Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation

The New Rural Industries
A handbook for Farmers and Investors

Welcome to the NSW CHRISTMAS BUSH chapter of RIRDC's major new publication (contents page here) on nearly 100 new rural industries.

NSW Christmas bush

Introduction

NSW Christmas bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum ) has been grown and sold as a filler cut flower in the Sydney area for well over a century. It makes an excellent cut flower. The vase life of quality ‘flowers’ (the red sepals develop after the white flowers) can be up to three weeks. The foliage alone also has some use in flower bunches. As its name implies, it has become associated with Christmas, particularly because the bright red sepals, which contrast well with the green foliage, develop around that time of the year. Association with Christmas is both a strength and weakness.

Demand is strong on the local market immediately before Christmas, with the price dropping dramatically afterwards. Flowering times are quite variable. Often the red sepals develop after Christmas in the Sydney area, when the price is low. Consequently, there is a move to establish an alternative name for the plant, e.g. festival bush.

The quality of flowers on the local market can generally be considered to be quite low in terms of grading and postharvest life. There is a strong demand for high quality flowers in the Japanese market, especially before the Japanese New Year.

Current production is largely based on one early variety, ‘Albery’s Red’. New varieties need to be developed so as to spread harvesting times in any one locality. There are also various challenges facing the culture of Christmas bush. Hot dry winds, especially at flowering time, may cause a complete loss of the crop. Nevertheless, although there have been some losses under adverse conditions, plants should last many years if properly cared for. The range of environments in which Christmas bush can be successfully grown commercially has yet to be fully determined.

Both horticultural (growing, harvesting and packaging) and marketing skills are highly important in the production of Christmas bush. Especially critical is the ability to schedule harvesting and marketing.

Markets and marketing issues

Bunches sold on the domestic market have a variable composition of lengths and sizes, both within and between bunches. Flowers for export are more carefully graded, principally on stem length. Other factors also taken into account are the number of sepals on the stem, their colour and how they are presented, and the total volume of the stems. There is also a specified number of stems in a bunch. Although the price received on the export market is much higher than from the domestic market, grading costs and wastage are also much higher.

The principal market for fresh cut flowers is Sydney, with approximately 500,000 flowering stems being sold in 1995. Relatively small quantities are sold in Brisbane and little in Melbourne. Early season prices are better in Brisbane than in Sydney. Large quantities are also sold directly to wholesalers and florists. A relatively small quantity (approximately 1500 boxes) was exported in 1996–97, largely to Japan. Flowers are either exported directly by the growers or forwarded through agents. Once in Japan, flowers are sold either by auction or direct to wholesalers.

The timing of sales is critical in all markets to achieve the best price. High prices are currently obtained for flowers on the Japanese market. Current prices can be expected to fall as supply increases from extensive new commercial plantings over the past two years. There are now some 30,000 plants under cultivation compared with 8,000 plants in 1994. The expansion of plantings is expected to continue in the immediate future. Total production in 1999 is expected to be 2.5 million stems, compared with 0.5 million in 1995. The expected price drop may be partly offset by availability over a greater period and the demand for new colour forms.

Production requirements

The primary requirement for the production of quality flowers is protection from hot dry winds, especially at flowering time. These can cause an almost complete loss of flowers in a matter of days, or at least a significant reduction in quality, especially vase life. Adequate water is also important, especially from flowering time to harvest. Plants should be irrigated regularly. Two- to three-year-old plants require about 4 L/day. Established plants will tolerate moderate frosts to about –4°C.

Soil type does not appear to be important, provided drainage is good. However, ability to tolerate alkaline soils has yet to be determined. Christmas bush is intolerant of salty water.

The species occurs naturally in rainforest and moist gullies in coastal NSW. It has been grown commercially near Toowoomba in Queensland and coastal areas of Victoria (see map). Its commercial performance in other parts of Australia, such as south-western Western Australia is not known. However, in a suitable microclimate it may well be successful. It should also be noted that, even within areas marked on the map, some parts may not be suitable due to local conditions.

Varieties

It is strongly recommended that selected clones be used, rather than seedlings, which may be highly variable. The most commonly grown variety is ‘Albery’s Red’. This is compact, dark red in colour, and early and free flowering. Almost all new plantings are of this variety. It is well accepted in the Japanese market and often brings the best price on the Australian market. There remains a need, however, to extend the flowering season and introduce a greater range of colours.

