ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF GROWING SYSTEMS FOR YEAR ROUND CHRYSANTHEMUMS

• growing in rockwool

• growing on concrete floors

• growing with N F T (nutrient film technique)

From the economic point of view only growing with N F T seems to have good possibilities.
Growing in rockwool is far more expensive than the other two systems because of the pot needed for each cutting.
Growing on concrete floors is not logical because of the high investment costs for the concrete floor.

The N F T system gives a production increase of 24% in comparison with soil culture; the N F T system with a separate glasshouse for extended propagation gives a rise in production of 39% in comparison with soil culture.
For the soil culture and the two N F T systems without and with a separate propagation house – gross margins will be given.
Also cost differences between soil culture and the N F T systems are discussed.