FLORICULTURE &

ORNAMENTAL PLANTS
PRODUCTION
HOR 312

October, 2022
 Topics
1. Historical background of Floriculture

2. Development of the Floriculture Industry in Malawi

3. Groups /Usage of plants in Floriculture

4. Economic Importance and Classification of Ornamental

Plants

5. Floral and Ornamental Plant Production Systems

 Topics
6.Cut Flower Production

7.Floral Design and Room Design

8.Importance of Indigenous plants in the built environment

 ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE
 Branch of horticulture that deals mostly with non-edibles

 For aesthetics, visual enrichment and enjoyment

 3 branches:-
i. Floriculture (Floriculture Industry)

ii. Production Nursery (Nursery Industry)

iii. Landscape Horticulture (Landscape Industry)

4
 Terminology
Floriculture
• Involves the production of ornamental flowering and foliage
plants for the floral and landscaping industry

• Concerned with the cultivation, processing, marketing and

arrangement of flowers or ornamental plants for gardens and for
use in different functions

5
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF FLORICULTURE

• 17th Century – 18th Century - Voyages of discovery

• Captain Cooks voyage with Joseph Banks as the

scientist/naturalist/botanist.

• Scientists persuaded on Naval voyages

6
 DEVELOPMENT OF THE FLORICULTURAL
INDUSTRY

•Problems of weather
•Structures for propagation and keeping plants
•Possibility of export and import (Economic importance).
•Availability of technology, human and financial resources
•Research possibilities
•Appreciation of natural beauty
7
 Terminology

• A nursery: can either be in the open or under controlled

environments in greenhouses

• Production Nursery/Propagation Nursery: a place where

plants are propagated and grown to usable size

8
 Terminology
Production/Propagation Nursery consist of terms like:
• Liners: rooted cuttings, seedlings and grafted plants ready for
transplanting to nursery field beds or containers and can be sold to
customers

• Lining out stock: rooted cuttings, seedlings and grafted plants which
are sold to other nurseries

• Whips: un-branched trees grown from budded or grafted under stock /

root stock
9
 Terminology
CLASSIFICATION OF PLANTS
• Taxonomy - study of plant classification
• Plant classification the grouping of plants according to
similarities in characteristics.
• Plant identification process of matching a specimen to
a known taxon using either dichotomous or multi-
access keys
• Binomial Nomenclature formal system of scientific
naming of living things where names are in two parts
10
 Terminology
Taxonomic classification
•Kingdom
•Division
•Class
•Order
•Family
•Genus
•Species
11
 Terminology
PLANT NOMENCLATURE
• Nomenclature is the naming of plants
• Botanical names identify and distinguishes plants
• botanical name is expressed in Latin and is recognized
internationally
• Plant taxonomists, governed by the International
Rules of Botanical Nomenclature (IRBN), assign the
names based on where a plant fits within the kingdom’s
classification system
12
 Terminology
PLANT NOMENCLATURE
• Botanical names given to plant is in two parts
• Latin binomial (binomial nomenclature)
• First part taken from the genus
• Second part is called the epithet, and the two parts together identify
the species
• It is common for plants to by common names by which they are known
within a country or region of a country but it is not universally
acceptable

13
 Terminology
Herbarium:
• Collection of preserved whole plants or parts thereof stored
catalogued and arranged systematically for study
• Important for reference plant identification
• Museum of priceless artifacts / birth certificates for plants
• Sources of information about plants
• Studied “ex situ”
14
 Terminology
Botanical Gardens:

• Designed planted spaces where plants are studied “in situ” and
also used for recreation and aesthetic

• Plants are labeled

Arboretum place set aside for study of plants “in situ”

15
 Terminology
• Landscape Horticulture: focuses on artistic and aesthetic use of
ornamental plants in pleasing ways through planning and design

