Commercial flower production for domestic or export market requires good management skills as well as a business like approach. Returns are based on quality and the variety of the flowers.

Pakistan exported cut flowers, flower buds and roses worth $1,85,000 during July-March 2002 as compared to $1,74,000 in the corresponding period of 2000-2001.

But the absence of sufficient cold storage facilities and a poor transportation system destroy a major portion of the produce before it can be exported.

A large range of flowers is required for both local and export markets in varying quantities. Carnations, chrysanthemums, roses, and bulbous flowers (daffodils, lilies, iris, gladiolus, tuberoses) are standard flowers grown in large quantities for local market.

The choice of crops to grow depends on a number of factors. When a decision has been made, buy the best possible stock, plants or seed. Modern varieties can be costly, but they have been selected for the cut flower trade.

Colour, stem length and vase life are better, as well as vigour, production and health. Continuity of supply is important to buyers, and the season of individual flowers may be extended by choice of early, mid and late-season varieties, and by cultural treatments.

Weather conditions can produce a glut of seasonal flowers such as carnations, narcissus, gladioli, chrysanthemums and iris. A large supply of one flower can depress the whole market. Alternative markets should be investigated or the method of growing should be changed if this can reduce supply at critical times.

Flowers must be well grown, clean and free from pests and diseases. The attention required to produce good quality flowers is well paid for by greater market returns. The flowers must be at the right stage of development to suit the buyer and to ensure the longest possible vase life. Growers should talk to buyers of their product, identify their needs and meet these if possible. Cut flowers when they are ready for harvesting should be harvested during the cooler parts of the day.

Flowers, particularly dark coloured, absorb a lot of heat and it is an advantage to cool them quickly. They should be taken into a cool shed as soon as possible and placed in water. Cool store facilities, especially forced air coolers, are beneficial for fast removal of field heat and prolonging subsequent vase life. Take extra care not to harvest diseased flowers or foliage as they are not saleable, and often tend to produce ethylene gas which advances aging of the flowers and reduces subsequent vase life.

Keep all flower vases, buckets and other containers scrupulously clean. Unless a flower solution is used, discard the water every day and clean thoroughly with a disinfectant before re-use. Do not use metal containers. Vase life of flowers is improved if field or greenhouse heat is removed as quickly as possible after harvesting. Humidity should also be controlled, and 60-80 per cent relative humidity is recommended. If humidity is too high, spotting will occur, and if too low, desiccation can result.

A temperature of 2-4°C is suitable for conditioning most flowers, but growers should consult the brochure published by the author regarding post harvest handling of cut flowers in which optimal holding temperatures for some of the common flower crops are mentioned. Flowers held for several hours or overnight in a cool store at this temperature are in a better condition for marketing than warm freshly picked flowers.

Growers should never place flowers directly into cold water. Prolonged cool storage reduces the vase life of flowers. Customers want fresh flowers. Harvesting every day, cooling for a few hours or overnight and marketing the flowers the following morning will give the buyer fresh flowers daily.

Keep flowers cool in transit to and from the market and at retailers, and utilise buckets containing fresh water as often as possible. If possible advise customers of flower care by including information leaflets in each consignment.

Flower preservative solutions normally contain carbohydrate, usually in the form of sucrose, plus a bactericide, fungicide, and a wetting agent. These latter chemicals prevent organisms developing in the water and blocking the cut stems, and improve water uptake.

Flowers must always be sold when they are fresh, so sell them as soon as possible after harvesting. A grower only gains a reputation from the quality of the flowers produced. Buyers tend to keep buying off known growers who have consistent high quality product.

High quality is essential, but several grades can and should be used. It is acceptable to market flowers as second grade provided they are still of good and fresh quality. Smaller and short-stemmed flowers come into this category, but they can still be of good quality and useful in floral work. The very best flowers, “extra choice”, should be kept separate.

The good average flowers should be “first”, and those not up to that standard should be marketed as “second”. A vital point in grading is that all flowers in a bunch must be similar. There are many ways in which they may differ, but the most frustrating for a buyer is to find a short or bent-stemmed flower tucked into the centre of a bunch.

Quality properties to be considered are: Size and shape of flower and its attachment to the stalk; size, number and texture of petals, and their colour intensity; condition of calyx; strength, straightness and length of stalk; development and condition of foliage and freedom from blemish and damage from pests and diseases.

It is best to keep colours separate, both in bunches and in containers, when very large consignments are involved, or a limited colour range exists. Buyers often look for a specific colour and less damage may result if such bunches can readily be taken out of the container.

However, with the bulk of flowers now being auctioned in buckets, assorted colours within the one bucket can give the best returns to growers, especially for crops like chrysanthemum, lily, spray and standard carnations and roses.

Flowers are normally bunched in tens, but some crops may be sold by the stem or bud. If different numbers are to be used in bunches, the auctioneer must be told, so that the buyers can be informed. It is also preferable to use personalized wraps around bunches so that buyers get to know your product. Also keep different grades in separate containers.

Often shorts are put on top of longer stemmed and better grade flowers to utilise container space but they spoil the overall impression of the consignment. Auctioning is also speeded up when a container holds one grade only. All containers should be marked with the grade and quantity they contain, and the quantity per container should be kept constant from day to day. Damage to flowers in transit is most likely to occur when the container is not firmly packed.

Ethylene gas can be produced by fruits and vegetables when they are stored. It is detrimental to cut flowers, and carnations and roses, in particular, are very susceptible.

Consequently, ensure that no other produce (especially strawberries, tomatoes and apples) is kept in the flower room or cool store. Domestic gas (coal gas) is also damaging to flowers. If problems arise with their keeping quality on a property where gas is installed, the gas pipes and valves should be checked by a specialist for potential leaks. The slimy sap exuded from cut stems of narcissus flowers (daffodils) is detrimental to other flowers. No other flowers should be placed into water which has been or is being used for narcissus.

Every grower should visit the flower markets regularly to be familiar with demand and the standards prevailing. This is essential so that the growers know how their products compare with those of the others. Market staff can advise on presentation, packaging, grading and other details which could improve returns. They also have knowledge of demands and trends, so if your returns are poor, talk to your marketers. In this way the production of cut flowers for export market can be standardized.

Cut-flower production has now become extremely fast-paced, capital- intensive and vulnerable requiring a high capital, technology and management level.

Despite the lack of knowledge of modern floricultural production techniques, difficulty in obtaining latest varieties and lack of infrastructure, the industry is constantly attracting new entrants. There is a great direction that can be aimed for improving cut flower production.

Pakistan’s fast expanding domestic market can be exploited. Favourable climate and resource rich local soil provides ideal agronomic conditions for production of cut flowers.

A scientifically well-organized floricultural trade with supporting facilities can place the country on the map of the international flower trade. Although, recently cut flower industry has started making progress, there is still much to be achieved.