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Herbaceous Perennial Production Dr. Terri W. Starman Hort 429 Greenhouse Crop Production Herbaceous Perennial Production Trends • • • • Perennials in flower Increased demand Increase in number and diversity Get plants to flower on specific dates and to precise specifications Flower Induction • Photoperiod • Vernalization • Juvenility Seed grown perennials • Flowering depends on seedling age or maturity, vernalization (cold), and photoperiod. • Usually obligate cold requiring perennials have to be a minimum age (have a certain leaf or node number) before the cold period begins. • Breeders should be able to develop lines that bloom and mature with fewer leaves. Photoperiod • Flowering in response to LD – LD required – grower can use NI – LD beneficial • Horticulturally required • Horticulturally beneficial – LD not required Vernalization and Juvenility • No cold required • Cold will hasten or improve flowering • Cold required for flowering Delivery of the Cold Treatment • 320F to 450F (410F) • Plug flats or pots as long as the leaf # is adequate • Small amount of light 25-50 fc • Hoop houses not as consistent and reliable as a cooler • 10 weeks • SD can sometimes substitute for cold Yoder in Salinas, CA Founded over 75 years ago, Yoder Brothers is a world leader in flowering research and breeding. The Salinas Valley of California is home to Yoder chrysanthemum cut flower, rose and carnation breeding operations and azalea, perennial and poinsettia production. Vegetative Annuals Dr. Terri Starman Dept. of Horticultural Sciences Texas A&M University Top Ten Reasons for Vegetative Annual Crops 1. Plants that might otherwise never be available if they must be produced from seed 2. Individuality vs. uniformity 3. Good performing cultivars that do not reproduce by seed 4. Sterile plants have bigger, showier flowers that last longer Why Vegetative Crops con’t? 5. 6. 7. 8. 2-3 years vs. 7 years to bring to market Superior to seed counterparts Popularity of container gardens Enhanced garden performance and consumer satisfaction 9. They’re fast and easy to produce 10. They’re pretty What are some Vegetative Annual Genera? Angelonia Argyranthemum Bracteantha Calibrachoa Diascia Scaevola Also Begonia, Coleus, Dahlia, Fuchsia, Geranium, Jamesbrittnia, Double Impatiens, New Guinea Impatiens, Lantana, Nemesia, Osterospermum, Petunia, Sutera, Torenia and Verbena Container Gardens Dr. Terri W. Starman Growers are having these thoughts about the current climate in the Floriculture Industry….. • • • • There’s a downward pressure on prices. Our products are becoming commodities. Am I making money? Should I grow Crop A or Crop B – which is more profitable? • Should I take the value-added or commodity approach? Some Thoughts on Niche Marketing • What is the product life cycle in today’s market? • We know when to start growing a certain cultivar, but when do we stop growing that cultivar? • Small growers are like small fish, they need to swim faster. Why Grow Vegetative Annuals? • Extend sales before and after spring peak and in the fall • Differentiate product from competition • Offer unique product assortment (different sizes of containers) • De-emphasize commodity items • Add value to products • Popularity of container gardens Spring Mixes (Start Week 3, early to mid January) Product Sizes 10-inch container gardens, hanging baskets and 4-inch pots for make-your-own Vegetative Annual Plant Materials Argyranthemum Antirrhinum Bacopa Brachyscome Diascia Nemesia Summer Mixes (Start Week 9, late February) Product Sizes 12-inch mixed baskets and 14-inch and greater container gardens, 4-inch for make-your-own Plant Materials Sun Shade Ageratum Begonias Angelonia Ferns Bidens Heliotrope Coleus Heuchera Jamesbrittnia Impatiens Pentas Phlox Portulaca Scaevola Fall Mixes (Start Week 34, early to mid August) Product Sizes 10 and 14-inch containers gardens and 4-inch for make-your-own Vegetative Annual Plant Materials Argyranthemum Bracteantha Calibrachoa Diascia Nemesia Osteospermum Mixing Plants in Containers Getting Started - What do you do?? 1) Select a color scheme Harmonious in color with a contrast of a deeper color like burgundy, blue or deep violet 2) Choose flowering plants a. Vary shape and texture of leaf and flower forms (daisy, tubular and cluster flowers) b. Use bold foliage to back a plant that has good flower power but fine foliage of its own 3) Choose foliage and component plants a. Vary shape and texture; foliage offers texture, color, and consistency; harmonize or contrast b. Have plenty of these colors of foliage on hand: Gray or silver Purple or black Bright yellow or chartreuse 4) Unify the design: use effective tools including transitory elements such as: a. plants with small flowers & leaves b. color echo variegated foliage bi-color flowers c. plants in motion References Website http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/floriculture Tips on Designing, Growing and Marketing Mixed Baskets and Containers published by OFA Services Inc.