork:• Soil testing is done on each rotationalunit every late summer/earlyfall.• Organic matter is grown in placerather than imported.• The 10-year rotation is designedboth for maximum diversity fordisease and insect management,and, as much as practical, toalternate heavy feeders with lightfeeders, deep-rooted crops withPage 10 ATTRA Specialty Cut Flower Production and Marketing

Homestead Flower Farm Cut Flower Schedules1st Seeding or Planting Varieties Transplant HarvestAugustTray SeedCentuarea macrocephala, NE Asters October AprilSwt Wm biennial, Hesperis, Foxglove October May-JuneCanterbury Bells, Trachelium, Delphinium October May-JuneYellow Yarrow, Baptisia October May-JuneOct-NovTray SeedFeverfew, Gyp, Stock, Larkspur Dec-Jan April-JuneSwt Wm Annual, Godetia, Calendula Dec-Jan April-JuneOct-NovDirect SeedNovemberTransplants,Root DivisionsNigella, Ammi majus, Heliopsis Dec-Jan May-JuneBupleurum, Bells of Ireland, Snaps Dec-Jan May-JuneSaponaria, Campanula, Clary Sage Dec-Jan June-JulyColorado Yarrow Dec-Jan June-JulyLisianthus Feb-Mar June-AugLarkspurMay-JuneTulip, Dutch Iris, AlliumApril-MayBarley, Tritcale, Rye-Clover*April-MayCrocosmia, Monarda, Mtn MintJune-AugSilver King Artemesia, TansyJune-AugPysostegia, Red Hot PokerJune-AugPlanning isimportantregardless of yourchoice, and especiallycritical if youwant year-roundblooms.Phlox, Peonies, Lamb’s Ear, Salvia PerennialMay-JuneJanuaryTray SeedAgastache, Buddleia. Monarda lambado April May-JulyRudbeckia, Scabiosa, Annual Salvias, Helenium April June-AugSafflower March JuneStatice, Snaps April June-JulyLobelia May Aug-SeptJanuary Direct Seed Sweet Pea, Lupine April-MayFebruary Direct Seed Asiatic Lilies June-JulyMarchTray SeedPeppers, Eucalyptus May Sept-OctAgeratum, BasilJuly-OctCaryopteris, Globes, Sweet AnnieSunset FlowerDill, AstersSept-OctJuly-SeptJune-JulyApril Tray Seed Celosia, Cosmos, Marigolds, Zinnias May July-OctApril Direct Seed Gladiolus, Sunflowers June-JulyMayDirect SeedJuneDirect SeedGladiolus, SunflowersDahliasGladiolus, Sunflowers, Buckwheat*Sorghum Sudangrass*July-AugJuly-OctAug-SepAug-OctJuly Direct Seed Sunflowers Sep-Oct*Grown as cover crops for soil improvement. For each bed planted in flowers, an adjoining bed is planted in a cover crop.This is mowed with a brush hog to provide mulch.www.attra.ncat.orgATTRAPage 11

shallow-rooted ones, and cool-seasonwith warm-season crops.Marked improvement of their soils is indicatedby higher cation exchange capacity(CEC), more organic residues, more soilbiological life, easier to prepare and plantto-seedbeds, healthier crops, and higheryields. Their purchased inputs are stable orreduced, and net returns are higher. Managementinputs are higher, but the returns tomanagement are also higher. (Hitt, 2005)ATTRA publications with information aboutmanaging soil for improved tilth and fertilityinclude Overview of Cover Crops and GreenManures, Rye as a Cover Crop, SustainableSoil Management, and Manures for OrganicCrop Production.IrrigationSome flowers in some locations can begrown with the water they receive from rainfall.Examples are daffodils, butterfl y milkweed,and poke berries. In most situations,however, an irrigation system is needed toconsistently and reliably produce the highestquality fl owers. Drip and micro-sprinklersystems are best. Overhead sprinklersystems increase the chance of disease andcan reduce fl ower quality, but they maybe less expensive to install. Overheadsprinklers can also handle water fromstreams and ponds without a fine filteringsystem. Drip and micro-sprinklersystems deliver water more efficiently,resulting in lower water costs. The CooperativeExtension Service and supply companiescan provide help in designing a system.Accessing Irrigation Information on theInternet, www.microirrigationforum.com/new/onthenet/, will also lead you to manysources of information.Plant EstablishmentSome fl owers in some geographic areas canbe easily started by direct seeding. Othersare more safely started in fl ats to be transplantedlater. Still others are started withroot divisions or bulbs.If you are growing from seed, Pamelaand Frank Arnosky give experiencebasedadvice in a 2004 Growing forMarket article:• Start with good seed. If yousave seed from year to year, dosmall germination tests severalweeks before you plan to plant.Then you’ll have time to order newseed if you need it.• Find out about the specific germinationrequirements for each of yourseeds. Some need to be exposed tolight to germinate; others need completedarkness. Many have no lightor dark requirement and will germinatewhenever other environmentalfactors are right.• Provide correct germination temperature.Seeds respond to temperaturein order to germinate at the rightseason in their natural environment.Seeds of heat-loving annuals suchas sunfl owers will naturally remaindormant until conditions are rightfor active summer growth. Seeds ofcool season plants, such as larkspurand bachelor buttons, lie dormantthrough the summer and germinatewith cooler autumn temperatures.Some seeds take a long time to germinate.The Arnoskys have learned to take advantageof different germination requirementsand “prime” seed so that plants come upmore quickly in the field. (Arnosky, 2004)Larkspur likes dark, cool conditions. If weplant larkspur in late October, it will come upin about three weeks, longer if the soil is dry.This is a lot of time, so we started “priming”our seed in the refrigerator. What we do isthis: about two weeks before we plant, weput the dry seed in zip lock bags and thenadd a small amount of water. Infl ate the baga bit, seal it, and shake the seed until it iswell coated with water. Add a bit more waterif needed to moisten the seed completely,but drain off any extra water you might havein the bottom of the bag. Put the bag in thefridge, and check it the next day. The seedshould have absorbed all the water—it shouldfl ow freely and not stick together in clumps.If it does, open the bag and set it out to dryfor an hour or two. If your seed still looksreally dry when you check it, add a tiny bitmore water and check it again in a day. ThePage 12 ATTRA Specialty Cut Flower Production and Marketing

key here is that you want the seed to bemoist enough to respond to the cold treatment,but still be dry enough to fl ow throughthe seeder when it is time to plant.After two weeks, the seed will be ready togerminate. We sow our larkspur with a walkbehindEarthway planter, using the onionplate. If you want it thicker, use the cucumberplate. We plant four rows in a four-footwide bed. Using primed seed, we get germinationin about a week. This cuts down oncrop time, and more importantly, gives thelarkspur a jump on the weeds. This methodworks well for late plantings in the spring,when soil temperatures are warming up.Bottom heat is useful for seed that needsheat to germinate. See the ATTRA publicationRoot Zone Heating for GreenhouseCrops for ideas.The Homestead Flower Farm Cut FlowerSchedule indicates planting methods theBenders use for a number of species. Someof the fl owers that they transplant are alsoeasily direct seeded. For plants, such aslisianthus, that are diffi cult or especiallytime-consuming to start from seed, somegrowers will purchase plugs. Companiesthat sell seeds, bulbs, plugs, and barerootplants will provide you with informationabout the recommended method touse, depth of planting, spacing, and lightrequirements. Several of the books listedin the Further Resources section alsogive recommendations. You are still leftto decide whether you will plant in rowsor beds, by hand or machine. Many growersfavor the intense production of beds.This allows water and nutrients to be concentratedin the area where the plantswill grow, and not in the walkways. It alsoenables the use of support netting, whichis manufactured to fi t the normal width ofgarden beds.The degree of mechanization you use inplanting will depend to a great extent onthe size of your operation. You will mostlikely want to start small, and the samehand tools you would use for vegetablegardening will work for planting. If thesoil has been freshly tilled, a hand trowelwill work for making holes for transplantsor plugs. They should always be “wateredin” to settle the soilaround the roots. Ifyou are using supportnetting, you canlay it over the top ofthe bed before settingtransplants. Thesix-inch square gridof the netting can beused to space yourplants.If you are plantingbulbs, try digginga flat-bottomedtrench to the desiredplanting depth,rather than using abulb planter to makeindividual holes foreach tulip bulb orgladiolus corm.WeedManagementWeeds compete withfl owers for nutrients,water, and light, andcan harbor insectpests. A heavy stand of weeds in yourplanting can severely reduce cut fl owerquality. Weeding can be one of your mosttime consuming operations, especially ifyou choose not to use chemical herbicides.If you use support netting, mechanicalweeding is impossible once it is in place.Mulches can help suppress weeds and providemany other benefi ts as well, includingcleaner fl owers. Other benefi ts include soilmoisture conservation, soil temperaturemoderation, increased soil organic matter,and habitat for natural enemies of insectpests, depending on your choice of mulchingmaterial.And contrary to what many of us were toldfor years, high-carbon materials do notdeprive plants of nitrogen when they arelaid on the surface as mulch unless thesematerials are mixed into the soil. Nor dooak leaves or pine needles used as mulchmake the soil more acidic. (Reich, 2005)Photo by Janet BachmannFloral netting is stretched across the bed to keeplisianthus stems from falling over.www.attra.ncat.orgATTRAPage 13

