Cut flower resources (Protected and outdoor)
AHDB Horticulture funded an extensive programme of research on many aspects of commercial cut flower production. The available reports and resources are listed below. They have been categorised according to the topics covered.
PESTS OF CUT FLOWERS:
Mammal pests
Managing rabbit problems associated with horticulture
Midges
Research project HNS/PO 199: Agapanthus gall midge
Research project HNS/PO 199a: Development of novel control options for agapanthus gall midge
Thrips
Thrips control on protected ornamental crops
Whitefly
Control of whitefly on protected ornamental crops
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
A guide to best practice in handling bought-in plants
Biobeds for treatment of pesticide waste and washings
Cut Flower Crop Walkers’ Guide
Guidelines on nursery hygiene for outdoor and protected ornamental crops
Improving the efficacy of plant protection applications to ornamental crops via hand-held sprayers
Research project PO 009: Development of trap plant systems
Soil disinfestation options for cut flower growers
DISEASES OF CUT FLOWERS:
Fusarium wilt
Integrated management of stock fusarium wilt
Investigations into the control of Fusarium oxysporum in protected cut flower column stocks
Maintaining successful control of downy mildew in protected crops of cut flower column stocks
Botrytis
Guidelines for minimising latent grey mould (Botrytis cinerea) in cut flowers and pot plants
Management of botrytis in cut flower peony crops
Downy Mildew
Control of lisianthus downy mildew
Powdery mildew
Control of powdery mildew diseases on cut flowers
Verticillium wilt
WEEDS OF CUT FLOWERS
Chemical weed control in ornamental cropS
Chemical weed control in outdoor cut flower crops
OTHER TOPICS ON CUT FLOWERS:
The Cut Flower Centre
The Cut Flower Centre (CFC) has provided coordinated cut flower research and demonstration for the industry with the aim of identifying and evaluating new potential seasonal cut flower species for the UK market and provide technical and cultural information relating to production.
The details of this work can be found from each of the research pages below and from the dedicated CFC website.
PO/BOF 002: Cut-Flower Trials 2010 - 2012
PO/BOF 002: Cut-Flower Trials 2013 - 2017
PO/BOF 002b: Cut-Flower Trials 2018 - 2022
Labour and skills
Ornamental horticulture skills survey
Video: Webinar - Operating in a reduced labour market
Video: Webinar - Using LEAN techniques to improve labour efficiency in horticulture
Nutrient management
Sustainable fertiliser use in field-grown ornamental crops guide
Sustainable fertiliser use in field-grown ornamental crops poster
New product development
Alstroemerias as a tunnel-grown cut flower crop
Annual dianthus (Dianthus barbatus hybrids) as a cut flower
Delphinium as a cut flower crop grown in Spanish tunnels
Field-grown woody cut foliage crops
Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) as a cut flower crop grown in polythene tunnels
Ornamental grasses suitable for use as ‘fillers’ in mixed bouquets
Scabious as a cut flower for the UK market
Seed-raised species suitable for use as ‘fillers’ in mixed bouquets
Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) as a cut flower crop grown in polythene tunnels
Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus cultivars) as a field- and tunnel-grown cut flower crop
Hydroponics
Research project PO 018: Review of Hydroponic Flower Production Techniques and Future Opportunities
Post-harvest handling
Guidelines for the post-harvest handling of cut flowers
Guidelines for the post-harvest handling of cut flowers and foliage
Guidelines for the post-harvest handling of cut tulips
Guidelines for the post-harvest handling of cut lilies
Water
Establishing a resilient water supply