One variety which shows particular promise is ‘Shiraz’ (syn. ‘Christmas Belle’). It flowers 2–4 weeks later than ‘Albery’s Red’, depending on location, and is a darker red. Initial shipments have been well accepted by the Japanese market. Two white varieties are ‘Silent Night’ and ‘White Christmas’, the second of these being less vigorous and more compact. There has been a good response from the Japanese market to trial shipments, although there are some problems with brown spots on white sepals. The spotting can result from rain, overhead irrigation or condensation. There is also a range of other colours available, especially pinks, some of which show particular promise in terms of plant form and vase life of the ‘flowers’. It is anticipated that a wide variety of new clones will be released over the next few years.

Agronomy

After a suitable site is selected, and drainage installed if necessary, a basal dressing of fertiliser or chicken manure is incorporated into the beds. In the field, the distance between beds (usually 4 m) will depend on the equipment to be used for cultivation and transport of flowers. Failure to allow for this will greatly increase production and picking costs. Within beds, plants are usually spaced 1–2 m apart. Beds are often raised to provide better drainage and weed mats/mulches are also commonly used to control weeds. Planting in spring/autumn to avoid very hot weather is preferred, especially on black weed mat. Trickle or drip irrigation is generally used, so as to avoid wetting the foliage.

Commercial production starts 1–2 years after planting, depending on the size of transplants. The most time and labour critical operation is harvesting. Flowers must be harvested at the right stage for maximum quality and processed, packed, cooled and transported to market promptly. Picking of varieties at any one location generally takes place over 3–5 weeks. A mixture of varieties will help to extend production over a greater period.

Christmas bush responds well to fertiliser the application of which is essential for commercial production. However, no fertiliser should be applied for 3–4 months before harvest, to reduce the risk of new shoots overgrowing the ‘flowers’, and thus reducing quality. The use of slow release fertilisers such as
9-month Osmocote® or Nutricote® in a once-a-year application after harvest, combined with pelleted chicken manure applied in January and April, appears to give satisfactory results. These may be supplemented with additional liquid fertiliser applied through the irrigation system. As a guide, 20–30 grams of slow release fertiliser should be applied to
1–2-year-old plants (at least 1.5 m high) with an equal amount, in terms of nutrient content, of pelleted fowl manure. Plants are not particularly sensitive to phosphorus fertilisers.

Proper pruning of the bush is vital for maximum production and usually takes place as flowers are harvested or immediately afterwards. Any unharvested branches are cut back to 25–50% of their original length. The main trunks should be cut back to
2–2.5 m to facilitate harvesting. The general aim is to leave about 25% of the original foliage or regrowth will be reduced.

Pest and disease control

The main insect pests are leaf-curling psyllids, which often appear on new growth. They are difficult to control, even with repeated applications of insecticide. Scale insects can also be a persistent problem, particularly if plants are not growing strongly. Other pests are aphids, caterpillars and thrips which can attack new shoots and flowers, although they have not been a major problem to date. It is important to reduce pests and other insects to a low level in the field, especially if flowers are to be exported. The disinfestation treatment commonly used is an insecticidal dip. This is only partially effective, therefore the chance of live insects contaminating flower shipments can be greatly reduced if the insect population is reduced before harvest. Root diseases may also become a serious problem in sites that are not well drained.

Use of weed mats or mulches will greatly reduce the need for weed control. Glyphosate has been used to control weeds under mature plants, with no toxic effects apparent to date. The long-term effect of other herbicides is unknown at this time. Note that it is essential to check the registered uses of pesticides in your State before applying them.

Harvest, handling and postharvest treatments

Basic requirements for production and handling are a processing shed with facilities to treat flowers with fungicide/insecticide and to grade, bunch and box flowers, a forced-air cool room, buckets, chemicals, good quality water, tractor/transport vehicles for site preparation and movement of flowers, a slasher for weed control, spray equipment for pest and disease control, an irrigation system and access to refrigerated transport.

