Articles
NEW FLORICULTURAL CROPS IN THAILAND
Article number
454_5
Pages
59 – 64
Language
Abstract
Only recently have tropical cut flowers become popular in Thailand.
They have been introduced from abroad, such as heliconias and anthurium, and collected from the wild, such as curcuma, torch ginger and more recently globba.
Curcumas are found throughout Thailand.
The genus comprises many species with different colors, forms, and sizes.
For the past 4–5 years, Thailand has been exporting selected cultivars of Curcuma alismatifolia ‘Pa-tum-ma’ rhizomes worth millions of baht each year.
This genus tends to respond to short day to become dormant in winter when the rhizomes are harvested.
Patumma flowering season is from June to September.
New cultivars have been developed through selection and breeding programs.
Torch ginger can be found growing wild in the southern part of Thailand where its flowering season is between April-May.
Its bracts are edible and used fresh in local dishes.
Torch ginger has been grown commercially for cut flower year round, providing there is adequate water.
However the flowers are heavy and their bracts are easily bruised.
This causes problems with long distance transportation.
Since many types of torch ginger can be found (and set seed) in the wild, there are good chances of selecting good plant material for cut flower production.
Most recently, globba has been introduced from western Thailand and Myanma.
Its flowers, which are long lasting with many colors and sizes, are becoming quite popular.
Besides the flowers mentioned, there are other tropicals that are being considered as potential cut flowers in Thailand, such as Thalia geniculataa (water canna), and Gloriosa spp. Eucharis grandiflora, Eurycles amboinensis, and Haemanthus multiflora bulbs have also been exported in small quantity.
They have been introduced from abroad, such as heliconias and anthurium, and collected from the wild, such as curcuma, torch ginger and more recently globba.
Curcumas are found throughout Thailand.
The genus comprises many species with different colors, forms, and sizes.
For the past 4–5 years, Thailand has been exporting selected cultivars of Curcuma alismatifolia ‘Pa-tum-ma’ rhizomes worth millions of baht each year.
This genus tends to respond to short day to become dormant in winter when the rhizomes are harvested.
Patumma flowering season is from June to September.
New cultivars have been developed through selection and breeding programs.
Torch ginger can be found growing wild in the southern part of Thailand where its flowering season is between April-May.
Its bracts are edible and used fresh in local dishes.
Torch ginger has been grown commercially for cut flower year round, providing there is adequate water.
However the flowers are heavy and their bracts are easily bruised.
This causes problems with long distance transportation.
Since many types of torch ginger can be found (and set seed) in the wild, there are good chances of selecting good plant material for cut flower production.
Most recently, globba has been introduced from western Thailand and Myanma.
Its flowers, which are long lasting with many colors and sizes, are becoming quite popular.
Besides the flowers mentioned, there are other tropicals that are being considered as potential cut flowers in Thailand, such as Thalia geniculataa (water canna), and Gloriosa spp. Eucharis grandiflora, Eurycles amboinensis, and Haemanthus multiflora bulbs have also been exported in small quantity.
Authors
S. Lekawatana, O. Pituck
Keywords
Curcuma alismatifolia, Globba winitii, Torch Ginger, Heliconia, Red Ginger, Anthurium
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