Facilities and Technology

You need to have the right equipment and facilities if you want to run a successful floriculture business. On this page, you’ll find information on facilities and equipment for growing flowers and ornamentals, including improving greenhouse efficiency, irrigation systems, and high tunnel production.

Equipment and Technology in Floriculture

Currently, the vast majority of cut flowers come from overseas; however, there is an increasing demand for a wide variety of locally grown, fresh-cut flowers. This demand means the market is steadily growing in volume. Floriculture is not for everyone, however, as it has special production requirements.

If you want to start your own business you need to have the basic equipment. Major purchases, outside of growing materials, will be various machinery and small equipment items such as rototillers, irrigation equipment, and a low-horsepower tractor. Depending on your type of operation, you may also need a sprayer.

Regular maintenance of your equipment is essential if you want it to work efficiently. Sprayers require regular calibration in the spring in order to keep them working efficiently and not cause problems in the future. Regular equipment checks and maintenance are also essential for any tractors you use. Checking your tractor before you use it could prevent costly repairs, downtime, and aggravation. Greenhouse fertilizer injectors also need to be calibrated on a regular basis.

Irrigation for Flower and Ornamentals Production

A regular supply of good quality water is essential for the growth of flowers and ornamentals. To ensure more reliable production, you can use an irrigation system. The majority of flower growers use drip irrigation systems. Crops that you water with a drip or trickle irrigation system grow better and have fewer diseases than those watered from overhead or left to nature. Irrigation systems can also be very effective when growing flowers and ornamentals.

It’s important to note that the quality of the water also has a huge influence on floriculture growth and development. Water can contain harmful microorganisms, depending on its source, which increases the risk of contamination. You have to regularly maintain irrigation systems and in the fall you must winterize them to ensure they’re ready to use again in the spring. This takes between fifteen minutes and an hour and is best done before the first freeze.

Greenhouses and High Tunnels for Flower Production

Traditionally, highly mechanized greenhouses were used for flower production, but high tunnel production systems are also popular. This is because greenhouses and high tunnels allow growers to extend their gardening season. For those not ready for the cost of heating an entire greenhouse, hotbeds are an affordable option, especially for the home gardeners and small-scale producers.

There are a number of things to bear in mind when growing flowers in greenhouses. You should keep the threat of pathogen, mite, and insects in mind. Diseases can enter your production area in a variety of ways, such as the potting mix, potting area, pots, benches, even workers’ clothing. You should also give careful consideration to the application of stock fertilizer solutions.

One of the biggest expenses for greenhouse growers is energy. There are many ways to reduce energy use and save money. The key is to eliminate unnecessary waste. Steps you can take to improve greenhouse efficiency include turning things off when not in use, re-using energy when practical, and using high-efficiency equipment. Penn State Extension offers information for greenhouse growers who want to increase their knowledge and learn about the latest research and best management practices.