CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO FLORICULTURE By: Mdm Nur Baizura Bt Mohd Ismail DEFINITION Scope of floricultural crops • Floriculture horticulture cultivation ornamental for floristry. is a discipline of that focuses on the of flowering and plants for gardens and • It has been derived from two words:‘flor’ ‘cultura’ = flower = cultivation • Flowering plants are largely sold in pots for indoor and landscaping uses. • Eg:- azaleas, impatiens, petunia, poinsettias, orchids, chrysanthemums, etc. • Foliage plants are also sold in pots and hanging baskets for indoor and patio uses, office, hotel and restaurant interiors. • Eg:- fern, dracaena, begonia, palm, fig tree, dieffenbachia, • Cut flowers are usually sold in bunches or as bouquets with cut foliage. • The production of cut flowers is known as the cut flower industry. Floriculture includes broad range of crops • Floriculture is a branch of horticulture that specializes in the science of cultivation of flowers. • Flowers are cultivated under protected, semi-protected and field conditions. CROP PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT MARKETING FLORICULTURE TECHNOLOGY & AUTOMATION PLANT PHYSIOLOGY Floriculture is an interdisciplinary science that is both challenging and rewarding BACKGROUND OF MALAYSIAN FLORICULTURE • Malaysia covers an area of 330,323 square kilometer and lies entirely in the equatorial zone, with average temperature varies between 21 - 32°C. • It is home to a wide variety of plants species. Located in the tropics, it is one of the most diverse floristic regions in the world. • Malaysia has the advantage of developing and advancing its floriculture industry which could generate decent income to producers and traders and contribute to the national income. • Export value of fresh cut flowers reaches up to RM400 million per year. • The main export destination for fresh orchids are Singapore (serves as transit point), Japan, Australia and Europe. • The largest variety of orchids exported include Dendrobium, Aranda and Mokara. • Largest variety of highland flowers exported is Chrysanthemum, where Malaysia has been the largest exporter for Japan market. PRODUCTION VALUE (RM) MALAYSIA 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 321,335 330,975 338,485 331,716 341,857 Floriculture production value recorded an increase of 6.5%, from RM 321 to RM342 million in the last five years (2013-2017) in line with the increase in acreage planted within the same period. Source: Statistic Unit, Department of Agriculture Ornamental Production in Malaysia Name of Product Total Production Cutting orchid 24,262,974 % of total Produced 100.00 Non-orchid 90,295,977 100.00 Foliage plants 5,081,630 100.00 ✓ Cutting orchid - Phalaenopsis, Aranda, Mokara, Vanda, Oncidium ✓ Non-Orchid - Anthurium, Dahlia, Heliconia. ✓ Foliage plant - Calathea, Philodendron, Cordyline, Croton CUT FOLIAGE PLANTS ORHID SPP CUT FLOWER PLANTS The importance of floriculture industry Flower gardens increase beauty of indoor and outdoor spaces It is the principal component of public functions and anniversaries and also extensively used for decoration. Flower gardening is a good medium of passing leisure time and help keeping good health. Flowers help getting out of illness through psychological enchantment Its beauty and fragrance give happiness to all irrespective of age and wealth. Flower increases the aesthetic sense of human being and satisfies demand of heart feelings Economic importance of flower production • Perfume industries can be established in the country which can help improving national economy. • Establishment of flower production farms and perfume industries can help solving unemployment problem. • Flowers can be a source of earning huge foreign currency by exporting them. • It provides scope to bring more unused land under flower cultivation. • Flowers can be considered as a commercial commodity. • Commercial flower production may be helpful in increased earning of the grower. Scenario Floriculture Industry in Malaysia • Cultivating ornamental plants in Malaysia was commercially started more than 50 years ago. • Orchids have been exported since 1930s and the establishment of a commercial temperate flower farm began in 1950s in Cameron Highland. • The floriculture industry has grown dramatically since 1990s due to its high demand in the country especially in orchids, roses, carnations and chrysanthemums production. • The demand for plants increases due to the growth of newly developed areas concerned with the change in the quality of life and environment nowadays. • People live in a better environment in which landscape is an important element to provide beauty and benefit both indoor and outdoor spaces (landscape and interiorscape). • Interiorscaping is now being popular in providing healthier indoor spaces as green building practices are introduced.