The Benders of Homestead Flower Farm inNorth Carolina grow sorghum-sudangrassin alternating beds with cut fl owers. Whenthey brush hog the grass, they can move theclippings across the walkway to mulch theadjacent fl ower bed.For general and specifi c information aboutweed management, the ATTRA publicationsSustainable Weed Management, FlameWeeding for Vegetable Crops, and Cover Cropsand Green Manures are useful. Plastic fi lmand landscape fabric mulches are discussedin Season Extension Techniques for MarketGardeners.Straw or hay, used to suppress weeds, provides other benefits as well.Photo by Janet BachmannInsect Pests and DiseaseManagementThe best way to prevent insect and diseaseproblems is to select plants that grow wellin your location, and grow them well. Yournext step is to recognize problems causedby insects and diseases. Some can be tolerated;others will destroy the value of yourfl owers. Your local County Extension staffcan help identify both insect pests and diseasesand provide information about theirbiology and behavior. The more we knowabout their life cycles, the more likely wewill be able to manage them effectively withnon-toxic methods.Cultural control. Examples include croprotation, plant spacing, and adjusting thetiming of planting or harvest.Physical and mechanical control. Theuse of physical barriers such as fl oating rowcovers prevents insects from reaching thecrop. Row covers can help prevent earlyseason damage from fl ea beetles or cucumberbeetles. Other methods include handpicking, sticky boards or tapes, and varioustrapping techniques. Growers are reportingthat high tunnels are decreasing both diseaseand insect damage to their fl owers andother crops.Biological control. All insect pests havenatural enemies, often referred to asbenefi cials. They include:Predators. Mainly free-living species thatconsume a large number of prey duringtheir lifetime.• Lacewing immatures, known asantlions, are among the most predaciousof all benefi cial insects. Theyeat aphids, scales, thrips, mealybugs,mites, and insect eggs. FamiliesChrysopidae and Hemerobiidaeare highly benefi cial insects incrops and gardens.• Lady beetles and their larvae feedon aphids, scale insects, mealybugs,spider mites, and small egg massesof other insects.• Other beetles: ground beetles,rove beetles, soldier beetles, fl owerbeetles.• True bugs: stink bugs, minute piratebugs, big-eyed bugs, damsel bugs,assassin bugs.• Predatory fl ies: hover or syrphidfl ies, robber fl ies, aphid midges.• Predatory mites.• Spiders.• Praying mantids.Page 14 ATTRA Specialty Cut Flower Production and Marketing

Parasitoids: Species whose immaturestage develops on or within a single insecthost, ultimately killing the host.• Wasps: aphidiids, braconids, ichneumonids,trichogramma, andothers.• Flies: Tachinids.Disease-causing pathogens: Bacteria,fungi, viruses, nematodes, protozoa, andmicrosporidia.The use of these organisms to manage pestsis known as biological control. Knowingyour natural enemies is equally important toknowing your insect pests. Again, the morewe know about life cycle and habitat needs,the more likely we will be able to ensure theirexistence. Conservation of existing naturalenemies is probably the most importantbiological control practice readily availableto growers.Benefi cial insects need:• Nectar and pollen• Alternate prey• Water• Shelter from wind and rain• Overwintering sitesFlowering plants for habitat:• Carrot family• Daisy family• Mustard family• Mint family• Grasses• Clovers and vetches• Trees and shrubsRefer to the ATTRA publication Farmscapingto Enhance Biological Control for moreinformation.Chemical control. If you are an organicgrower, most chemical controls are notallowed.Microbials, botanicals, and oils, however,are possibilities. Most botanicalinsecticides, including neem, pyrethrins,ryania, and sabadilla, are permitted inwww.attra.ncat.orgorganic production. Those that are consideredhighly toxic (strychnine and nicotine)are excluded. Botanical insecticidesare relatively non-selective and can be“hard” on the natural predators and parasitesin the fi eld; therefore, minimal useis advised. Botanicals can also affectother non-target organisms. Rotenone, forexample, is highly toxic to fi sh. Microbialinsecticides include Bacillus thurengiensis,Beauveria bassiana, and Nosema locustae.Add Season-ExtendingHigh TunnelsMore and more cut fl ower growers are discoveringthe advantages of growing under theprotection of unheated high tunnels. Theseinclude earlier and later crops, better qualityand stem length, and production of cropsthat otherwise could not be grown because ofclimate constraints. (Byczynski, 2005)Vicki Stamback says her crops have changeddramatically over the past several yearsbecause of greenhouses. In Oklahoma, whereshe lives and grows specialty cut flowers, shefaces huge temperature swings and highwinds. Heated greenhouses and unheatedhoophouses protect her fl owers from Oklahomaweather. She has a 30 x 90-foot Agritexstructure that has withstood 90 mph winds.It has 6-foot wide sliding doors, which allowstractor entry. Inside the house are six raisedbeds, each 3 feet wide by 30 feet long, and8 inches deep, framed with 1x 8-inch cedar.Tenax support netting is stretched over thetop of bare beds, which are then planted.The Tenax is raised higher as the crops grow.After research, Vicki settled on 45°F as theappropriate winter temperature for raisinglupines, sweetpeas, ranunculus, and stock.(Stamback, 2003)In Nebraska, Laurie Hodges, PhD, Extensionspecialist and associate professor inhorticulture at the University of Nebraska,triple cropped grape hyacinths, sweet peas,and hyacinth beans in a high tunnel. Shechose these crops because they fit into a successionplanting schedule. Grape hyacinthswere planted October 31 and harvested fromMarch 21 through April 8. Sweet peas wereATTRAPage 15

Postharvestsuccess beginswith providing thebest growing conditionspossible andharvesting at optimumharvest stage.planted March 18 and harvested from May11 through June 17. Hyacinth beans wereplanted June 26 and harvested from August27 through October 28. The trellis for sweetpeas and hyacinth beans was in place beforeanything was planted. (Byczynski, 2005)For more information about high tunnels, seethe ATTRA publication Season Extension forMarket Gardeners.Harvest and PostharvestPostharvest success begins with providingthe best growing conditions possible andharvesting at optimum harvest stage. Theoptimum harvest stage varies with individualspecies and according to your market.The longest vase life for some fl owerswill be achieved if they are cut with colorbut not yet open. Others are best when cutfully open. Information on the optimumharvest stage for more than 100 typesof flowers is available in Specialty CutFlowers: A Commercial Growers Guide fromKansas State University Extension. SeeFurther Resources.After fl owers are cut, quality cannot beimproved, but take steps to maintain qualityand extend the vase life by providingfood, water, and cool temperatures.Water Flow in StemsWithout water, fl owers wilt. When stemsare cut, two things happen to restrictwater fl ow:• Air gets into the stems and blocksthe uptake of water.• Bacteria begin to grow in the vasewater and clog the stems.To reduce the amount of air that gets intothe stems, fl ower stems should be placedin water as you cut them. Later, recut thestems underwater, removing about oneinch, to remove air bubbles and bacteria.When cuts are made underwater, a fi lm ofwater prevents air from entering the stemsin the short time it takes to move them topostharvest solutions. Some suppliers offerspecially designed tools for this task. SeeFurther Resources. (Some recent liter-ature states that recutting underwater isunnecessary.)Bacteria, yeasts, and other microbes arepresent everywhere: in the soil, on plants,and other organic matter. Bacteria growquickly in any liquid containing sugarsand other organic matter. When stems arecut, they release sugars, amino acids, proteins,and other materials that are perfectfood for bacteria. They start to grow at thebase of cut stems as soon as fl owers areput into water.To prevent the growth of bacteria, commercialpreservatives contain anti-microbialcompounds, or biocides. Quaternaryammonium, hydroxyquinline salts, aluminumsulfate, and slow-release chlorinecompounds are commonly used in commercialproducts. You can make a simplebiocide by adding 1 teaspoon of householdbleach (5 percent hypochlorite) to 8 gallonsof water. This is very effective, butmust be replaced every two or three days.(Reid, 2002)Vase Life of FlowersA number of products have been developedto help prolong vase life. All contain antimicrobialsto suppress bacterial growth.Hydration products make it easier for waterto move up the stems. The solution shouldhave a pH of 3.0 to 3.5, as this improvesthe fl ow. Hydration usually is best if sugaris not in the hydrating solution.Holding solutions have sugar to feed thefl owers. Sugar provides the energy neededby some fl owers to continue opening.Pulsing can improve the quality and vaselife of many cut flowers using a solution containingsugar after harvest. The cut fl owersare allowed to stand in solution for a shortperiod, usually less than 24 hours, andoften at low temperature. The most dramaticexample of the effect of added carbohydrateis in spikes of tuberose and gladiolus: fl owersopen further up the spike, are bigger,and have a longer vase life after overnighttreatment with a solution containing 20Page 16 ATTRA Specialty Cut Flower Production and Marketing