Harvest time is early November to mid December on the north coast of NSW and in south-eastern Queensland, with later harvests in cooler areas. Christmas bush is sold by the stem in 40, 50, 60, 70 and 90 cm lengths for export markets. Leaves are stripped from the lower 10–20 cm, depending on their length. Bunches of 3, 5 and 10 stems are made, depending on their length and volume. They are dipped in an insecticide/fungicide solution (e.g. Cislin® & Rovral®: check the registered uses in your Sate) and sleeved when nearly dry. Packed boxes should be cooled before transport. The domestic market prices by the bunch and will accept a bunch of mixed stem lengths, from 5–25 stems, depending on their size and fullness.

Stems should be placed in water as soon as possible after harvesting. They should be cooled to 8–10oC for overnight storage or to 2–5oC for longer periods. Use clean water and buckets. Dilute citric acid and bleach in the water may improve vase life.

Economics of production

A one hectare planting of 2000 plants will keep one person fully employed, with additional labour required at harvesting time. However, due to the strongly seasonal nature of labour requirements and risks (growing and financial) associated with a single crop, it is recommended that NSW Christmas bush be grown in association with other cut flower crops. Current commercial plantings range from about 200 to 2000 plants. The estimated start-up cost for a hectare, not including land, machinery, clearing, labour, fencing or structures, is about $16,000 in coastal NSW. This includes operating costs for one year. With little mechanisation, up to one years labour could be required to establish 2000 plants.

Growing and harvesting the Christmas bush for export accounts for only about 15% of the final wholesale price. Processing and packaging also account for only 17% of the final sale price. By far the greatest costs are sales and freight—in total accounting for 62% of the total cost of production. Any change in the sale price, freight costs and the yen–dollar exchange rate, all of which are largely outside the control of the grower, will have a dramatic effect on the gross margin. Processing, packaging, and sales and freight costs will be very much reduced for the domestic market due to the less stringent quality requirements. The 1996–97 gross margin for one hectare (2000 plants) of five-year-old plants with flowers sold in Japan was more than $200,000. However, in the long term a gross margin of $27,000 is more realistic for material sold on the export market as prices fall due to increased supply. It is estimated that over 30,000 plants have been planted over the past 18 months. If all labour was costed, the gross margin in 1996–97 selling all material on the domestic market would have been between approximately –$10,000 and +$10,000/ha, depending on time of harvest. It is obvious that the export market is far more profitable, but it requires a higher quality product.

Key contacts

Australian Flora and Protea Growers Association (AFPGA)

Beverley Karpinski
Secretary, AFPGA
c/- Spring Valley Flowers
Spring Valley
via Frogmore, NSW 2586
Phone/fax: (02) 6385 6222.

Paul Dalley
Mountain Nursery
Trappaud Road
Kempsey, NSW 2440
Phone: (02) 6562 7450
Fax: (02) 6563 1389
Email: mountain@midcosast.com.au

Flower Enquires Officer
NSW Agriculture
Locked Bag 11
Windsor, NSW 2756
Phone: (02)4577 0628
Fax: (02) 4577 0630

Flower Export Council of Australia (FECA)
Ken James
Executive Officer
P.O. Box 137
Nedlands, WA 6009
Phone: (08) 9327 5583
Fax:. (08) 9327 5683
Email: feca@iinet.net.au
Home page: http://www.iinet.net.au/feca/

Terry Flanagan
Flora Inspirations
Rustic Lane
Kempsey, NSW 2440
Phone: (02) 6562 5575

Yellow Rock Native
Nursery Pty Ltd
163 Singles Ridge Road, Winmalee, NSW 2777
Phone: (02) 4754 2637
Fax: (02) 4754 2640
Email: a.jfos@pnc.com.au or nkirby@pnc.com.au

Jeremy Smith
The Wildflower Farm
RMB 3635
Grants Road
Somersby, NSW 2250
Phone: (02) 4372 1393

Ross Worrall
Horticultural Research and Advisory Station
NSW Agriculture
Gosford NSW 2250
Phone: (02) 4348 1900
Fax: (02) 4348 1910

Key references

Dalley, P. (1996). Christmas Bush: Cut Flower Cultivation. Mountain Nursery, Trappaud Road, Kempsey.

Gollnow, B. (1995). Getting Started in Native Cut Flower Production. NSW Agriculture, Orange.

Karingal Consultants (1995). The Australian Wildflower Industry. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra

Australian Horticulture (various issues)—Cut flower prices.

Australian Plants—various articles.

*About the authors