• Ornamental Plants /Landscape Plants: Plants that have decorative

properties because of their leaves, foliage, flowers, stems, their
branching patterns or structure, growth habit - upright or prostrate and
even for their thorns e.g. Desert plants like Cactus and some thorny
Roses
16
 Terminology
• Annuals:- plants that pass through vegetative, reproductive cycles and
senescence in one growing season. For example Impatiens (Touch-me-not)

• Biennials:-plants with complete two growing seasons usually the first

year vegetative, second year reproductive. They are less popular or they
require two seasons two flower. For example Coedium species (Crotons)

• Perennials:-plants that will persist for more than two years Shrubs
(Bougainivillea species), Trees (Cassia siamea), Bulbs (Araceae
species)
17
 Based on Diversity of Perennials
• Bulbs:- plants with underground food storage systems which permit
them to grow again when conditions are favourable. For example Lillies,
Araceae calla

• Ferns:- Tropical shade-loving rhizomenous non-flowering plants. Used

for their leaves called FRONDS

18
 Based on Diversity of Perennials
• Lawns:- mowed plantings of grass that enhance visual appeal, provide
useful outdoor living spaces, improve soil and conserve soil air. For
example, Stenotaphrum secundentum, Cynodon dyctolon, Paspalum
notatum

• Woody Perennials: e.g. ´Avenue Trees´:- trees planted in a line along

a road

19
 GROUPS OF PLANTS/ USAGE IN FLORICULTURE

1. Bedding Plants/Ground Covers:- herbaceous plants usually young

e.g. Flowering annuals and are commonly grown in pots, trays,
hanging baskets. For example, Petunia species. Geranium species
Impatiens species.

20
 FLOWERING ANNUALS
• Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus)

• Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

• Petunia (Petunia hybrid)

• Marigold (Targetes erecta)

• Gerbera jamesonii

21
 EXAMPLES OF
LANDSCAPE
GROUNDCOVER PLANTS

PLANTS THAT ARE FROM 0 – 30CM HIGH.

Iresine herbstii
Coleus blumei / Coleus hybridus
Common name: COLEUS
Ophiopogon jaburan var. vittatus
Common name: Aztec grass
 GROUPS OF PLANTS/ USAGE IN FLORICULTURE

2. Flowering Plants:- they are usually sold in big pots. Sold in hotels,
offices, restaurants. Specifically grown for their flowers. For example,
Orchids, Chrysanthemum species, Azaleas species.

House Plants:- African violet, Azalea, Begonia, Cactus, Euphorbia

pulcherrima (Poinsettia)

26
 EXAMPLES OF
LANDSCAPE FLOWERING
AND HOUSE PLANTS
Euphorbia pulcherrima
Common Name: Poisentia
USED AS AN HOUSE PLANT
Canna paniculata
GROUPS OF PLANTS/ USAGE IN FLORICULTURE

3.Cut flowers:- they are sold in bunches or as bouquets with cut

foliage e.g. Rose, Carnations

4.Ornamental shrubs:- usually grown in flower gardens specifically

for leaves, fruits, smell and used for outdoor space e.g. Ficus spp.

Acalypha ssp. They are more than 30cm but less than 3m in height.

Used for screening, hedging and its colour

30
 CUT FLOWERS
• Dahlia

• Marigold

• Zinnia

• Roses (Rosa chinensis)

• Chrysanthemum species

• Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii)

• Carnations
31
Shrub

Codiaeum variagatum var. pictum

 GROUPS OF PLANTS/ USAGE IN FLORICULTURE

5.Ornamental trees:- they are grown for their attractive

characteristics. They are used for outdoor space e.g. Jacaranda
Mimosefolia, Araucaria Araucana (Monkey Puzzle), Callistemon
viminalis (weeping bottlebrush). They grow more than 3 m in
height.

