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Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation |
THE FULL REPORT
This is a summary of the full research report—Development of Baecijkea behri, other Baeckea and Scholtzia species as cut flowers for the export markets by Anthony T. Slater. A photocopy is avaliable from RIRDC on (02) 6272 4029. The author can be contacted on phone (03) 210 9222, fax, (03) 800 3521.
Research has found a number of species of Baeckea, and related genera of Myrtaceae, which can be used as either cut flowers in mixed bunches or as floral fillers to complement and expand the market for geraldton wax and Thryptomene.
The most promising species was found to be Baeckea behrii, which produces a good floral display of small Myrtaceous flowers. One of the main advantages of this species is that it flowers naturally from October to December when there is a gap in the market for this type of flower.
Eight clones of this species are to be released to the industry under non-propagation agreements for testing.
The popularity of the Australian wildflowers is increasing both within Australia and internationally.
As a consequence Australian wildflowers are gaining a greater proportion of the international floriculture market, which was estimated to be worth $34 billion in 1994.
Australian cut flower exports reached $23 million in the mid-1990s, with wildflowers accounting for 70 per cent of these sales.
To enhance this market the industry needs to look to new ways of meeting market demands by ensuring it can provide cut flowers throughout the year.
It was for this reason the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation commissioned Tony Slater at the Institute for Horticultural Development, Knoxfield, Victoria, to examine which species could be best developed to help fill these timing gaps in the market.
Tony Slater’s report says there are a number of genera which exhibit the required characteristics of commercial cut flowers: having a good floral display, appropriate stem length and vase life.
The most commonly known members of Australian Myrtaceae used as cut flowers are Chamelaucium and Thryptomene. Other less commonly used genera include Actinodium, Agonis, Astartea, Baeckea, Beaufortia, Calothamnus, Hypocalymma, Leptospermum, Melaleuca, Micromyrtus, Regelia, Scholtzia and Verticordia.
Of these genera, attention was focused on Baeckea, which has 70 species and grows in eastern as well as western Australia. Within the genus there are a number of species which display potential for being developed as cut flowers.
Baeckea is closely related to both Chamelaucium and Thryptomene. Its flowers are similar and the floral display of a cut flower stem is intermediate between the two. Baeckea flowers and stems, however, are more delicate in appearance than geraldton wax and have masses of white flowers towards the ends of the shoots.
The report says that although geraldton wax and Thryptomene are produced internationally there is a gap in production in December. It says there a number of baeckeas which flower from late spring to autumn which could be used to fill the gap in the market around Christmas when prices are high for fillers.
A large number of plants were surveyed in natural populations to select plants which had the characteristics for potential development as cut flowers.
Cutting material was collected from these plants for propagation at Knoxfield and field plots were established on flower farms throughout Victoria. All the clones were assessed on their ease of propagation and cultivation. The floral display of all the clones were also assessed.
In total 118 species and clones were collected for further assessment, which included 60 clones of B. behrii.
A range of post-harvest solutions and pulses were assessed to determine the best vase solution 10 g/L sucrose to extend shelf life. A vase solution containing 100 g/L sucrose with 100 mg/L chlorine was found to delay the onset of senescence the longest.
Thirty two species and clones were assessed for vase life, and nine clones were found to have an acceptable vase life of greater than seven days.
The report says further research, both short and long term, is required to maximise the potential of Baeckea.
In the short term work is needed to:
In the long term research there needs to be:
The aims of the project were to:
