Research and the Flower Farmer
A webinar series brought to you by the ASCFG Research Foundation
About this Webinar Series
The goal of this webinar series is to connect ASCFG members with the latest research in cut flowers and to inspire new ideas for crop, farm, and business management. During these online events, recent recipients of the ASCFG Research Foundation’s Competitive Grants shared synopses of their research, along with the exciting applications of the results, before a short Q and A session with attendees.
The original presentations took place on Zoom. Recordings are available for ASCFG Members at ascfgmembers.org
Not a member? Join today to gain access to this series and more in ASCFG’s exclusive learning portal.
Comparison of Dahlia Cultivars for Specialty Cut Flower Production in the Northeastern United States
Event Details
Join Drs. Burnett and Peterson as they discuss their project, which evaluated a wide range of commercially popular, field-grown dahlias to compare the postharvest life of a cold-sensitive crop in Northern climates that have a limited growing season. The researchers will discuss the exciting outcomes of their research and answer questions from audience members.
Presenter Biography
Dr. Stephanie Burnett is an Associate Professor of Horticulture at the University of Maine. Her research primarily focuses on production issues for greenhouse and flower growers. She teaches the floriculture courses at the University of Maine (Herbaceous Landscape Plants and Greenhouse Management) along with Introduction to Horticulture.
Manipulating Light Quality and Duration to Improve the Greenhouse Production of Specialty Cut Flowers
Event Details
A recent recipient of an ASCFG Grant, this project seeks to determine the ideal lighting conditions, in both the intensity and duration of lights, for growing flowers in greenhouse settings. In response to the growing market for specialty cut flowers throughout North America, crop growth and management in greenhouses can help meet the year-round demand for flowers. Dr. Lopez and Mr. Spall will discuss the exciting outcomes of their research and answer questions from audience members.
Presenter Biography
Dr. Roberto Lopez is an associate professor and controlled environment/floriculture extension specialist with a 45% research, 30% teaching, and 25% extension appointment in the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University. His research focuses on propagation and production of young and finish plants (floriculture, leafy green, and culinary herb crops) in greenhouses, growth rooms/containers, warehouse-based plant factories, and vertical farms. The primary objective of his research is to determine how light (quantity, quality, and duration), substrate and air temperature, and carbon dioxide in controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) production influences crop timing, rooting, yield, quality, flavor, nutrition, and subsequent performance.
Longterm Subzero Storage of Specialty Cut Flowers
Event Details
Dr. John Dole and his colleague Jennifer Kalinowski will present their research on the best practices for postharvest cold storage of cut flowers across multiple species. By developing effective long-term cold storage procedures for cut flower growers and farmers, this research has direct benefit for ASCFG members. The researchers will discuss the exciting outcomes of their research and answer questions from audience members.
Presenter Biography
Dr. John Dole received his B.S. from Michigan State University and his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, with both degrees in horticulture. Dole was on the faculty of Oklahoma State University for 11 years before moving to North Carolina State University’s Department of Horticultural Science in 2000. He became director of graduate programs for the department in 2004, department head in 2011, and is the former president of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS). Currently, Dole serves as the executive advisor for the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, a 2,900-member national organization devoted to the production and use of cut flowers.
Evaluating Protected Cultivation of Freesia to Diversify Early Cut Flower Production in the Mountain West
Event Details
Join Dr. Melanie Stock, Ben Scow, and Victoria Xiong from Utah State University as they present on their research on freesia. A recipient of the ASCFG Research Foundation Grant, this project seeks to explore early season cultivation of specialty cut flowers in cold and mountainous regions that are vulnerable to drought during late summers. If the researchers can determine when to plant (and how best to manage different crops) in these regions, the findings could provide new ideas to cut flower growers around the timing of their individual farming schedules. The researchers will discuss the exciting outcomes of their research and answer questions from audience members.
Present Biography
Dr. Stock is a soil scientist. Her lab focuses on high-value crops and resource use efficiency to improve the environmental sustainability and economic viability of small farms. Her research interests include adapting cut flower crops for Utah from basic cultivation methods to nutrient management and physics-based season extension, overwintering, and water-use efficiency. Visit the Small Farms Lab at smallfarmslab.com and on Instagram (@usu_smallfarms)!