33
Callistemon viminalis
 SPECIAL EFFECT PLANTS
• Agave (Agave Africana, Americana or, attenuata)

• Palm (Phoenix reclinata)

• Yucca (Yucca filamentosa)

• Cactus (Euphorbia ingens)

• Alovera (Aloe vera)

• Vitex agnus castus

35
Yucca filamentosa
Phoenix reclinata
 Dracaena draco
(Canary Island Dragon Tree)
 CREEPERS

•Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper)

• Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis)

• Lantana (Lantana camara)

39
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Bougainvillea spectabilis
 Hedge

•Duranta repens (Sheena´s gold)

•Thevetia peruviana (Yellow Oleander)

42
Duranta repens
Thevetia peruviana
SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF ORNAMENTAL
HORTICULTURE
• Income
• Employment
• Foreign exchange
• Tourism
• Decorations in special occasions
• Recreation
• Environmental conservation and enhancement
• Diversification of farm produce
45
Kamuzu Mausoleum, Lilongwe, Malawi (2007)
 Floral and Ornamental Plant
Production Systems
1. Open-field production system

2. Greenhouse production system (Most are under controlled

environment)

47
 GREENHOUSES
Assignment 1
Compulsory Question

1. Discuss:

a)any 5 greenhouse designs and consider materials used,

environmental systems used, bench arrangements, growth media,
pest and disease control, e.t.c. in that greenhouse.

b)Which greenhouse production system would you recommend for

Malawi?
48
 GREENHOUSES
Instructions

• Maximum of 4 pages (excluding reference page)

• Printed Copy

• Use Times New Roman

• Font: 12

• Spacing: 1.5

• Harvard Style of referencing

• Due date: 12th December, 2022 @ 12 noon

(Please remember to sign an assignment submission sheet)

49
GREENHOUSE DESIGNS

50
 Advantages of Greenhouse Production
• Good pest and disease control
• Extremes of heat, light and humidity controlled
• Irrigation – efficient
• Special varieties used for commercial production can easily be grown
• Turn non-arable land to arable
• Hydroponics is possible
• Early starting of crops
• Off-season production
• Produce where it would naturally be impossible to produce

51
 Advantages of Controlled Environments

• To permit the growth of plants in regions where survival

outdoors is not possible

• To extend the season of growth for plants at times when

they would normally go dormant

52
 SITING OF A GREENHOUSE
• Proximity to customers and workforce/labour
• Sunlight availability
• Accessibility
• Availability of demand
• Availability of land – size and value
• Quality of Land -Slope, soil type, vegetation
• Infrastructure availability
• Water
• Electricity
• Communication
• Freight services if exporting – airport, cold chain facilities
53
 Factors Affecting Germination In The
Greenhouse
• Media

• Temperature

• Water

• Light

• Oxygen

• Heat

54
 CUT FLOWER PRODUCTION
• We would like to meet the needs and satisfaction of customers
(Emotional need)

• We make sure that the plants should be healthy, beautiful and diverse

• High professional standard plants to be produced

• Study and apply customer care, sociology, marketing principles,

physiology, psychology

(LIVE FLOWERS vs. PLASTIC FLOWERS)

55
 CUT FLOWER PRODUCTION
A Cut Flower:-
• Any flower that is cut from a plant and ready to be used in a
fresh flower arrangement after trimming off thorns if they are
any
• Usually available from the florist shop
• Examples: Roses species, Gerbera species, Carnations,
Chrysanthemum species
56
 CUT FLOWER PRODUCTION
Characteristic of a good Cut Flower:-

• Should have a longer vase life

• Apical flower with a flower stalk

• Beautiful/ Colourful

• Good/Sweet scent

57
 CUT FLOWER INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Global Level:-

In many countries they are grown for:-

• Commercial purposes

• Domestic purposes

• Exports

58
 CUT FLOWER INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Global Level:-
Major Producers:-

• USA

• China

• Germany

• Netherlands

• Japan

• Kenya
59
 CUT FLOWER INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
A. Produce large number of Cut Flowers and sell/use
within their country:-
• USA
• China
• India
• Netherlands
• Japan
60
 CUT FLOWER INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
B. Their production does not meet their demand:-
• USA
• China
• India
• Netherlands
• Germany
• Italy
• Japan
61
 CUT FLOWER INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
C. Countries with a small domestic market and the rest are
exported:-
• USA
• China
• India
• Netherlands
• Japan
62
 SUCCESSFUL CUT FLOWER PRODUCTION
• Requires good physical conditions (abundant water, light
intensity)

