Although sales of cut flowers have gone up dramatically in the last ten years, a large proportion of the flowers being sold are imported. The UK's first Cut Flower Trials Centre at Kirton, Lincolnshire, will be leading the way in reversing this trend. The Trials Centre, to be based at Warwick University's Horticultural Research Institute, will demonstrate, trial and problem solve cut flower production.
Four key areas for investigation will be:
- Variety - selection of the most appropriate varieties that will perform well in the UK climate and are popular with consumers.
- Scheduling - the correct time to plant to ensure a high quality crop over as long a season as possible.
- Pest and disease control - the appropriate control of pests and diseases on the most promising flower species.
- Vase life - the extension of the life of cut flowers by appropriate selection of variety or the use of post harvest treatments.
Representatives from all sectors of the cut flower industry - seed breeders; growers; supermarkets and companies that pack and market the flowers - are represented on the Trials Centre Management Board.
Lyndon Mason, Project Manager for the Cut Flower Centre said:
"The Leader+ funding has enabled our industry to come together via a very unique, integrated approach. The involvement of all sectors of the industry-seed houses, growers, marketing companies and supermarkets give our industry a unique opportunity to develop new and profitable cut flower crops hence ensuring the sustainability of a large number of rural jobs.
"Without the Leader+ pump priming grant aid this project would not have been able to proceed and the benefits to the rural economy would have been lost. We would also like to thank the Horticultural Development Council for its valuable support for the project"
The project has received nearly £17,000 from the Leader+ Guidance Fund and £24,500 from Defra.
Further information is available from Lyndon Mason on tel 01945 430 062 or email: lr-mason@msn.com
