Perennial Flax: A Potential Cut Flower Crop

The genus Linum L. contains ≈200 primarily blue-flowered species, including several ornamentals, yet no reports exist regarding the cut flower potential of this genus. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cut flower potential of perennial flax cultivars (L. perenne L. ‘Blue Flax’ and ‘Sapphire’; Expt. 1, 2018) and accessions (L. austriacum L., L. lewisii Pursh., and L. perenne; Expt. 2, 2019), and record traits that will enable breeding and selection for improved cut flower performance. The mean vase life across both cultivars in Expt. 1 was 9.2 days. In Expt. 2, L. perenne had the longest average vase life (9.3 days), followed by L. austriacum (9.1 days) and L. lewisii (8.3 days). The floral preservative (Floralife 300) significantly increased vase life by an average of 1.7 days in Expt. 1, and 1.6 days in Expt. 2, and resulted in a significantly greater number of flowers (≈2x) in both experiments. Significant variation was observed among genotypes for most traits, including vase life (6.2 to 11.3 days) and number of flowers (1.3 to 10.5), highlighting the opportunities for improving the potential of cut flower perennial flax through breeding.

Kalanchoë Breeding: Past, Present and Future

Kalanchoë cultivars rank as one of the most sold potted ornamental plants in the world. Among its key features that sustain high market interest are the long flowering period, abundance of flowers, thick and glossy leaves, easy maintenance and less water requirement compared to other potted plants. In breeding studies of Kalanchoë, plants with different flower colors such as white, cream, yellow, orange, red, pink and purple were developed. Moreover, double-flowered cultivars (comprising a large number of petals), more compact and cultivars with larger flowers were also obtained. Novel morphological characteristics are always in high demand in the market of ornamental plants. Increasing the variation in the gene pool with different species played a major role in the development of these characteristics. Nowadays, not only potted cultivars are launched but also cut flower cultivars have been developed and presented to consumers. Besides conventional breeding and interspecific hybridization, biotechnological methods, which have a promising future, are used to develop morphological characteristics of Kalanchoë.

Application of Foliar Fertilizer and Planting Media On Cattleya sp. Orchid Growth

Cattleya is one of the orchid genera, it has many fans. Labellum is large and strike colors. Intergeneric crosses have been made to produce soft colored flower, such as white, pink, red, yellow and brown. Cattleya orchids are known to have large flowers, and they are commonly referred to as The Queen of Orchid. These species are cultivated by several botanists as cut flower commodities. The price of cattleya is costly, so it becomes a business opportunity that needs to be developed. This study aims to examine the types of foliar fertilizers and planting media used on the growth of cattleya orchids. It was conducted between May and August 2021 in the experimental garden of the Faculty of Agriculture, UPN Veteran Yogyakarta using a Split Plot Design with factorial. The first factor, which is foliar fertilizer, consists of quick grow, AB mix, and focus grow. The second factor of planting media includes fern roots, black moss, and kadaka roots media. The result showed that AB Mix on fern and kadaka media produced similar plant height compared to other treatments. While on kadaka media, it produced the best leaf length and width, as well as shoot length. Furthermore, the shoot emergence and the number of roots did not show a significant difference. The plants that received quick grow treatment on kadaka and black moss media had similar growth. The number of roots provided the best growth of kadaka and ferns. Further study should be conducted to test AB Mix with various concentrations and planting media.

Use of X-ray Mutagenesis to Increase Genetic Diversity of Zantedeschia aethiopica for Early Flowering, Improved Tolerance to Bacterial Soft Rot, and Higher Yield

The development of new cultivars is important for the profitability of the floriculture industry. There is a limited number of cultivars of Zantedeschia aethiopica, an iconic ornamental cut flower, garden plant, and potted plant, because of the incompatibility of interspecific crossings within the genus. Most present-day varieties are the result of spontaneous mutations or classical breeding within the species, followed by a long selection process. Here, Z. aethiopica mutants were generated by treating seeds with 100 Gy of X-ray radiation. The resulting putative mutants were selected based on particular flowering parameters and compared to nonirradiated, control plants. Over two growing seasons, characteristics such as early flowering, flower size and shape, yield, and response to soft-rot disease were monitored, and considerable variation was observed among the mutated lines. Out of 319 mutants, 20 lines were selected based on their phenotypes and then propagated and further analyzed. Within this group, only two phenotypes displayed at least five improved flowering properties under natural Mediterranean conditions. The rest displayed two to four desired combinations of flowering traits, some with great commercial potential.

