• The evaluation and development of Haemodorum coccineum, a plant species native to northern Australia.

• continuity of supply of specialty flowers from the native flora into export markets during the Australian summer.
• production during summer to give continuity in cash flows and labour requirements.
• an expanded product range
• increased knowledge of the physiology of native flora.

• critical tests to determine its suitability for commercial development
• examination of the species in its natural habitat and establishment of the species in cultivation
• controlled environment experiments to elucidate crop growth and flowering responses (Canberra)
• field trials to develop suitable agronomic practices (Queensland)

• Haemodorum coccineum is similar to kangaroo paws (Anigozanthos and Macropidia) in appearance 
• of the tropical, summer flowering, species only H. coccineum and H. ensifolium have long enough or thick enough stems for consideration as cut flowers
• initial reactions from exporters and Japanese importers are generally favourable
• flowering is normally between December and March which would complement the flowering season of kangaroo paws
• flower stem production (stems m^-2 y^-1) is comparable to that of Macropidia
• vase life is approximately 12 days, including 1 day in cool storage out of water
• vegetative propagation by division of rhizomes is successful, particularly when this is done at the start of the growing season
• seeds are easy to germinate and do not exhibit any dormancy
• seedling establishment is difficult outside the normal geographic range of the species
• production methods are similar to those used for kangaroo paws 
• although the species is adapted to low fertility levels, higher nutrient levels are not detrimental to growth 
• H. coccineum is a facultative mycotroph (it may form a symbiosis with a soil fungus to improve nutrient uptake in poor soils)
• during dormancy water should be withheld 
• dormancy appears to be controlled by soil temperature which needs to be greater than 22° C at rhizome depth for the plant to grow
• heavy mulching should probably be avoided to maintain high soil temperature
• because flowering can occur at any time of year, if environmental conditions are favourable, it may be possible to manipulate flowering time
• to obtain maximum vase life it is important to pick the stems when the first stigmas emerge from the flower buds sandy or sandy loam soils are preferred

• plantation culture will probably only be possible within the tropics because of soil temperature requirements
• it is likely that winter rainfall areas are unsuitable
• before substantial investment is made in this crop further trials in a commercial environment are necessary
• research on the effects of mycorrhizae and control of growth and dormancy by soil temperature is desirable for this as well as other tropical species
• crop improvement through selection and breeding is desirable to improve quality and allow the granting of property rights 

• Evaluate performance of selected Asteraceae in coordinated trials.
• Evaluate vase life of different selections and determine appropriate handling and packaging treatments.
• Collect, propagate and evaluate additional species of Asteraceae in cultivation
• Monitor disease problems.

Postharvest life in rice flower can be affected by a range of factors such as cultivar, cultivation, harvest and handling.

New germplasm of rice flower and other Asteraceae varied in field performance including survival, growth, flowering season, flower colour and stem quality. Rice flower selections had a 14 weeks production season in south-east Queensland from late August to early November. A further extension over 10-14 weeks from November to February was possible using species such as Cassinia aureonitens (yellow), Ozothamnus rosmarinifolius (white, pink) and Cassinia laevis (white flowers).

Monitoring for disease and disorders confirmed phytophthora root rot (mainly P. cryptogea) is a major problem in rice flower and other Asteraceae. Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) and longicorn beetle larvae are also important problems with stem and root fungal problems and other shoot disorders needing further investigation.

The potential other species of Asteraceae eg Cassinia aureonitens, C. laevis and O. rosmarinifolius may have, in offering new colours and complementing and extending the rice flower production season even further from December to February, should be further assessed.

Preharvest factors influencing cutflower quality such as cultivar and culture must be considered. Careful handling, cooling where possible, refrigeration after harvest and insect control will enhance postharvest life. Use of STS may control leaf blackening. Vase life will also be improved with cooling and use of a flower preservative after transport.

The Australian flora is a rich and diverse source of germplasm of rice flower and other Asteraceae. Growers should be proactive in collecting and evaluating new selections for suitability for their locations. Growers should be familiar with the major problems (eg phytophthora root rot, root-knot nematodes) affecting rice flower and other Asteraceae. Control measures such as use of disease-free planting material and use of well drained soils should be applied. Prevention of plant damage and the development of a well spread and well anchored root system are important in this crop. Major issues remain to identify useful tolerance/resistance to Phytophthora spp., nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) in rice flower and related species.

Beal P.R., Carson C., Turnbull L.V. and Forsberg L. (1998) Rice flower (Ozothamnus disomifolius) in The New Rural Industries – A Handbook for Farmers and Investors, K Hyde, Ed. RIRDC Canberra 570 pp.

Slater T., Beal P.R., Howell J., Henderson B. and Forsberg L. (1997) ‘Rice flower – assessing environmental influences’ Australian Horticulture September 1997, 35-40.

Turnbull L.V., Beal P.R. and Forsberg L. (1997) ‘Exciting results from rice flower family’ Australian Horticulture May 1997, 37-39.

Turnbull, L.V. and Beal, P.R. (1998) Ozothamnus and Cassinia species with potential for commercialisation. Acta Horticulture 454, 147-156.