percent sucrose and a biocide to inhibitbacterial growth. (Reid, 2002)Removing ethylene using specially formulatedproducts prolongs vase life.Ethylene is a naturally occurring gas thatpromotes ripening in fruits, but it causessensitive flowers to fail to open or lookwilted. Product suppliers listed underResources can help you choose productsthat will best suit your particular needs.CHOOSING THE RIGHT SOLUTIONGay Smith, a representative for Pokon &Chrysal who writes a regular column for theASCFG Cut Flower Quarterly, says choosingthe right solution for your needs has a lot todo with how you answer the following questions.• How fast do you move your flowersfrom the field to the customer?Use chlorine if you moveflowers fast (less than two days)and sell from the same buckets youharvest in. Use a hydration solutionif you keep your flowers morethan a day. Hydration solutions aremore stable and can be reused todefray costs. Recommendation:Blend your mixture for best results.Use chlorine for initial bacteria controlthe first day, then use an aluminumsulfate-based hydration solutionfor bacterial control the nextsix days.• Do your customers know whatsolution to use once your flowersleave your hands? If you sellto wholesalers or florists, tell themto give your flowers a fresh cut andprocess them in a low-sugar flowerfood. Floralife Professional, SyndicateSales Aqua-hold, and ChrysalProfessional #2 are examples oflow-sugar processing solutions.Remind wholesalers to have bucketsprepped for your drop-off soflowers don’t sit out dry too long. Ifyou sell directly to consumers, tellthem to use a flower food packet—it’s 1,000 times more efficient thanwater, sugar, and aspirin.• Do you work with clean buckets?If your buckets are dirty to startwith, the biocides in the solution(both long term and short term)are depleted very fast by trying tokeep bacteria in check. When youwash buckets, use a biodegradabledetergent and household bleach tomaximize your efforts. Wash bothinside and out to avoid cross-contaminationwhen stacking.• Do you store cuts in a cooler?Hydration solutions can be reusedfor up to five to seven days dependingon the number of stems thatpass through, if the flowers are heldin the cooler, and if you startedwith a clean bucket. Studies showthat removing field heat improvesvase longevity. Make sure there isgood air flow so condensation canevaporate within bunches and frominside sleeves. Keep your coolerfloor as dry as possible to avoidbotrytis breeding grounds.• Do you harvest flowers at hightemperatures (over 80°F)? Ifso, you need a hydration solutionthat really boosts flow into wiltingstems that are exuding a host ofbacteria-loving enzymes as part ofharvest stress. Since many summerflowers produce exudates, stayingon top of the bacteria issue is criticalto ensure flowers perform andhold in the vase. One idea is to tryblending solutions. Using the dilutionguidelines listed on the labels,try adding a slow-release type ofchlorine (not Clorox) plus an aluminumsulfate-based hydration solution.This blend provides doubleduty. Chlorine kills bacteria populationsthat explode immediatelyafter harvest. When the chlorine isfinished, after 24 to 36 hours, thealuminum-sulfate hydration formulationtakes over. The second solutioncontinues to control bacteriawhile lowering the pH and boostingflow up the stems. (Smith, 2004)www.attra.ncat.orgATTRAPage 17

By far the mostimportanttool available toincrease the life ofstored flowersis temperaturecontrol.These fl owers respond well to slow-releasechlorine (not household bleach) and/oran aluminum sulfate-based commercialhydration solution:Ageratum, Allium, Calendula, EchinopsEremurus, Eryngium, Eupatorium, Fritillary,Gerbera, Helipterum, Hydrangea,Hypericum, Lavender, Liatris, Lobelia,Lupine, Lysimachia, Malva, Marigold, Maticaria,Molucella, Monarda, Nandina, Nicotiana,Nigella, Oregano, Penstemon, Phlox,Photinia, Poppy, Ranunculus, Salvia, Saponaria,Trachelium, Verbascum, Xeranthemumand Zinnia. For best results, blendyour solution.These fl owers respond best to a quaternaryammonium-based hydration solution (ratherthan chlorine or aluminum sulfate-basedsolution):Aster (and all crops that look similar toasters), Bupleurum, Dahlia, Gentian,Limonium species and Sunfl ower (cut withcolor).Usually hydration happens best when thesolution has no sugar, but some fl owersrespond well in low-sugar solutions. Thesugar provides the energy needed for fl o-rets to continue opening. These solutionsacidify the water, keep it pollution free,and provide a minimum amount of sugar.Remember to measure when you mix, oryou will be wasting both time and money.Some flowers need a low-sugar pretreatment:Calla, Lisianthus, Lilac, Mimosa, Stock, Sunflower(very tightly cut), and Viburnum.Some flowers need high sugar in postharvestsolutions:Protea—prevents foliage blackening,Tuberose—place into slow-release chlorineor aluminum sulfate hydration solutionovernight, then transfer into high-sugarfl ower food to get blooms to open.Run your own postharvest treatment tests:You can test several solutions to see whichgive the best response for your water, harvesttemperatures, and varietal choices. Setup vases with different solutions in each.Label and date them. Place at least fi vestems of the same variety and of similarsize and bud count in each vase. Treat thefl owers in the same way you currently handlethem; that is, leave them in hydrationsolution the length of time that simulatesyour current rotation practices. After thattime passes, transfer the stems into thesame type of solution used by your customers.(Wholesalers and retailers usually uselow-sugar processing solutions; those buyingfor home use may use full-load fl owerfood solutions made with packets andwater, or just plain water.) Make sure to usethe same solution for all the vases in thissecond stage.By far the most important tool available toincrease the life of stored fl owers is temperaturecontrol. For most fl owers, 32°Fand 90 percent relative humidity is ideal.Many fl ower types deteriorate two to threetimes faster at 50°F than at 32°F. A battery-powereddigital hygrothermometer isa handy tool for measuring both temperatureand humidity. It also records minimumand maximum temperatures. SeeFurther Resources.The following practices hold true for mostcut fl owers.• Use sharp and clean cutting tools.Disinfect cutting tools at least twiceper day.• Remove excess foliage: foliageexposed to the air increases waterloss; submerged foliage increasesmicrobial growth and cloggedstems.• Cut into clean buckets that havebeen washed inside—and out if theywill be stacked—with detergent andtwo to four tablespoons of householdbleach per gallon of water. (To savelabor, consider installing a bucketwasher. See Further Resources.)• Place stems in water as you cut toreduce the amount of air that getsinto the stems. Recut stems underwater,removing about one inch,Page 18 ATTRA Specialty Cut Flower Production and Marketing

to remove air bubbles and bacteria.Some suppliers offer speciallydesigned tools for this task.See Further Resources. (Somerecent literature states that recuttingunderwater is unnecessary.)• Harvest during the coolest part ofthe day, early morning or late evening,and keep buckets of fl owersout of the sun.• Use warm, 100 to 110°F water inthe buckets. It is taken up morequickly than cool water.• Let fl owers stand at room temperaturein a hydrating solution for oneto two hours.• Store in a cooler. Low temperaturesprolong quality and vase life. Thebest temperature for keeping mostcut fl owers is 32 to 38°F with 80to 90 percent humidity. (Tropicalcuts are injured at such low temperaturesand should be kept at55°F or room temperature. Zinniasalso need to be kept at highertemperatures; 40 to 45°F is recommended.)Packing Shed and Cold StorageA packing shed is an essential part of anyfl ower farm. A well-designed packing shedwill save time and help you maintain highquality. Depending on the size of the farm,it may be as rudimentary as a laundry tubor table under a canopy, or as sophisticatedas a separate building with automatedequipment and a loading dock. Growing forMarket publisher Lynn Byczynski surveyedother growers to learn what they liked ordidn’t like about their packing sheds. Featuresgrowers consider important in creatingthe ideal packing shed are listed in herarticle Plan the perfect packing shed. (Byczynski,2002)• Location. The packing shed shouldbe close to the fi elds so harvestedproduce can be moved quickly tothe postharvest area. It should alsobe accessible by whatever vehicle isgoing to transport the produce offthe farm.• Space. How much space you needdepends on what you grow andwhat other storage buildings areavailable to you. At a minimum,you need sinks for washing bucketsand vases, tables for sortingand arranging, and a cooler. Youwill want a place to store buckets,vases, and other supplies. Work stationsshould be close enough thatsteps aren’t wasted going back andforth, but they should allow plentyof room for two or more people towork together.• Light. Good lighting is importantbecause it allows you to spot defectsin your flowers. From a mentalhealth perspective, try to get asmuch daylight as possible into yourpacking shed.• Surfaces. The best fl ooring is concretebecause it allows you to usewheeled carts, hand trucks, or evena pallet jack to move boxes or buckets.Concrete should be poured sothat it slopes toward a 6-inch drainfor easy washing of the fl oor. Wallscan be washable, too, if paintedwith epoxy paint.• Cleanliness. Sanitation is especiallyimportant in produce packingsheds, to prevent food-borne illness.In fl ower packing sheds, youcan protect packaging from miceand other pests by keeping suppliesin sealed storage containers.• Water. Plan for drainage that willhandle a large amount of water.The water you use in the packingshed will be too much for your septicsystem. Consider running it offto a garden area where it can beused to water plants.• Ergonomics. Workstation heightsshould suit the workers. Accordingto the Healthy Farmers, HealthyProfi ts Project at the University ofWisconsin, the most effi cient workwww.attra.ncat.orgATTRAPage 19

table height is halfway betweenthe wrist and the elbow, measuredwhen the arm is held down at theworker’s side. For heavier items, itis slightly lower. A loading dockthat matches the height of the truckwill minimize back strain whenloading.• Work flow. The most efficientlayout avoids extra steps andcrossed paths. It also moves producein the direction of the worker’sleading hand (left to right for righthandedpeople).The University of Wisconsin Healthy Farmers,Healthy Profi ts Project developed aseries of tip sheets on labor effi ciency forfresh-market vegetable growers. One ofthese covers packing shed layout. It posesa number of questions to help growers createtheir own designs. The same questionsare appropriate for cut fl ower growers. SeeAppendix I.Another bulletin that can help you designa packing shed is Commercial SpecialtyCut Flower Production Harvest Systems,from Kansas State University ExtensionService. It illustrates the fl ow of tasks fromharvest to market and special equipmentsuch as bucket washers and bucket dryingracks that can save time and effort.See Further Resources.Pricing and Record KeepingTexas growers Pamela and Frank Arnoskysay there are a couple of ways to approachsetting your prices. The fi rst is based on yourcost of production, and the profit margin youneed to make over that, and the second isbased on the price the market will bear orwhat the established selling price of an itemis. In reality, what you end up with is a combinationof the two. Regardless of the marketprice, you must know your cost of production.(Arnosky, 1999)Arnoskys divide costs into two categories:allocated and unallocated.• Allocated, or variable, costs arethose attributable to one particu-lar crop and are easy to list. Theyinclude things such as seeds, bulbs,plants, fertilizer, fl ats, soil mix, andpackaging that are needed for aspecific crop.• Unallocated, or fi xed, costs are allthe other costs, such as utilities,insurance, taxes, machinery, toolsand machinery, transportation, officeexpense, and labor, if it isn’t in theother category.Maryland grower Dave Dowling also advisesgrowers to set a sale price that covers the costof production and marketing and providesa profi t. He says some fl owers, such as liliesand peonies, can command a higher pricebecause of perceived value, while some, suchas marigolds and ageratum, are sold at asmaller margin. Price your fl owers fairly inregard to what other producers are charging.Don’t under-price the competition. You’ll justbe hurting everyone. (Dowling, 2002)The only way to know your cost of production,including labor, is to keep records. VickiStamback of Bear Creek Farms in Oklahomais a dedicated record keeper. Her systemfor setting prices is outlined in PricingSpecialty Cuts, ASCFG Bulletin No. 2. (Doleand Stamback, 1998) It relies on knowing,among other things, the number of useablestems per plant. If you do not yet have thisdata from your own garden, the Associationof Specialty Cut Flower Growers (ASCFG) hasreports that you can use to estimate yieldsfrom various flowers.The ASCFG sponsors a new cut flower varietytrial each year that provides informationon approximate yield (useable stems/plant) for a large number of specialty cuts.This includes annuals, perennials, andwoody plants. The information is reportedin the winter issue of The Cut Flower Quarterly.(See Resources.) The data collectionsheet used by volunteers around the countryis straightforward and might be used oradapted as part of your own record keepingsystem.What will the market bear? The USDA MarketNews Service posts wholesale flowerprices at various terminals around the coun-Page 20 ATTRA Specialty Cut Flower Production and Marketing

