Applications for RIRDC funding for 2008-09 are now CLOSED
Click here for  information on the application process, and to apply for RIRDC scholarships
 

Objective: 
To improve the profitability, productivity and sustainability of the Australian wildflower and native plant industry.

Research Manager: Dr Roslyn Prinsley
Phone: 02 6271 4120, email: roslyn.prinsley@rirdc.gov.au
 

RIRDC Wildflowers and  Native Plants Research Results:
Wildflowers publications for sale	Free downloadable research reports
Free Short Reports (research sumaries)	Five-year Wildflowers/Native Plants Plan
Completed Projects in 2006-2007 & Research in Progress as at June 2007
Handbook of New Industries entries	Wildflowers/native plants Agfacts (factsheets)
Wildflowers and Native Plants Newsletter
About the RIRDC Wildflowers and  Native Plants Research Program:
Strategies for 2007-2008	Key program strategies
Some key performance indicators	Background
Strategies for 2007-2008	Expected key outputs in 2007-2008
Expected key outcomes in 2007-2008	New Projects funded in 20076-2008
Research budget 2007-2008
Industry related links:
Flower Export Council of Australia

• These are currently being developed in a consultative R&D planning process.

Wildflowers account for 95% of Australia’s fresh flower exports. The total value of the industry was estimated at $50m (wholesale) in 2005. Australia wide it is estimated that there are some 500 growers. Growers operate in all states of Australia but there is a degree of specialisation of product in the various states, depending on climatic zones, markets and history of the industry and reflecting commercialisation of species endemic to a given state. Specialist wholesalers and exporters who deal with native flowers and wildflowers operate in most states. There are many profitable established farms and related businesses. In 2007, the industry is leaner due to the exit of mostly small scale growers who suffered from under-investment or location in marginal areas.

The wildflower industry is strongly aligned with the ‘fashion’ and ‘lifestyle’ sector where new products are in constant demand. To remain competitive on the world market, the industry needs to focus on two areas. Firstly, it must deliver quality flowers consistently. Secondly, it needs access to new products and improved varieties on an ongoing basis. While many ‘wildflowers’ originate from Australia, Australian growers account for a relatively small share of total world production. The opportunity to be the source of new and exciting products is currently underexploited. This requires long term selection of improved forms from the wild and from within plantations, as well as breeding programs. Australian wildflowers and native plants are ‘newly domesticated’ species and so there is a great deal to learn about their breeding, propagation and production systems. Many are woody species which do not attain marketable yields for some three to five years. This long lead time, compared to many traditional flower species, means that breeding and production development programs may need to continue for more than one R&D funding cycle to achieve results.

The industry has significant opportunity to capitalise on new product development, utilising our diverse range of native flora, meeting the demands of ‘fashion driven’ local and overseas buyers. This in turn will attract more investment and allow existing players to expand. On the world market, our industry’s main competitive advantage lies in its ability to source new crops and products from our diverse and unique range of endemic flora.

Wildflower growing can achieve better returns per unit area of land and per unit of water for irrigation, than many other agricultural enterprises. In addition, growing wildflowers generally requires fewer inputs of pesticides, fertiliser and water than growing traditional flowers such as roses, carnations and annuals. Many wildflower growers are well educated, own their own farms, and are often ‘sea changers’ with a significant personal interest in environmental sustainability.

• Evidence of new product development activities
• New value added products
• Industry involvement in product development
• Availability of user-friendly production information
• Support for industry-driven training, workshops and networking

New five-year R&D Plan setting out goals, strategies and performance measures

• To commission priority research and development from the new five-year plan
• To identify means of optimising irrigation scheduling techniques for key wildflower crops
• To develop and communicate commercially relevant product specifications
• To continue the breeding project aimed at producing a flower for festive occasions when red flowers are not readily available at present

• New varieties and cultural and post harvest information that will enable flannel flowers and other Australian native cut flowers to be grown in protected cultivation.
• A strategy for managing nutrient and irrigation levels in waxflowers with some emphasis on new hybrids to maximise growth and flower quality
• Development of product specifications five foliage products in the domestic market: Stenocarpus Forest Lace, Stenocarpus Forest Gem, Lomatia fraxinifilia, Athertonia diversifolia and Grevillea baileyana.
• Improved and more detailed agronomic, market and economic information available to industry concerning foliage species which is relevant to tropical and subtropical growing areas.
• Australian wildflower and native plants program R&D plan for 2007–2012

• New varieties of Leptospermum and Leucadendron are available for use by industry.

Research budget: $242,000