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Growing cut flowers from seed

• Producing annual cut flowers requires minimum investment. Cost of seed and growing cut flowers is relatively low, the largest cost factor is from harvest to distribution.

• Growing areas that are normally lying unused after the bedding plant production can easily be utilized for cut flower production, polytunnels and greenhouses can be used to their full potential. Areas outside can also be used.

• Cut flowers are perishable so a market for them should be found to minimize transport time and costs.

• Marketing direct to florists especially with the wide range of species, cultivars and colours available will enable florists to create special arrangements, in some cases unique, that are not available from self service shops and the large retail chains.

• With controlled crop management cut flowers can be used to utilize glasshouse area, to the full from April to October, using medium early and late flowering species and cultivars, with successive sowings.

Cultivation Methods

Successive direct sowings in open fields and unheated polytunnels.

Amaranthus, Ammi majus, Ammobium alatum, Anethum graveolens (Dill), Bupleurum griffithii, Calendula, cllistephus, Carthamus tinctorius, Centaurea, Chrysanthemum, Cosmos, Delphinium, Euphorbia, Helianthus, Helichrysum, Helipterum, Lavatera, Moluccella, Scabiosa, Vaccaria, Xeranthemum, Ornamental Grasses.

Annual cut flowers can be sown from end of March to the end of June, very much dependant on the weather though. Harvesting can begin from mid June until the end of October, dependant on species and variety. Early outdoor sowings prior to mid May may require non woven fleece protection against late frosts and heavy rains.
The advantages of growing in an unheated polytunnel against outdoor cultivation.

• Sowings can be made earlier

• Crop harvest can be 7-14 days earlier, much dependant on the weather.

• Increase in yields of an average 20-25%

• Quality of the cut flower tends to be improved due to the protection of the plants from wind and rain.

Plants started in greenhouse and grown in open field or unheated polytunnels.

Ageratum houstonianum, Antirrhinum, Calendula officinalis, Callistephus chinensis, Chrysanthemum, Craspedia, Euphorbia, Helichrysum bracteatum, Limonium sinuatum, Limonium suworowii, Salvia farinacea, Salvia horminum, Tagetes erecta, Zinnia elegans.

Sowing can take place from the end of January to the end of May dependant on species. Crop can be advanced by hardening off young plants early and planting out under a protective cover. Successive sowing will ensure a continual supply to October.

With either cultivation method the following is recommended:-

• The area should be well cultivated and weed free, if possible steamed and sterilised.

• Analysis of the soil for nutrient level. Balanced nutrition, with higher potassium levels towards the end of the crop time will give good cut flower quality. Excessive nitrogen can cause soft stems.

• Temperature range between 12°C and 18°C are best for plant growth and flower development. If growing in tunnels or greenhouses sufficient light and ventilation is required. In some plant species flowers are initiated by vernalisation. Stocks require temperatures of 15-17°C in weeks 3-5 to initiate flowers. Limonium sinatum requires a 4 week cool period at 10-13°C before planting to produce good reliable yields.

• Chrysanthemum netting is recommended to produce straight stems. Molucella laevis (Bells of Ireland) is an exception as its bizarrely shaped stems are popular with florists.

• Sub-irrigation will protect the leaves and flowers against moisture.

The Technical and cultural details are written for gardeners and growers, they are not cut and dried and are for information purposes only. It is not intended as a blue print for growing. A guide for you to use and adjust the data to suit your growing conditions. All information is based on UK conditions and should be used for guidance only. No guarantee is given for the resultant crop, or liability accepted for using the information used on this website in any article web page or cd rom.