try at the Web site http://marketnews.usda.gov/portal/fv. Go to Browse by Commodity,Ornamental Crops. Remember, these arewholesale prices. If you sell to a fl orist, youhave to decide whether this price will workfor you, or whether you are willing to sellfor slightly less to entice them to buy fromyou, or whether you can sell for slightly morebecause your product is fresher. If you sellat a farmers’ market, your price should definitelybe higher than wholesale. Check pricesat grocery stores and retail florists. Find outwhat other growers at your market are charging.(DeVault, 2004)And then remember, regardless of themarket price, you must know your cost ofproduction and cover it in the long term, otherwiseyou won’t be able to stay in business.Business PlanningEvery business should have a plan—and theplan should be written. The ATTRA publicationAgricultural Business Planning Templatesand Resources discusses a number oforganizations and publications that you canuse to create a business plan, whether youare starting a new business or improving anexisting one.Planning needs to be a team effort. Allthose involved in the major operations ofthe business should be considered partof the team and be involved in helping setthe plan. The plan must be written. Andthe fi rst step is to have a mission statement.A mission statement describes the business:What do we do? It also sets outthe purpose and values that underliethe business.Planning with SWOTAfter a mission statement is agreed upon,planning can begin. SWOT is a planningtool that provides a way to look at Strengths,Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.First, write down the Strengths of the business.These could be things such as an establishedmarket, cut flower production experience,or exceptional communication skills.Next, write down Weaknesses. These maybe things such as lack of mechanical skills,limited time and energy, or limited coolerspace.Opportunities should be written down aswell. These may be new chances for success.They might be access to informationabout new crops or products, friends whoare interested in growing or marketing, orincreased customer interest in locally grownproducts.Finally, examine Threats and, of course,write them down. These may be thingslike a new insect pest, too many othervendors raising the same crop, or urbanencroachment.Once you have the SWOT analysis, youneed to plan for dealing with the itemslisted. Each of these plans needs to be discussedso that you get ideas from everyoneinvolved. When all players have helped tocreate a written plan, you can do a betterjob. By hearing from everyone on the team,you get a lot of good ideas. You will all havea better idea of where the operation is going.You will all feel better about your individualresponsibilities for the operation’s success.To aid in this discussion, you mightask these questions:What do we have that we want to keep?What do we have that we don’t wantto keep?What do we lack that we want?What do we lack that we don’t want?When you have answers to these questions,you have a foundation for setting goalsand objectives of a work plan. Be realistic:don’t set yourself up with tasks that youcan’t possibly accomplish in the time you’veallowed.SummaryGrowing and marketing specialty cutfl owers can be a profi table and rewardingbusiness. Learn all you can before starting,start small, and continue to learn andgrow. This publication has only touched onwhat you need to know to get started. Thematerials and organizations listed underReferences and Further Resources providemuch more information.“People should doas much research aspossible before puttingone plant in theground. If I had anickel for every timesomeone called mewith a ‘I have anacre of _______that need to be cut:how do I cut themand where should Isell them and(inevitably) howmuch should Icharge for them?’message, I’d be amillionaire. A leasta thousandaire.”—Judy Laushman,September 15, 2005.www.attra.ncat.orgATTRAPage 21

ReferencesArnosky, Pamela, and Frank Aronsky. 2004. Tricks ofthe trade for starting fl ower seed. Growing for Market.March. p. 19–21.Arnosky, Pamela, and Frank Arnosky. 1999. Knowyour costs before you set your prices. Growing forMarket. January. p. 15–17.Byczynski, Lynn. 2005. In the hoophouse, cut fl owerscan be triple cropped for maximum revenue. Growingfor Market. April. p. 16–17.Byczynski, Lynn. 2002. Plan the perfect packingshed. Growing for Market. December. p. 1, 4–6.Byczynski, Lynn. 1997. The Flower Farmer: AnOrganic Grower’s Guide to Raising and Selling CutFlowers. Chelsea Green Publishing Company, WhiteRiver Junction, VT. 224 p.Carter, Jeffrey. 2004. Internet fl ower sales giveOntario farm lease on life. Fruit Growers News. May.p. 21—22.Chapman, Linda. 2002. Wedding fl owers: Profi tableheadaches. Growing for Market. January. p. 17–21.DeVault, Melanie. 2004. A fl owering of questions:Pricing fl owers. The New Farm. June.www.newfarm.org/coumns/cut_flowers/2004/0604/questions.shtmlDole, John, and Lane Greer. 2004. Status of the specialtycut fl ower industry and new crop development.OFA Bulletin. July–August. p. 11, 17–21.Dole, John, and Vicki Stambeck. 1998. Pricing SpecialtyCuts. ASCFG Bulletin No. 2. 7 p.Dowling, Dave. 2002. Back to basics: Making moneygrowing cut fl owers. The Cut Flower Quarterly. April.p. 8–9.Hitt, Alex. 2005. Back to basics: Improving soil qualitynaturally. The Cut Flower Quarterly. Winter. p.43–44.Kantor, Sylvia. 1999. Marketing Specialty Cut Flowers.Washington State University King County. FactSheet # 520.htp//:www.metrokc.gov/dchs/csd/wsu-ce/agriculture/PDFs/flower.pdfKennicott, Harrison. 2002. Presentation. Associationof Specialty Cut Flower Growers conference and tradeshow. Madison, Wisconsin.Larsen, Carol. 2004. Personal communication.Reich, Lee. 2005. Debunking soil myths to save youwork. Fine Gardening. July–August. p. 82–83.Reid, Michael S. 2002. Postharvest Handling Systems:Ornamental Crops. In: Postharvest Technologyof Horticultural Crops, Third Edition. University ofCalifornia Publication 3311. p. 315–325.Smith, Gay. 2004. Postharvest update. The Cut FlowerQuarterly. Summer. p. 13–14.Stamback, Vicki. 2003. Personal communication.Further ResourcesATTRA PublicationsAgricultural Business Planning Templates andResourcesCommunity Supported Agriculture (CSA)Direct MarketingEntertainment Farming and Agri-TourismFarmers’ MarketsFarmscaping to Enhance Biological ControlFlame Weeding for Vegetable CropsMarket Gardening: A Start-Up GuideOverview of Cover Crops and Green ManuresPrinciples of Sustainable Weed ManagementRoot Zone Heating for Greenhouse CropsSeason Extension Techniques for Market GardenersWoody Ornamentals for Cut Flower GrowersOrganizationsAssociation of Specialty Cut Flower GrowersMPO Box 268Oberlin, OH 44074440-774-2887ascfg@oberlin.netwww.ascfg.orgThe Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers (ASCFG)was formed in 1988 to unite and inform growers in the productionand marketing of field and specialty floral crops.The organization hosts an annual national conference andPage 22 ATTRA Specialty Cut Flower Production and Marketing

trade show, regional meetings, tours, and seminars. TheASCFG Membership Directory and Buyers Guide lists allmembers and provides thumbnail descriptions of growers,buyers, and suppliers. The ASCFG also publishes a quarterlymagazine and maintains an active Web site and forum.Society of American Florists1601 Duke StreetAlexandria, VA 22314703-836-8700800-336-4743www.safnow.orgWholesale Florists and Florist Supplier Association147 Old Solomons Island Road, Suite 302Annapolis, MD 21401410-573-0400888-289-3372info@wffsa.orgwww.wffsa.org/American Institute of Floral Designers720 Light StreetBaltimore, MD 21230410-752-3318410-752-8295 FAXAIFC@assnhqtrs.comThe American Institute of Floral Designers was establishedin 1965 to recognize and promote the art of floral design asa professional career. Today, it is the leading nonprofit organizationcommitted to establishing and maintaining higherstandards in professional floral design.American Floral EndowmentP.O. Box 945Edwardsville, IL 62025618-692-0045afe@endowment.orgwww.endowment.orgAFE is a not-for-profit organization that funds floricultureresearch and education programs in the U.S.Publications (cut flowerproduction and marketing)Armitage, Allan, and Judy Laushman. 2003. SpecialtyCut Flowers, 2nd Edition. Timber Press, Portland,OR. 636 p.This greatly revised and expanded edition of Specialty CutFlowers offers a unique perspective on cut flower production.Introductory chapters offer a discussion of domestic andforeign production, a brief overview of trends, and generalcomments and techniques for the postharvest care of flowers,including drying and preserving. The main body of the bookgives extensive coverage of annual, perennial, bulbous, andwoody species for commercial cut flower production, includingpropagation and growing-on methods, environmentalfactors, yield in the field, greenhouse forcing, stage of harvest,postharvest handling, and pests and diseases. Availablefor $40 ($35 for members) plus s/h from ASCFG.Armitage, Allan. 1997. Herbaceous Perennial Plants,2nd edition. Varsity Press,Athens, GA. 141 p.Excellent book for general knowledge of perennials.Available for $69.95 from Ball Publishing.Ball PublishingP.O. Box 9Batavia, IL 60510888-888-0013www.growertalks.comArmitage, Allan. 2000. Amitage’s Garden Perennials.Timber Press, Portland, OR. 324 p.Dr. Armitage includes 1,400 photographs and extensiveinformation on perennial plants in 136 genera. More thana dozen lists conclude the book, organizing plants by particularsituations or use, such as plants for wet places, fordrought tolerance, and for fragrance or color. $49.95 pluss/h from Ball Publishing.Armitage, Allan. 2001. Armitage’s Manual of Annuals,Biennials and Half-hardy Perennials, TimberPress. Portland, OR. 539 p.This practical reference is similar in format to Armitage’sbook on perennial plants. It lists 245 genera from Abelmoschusto Zinnia. Basic descriptive and cultural informationis given for each genus, along with lists of key speciesand cultivars and their descriptions.Arnosky, Frank, and Pamela Arnosky. 1999. We’reGonna Be Rich! GFM Books, Lawrence, KS. 168 p.Four years’ worth of monthly columns from Growing forMarket. This book focuses on the Arnoskys’ vast experiencein raising cut flowers. Available for $24.95 from:GFM BooksP.O. Box 3747Lawrence, KS 66046800-307-8949www.growingformarket.comBahr, Fritz. 1922. Commercial Floriculture: A PracticalManual for the Retail Grower. A.T. de la MareCompany, New York. 646 p.www.attra.ncat.orgATTRAPage 23

