Herbaceous Perennial
Production
Dr. Terri W. Starman
Hort 429
Greenhouse Crop Production
Herbaceous Perennial
Production Trends
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Perennials in flower
Increased demand
Increase in number and diversity
Get plants to flower on specific dates and
to precise specifications
Flower Induction
• Photoperiod
• Vernalization
• Juvenility
Seed grown perennials
• Flowering depends on seedling age or
maturity, vernalization (cold), and
photoperiod.
• Usually obligate cold requiring perennials
have to be a minimum age (have a certain
leaf or node number) before the cold
period begins.
• Breeders should be able to develop lines
that bloom and mature with fewer leaves.
Photoperiod
• Flowering in response to LD
– LD required – grower can use NI
– LD beneficial
• Horticulturally required
• Horticulturally beneficial
– LD not required
Vernalization and Juvenility
• No cold required
• Cold will hasten or improve flowering
• Cold required for flowering
Delivery of the Cold Treatment
• 320F to 450F (410F)
• Plug flats or pots as long as the leaf # is
adequate
• Small amount of light 25-50 fc
• Hoop houses not as consistent and
reliable as a cooler
• 10 weeks
• SD can sometimes substitute for cold
Yoder in Salinas, CA
Founded over 75 years ago, Yoder
Brothers is a world leader in flowering
research and breeding. The Salinas Valley of
California is home to Yoder chrysanthemum
cut flower, rose and carnation breeding
operations and azalea, perennial and
poinsettia production.
Vegetative Annuals
Dr. Terri Starman
Dept. of Horticultural Sciences
Texas A&M University
Top Ten Reasons for
Vegetative Annual Crops
1. Plants that might otherwise never be
available if they must be produced from
seed
2. Individuality vs. uniformity
3. Good performing cultivars that do not
reproduce by seed
4. Sterile plants have bigger, showier flowers
that last longer
Why Vegetative Crops con’t?
5.
6.
7.
8.
2-3 years vs. 7 years to bring to market
Superior to seed counterparts
Popularity of container gardens
Enhanced garden performance and
consumer satisfaction
9. They’re fast and easy to produce
10. They’re pretty
What are some Vegetative Annual
Genera?
Angelonia
Argyranthemum
Bracteantha
Calibrachoa
Diascia
Scaevola
Also Begonia, Coleus, Dahlia, Fuchsia, Geranium,
Jamesbrittnia, Double Impatiens, New Guinea Impatiens,
Lantana, Nemesia, Osterospermum, Petunia, Sutera,
Torenia and Verbena
Container Gardens
Dr. Terri W. Starman
Growers are having these thoughts about the
current climate in the Floriculture Industry…..
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There’s a downward pressure on prices.
Our products are becoming commodities.
Am I making money?
Should I grow Crop A or Crop B – which is more
profitable?
• Should I take the value-added or commodity
approach?
Some Thoughts on Niche Marketing
• What is the product life cycle in today’s
market?
• We know when to start growing a certain
cultivar, but when do we stop growing that
cultivar?
• Small growers are like small fish, they
need to swim faster.
Why Grow Vegetative Annuals?
• Extend sales before and after spring peak
and in the fall
• Differentiate product from competition
• Offer unique product assortment (different sizes
of containers)
• De-emphasize commodity items
• Add value to products
• Popularity of container gardens
Spring Mixes
(Start Week 3, early to mid January)
Product Sizes
10-inch container gardens,
hanging baskets and
4-inch pots for make-your-own
Vegetative Annual
Plant Materials
Argyranthemum
Antirrhinum
Bacopa
Brachyscome
Diascia
Nemesia
Summer Mixes
(Start Week 9, late February)
Product Sizes
12-inch mixed baskets and
14-inch and greater container gardens,
4-inch for make-your-own
Plant Materials
Sun
Shade
Ageratum
Begonias
Angelonia
Ferns
Bidens
Heliotrope
Coleus
Heuchera
Jamesbrittnia Impatiens
Pentas
Phlox
Portulaca
Scaevola
Fall Mixes
(Start Week 34, early to mid August)
Product Sizes
10 and 14-inch containers gardens
and 4-inch for make-your-own
Vegetative Annual
Plant Materials
Argyranthemum
Bracteantha
Calibrachoa
Diascia
Nemesia
Osteospermum
Mixing Plants in Containers
Getting Started - What do you do??
1) Select a color scheme
Harmonious in color with a contrast of a
deeper color like burgundy, blue or
deep violet
2) Choose flowering plants
a. Vary shape and texture of leaf and flower
forms (daisy, tubular and cluster flowers)
b. Use bold foliage to back a plant that has
good flower power but fine foliage of its
own
3) Choose foliage and component plants
a. Vary shape and texture; foliage offers
texture, color, and consistency;
harmonize or contrast
b. Have plenty of these colors of foliage on
hand:
Gray or silver
Purple or black
Bright yellow or chartreuse
4) Unify the design: use effective tools
including transitory elements such as:
a. plants with small flowers & leaves
b. color echo
variegated foliage
bi-color flowers
c. plants in motion
References
Website
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/floriculture
Tips on Designing, Growing and Marketing
Mixed Baskets and Containers
published by OFA Services Inc.