Sucrose, salicylic acid and citric acid solutions to extent vase life of Vriesea incurvata Gaudich. (Bromeliaceae) floral scapes

Vriesea incurvata is a native bromeliad from Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest and commercialized as an ornamental pot plant. The morphological characteristics of its floral scape may also indicate it as a new product to use as a cut flower. However, its postharvest behavior was unknown. This study was conducted to determine its vase life by applying distilled water (control) and solutions containing sucrose (50 g L-1), salicylic acid (50 μM), and citric acid (50 g L-1) for periods of 8 and 24 h. Floral scapes maintained in solutions showed vase life greater than 16 days when compared to the control (distilled water). However, solutions with sucrose evidenced the best behaviors related to the maintenance of physiological and aesthetic features during the vase life of the floral scapes. It is concluded that solutions with sucrose, salicylic acid, and citric acid applied for 8 and 24 h extend the vase life of the V. incurvata floral scapes. Sucrose applied for 8 h promotes the maintenance of color, brightness, and turgidity; improves water balance, and reduces the relative fresh weight losses of floral scapes throughout the vase life, extending their longevity up to 24 days.

The Effects of pH-Neutral Electrolysed Oxidising Water on Growth and Development of Chrysanthemums

The aim of the study was to analyse the effects of pH-neutral electrolysed oxidising water (pH-neutral EOW), prepared by using the Envirolyte® system, on the growth and development of chrysanthemums. The experiment included two varieties of potted ('Tonka Blanc', 'Jahou CoCo') and two cut flower varieties of chrysanthemums ('Annecy White', 'Ninja'). The test plants planted in pots were irrigated with three different solutions of pH-neutral EOW (0%, 0.1% and 0.2%). Based on the results of the study, we can confirm that pH-neutral EOW has a significant effect on the growth and development of the studied chrysanthemum varieties. In potted chrysanthemums, we found a significant effect on the increased number and diameter of inflorescences, as well as fresh and dried weight of the plant and inflorescences. Chrysanthemums for cut flowers were taller and more developed, with a greater weight of the aboveground part of the plant. Its effect on the growth and development of the studied varieties depended on the solution of the mixture. Best results were observed with the 0.2% solution of pH-neutral EOW.

Gerbera leaf nutritional status as a cut flower cultivated with different doses of nitrogen and calcium

Vegetative tissue analyses might help to diagnose nutritional status of a crop. Foliage diagnosis is an effective method to set up balanced fertilization procedures. The current work aims to evaluate nutrient contents of two gerbera leaf sampling periods as a cut flower cultivated in pots with different doses of nitrogen (N) and calcium (Ca) under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was carried out in a protected environment, shelter type, in a container containing substrate in a 3x3+1 factorial scheme. Three doses of N (0.07, 0.15 or 0.2 g L-1) or three doses of Ca (0.02, 0.03 or 0.04 g L-1) were applied every 15 days. Control plants did receive neither N nor Ca. The substrate was analyzed before and after cultivation, and at the end of production years, as well as completely expanded leaves were collected for nutrient analyses. There was not significant interaction between N and Ca doses. Regarding the sampling period or doses of N and Ca, the determined macronutrient concentrations were in the following order of N>K>Ca>P>S>Mg. The micronutrient concentrations were in the following order of Fe>Mn>B>Zn>Cu. Except for K, all the other nutrient concentrations were in the recommended range for gerberas production.

The Ethically Conscious Flower Consumer: Understanding Fair Trade Cut Flower Purchase Behavior in Germany

Fair trade flowers are an important niche product relevant to ethically conscious consumers. The study proposes a model that investigates key factors affecting the behavior of these cut flower consumers in Germany. The study serves to complement the existing studies dedicated to preferences for flower attributes and products, as well as consumers’ willingness to pay. It builds on an online survey with a representative sample of 772 German cut-flower consumers. Partial least squares structural equation modelling shows that concern for the treatment of workers from countries with poor environmental and labor reputations, the breadth of fair trade cut flower information sources, and familiarity with the fair trade concept and its influence on flower production issues positively impact the relative importance that consumers dedicate to fair trade certification as a cut flower attribute. The same factors also positively impact fair trade cut flower buying behavior. Socio-demographic factors did not show any impact. The study concludes with best practice recommendations for retailers and horticultural marketers on how to address the needs and wants of ethically conscious consumers.