First printed in 1922, this book was reprinted every fewyears until 1941. It presents a vast accumulation of knowledgegained by Fritz Bahr, an Illinois florist, who shares hisexperiences on many topics, ranging from marketing andother aspects of business to cultural information for hundredsof species. Other topics of interest include pointers forthe beginner, things to be done month-by-month, greenhousegrowing, sideline possibilities for retail growers, and importantflower days of the year. The book is out of print, but itcan be obtained through a good used bookseller.Barash, Cathy Wilkinson. 1995. Edible Flowers: FromGarden to Palate. Fulcrum Publishing, Golden, CO.250 p.This colorfully illustrated combination cookbook and gardeningguide showcasing 280 recipes using flowers fromherbs, vegetables, and ornamentals provides inspiration forbranching beyond flowers displayed in vases to displays onplates.Beytes, Chris (ed.). 2003. Ball Red Book Set. 17th edition.Ball Publishing, Batavia, IL. 260 p.For more than 70 years, the Ball Red Book has been helpinggrowers produce better crops. The new 17th edition hasbeen split into two volumes. Volume 1, Greenhouses andEquipment, covers greenhouse structures, glazing, benches,curtains, irrigation, climate control, mechanization, transport,pest control equipment, the headhouse, business management,and the retail greenhouse. Volume 2, Crop Production,is a complete guide to growing a range of crops,including annuals, perennials, herbs, tropicals, pottedplants, and vegetable plugs. The set is available for $118from Ball Publishing.Busco, Janice, Nancy R. Morin, and Gene Balzer.2003. Native Plants for High-Elevation Western Gardens.Fulcrum Publishing, Golden, CO. 356 p.For gardeners in the American West at altitudes of 4,000 to12,000 feet above sea level and higher. Offers basic information,advice for growing and nurturing, and full-colorphotographs of 150 plants selected especially for their lowmaintenancerequirements and popularity.Byczynski, Lynn. 1997. The Flower Farmer: AnOrganic Grower’s Guide to Raising and Selling CutFlowers. Chelsea Green Publishing Company, WhiteRiver Junction, VT. 224 p.If you’re just beginning with flowers, this is the first book youshould read. It’s a comprehensive guide to starting a smallcommercial flower business. It includes variety recommendations,site considerations, harvesting, post-harvest handling,pricing and yield, marketing, and arranging flowers.The appendix covers 100 species. Available for $24.95 pluss/h from GFM.Byczynski, Lynn. 2003. The Hoophouse Handbook.Fairplain Publications, Inc., Lawrence KS. 58 p.The booklet contains articles about both vegetable and cutflower production, with information from both official universityresearch and anecdotal on-farm trials. It providespractical details on where to buy structures, how to determinewhich structure is best for you, and tips for erecting it.Available for $15 plus s/h from GFM.Darke, Rick. 1999. The Color Encyclopedia of OrnamentalGrasses, Sedges, Rushes, Restios, Cat-tails,and Selected Bamboos. Timber Press, Portland, OR.325 p.Extensively illustrated with color photographs, this referenceon ornamental grasses focuses on their use in landscapes,but can also be useful to those who want to growgrasses as cut fl owers. Available from Ball Publishing for$49.95 plus s/h.Davies, Dilys. 1992. Alliums: The OrnamentalOnions. Timber Press, Portland, OR. 168 p.Alliums come in a wide range of colors; many are gainingrecognition as garden and cut flowers. This is a practicalreference to more than 150 species.Dole, John, and Harold Wilkins. 2005. Floriculture:Principles and Species, Second Edition. Prentice Hall,Upper Saddle River, NJ. 1023 p.This book is an excellent resource for greenhouse growers.It is divided into three parts: the first deals with the basicsof production, including propagation, temperature, light,water, nutrition, media, plant growth regulation, pest management,postharvest, greenhouse construction and operations,and marketing and business management. The secondand third parts, which occupy two-thirds of the book,deal with specific crop species of floricultural crops (pottedplants, cut flowers, bedding plants, etc.). Available for $105($95 for members) from ASCFG.De Hertogh, August. 1995. Holland Bulb Forcer’sGuide, 5th edition. International Flower Bulb Centre,Hillegram, The Netherlands. 587 p.This guide includes production schedules, troubleshooting,and cultivar lists for major and minor bulb crops and othercrops grown from tuberous roots. Recommendations for forcingfield cut flowers are also included. $64.95 plus s/hfrom Ball Publishing.Gill, Stanton (ed.). Cut Flower ManagementShort Course. University of Maryland CooperativeExtension.Every two years, the University of Maryland CooperativeExtension Service offers a multi-day workshop on cut flowers.The course is held in even-numbered years, usuallyin early March. Growers and Extension specialists presentvaluable information at each course, detailing topicsimportant to cut flower growers, such as pest management,irrigation, marketing, soil management, and production ofspecific crops. Information from each course is availablePage 24 ATTRA Specialty Cut Flower Production and Marketing

in a spiral-bound notebook. Copies of the most current programmanual are available while supplies last for around$25 each. For a copy of the book or information on the cutflower program, contact University of Maryland CooperativeExtension, 11975 Homewood Road, Ellicott City, MD21042, 301-596-9413, or www.agnr.umd.edu/ipmnet.Hassell, Wendell G. 1999. Guide to Grasses. First edition.Pawnee Buttes Seed, Greeley, CO. 107 p.Line drawings and information on origin, description, habitat,culture, use, and varieties for grasses, forbs, shrubs,legumes, wetland and riparian species for the central GreatPlains and the Rocky Mountain region.Johnson, Eric A., and Scott Millard. 1993. The Low-Water Flower Gardener. (The Natural Garden Series)Plants for the Arid West. Ironwood Press, Tucson, AZ.144 p.Selection and cultural information for flower gardeners,including unthirsty flowering perennials, grasses, andshrubs. Regionalized for Arizona, California, Colorado,Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah.Knopf, Jim. 1991. The Xeriscape Flower Gardener:A Waterwise Guide for the Rocky Mountain Region.Johnson Publishing, Boulder, CO. 182 p.Waterwise plant lists and profiles. An excellent reference fora sustainable intermountain West, and the gardeners, landscapers,and commercial flower growers who live in easternWashington and Oregon, northern Nevada, Utah, northernNew Mexico and Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana,Wyoming, and western parts of North and South Dakota,Nebraska and Kansas.Lamont, William J. Jr. (ed.). 2004. Production of Vegetables,Strawberries, and Cut Flowers Using Plasticulture.NRAES-133. 156 pCovers plastic mulch, drip irrigation, fertigation, seasonextension, windbreaks, crop establishment, weed management,soil sanitation, and managing used plastics. Strawberryand cut flower production systems are described indepth. For new/experienced growers, educators, serious gardeners.Available for $24.00 per copy (plus shipping andhandling) from NRAES, Cooperative Extension, P.O. Box4557, Ithaca, NY 14852-4557. Shipping and handling forone copy is $6.00 within the continental United States. Formore information or a free book catalog, contact NRAES byphone at 607-255-7654, or by e-mail at nraes@cornell.edu.Web site: www.nraes.edu.Madison, Mike. 1998. Growing Flowers for Market: APractical Manual for Small-Scale Field Production andMarketing of Fresh Flowers. Yolo Press, Davis, CA.270 p.www.attra.ncat.orgThe author provides practical information for growing flowersin the open field on one to two acres for local markets.Planning, tools, soil management, pest management, harvest,and postharvest are covered. Cultural informationfor the best-selling flowers based on the author’s experiencein the Sacramento Valley of California includes yieldsin terms of stems per hundred feet of row. Available fromwww.addall.com/ for $19.95 plus s/h.McIntire, Suzanne. 2002. An American Cutting Garden:A Primer for Growing Cut Flowers Where SummersAre Hot and Winters Are Cold. University Pressof Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. 284 p.The author provides practical information on herbaceousperennials, biennials, annuals, and bulbs for an easy garden,a small garden, a shady garden, and a fall garden.She includes interesting notes on growing, cutting, andexpected vase-life of two hundred choice plants.McGary, Jane (ed.). 2001. Bulbs of North America.North American Rock Garden Society and TimberPress, Portland, OR. 251 p.First book devoted entirely to bulbous plants that are monocotsnative to this continent, and the first detailed presentationof these plants primarily by American authors.Nau, Jim. 1999. Ball Culture Guide: The Encyclopediaof Seed Germination. 3rd edition. Ball Publishing,Batavia, IL. 248 p.Provides in-depth germination and scheduling informationfor more than 300 of the most popular seed-grown crops.Covers bedding plants, potted flowering and foliage plants,herbs, cut flowers, perennials, and ornamental grasses.Written in an easy-to-read chart style. The soft-cover versionis available for $49.95 from Ball.Nau, Jim. 1996. Ball Perennial Manual: Propagationand Production. Ball Publishing, Batavia, IL. 512 p.The book begins with information on propagation by division;stem, leaf, and root cuttings; and seed germination. Itcontinues with cultural information, uses, bloom time, andvarieties for 149 genera and 300 species of herbaceous perennials.Many, but not all, of these are excellent cut flowers.Available from Ball Publishing for $64.95 plus s/h.Ogden, Shepherd. 1995. Step by Step Organic FlowerGardening. HarperCollins, New York, NY. 302 p.The strengths of this book include well-written informationon organic production in general and the extensive crop-bycroplisting of cut flowers and how to raise them. Availablefor $25 from:The Cook’s GardenP.O. Box 535Londonderry, VT 05148800-457-9703Proctor, Rob. 1997. Naturalizing Bulbs. Henry Holt,New York, NY. 241 p.ATTRAPage 25

