Growing Flowers in Hydroponics; The Global Perspective

Worldwide, hydroponics is a major force in the production of commercial cut flowers. In Israel, the agricultural publications show that hydroponic roses are grossing about 200,000 US dollars per hectare (2.4 acres) of greenhouse production. This is perhaps one of the highest gross incomes for agricultural production in the world.

Today about 97% of the commercial roses grown in Israel are grown in hydroponic culture. This is partly due to hydroponic bloom formulas that increase the number of flowers per plant per year, but also the need for regulating the bloom stage.

Roses are commonly needed on special occasions, such as Valentines Day. By producing the roses in hydroponics, the blooms can be managed to be the perfect size for February 14th. Also there is such a need for so many more roses on this special day and entire greenhouses can be programmed to be at a perfect bloom stage at exactly the right day.

The worldwide market for produce and cut flowers is estimated to be 56% produce and 44% cut flowers.

Current Global Conditions

The current constraints on producing hydroponic flowers for the global market are related to trade agreements and competition from developing countries.

In the 1970s and 1980’s most roses sold in the US were produced in the US with California retaining 60% of the national production. But a preferential trade agreement with Colombia in 1991 allowed the roses of Columbia to take over 40% of the US market, destroying the market for many California growers.

In Israel, the highly valuable roses production is threatened by flowers being grown in African nations. The hydroponic growers find themselves competing with flowers shipped from growers paying their field help $10.00 a month.

Commercial Production – A Global Market

The global market for cut flowers was 44.6 billion dollars in 1997 and it is increasing by about 15% each year. In 1997 the US market was 14.6 billion dollars.

There are 41 countries now competing in cut flower production, with Japan, Netherlands and USA dominating the market. These three countries produce half the worldwide flower production value, while using only 20% of the flower production land used. Most of the high value flowers are produced in greenhouses or intensive agriculture using drip irrigation with nutrient water.

Most commercial flowers are grown by about 10,000 growers and sold through two huge flower auction houses in Holland. These auction houses sell to buyers who then distribute the flowers to worldwide markets. It is not unheard of that flowers grown in Israel will be shipped to Holland, auctioned off, and then shipped right back to Israel.

Aalsmeer and Flower Auction Holland

The flower auction of Aalsmeer has about 160 acres of greenhouse space devoted to the daily auction of cut flowers. Each day approximately 14 million flowers and 1 million potted plants are auctioned. That means three billion flowers and 400 million plants annually from some 8,000 nurseries. Prices range from 10 cents a stem to $1.00 a stem for most flowers. These Dutch auctions control 65% of the global wholesale cut flower market. Refer to Chart A.

Types of Flowers Grown

There are about 125 varieties of flowers now in the global market, with some being more popular than others. Top selling varieties are roses, chrysanthemum, tulips, lily, carnation African daisy and freesia (Table 2).

Roses

The rose, native to the US, is the most popular flower sold in the US with 1.2 billion roses sold per year. There are 900 acres of greenhouses in the US in roses production. Roses are grown in greenhouses under controlled temperature between 20 Deg. C. to 30 Deg. C. and also in open fields. The output of Roses in greenhouses is double compared to open field cultivation.

The future of roses in hydroponics is probably linked to the global supply of fossil fuel which will affect transportation and greenhouse operation costs. A small local hydroponic greenhouse can probably capture a local market, but any attempt to compete on a global scale will be affected by the cost of transportation and competition from developing nations. Support of global workers wages would probably help the US and Canadian cut flower growers.

Hydroponic Tips for Rose Production

There are over 200 varieties of roses grown for commercial sale. Two common varieties are “Bianca” and “First Red”. These are commonly grown in substrates of cocopeat, and a mixture of coco peat and perlite (1:3)

All flowers have slightly different micronutrient requirements than vegetables, and so a special micronutrient or hydroponic nutrient is required. When a flower is mature and in flower production it should be kept on a bloom nutrient, formulated to maintain flower production.

Carnation

The worldwide market for carnations is estimated at about 10 billion dollars. Carnations have long been grown in hydroponic culture. Most carnations are grown in rockwool slabs for 18 months, producing 40 to 50 blooms before being replaced.

New Marketing Styles

One Israeli company growing hydroponic roses has responded to competitive pressure by marketing their roses directly on the internet. M&M roses has five acres of roses in hydroponic production. This high tech facility has completely computerized climate control, carbon dioxide enrichment, winter heating, summer cooling (pad and fan), and computer control of irrigation and fertilization. They sell the roses for about 17.50 per four dozen, but shipping brings cost from Israel to US up to $70.00 for the four dozen.

This M&M operation began in the water starved Negav desert in the 1960’s. The original product was tomatoes but the roses gradually out-competed the tomatoes and took over production.

Marketing for the Small Scale Grower

Cut flowers have a basic demand, and they can be wholesaled through a variety of local markets. Flower shop owners may be interested in working with you; perhaps flower arrangements can be sold to local commercial establishments. Bunches of flowers can be sold to local groceries, roadside stands or farmers markets.

It pays to give away a small amount of nutrient to add to their flower water and prolong the life of the bouquet.

Conclusion

Small scale hydroponic growers should consider flowers as possible alternative crops for producing income. The market for cut flowers is strong and growing about 15% every year. While there is much international competition, there may be several local markets that could be served by the small farmer.

Larger scale greenhouse production will continue to feel the pressure of cut flowers being grown in areas with low labor costs.

This makes the commitment to cut flowers a difficult and problematic issue, prone to the continual flux of international commerce.

References

M&M Roses, Israel http://www.mnmrose.com/waw.html

Micronutrients in hydroponic rose production http://www.oceanag.co.za/articles/Chelate%20article%20-%20Flowers.htm

Byczynski, Lynn. 1997. The Flower Farmer: An Organic Growers guide to Raising and Selling Cut Flowers. White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green Publishing Company.

Greer, Lane & Rugen, Chris. (1997) Field-Grown and Dried Flower Production and Marketing. Fayetteville, AR: Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas.

Voigt, Alvi. (1997) Domestic major cuts no longer major. The Cut Flower Quarterly, p 1.

University of Vermont Extension - Perennials for Cut Flowers http://pss.uvm.edu/ppp/percuts.html

** Growing and Marketing Cut Flowers http://marketingoutreach.usda.gov/info/99Manual/flowers.html

International fresh produce market http://www.tapin.co.uk/

Global /Agricultural Marketing Management http://www.fao.org/docrep/W5973E/w5973e00.htm#Contents

World Trade in Floriculture http://www.apeda.com/html/flori1.html