This diverse course introduces you to the fundamental knowledge required to set up your own cut flower business or to work for a commercial grower.

Cut flower growing has experienced rapid expansion in recent decades, resulting in increased demand for training in the skills and knowledge required by this industry, and increased opportunity for profit by the small business operator or advanced hobbyist.   This course provides a thorough basic training for the commercial cut flower grower.

Course Aims:

• Explain the physiological processes which affect flower development in plants
• Identify plant varieties suitable for commercial cut flower production
• Evaluate the suitability of different plants as cut flower crops
• Determine soil and nutrition requirements for cut flower growing
• Determine the cultural requirements for commercial production of a cut flower crop
• Determine harvest and post-harvest management practices for cut flower crops
• Develop a production plan for a cut flower crop
• Determine export market opportunities for cut flowers

There are 10 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction to Cut Flower Production
2. Soils and Nutrition
3. Cultural Practices
4. Flower Initiation and Development
5. Pest and Disease Control
6. Australian Natives and Related Plants
7. Greenhouse Culture
8. Harvest and Post Harvest
9. Developing a Production Plan
10. Export Marketing