An informative garden book on growing bulbs naturally,with practical suggestions and dazzling photography thatcan deepen any reader’s understanding and appreciation ofbulbs, both monocots and dicots.Springer, Lauren. 2000. The Undaunted Garden:Planting for Weather-Resilient Beauty. Fulcrum Publishing,Golden, CO. 264 p.A wealth of references to unusual plant varieties not foundin other gardening books, with tips for western gardenersgrowing plants in dry shade or where hail conditions prevail.Stevens, Alan. 1998. Field Grown Cut Flowers: APractical Guide and Sourcebook. Commercial FieldGrown, Fresh and Dried Flower Production. Avatar’sWorld, Edgerton, WI. 392 p.Both beginning and advanced growers will find this volumean indispensable guide to producing fresh and driedcut flowers outdoors. It also includes details on productionsystems and the labor requirements needed to get the jobdone. Information on how to grow eight of the most popularoutdoor-produced cut flowers is also featured. Available for$24.95 plus s/h from Ball Publishing.Stewart, Martha. 1987. Weddings. Clarkson Potter,New York, NY. 386 p.Sturdivant, Lee. 1992. Flowers for Sale. San JuanNaturals, Friday Harbor, WA. 197 p.Written for the novice, small-scale grower, with fairly generalcontent. However, the author has included comprehensivelists of potential cut flower plants. She gives readers anidea of many marketing options through interviews withseveral types of growers.Available for $17.50 postage paid from:San Juan NaturalsP.O. Box 642AFriday Harbor, WA 98250360-378-2648800-770-9070www.bootstraps.comTannehill, Cecilia, and James E. Klett. 2002. BestPerennials for the Rocky Mountains and High Plains.Colorado State University. 128 p.A comprehensive guide to the best-performing perennialsbased on results from Colorado State University’s W.D. HolleyPlant Environmental Research Center (PERC).Whipker, Brian E., and John M. Dole. 2003. SoutheastOutdoor Cut Flower Manual, 2nd Edition. NorthCarolina State University. 58 p.A comprehensive manual that includes production basics, alist of potential flowers for the Southeast, woody cut stems,flower drying, postharvest handling, pest management,marketing, pricing, and sources for additional information.North Carolina Commercial Flower Growers’Association3906 Wake Forest Road, Suite 102Raleigh, NC 27609919-334-0093www.nccfga.orgPublications (dried flowers)Koch, Mark. No date. Preserving Flowers and Foliagewith Glycols & Dyes: A Manual for the CommercialProducer. 200+ pages.A comprehensive manual for systemic and immersionmethods of preserving plants and foliages using glycols,dyes, bacteriostats, and surfactants, this is intended forthe experienced commercial producer of glycol-preservedplant materials. Available in a three-ring binder for $85($77 for members) from the ASCFG.Rogers, Barbara R. 1988. The Encyclopedia of Everlastings:The Complete Guide to Growing, Preserving,and Arranging Dried Flowers. Weidenfeld &Nicolson, New York, NY. 191 p.Very inclusive catalog of fl owers that can be dried. Thebook also provides information on how best to arrange ordisplay each dried crop. Although out-of-print, the bookmay be obtained through inter-library loan.Thorpe, Patricia. 1986. Everlastings: The CompleteBook of Dried Flowers. Houghton Miffl in, Boston,MA. 144 p.This paperback book contains good information on the differentmethods of drying (air, sand, glycerine, etc.). It alsoprovides instructions on when to harvest specifi c fl owersfor drying and which drying method is best for that crop.Available for $12.95 from:Houghton Miffl in181 Ballardvale St.Wilmington, MA 01857800-225-3362www.hmco.com/trade/Publications (postharvesthandling)Anon. 2001. Introducing the Procona System. TheCut Flower Quarterly. July. p. 24.Anon. 2001. Pagter Innovations, Inc. The CutFlower Quarterly. July. p. 25Page 26 ATTRA Specialty Cut Flower Production and Marketing

Arnosky, Pamela, and Frank Arnosky. 2005. Yourmost crucial task: Post-harvest handling. Growingfor Market. March. p. 17–21.Blessington, Thomas M. No date. Post HarvestHandling of Cut Flowers. University of MarylandCooperative Extension. 5 p.www.agnr.umd.edu/users/ipmnet/cutpost.htmByczynski, Lynn. 2005. Floral preservatives vs.water: Research shows which is best. Growing forMarket. August. p. 13–15.Daly, Jim. 2003. Improving specialty cutvaselife. Greenhouse Management & Production.May. p. 60–61.Fanelli, Frankie, Beth Harden, John Dole, BillFonteno, and Sylvia Blankenship. 2004. 2003Postharvest trials: What works and what doesn’t.The Cut Flower Quarterly. Winter. p. 30–32.Fang Yi, Ming, and Michael Reid. 2001. Storingspecialty cut fl owers—temperature is the key. TheCut Flower Quarterly. p. 32.Ferrante, Antonio, Don Hunter, and Michael Reid.2001. For longer postharvest life, choose the bestvarieties. The Cut Flower Quarterly. July. p. 31.Gast, Karen L. B., Rolando Flores, Alan Stevens,and Sheri Smithy. 1994. Cold Storage for SpecialtyCut Flowers and Plant Material. Kansas State University.12 p.Harten, Chrissie. 2003. Conditioning.The Gardener. 5 p.www.thegardener.btinternet.com.uk/conditioning.htmlHoogasian, Cindy. 2005. Back to basics. FloralManagement. May. p. 35–40.www.safnow.org/publications/fl oral_manage/ITGdocuments/FF_688.pdfOliver, Libbey. 2000. Flowers are (Almost) Forever:The Care and Handling of Cut Flowers. BrandylanePublishers, Inc., White Stone, VA. 112 p.Flower expert Libbey Oliver gives excellent general adviceon cleaning buckets, cutting, using fl oral preservatives,and cooling and holding fl owers. She also shares manyfl orist design tips, provides an extensive reference chartfor garden and fl orist fl owers, and lists useful sources forproducts and information. $17.50 postpaid from:Brandylane Publishers, Inc.1711 East Main St., Suite 9White Stone, VA 23223800-553-6922www.brandylanepublishers.comMcGregor, Brian. 1999. Cut Flowers and FloristGreens. Tropical Products Transport Handbook.USDA. 8 p.www.ams.usda.gov/tmd/Tropical/cutflowers.htmNell, Terril A., and Michael S. Reid. 2002. Back tobasics: Checklists for proper handling of cut flowers.The Cut Flower Quarterly. Summer. p. 8–9.Nell, Terril, and Michael Reid. 2000. Flower & PlantCare: The 21st Century Approach. Society of AmericanFlorists. 212 p.www.safnow.orgNewman, Julie, Mike McKiernan, Michael Reid, andJim Thompson. 2001. Precooling cut flowers in “Proconas”and hampers. The Cut Flower Quarterly. July.p. 29.Nowak, Joanna and Ryszard M. Rudnicki. 1990. PostharvestHandling and Storage of Cut Flowers, FloristGreens, and Potted Plants. Timber Press, Portland,OR. 210 p.Discusses various postharvest handling techniques for cutflowers, including information on how growing conditionsaffect cut flowers and how to store and transport them.Although out-of-print, the book may be obtained throughinter-library loan.Reid, Michael S., and Linda L. Dodge. 1997. Flowerhandlers: Sanitation is crucial. Perishables HandlingQuarterly. November. p. 6–7.Reid, Michael S. 1997. Considerations for effectivehandling of ornamentals. Perishables Handling Quarterly.November. p. 2–4.Reid, Michael S., Steve Tjosvold, and Jim Thompson.2000. Transport temperatures for Californian cut flowers—We’remaking progress! Perishables HandlingQuarterly. February. p. 17–19.Smith, Gay. 2004. Postharvest update. The Cut FlowerQuarterly. Summer. p. 13–14.Smith, Gay. 2003. Postharvest. The Cut Flower Quarterly.Spring. p. 15, 19.www.attra.ncat.orgATTRAPage 27

Smith, Gay. 2003. Postharvest: Summer flowers, socool, but so sensitive. The Cut Flower Quarterly. Summer.p. 15–17, 24.Stevens, Alan B. 1995. Commercial Specialty CutFlower Harvest Systems. Kansas State University. 20 p.Weddington, Megan. 2003. Research update: Packagingfor long-term shipment of cut fl owers; Vase life ofEucalyptus parvifolia; Postharvest handling of tropicalcuts. The Cut Flower Quarterly. Summer. p. 18–20.Publications (pest management)Chase, A.R., Margery Daughtrey, and Gary W. Simone.1995. Diseases of Annuals and Perennials. BallPublishing, Batavia, IL. 208 p.Contains many full-color photographs of diseased plants.Addresses diseases by plant, including yarrow, snapdragon,aster, celosia, cosmos, delphinium, gladiolus, iris, liatris,lily, peony, phlox, zinnia, and many others. Available for$60 from Ball Publishing (see p. 23).Cranshaw, Whitney. 1998. Pests of the West: Preventionand Control for Today’s Garden and Small Farm.Revised edition. Fulcrum Publishing, Golden, CO.248 p.Contains environmentally safe techniques such as increasingnatural enemies and using biological, cultural, andmechanical control methods for combating major insectpests, plant diseases, and weeds west of the Mississippi. Thebook is directed at gardeners in the High Plains, RockyMountains, and intermountain regions of the westernUnited States. Although it does not cover a few pests thatplague gardens in California, such as the brown gardensnail, soft scales, and peach leaf curl (or certain pests suchas Japanese beetles common to the East Coast), much of theinformation is relevant for gardeners across the country.Flint, Mary Louise. 1990. Pests of the Garden andSmall Farm. Publication 3332. University of California,Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources,Oakland, CA. 276 p.Contains really good, clear, color photographs of insectpests and diseases. The information on pest managementtechniques is concise and well written. Some informationon weed management is presented. There are also excellenttroubleshooting charts for the major vegetable and fruitcrops, somewhat slanted toward California growers. Availablefor $30 from:ANR PublicationsUniversity of California6701 San Pablo Ave.Oakland, CA 94608-1239510-642-2431(Make checks payable to UCRegents)Powell, Charles C., and Richard K. Lindquist. 1997.Ball Pest and Disease Manual. 2nd edition. Ball Publishing,Batavia, IL. 448 p.Includes chapters on most ornamental diseases, includingpowdery mildew, rusts, botrytis, fungal leafspots, bacterialand wilt diseases, root rots, and viruses. Contains updatedpesticide, cultural, and environmental control informationfor the major insect and mite pests. Presents a holisticapproach to managing plant health. Chapters are organizedin an easy-to-reference format for quick diagnosis and results.Available for $65 from Ball Publishing (see p. 23).PeriodicalsThe Cut Flower Quarterly, published by the Associationof Specialty Cut Flower Growers (ASCFG), is theonly regular publication dedicated to information aboutthe production, postharvest care, and marketing of cutflowers. It provides the latest information on new cultivars,harvest and postharvest techniques, marketing,regional, national, and international workshops andconferences; and sources for plants, seeds, and supplies.Contact the ASCFG, listed under Organizations.Growing for Market, a newsletter for market gardeners,contains a monthly column on field-grown cut flowerproduction and marketing. This newsletter is geared forsmall-scale operations and also focuses on sustainableproduction techniques. GFM is available for $30 peryear from:Growing for MarketP.O. Box 3747Lawrence, KS 66046800-307-8949growing4market@earthlink.netwww.growingformarket.comHortIdeas is a monthly newsletter that reports on thelatest research, methods, tools, plants, and books forvegetable, fruit, and flower gardeners. The informationis abstracted from hundreds of popular and technicalsources worldwide. Available for $25 per year (periodicalsmail) or $15 per year for an on-line version from:HortIdeas750 Black Lick Rd.Gravel Switch, KY 40328gwill@mis.netwww.users.mis.net/~gwill/hi-index.htmGreenhouse Management and Production is publishedmonthly and is free to qualified commercial growersin the U.S. It is a good source of information on greenhousegrown cut flowers, bedding plants, and bloomingPage 28 ATTRA Specialty Cut Flower Production and Marketing

potted plants, including greenhouse design, equipmentand supply companies, seed companies, and marketingstrategies.GMProP.O. Box 1868Fort Worth, TX 76101800-434-6776www.greenbeam.comGreenhouse Grower is published monthly, including twobonus issues in mid-June and mid-September. Subscriptionrate is $36 per year. The mid-June bonus issuecontains a comprehensive listing of sources for greenhouseequipment, supplies, consultants, seeds, andmore.Meister Publishing Company37733 Euclid Ave.Willoughby, OH 44094-5992440-942-2000info@meisternet.comwww.greenhousegrower.comGPNProduct Newswww.gpnmag.comGreen Profi tP.O. Box 16057N. Hollywood, CA 91615-9594www.greenprofit.comGrower TalksP.O. Box 9Batavia, IL 60510630-208-9080info@ballpublishing.comwww.growertalks.comNM PRONursery Management & ProductionP.O. Box 1868Fort Worth, TX 76101-9781817-882-4120800-443-5612www.greenbeam.comNorthern Gardenerwww.northerngardener.orgOFA Bulletin2130 Stella CourtColumbus, Ohio 43215614-487-1117ofa@ofa.orgwww.ofa.orgAmerican Nurserymanwww.amerinursery.comHorticulturewww.hortmag.comThe American Gardenerwww.ahs.org/publications/Brooklyn Botanic Garden Plants & Garden Newswww.bbg.org/mem/publications.htmlFlorists’ ReviewFlorists’ Review EnterprisesP.O. Box 4368Topeka, KS 66604785-266-0888800-367-4708www.floristsreview.comMonthly magazine with easy-to-emulate designs, includingclear photos showing the works step-by-step. Books availablefrom the same company include Weddings, Weddings 2,101 Wedding Bouquets, and 101 Ranos de Novia.Web SitesAmerican Floral Endowmentwww.flora-links.org/fresh_cut_ flowers.htmlLinks to many sites.Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, Inc.www.ascfg.orgFlower Council of Holland.www.flowercouncil.org/us/PromotionalMaterial/Trade organization with promotional materials and tipsfor florists.Hort Business Info Networkwww.vtextension.vtk.edu/hbin/index.htmLaurie Hodges’ Home Page.http://hort.unl.edu/hodges/Missouri Department of Agriculturewww.mda.mo.gov/AgBusineness/resources/cutflowers.htmAg Business Development Resources—Cut FlowersNorth Carolina State Universitywww.cutflowerinfo.comNorth Dakota State Universitywww.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/alt.ag/flowers.htmOklahoma State Universitywww.osuextra.comwww.attra.ncat.orgATTRAPage 29

F-6426 The Care and Handling of CutFlowersF-6425 Annual Flowers for Specific Uses inOklahomaF-6410 Perennial Flowers for Specific Uses inOklahomaPennsylvania State University Center for Plasticulturehttp://plasticulture.cas.psu.edu/compflwrs.htmUniversity of Connecticutwww.hort.uconn.edu/ipm/ipmghse.htmIntegrated Pest Management for Cut FlowerGrowersUniversity of Floridahttp://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/University of Marylandwww.agnr.umd.edu/ipmnet/facts.htmFS686 Producing Annual Sunflowers asCut FlowersFS687 Production of Asiatic and OrientalLilies as Cut FlowersFS684 Production of Celosia as Cut FlowersFS685 Production of Yarrow as Cut FlowersFS731 Production of Purple Coneflower as aCut FlowerFS 753 Producing Anemone as a Cut FlowerFS713 Producing Larkspur as Cut FlowersFS-770 Production of Lisianthus as aCut FlowerUniversity of Massachusetts Floriculture Fact Sheetswww.umass.edu/umext/floriculture/fact_sheets/specific_crops/cutweed.htmlField Grown Annuals for Cut FlowersWeed Management for Outdoor Cut FlowersSugar and Acidity in Preservative Solutions forField-grown Cut FlowersPostharvest Handling of Six More Field-grownCut Flowers—Astilbe, Gladiolus, Helianthus,Liatris, Lilium, ZinniaUsing Coralbells as Cut FlowersPostharvest Handling Tips for Cut Flowers ofSome Spring Flowering BulbsInsect Problems in Commercial Production ofOutdoor Cut FlowersTexas Department of Agriculture’s Cut FlowerResource Guidewww.agr.state.tx.us/marketing/cutflower/The New Farm e-magazinewww.newfarm.org/columns/cut_flowers/Pennsylvania cut flower grower Melanie DeVault’scurrent and archived columns provide experience-basedinformation.Chain of Life Networkwww.chainoflifenetwork.orgThe site is a comprehensive assembly of information thatcan be used by growers, wholesalers, florists, supermarkets,brokers, breeders, educators, bouquet manufacturers, associations,and floral supply companies to improve the performanceof cut flowers and greens, cuttings, plugs, andfoliage, flowering, and bedding plants. Illustrations anddetailed information on postharvest care for nearly 450 floralcrops are included, as are links to sites with postharvestand/or marketing information.Seeds, Plants, BulbsAgua Fria Nursery1409 Agua FriaSanta Fe, NM 87501-3507505-983-4831Plants. Wide selection. Retail. Uncommon penstemons.Bluebird Nursery, IncP.O. Box 460Clarkson, NE 68629800-356-9164www.bluebirdnursery.comLiners and containers, unusual and hard to find items.Cramers’ Posie Patch116 Trail Rd. NorthElizabethtown, PA 17022877-CRAMERSwww.cramersposiepatch.comCreek Hill Nursery17 W. MainLeola, PA 17540888-565-0050Liners, grasses, hydrangeas, woodies, select perennials.De Vroomen HollandP.O. Box 189Russell, IL 60075847-395-9911sales@devroomen.comwww.devroomen.comBulbs and perennials (liners and bare-root).Page 30 ATTRA Specialty Cut Flower Production and Marketing