• Appropriate planting materials (free & resistant to pest &

disease)

• Capital

• Productive Labour
63
 SUCCESSFUL CUT FLOWER PRODUCTION
• Experts in growing techniques

• Good organization and management

• Enough energy for heating and cooling

• Good infrastructure network (greenhouses, roads, buildings)

• Good post-harvest measures or mechanisms

64
 MALAWI´S POTENTIAL TO INVEST IN CUT
FLOWER PRODUCTION
• Climate

• Cheap labour

• Cheap land

• Political stability

• Local market

65
WHY MALAWI HAS FAILED TO INVEST IN CUT
FLOWER PRODUCTION
• Lack of government policies

• Poor infrastructure (greenhouses, roads)

• Lack of skilled labour

• Lack of technology

• Lack of concern for the environment

66
 WHY KENYA IS A LEADER IN CUT
FLOWER PRODUCTION IN AFRICA
• Has a favourable climate (good rains, temperature)

• Cheap labour

• Political Stability

• Good foreign policy

• Skilled labour

67
 WHY KENYA IS A LEADER IN CUT
FLOWER PRODUCTION IN AFRICA
• Good infrastructure and transport network (roads, energy,
telecommunication)

• Cheap + abundant Land

• National policy favour cultivation of flowers

• Good and organized trade system

68
 GROWING CUT FLOWERS IN
CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT
• Increase yield per unit area (extreme heat, humidity are controlled
therefore growth is accelerated)

• Easily control pests & diseases

• Irrigation is also easy

• Grow cut flowers even when soils are poor

• Significant input of light and heat

69
 CARNATIONS
Assignment 2
Compulsory Question

2. Discuss general husbandry practises that are followed in

production of Carnations; include climatic requirements,
media, mulching, pest and disease control, e.t.c.

70
 CARNATIONS
Instructions

• Maximum of 4 pages (excluding reference page)

• Printed Copy

• Use Times New Roman

• Font: 12

• Spacing: 1.5

• Harvard Style of referencing

• Due date: 12th December, 2022 @ 12 noon

(Please remember to sign an assignment submission sheet)

71
ROSE PRODUCTION

72
 ROSE PRODUCTION
• Common name: Rose (Queen of flowers)

• Genus: Rosa

• Family: Rosaceae.

• Scientific name: Rosa species

• Examples:

Rosa chinensis, Rosa hybrida, Rosa canina, Rosa carolina, e.t.c.

73
 ROSE PRODUCTION
• Roses are often presented to other people as expressions of
love/affection or simply as a symbol of beauty

• Roses grown for the cut flower market are produced mainly in
greenhouses in ground beds

• Roses are arranged for display in vases and used in

bouquets, spreads, boutonnieres, wreaths (an arrangement of flowers,
leaves, or stems fastened in a ring and used for decoration or for laying on a grave)

74
 ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF ROSES
• Absolute number 1 cut flower production

• Approximately 10 billion rose stems are sold per year (2016)

• 80 million potted plants per year and 220 million plants per year

• Red coloured roses represent 30% of the market

75
 ROSE PRODUCTION
Description:

• Semi-woody perennial plants

• Usually shrubs, having 5 sepals, 5 petals, numerous

stamens and abundant styles

• Characterized by a sticky stigma

76
 ROSE PRODUCTION
Description:
• The stem is prickly

• The leaves are alternate and pinnately compound

• The oval leaflets are sharply toothed

• Produce fleshly berry like fruit is known as hip

• Roses have a determinant inflorescence that may assume corymbs,

paniculate or solitary form

77
 ROSE PRODUCTION
Description:

Pinnately Pricky-Stems Berry-like Fruit

Compound Leaves
78
 ROSE PRODUCTION
Classes of Roses
Bush Roses
Hybrid Teas
Floribundas
Grandifloras
Polyantha
Miniature Roses
Climbing Roses
79
 ROSE PRODUCTION
Classes of Roses