• Collating information obtained by testing the product widely in the market.
• Establishing growth rates and flowering times for Baeckea behrii on farms located throughout Australia.
• Characterising the flowering seasons for Baeckea behrii within each geographic location to support the continued supply of floral material for the markets.

In a previous RIRDC funded project, the potential of a number of Baeckea species and related small flowered Myrtaceae was investigated. During that project, eight clones of Baeckea behrii were identified to be superior with a good floral display and a vase life of over seven days. The superior forms of B. behrii were distributed to a range of commercial trial sites around Australia, and were tested under the terms of a non-propagation agreement. They were grown in sites in every Australian State, and as far as northern Queensland, southern Tasmania, and both eastern and western Australia.

Outcomes 

The plants at sites north of the NSW Queensland border did not flower as well as plants at more southern sites. Flowering time varied across the sites from early to mid October in southern Queensland and northern NSW to in late November and early December in southern Victoria. This delay in flowering will allow the market to be supplied for an extended season by plants growing at a range of suitable sites.

Providing the material was grown in a suitable area the market response appears to favour B. behrii as a cut flower. Petal drop may be a problem with some florists, but not with others due to the mass flowering on each stem. Baeckea behrii currently being grown in the USA is being sought in preference to geraldton wax, and receiving a higher price. The florists in the USA prefer it over geraldton wax because of the form of the stems.

Good selections of Baeckea behrii are considered desirable by parts of the domestic and export markets. Its wider use due to promotion and familiarity with the product will extend the range of myrtaceous fillers into December.

• To develop novel formulations of preserving fluid which can be used in an immersion process to produce export quality preserved Australian foliage. 
• A particular focus was to achieve retention of mechanical integrity and colour of the plant material in the high humidity environment experienced during export by sea-freight through equatorial regions.

Existing barriers which impede the achievement of export potential include:

• Loss of colour integrity ("bleeding") in equatorial sea freight conditions.
• Limitations in the range of plant varieties which can be preserved using traditional methodology (ferns, holly and bamboo cannot readily be preserved).
• Limitations in the seasonal availability of products, arising from the need to preserve foliage within 2-24 hrs of harvesting.

Research 

• Optimising humectant uptake.
• Ensuring compatibility of components in the preserving solution.
• Maximising recycling of process streams.
• Scale-up methodology.

• Uses ¹/₃ of the humectant required by the method of systemic uptake (the current industry standard).
• Requires only 2-3 dipping baths (no temperature/humidity control of airspace is required).
• Provides a product that does not bleed in hot/humid conditions.
• Can be used to preserve thick cuticular foliage (e.g. holly, ferns).
• Uses foliage that can be cut before fresh shoots form in spring/summer and preserved at any selected time throughout the season (or subsequent seasons).
• Has a failure rate of less than 5%.
• Provides product with good resistance to fungal attack.

• There is an identifiable and profitable market (domestic and export) for the range of products which can be produced with the immersion process.
• The immersion process has the potential to be taken forward as a sound commercial enterprise with low up-front capital costs and substantial reductions in ongoing operational costs.
• The immersion process offers the opportunity to deliver consistent high quality preserved foliage all year round, with the facility to access export markets via sea freight. 

• To extend postharvest longevity of native cut flowers through treatment with the new anti-ethylene agent, 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP).

• Develop dosing (concentration, duration and temperature) relationships for 1-MCP treatment of native cut flowers.
• Extend the postharvest longevity of various ethylene-sensitive native cut flowers through treatment with 1-MCP.
• Devise and test practical application systems for 1-MCP treatment.

Macnish. A.J. (1999). Efficacy of 1-methylcyclopropene treatments in protecting native Australian cut flowers and banana fruit against ethylene. Masters thesis, The University of Queensland, Gatton College. 244 pp. (+ Appendices). (submitted).

Macnish, A.J., Joyce, D.C., Faragher, J.D., and Reid, M.S. (1998). Use of 1-methylcyclopropene to prevent floral organ abscission from ethylene sensitive Proteaceae. In: Biology and Biotechnology of the Plant Hormone Ethylene II Conference, Proceedings. Thira, Greece, 5 - 8 September. (in press).

Macnish, A.J., Joyce, D.C., Hofman, P.J., and Simons, D.H. (1999). Involvement of ethylene in postharvest senescence of Boronia heterophylla flowers. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture (submitted).

Macnish, A.J., Joyce, D.C., Simons, D.H., and Hofman, P.J. (1999). 1-MCP treatment reduces flower deterioration from native cut flowers. Australian Horticulture (in draft).

Macnish, A.J., Simons, D.H., Joyce, D.C., Faragher, J.D., and Hofman, P.J. (1999). Responses of native Australian cut flowers to treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene and ethylene. HortScience (submitted).

Setyadjit, Macnish, A.J., Joyce, D.C., and Simons, D.H. (1997). 1-Methylcyclopropene prevents ethylene-mediated flower abscission from Grevillea ‘Sylvia’ inflorescences. In: Australasian Postharvest Horticulture Conference, Proceedings. University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury, NSW Australia, 28 September - 3 October. pp. 333-5.