DonahuesP.O. Box 366420 SW 10th St.Faribault, MN 55021507-334-8404www.donahuesclematis.comClematis specialists.Ednie Flower Bulb, Inc.37 Fredon-Marksboro Rd.Fredon, NJ 07860973-940-2700Bareroot, bulbs, lilies.Emerald Coast GrowersP.O. Box 10886Pensacola, FL 32524877-804-7277Liners, grasses, hostas, daylilies, select perennials.Ernst Benary of America, Inc.Rudolf Sterkel1444 Larson StreetSycamore, IL 60178815-895-6705rsterkel@benary.comSeeds.Flagstaff Native Plant and Seed409 West Pine AvenueFlagstaff, AZ 86001928-773-9406928-214-7351www.nativeplantandseed.comNative plants and seed for northern Arizona. Source-identifiedplants and seed. Xeric non-native plants suitable fornorthern Arizona.Forestfarm990 Tetherow Rd.Williams, OR 97544541-846-7269www.forestfarm.comGeoSeed121 Gary Rd.Hodges, SC 29653888-645-2323Germania Seed CompanyP.O. Box 317875878 N. Northwest Hwy.Chicago, IL 60631-0787800-380-4721info@germaniaseed.comwww.germaniaseed.comPerennials (plugs), bulbs, seed.www.attra.ncat.orgGo NativeP.O. Box 3631Las Cruces, NM 88003800-880-4698http://gonative.com/Natives, perennials, ground covers, herbs.Gloeckner600 Mamaroneck Ave.Harrison, NY 10528-1631800-345-3787Seeds, plugs, liners, bulbs, supplies.Gro’N Sell320 Lower State Rd.Chalfont, PA 18914215-822-1276www.gro-n-sell.comPlugs and liners.Harris Seeds355 Paul RoadP.O. Box 24966Rochester, NY 14624-0966800-544-7938www.harrisseeds.comHeadstart Nursery4860 Monterey Rd.Gilroy, CA 95020408-842-3030Plugs.Heronswood Nursery7530 N.E. 288th St.Kingston, WA 98346360-297-4172www.heronswood.comHigh Altitude Gardens4150 B Black Oak DriveHailey, ID 83333208-788-4363mcdorman@seedsave.orgSeeds for high elevations and cold climates. Native grasses,wildflower seed, and mixes.High Country Gardens2902 Rufi na St.Santa Fe, NM 87507-2929505-438-3031800-925-9387plants@highcountrygardens.comwww.highcountrygardens.comATTRAPage 31

Extensive selection of perennials, shrubs, and bulbs for thewestern garden and a ½ acre display garden, greenhouse,and retail store in Santa Fe.Ivy Garth8140 Mayfield Rd.Chesterland, OH 44026800-351-4025Annuals, perennials, vegetables.Jelitto Perennial Seeds125 Chenoweth LaneLouisville, KY 40207502-895-0807www.jelitto.comPerennials.Johnny’s Selected Seeds184 Foss Hill Rd.Albion, ME 04910207-437-4395www.johnnyseeds.comVegetables, herbs, flowers.Johnston Seed Co.P.O. Box 1392Enid, OK 73702800-375-4613580- 249-5324johnseed@johnstonseed.comwww.johnstonseed.comSeed. Retail, wholesale, mail order.Lawyer Nursery950 Highway 200 WestPlains, MT 59859800-551-9875trees@layernursery.comseeds@layernursery.comwww.lawyernursery.comSeeds, bareroot, liners for woodies.Little Valley Wholesale Nursery13022 E. 136th AvenueBrighton, CO 80601800-221-3241303-659-6886 FAXlvwn@lvwn.comwww.lvwn.comWholesale source for plants, plugs, liners, bulbs of perennialsand shrubs. Knowledgeable staff and extensive selection.Meadow Lake NurseryP.O. Box 1302McMinnville, OR 97128800-852-5322www.meadowlakenursery.comBareroot, liners, cuttings for woodies.Missouri Wildfl ower Nursery9814 Pleasant Hill RdJefferson City, MO 65109573-496-3003www.mowildflowers.netBareroot and container, native perennial flowers, shrubs,trees, vines.North Creek Nurseries388 North Creek Rd.Landenberg, PA 19350877-326-7584www.northcreeknurseries.comLiners, perennials, grasses, woodies, ferns, natives for cutflowers.Park Seed2 Parkton Ave.Greenwood, SC 29647-0002800-845-3366www.parkwholesale.comVegetables, flowers, plants, plugs.Pawnee Buttes Seed, Inc.P.O. Box 100605 25th StreetGreeley, CO 80632800-782-5947970-356-7002info@pawneebuttesseed.comwww.pawneebuttesseed.com/Provides native and introduced grass, forb, and shrub seed,with an emphasis on educating customers on proper managementtechniques to ensure grass stand longevity andconservation of our natural resources.Plants of the Southwest3095 Agua Fria Rd.Santa Fe, NM 87501505-438-8888plantsofthesouthwest@juno.comOR6680 4th St. NWAlbuquerque, NM 87107505-344-8830plantsofthesw@juno.com800-788-SEED Orderswww.plantsofthesouthwest.comPlants and seed. Wholesale and retail. Retail stores inAlbuquerque and Santa Fe.Page 32 ATTRA Specialty Cut Flower Production and Marketing

Prairie Moon NurseryRt. 3, Box 163Winona, MN 55987-9515507-454-5238866-417-8156www.prairiemoonnursery.comNative seeds and bareroot plants.Prairie NurseryP.O. Box 306Westfield, WI 53964800-476-9453www.prairienursery.comNative seeds and bareroot plants.Prairie Ridge Nursery9738 Overland Rd.Mt. Horeb, WI 53572-2832608-437-5245www.prairieridgenursery.comNative seeds and bareroot plants.Raker’s10371 Rainey Rd.Litchfield, MI 49252Plugs; must order through a broker like Germania.Sawyer Nursery5401 Port Sheldon Rd.Hudsonville, MI 49426616-669-9094Bareroot and liners, incredible phlox selection.Shady Oaks NurseryP.O. Box 708, Dept. MH1101 State St.Waseca, MN 56093-0708Sherman Nursery CompanyP.O. Box 5791300 Grove StreetCharles City, IA 50616-0579800-361-7759www.shermannursery.comWoodies, peonies.816-846-4729www.SpringMeadowNursery.comWholesale; supplies liners to other nurseries around thecountry. Exceptional hydrangeas.Spring Valley Greenhouse, Inc.3242 Daansen Rd.P.O. Box 552Walworth, NY 14568315-597-9816www.springvalleygreenhouse.comClematis and bittersweet.Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildfl owers andNative Plants, Inc.10459 Tuxford St.Sun Valley, CA 91352818-768-1802info@theodorepayne.orgwww.theodorepayne.orgMail order California native seed. Native plants availablein nursery.Walters GardensP.O. Box 137Zeeland, MI 49464-0137www.waltersgardens.comBareroot and container.Yoder BrothersGreenleaf Perennials2369 Old Philadelphia RoadLancaster, PA 17602717-299-0300800-233-0285perennials@yoder.comwww.green-leaf-ent.comPlugs, liners, unrooted cuttings.ZCallas Oregon Coastal Flowers9455 Kilchis River RoadTillamook, OR 97141503-815-3762sales@flowersbulbs.comwww.flowersbulbs.comCalla lily bulbs, Sandersonia tubers.Spring Meadow Nursery12601 120th Ave.Grand Haven, MI 49417www.attra.ncat.orgATTRAPage 33

Supplies and EquipmentBarr, Inc.1423 Plainview DriveOshkosh, WI 54904920-231-1711info@barinc.comwww.barrinc.comUsed coolers.Beautiful Land Products360 Cookson Dr.P.O. Box 179West Branch, IA 52358800-227-2718Growing media, fertilizers, irrigation, mulches, row covers.Carlin Horticultural Suppliers8964 N. 51st StreetMilwaukee, WI 53223www.carlinsales.comGreenhouse grower supplies and equipment.DeltaTRAK, Inc.P.O. Box 398Pleasanton, CA 94566925-249-2250800-962-6776salesinfo@deltatrak.comHygrothermometer source.Floral Merchandising Systems1325 East 79th StreetMinneapolis, MN 55425800-599-9434customerservice@floralmerchandising.comwww.floralmerchandising.comPostharvest supplies and equipment including display vasesand racks, bouquet sleeves, bucket scrubbers, stem cutters,and hygrothermometers.Floralife, Inc.751 Thunderbolt DriveWalterboro, SC 29488800-323-3689info@floralife.comwww.floralife.comHydrating products include Hydraflor and QuickDip. Holdingsolutions include Floralife Original Fresh Flower Food,Floralife Professional, and Floralife Clear Professional.EthylBloc is an ethylene-action inhibitor.Hummert International4500 Earth City ExpresswayEarth City, MO 63045800-325-3055www.hummert.comSyndicate Sales, Inc.P.O. Box 756Kokomo, IN 46903-0756756-457-7277www.syndicatesales.comHydration and holding solutions, flower food, proportioners,vases, and other florist supplies.Temkin302 West 900 NorthSpringville, UT 84663800-235-5263www.temkininternational.comFloral sleeves and wraps.Vita Products, Inc.P.O. Box 565Chandler, AZ 85244800-874-1452info@vitaproducts.comwww.vitaproducts.comUSDA National Organic Program compliant. Vita One-Step is a combined hydration and nutrient solution.www.pokonchrysalusa.comProducts include OVB, a hydrating solution. Cut fl owersdirectly into this and leave ½ day or overnight. Professional#2 is a holding solution. Flowers can be kept in it for up to6 days.Page 34 ATTRA Specialty Cut Flower Production and Marketing

Noteswww.attra.ncat.orgATTRAPage 35

Specialty Cut Flower Production and MarketingBy Janet BachmannNCAT Agriculture Specialist©NCAT 2006Paul Driscoll, EditorAmy Smith, ProductionThis publication is available on the Web at:www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/cutflower.htmlorwww.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/cutflower.pdfIP025Slot 72Version 022106Page 36ATTRA