IMPROVEMENT IN CUT FLOWER MARKETING

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28354, 13 August 1957, Page 11

IMPROVEMENT IN CUT FLOWER MARKETING

The marketing of cut flowers could be improved by the use of more suitable containers, according to the annual report of the Department of Agriculture. An interest in cardboard containers had been encouraged by the increasing use of air freight. Chrysanthemums were sent by air from Christchurch to most parts of the country, and early bulb flowers, such as anemones and narcissus were sent from the warmer areas to the southern markets, the report said.

The cut flower trade continued to be buoyant, but the presence of virus disease in most stocks of carnations was causing concern. There was an increased interest in gerberas, both in the breeding and raising of plants. As gerberas were being cultivated more extensively in other parts of the world, there appeared to be an opportunity for the export of seed or plants of selected strains, the report said. Bulb Production Production of cut flowers could not be separated from bulb and nursery stock production, as many bulb growers marketed a proportion of their flowers, said ‘the report. Bulb production was being maintained, with an increased number of growers, mostly Dutch. An experiment carried out for two years in Christchurch had confirmed overseas experience that dipping narcissus bulbs in aldrin or chlordane for 10 minutes before planting would protect the bulbs from narcissus bulb flies. Chemical weed control in gladiolus grown for both corm and flower production was now being

more extensively practised. Materials such as the phenolic weedkillers had all proved suitable for this. Iris rust had been recorded for the first time in New Zealand on bulbous Irises. It had caused severe damage in Manawatu. It was thought that the disease had been present for several years in certain species of rhizomatous iris, but it had not previously caused any serious damage, said the report. Lily Breeding There was an increasing interest ;n lily breeding. Some New Zealand breeders had made crosses between lillum auratum and lilium speciousum. Several lines of the bulbs had found a ready market in New Zealand and overseas.

There was a steady demand for bedding plants, with increasing interest in the newer varieties of petunias and marigolds bred in the United States. Antirrhinums had fallen out of favour because of the disastrous effects of antirrhinum rust. Experiments at Loyver Hutt and Auckland had shown that none of the so-called rust resistant varieties were resistant to the present strain of rust.

Roses continued to be in good demand, with a shortage of standard roses in Canterbury, said the report.