Cut Flower Production BHT221

Learn the skills necesary to become a commercial cut flower grower. Cut flower growing has experienced rapid expansion in recent decades, resulting in increased demand for training in the skills and knowledge required by this industry in increasingly affluent countries. This course provides a thorough basic training for the commercial cut flower grower. Course Structure Course Aim To develop your technical and management skills for cut flower production. CONTENT There are 10 lessons as outlined below:

1. Introduction to Cut Flower Production
   To develop a broad perspective on the nature and scope of the cut flower industry.
2. Soils & Nutrition
   Determine soil and nutrition requirements for cut flower growing
3. Cultural Practices
   Determine the cultural requirements for commercial production of a cut flower crop
4. Flower Initiation & Development
   Explain the physiological processes which affect flower development in plants
5. Pest & Disease Control
   Determine the cultural requirements for commercial production of a cut flower crop
6. Australian Natives & Related Plants
   Evaluate the suitability of different plants as cut flower crops
7. Greenhouse Culture
   Determine the cultural requirements for commercial production of a cut flower crop
8. Harvest & Post Harvest
   Determine harvest and post-harvest management practices for cut flower crop
9. Developing A Production Plan
   Develop a production plan for a cut flower crop
10. Export Marketing
    Develop a production plan for a cut flower crop

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school\'s tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Summary Of Competencies Developed On successful completion of the course you should be able to do the following:

• Explain the physiological processes which affect flower development in plants.
• Identify plant varieties suitable for commercial cut flower production.
• Evaluate the suitability of different plants as cut flower crops.
• Determine soil and nutrition requirements for cut flower growing.
• Determine the cultural requirements for commercial production of a cut flower crop.
• Determine harvest and post-harvest management practices for cut flower crops.
• Develop a production plan for a cut flower crop.
• Determine export market opportunities for cut flowers.

What the Course covers
Here are just some of the things you will be doing:

• Describe the botanical mechanisms involved in the process of flower initiation for different plant genera.
• Explain the effect of carbon dioxide enrichment on flowering for a specified plant species.
• Determine the factors causing aging of flowers in different genera of commercially grown cut flowers.
• Compare three different treatments to preserve cut flowers after harvest, including: *Glycerine *Drying *Pressing.
• Determine procedures to produce cut flowers out of season for different cut flower species.
• Compile a resource file of different sources of information regarding commercial cut flower varieties, including: *Publications *Suppliers of seed and/or planting stock *Industry associations *Relevant government contacts.
• Describe herbaceous perennials suitable to cut flower growing in a specific locality.
• Describe annuals and biennials suitable to flower growing in a specific locality.
• Describe bulbs, corms, rhizomes or tubers suitable for cut flower growing in a specific locality.
• Describe plant varieties commonly used as fillers in the floristry trade.
• Differentiate between twenty different plants