Floribunda Hybrid Tea Floribunda

80
 ROSE PRODUCTION
Classes of Roses

Climbing Floribunda Polyantha

81
 ROSE PRODUCTION
Classes of Roses
1. Bush Roses
• Produce masses of flowers, sometimes richly fragrant, in colour
shades of white, cream, yellow, pink, red, crimson (a rich deep red colour

inclining to purple), purple and orange; some are striped, bi-coloured or

multi-coloured

• They like free-draining soil that is slightly moisture-retentive, ideally

enriched annually with well-rotten manure or garden compost
82
 ROSE PRODUCTION
Classes of Roses

1. Bush Roses
• Has a height of between 0.61 to 1.82 m

• Grow best in a sunny site

• Self-supporting

• Vary in degree of hardness, flower size, flower number & plant size

83
 ROSE PRODUCTION
Classes of Roses

2. Hybrid Teas

• Widely grown roses and widely used in cut flower industry

• Long stem with single flower

• Everblooming

• Short in height (0.61m)

84
 ROSE PRODUCTION
Classes of Roses
2. Hybrid Teas
Varieties
• Mr. Lincoln
• Peace
• Touch of Class
• Brandy
• Double Delight
• E.t.c.
85
 ROSE PRODUCTION
Classes of Roses

3. Floribundas

• They are vigorous bush roses that are prolific bloomers

• Flowers are borne in large clusters (many blooms per stem)

• Cross between a polyantha and hybrid tea

• Relatively short, plants

86
 ROSE PRODUCTION
Classes of Roses

4. Grandifloras

• Mass of large flowers

• A cross between Hybrid Tea and Floribunda

87
 ROSE PRODUCTION
Classes of Roses

5. Polyantha

• Introduced in the late 19th century

• Plants are vigorous & usually low growing

• Small flowers in large sprays provide a mass of colour

• Almost everblooming

• Common varieties: Margo Koster, The Fairy, China Doll, Cecile

Brunner and Perle d’Or
88
 ROSE PRODUCTION
Classes of Roses

6. Miniature Roses
• A true rose with small canes, foliage & flowers
• Ever blooming
• Harder than Hybrid Tea roses
• Available in many colours
• Can be grown indoors

89
 ROSE PRODUCTION
Classes of Roses

7. Climbing Roses
• 2 main categories: [natural climbers & climbing forms of hybrid teas (or other bush
roses)]

• Both categories send out long canes that need support from walls, fences, trellis, etc.

• Some bloom repeatedly, others have one annual display but more colours are added
each year.

• Common varieties: Lady Banks, Blaze, Dortmund, & Cl. Cecile Brunner are
popular.
90
 ROSE PRODUCTION
Climatic requirements:
• Roses are only found in the natural flora of temperate and sub-tropical
regions of the northern hemisphere, with the exception of one tropical
African species

91
 ROSE CULTURE
Soil & Site
• Greenhouse roses are planted in ground beds/benches
• Production is perennial operation
• Soil steam-pasteurized before starting a new crop
• Should be well-drained
• Fertile
• Well-aerated
92
 ROSE CULTURE
Soil & Site

• Slightly acidic soils (pH 6.0-6.5)

• Loamy soils are the best for planting roses

• Addition of sphagnum moss, vermiculite to aid soil drainage

93
 ROSE CULTURE
Planting
• Propagated from cutting, grafting or budding
• Plants from budding commonly used
• Understock widely used (Rootstock is a portion of the stem and root system onto
which a scion or bud eye has been grafted. Rootstock is also referred to as understock)

• Planting materials obtained from a nursery as bare roots or

dormant roses
94
 ROSE CULTURE
Planting

• Spacing between plants depends on plant vigour, adult size

• Size of a hole for planting should be wide and deep enough to

hold roots

• Roots should be pruned before setting the plant to remove

damaged ones and untangle the remainder

95