Articles
DEVELOPMENT OF NEW WILDFLOWER CROPS IN VICTORIA
Article number
454_10
Pages
99 – 104
Language
Abstract
Victoria, with only 3% of the land mass of Australia, contains between 3,000 and 3,500 native species in the greatest number of native vegetation communities within any area of comparable size in Australia.
These communities contain a diversity of plants which can be used as cut flowers, and a few of these species are currently being developed for this purpose. Thryptomene calycina was the subject of a selection program to produce superior floral forms. Baeckea behrii has a floral display which is intermediate between thryptomene and geraldton wax, and it flowers late in the season.
Work on this species has selected superior forms which have a good vase life.
These forms are being assessed on commercial properties around Australia to determine variations in growth rates and flowering times at the different locations.
The superior forms will also be tested in a number of markets to determine their acceptability.
A number of species of Acacia are being selected for their floral display, time of flowering, suitability for export markets, response to pruning and for an acceptable vase life.
Postharvest procedures are being developed to ensure the cut stems have an acceptable vase life after air transport.
Species of Victorian daisies (Ozothamnus spp. and Chrysocephalum spp.) are being assessed for their suitability for cultivation as cut flowers.
These species all have a good vase life and have a floral display which is similar to rice flower (Ozothamnus diosmifolius), except the colour range is from cream to bright yellow and orange.
Victorian species of Conospermum have been found to have a good floral display and vase life and further work will be done on these species.
These communities contain a diversity of plants which can be used as cut flowers, and a few of these species are currently being developed for this purpose. Thryptomene calycina was the subject of a selection program to produce superior floral forms. Baeckea behrii has a floral display which is intermediate between thryptomene and geraldton wax, and it flowers late in the season.
Work on this species has selected superior forms which have a good vase life.
These forms are being assessed on commercial properties around Australia to determine variations in growth rates and flowering times at the different locations.
The superior forms will also be tested in a number of markets to determine their acceptability.
A number of species of Acacia are being selected for their floral display, time of flowering, suitability for export markets, response to pruning and for an acceptable vase life.
Postharvest procedures are being developed to ensure the cut stems have an acceptable vase life after air transport.
Species of Victorian daisies (Ozothamnus spp. and Chrysocephalum spp.) are being assessed for their suitability for cultivation as cut flowers.
These species all have a good vase life and have a floral display which is similar to rice flower (Ozothamnus diosmifolius), except the colour range is from cream to bright yellow and orange.
Victorian species of Conospermum have been found to have a good floral display and vase life and further work will be done on these species.
Authors
A.T. Slater, R.B. Jones, F. Horlock, B. Henderson, J.D. Faragher, D.V. Beardsell, R.B. Jones
Keywords
Thryptomene calycina, Baeckea behrii, Acacia, Chrysocephalum, Ozothamnus, Conospermum
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