Commercial Cut Flowers

Floriculture has witnessed boundless growth with its innumerable avenues gaining significance day by day. India has a long tradition of floriculture, with flowers forming an integral part of almost all religious, social and cultural activities of Indians. India is bestowed with several agro-climatic zones conducive for year round production of a wide diversity of both loose and Cut flowers. Tamil Nadu occupies 25 % of the country's flower production. It plays a key role in loose flower production with an area of 32,290 hectares and an annual production of 4.16 lakh MT of loose flowers. Cutflowers viz., cutroses, carnation, chrysanthemum, lilium, gerbera, gladiolus, anthurium, orchids, bird of paradise, alstroemeria etc., are produced in 700 ha area with an annual production of 12,900 MT of cut stems. Hosur, Kodaikanal, Nilgiris, Yercaud are the major hubs for cut flower production in Tamil Nadu. By virtue of its importance in promotion of socio-economic growth, Cutflowers is indispensable in the horticultural map of Tamil Nadu. In this book, the authors have discussed the production technologies of various Cutflowers under open and protected structures. This book is a compilation of the production technologies of all the important commercial Cutflowers and is an effort to make available all information regarding the cut flowers in national and global scenario. This book gives a clear picture on the production techniques right from land preparation to harvesting, post harvest technologies and value addition including the plant protection measures to manage the major pest and diseases and physiological disorders of Cutflowers. This book will serve as a useful guide to students, teachers and entrepreneurs.