Cut flower case study report
Grower Case Study Report On Ageratum, Antirrhinum, Callistephus (China Aster) and Matthiola (Stock)
David Davidson and Dr Raja Harun , Greenmount Campus, November 2001
Summary
An on-farms trial on cut flowers was conducted at Derramore Nursery, Bessbrook, Newry and Seacoast Nurseries, Limavady in conjunction with Greenmount Campus between May and September 2001. This trial was to evaluate the production of Callistephus chinesis Matsumoto (China Aster), Matthiola incana Caesar (Scented Stock), Antirrhinum F1 Rocket and AgeratumBlue Danube and to obtain costings for the semi-commercial production of these species.
Results show that these species and varieties can be planted under open-sided tunnels in 3 regions of Northern Ireland during May from sowings in April to produce marketable flowers of good quality from July to September.
The cost of production ranged from £0.37 to £0.56 per bunch for Aster and Stock respectively with net returns (excluding general overheads) ranging from £0.69 to £0.88 per bunch depending on species, investment cost and market prices.
Background
Preliminary work conducted at Greenmount College has highlighted Ageratum,Antirrhinum, Callistephus chinensis (China Aster) and Matthiola incana(Stock), as potentially viable cut flower species for growing under Northern Ireland conditions. These species would also fulfil the Northern Ireland market needs.
We identified two existing cut flower growers who are past students of the Campus, willing to work closely with us to demonstrate the production and marketing of these summer cut flower species on a semi-commercial scale. The growers were Paul Goodland, Derramore Nursery, Bessbrook, Newry and Peter Howe, Seacoast Nurseries, Limavady. A parallel trial was also conducted at Greenmount Campus with the same cut flower species. (See Appendix 2 for details of species grown at each site).
Objectives
The objectives of the investigation were to:
- evaluate selected cut flower species under semi-commercial conditions at grower holdings
- demonstrate the use of Spanish tunnels for cut flowers under grower conditions at two different regions in NI and under a side ventilated polytunnel at Greenmount Campus
- develop grower competence in production and marketing of selected cut flower species
- obtain costings under semi-commercial conditions
- develop on-farms demonstrations sites for viewing by potential and existing flower growers in a Cut Flower Development Group
Photographs of Flowers on Grower holdings and at Greenmount Campus - Ageratum and Antirrhinum
 Figure 1. Ageratum – early growth stage – Peter Howe |  Figure 2. Ageratum - overhead view |
 Figure 3. Antirrhinum F1 Rocket – early growth stage – Peter Howe | Figure 4. Antirrhinum F1 Rocket – early growth stage – Paul Goodland |
 Figure 5. Antirrhinum F1 Rocket – Flowering – Peter Howe |  Figure 6. Antirrhinum F1 Rocket – Flowering – Greenmount Campus |
 Figure 7. China Aster Matsumoto – early growth stage – Peter Howe |  Figure 8. China Aster Matsumoto – early growth stage – Paul Goodland |
 Figure 9. China Aster (Matsumoto mixed) – overhead view - Greenmount. |  Figure 10. China Aster (Matsumoto mixed) – side profile - Greenmount |
 Figure 11. Matthiola incana (Stock) – early growth stage - Greenmount |  Figure 12. Matthiola incana Caesar (Stock) - Greenmount |
Overall Conclusions
The objectives of the project as stated in the report introduction were achieved.
- The results obtained from the two grower holdings and Greenmount Campus showed that good quality summer cut flower Ageratum, Antirrhinum, China Aster and Stock can be grown within the Antrim, Limavady and Newry areas of Northern Ireland.
- Low cost open-sided structures are ideally suited to protect flowers from the vagaries of the weather whilst keeping crops well ventilated to prevent heat build-up within the structure.
- Paul Goodland and Peter Howe found that Ageratum, Antirrhinum, China Aster and Stock can be grown successfully without any major problems and were highly acceptable for their own outlets with the exception of Antirrhinum for Paul Goodland. 12 Cut flower growers visited Greenmount to view the flowers on the 1st August 2001 and have decided to form a Cut Flower Development Group.
- Crop costings produced with grower input showed that the cost of production ranged from £4.46 to £5.27 per m2 with a net return (excluding general overheads and transport costs) between £3.43 and £6.13 per m2, depending on species.