Discover specialty cut flower sessions at the 2024 Great Lakes Expo
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EmailEssential production insights featured in cut flower education program.
The Michigan State University Extension floriculture team is pleased to introduce an educational program tailored for specialty cut flower growers at the 2024 Michigan Greenhouse Growers Expo, which runs Dec. 10-12 at the Devos Place Conference Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This program offers a strong selection of sessions on essential production topics, including postharvest handling, disease management and U-pick systems. Designed for growers at all experience levels, these sessions will be led by a diverse group of commercial flower growers, university researchers and industry experts.
Program highlights
The following sessions will all take place on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
Tips on Manipulating the Day Length to Extend the Cut Flower Season
Roberto Lopez, Michigan State University
Struggle getting your cut flowers ready for holidays such as Valentines Day, Easter and Mother’s Day? Learn which specialty cut flower crops are day length sensitive and how to improve cut flower quality and reduce time to harvest. Roberto Lopez will also share the latest Michigan State University (MSU) research on how crops such as dahlia and ranunculus can be induced to flower earlier in the field, high tunnel or greenhouse.
Speaker bio: Roberto Lopez, PhD is an associate professor and controlled environment/floriculture extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University. His research focuses on propagation and production of young and finish plants (including bedding plants, specialty cut flowers, leafy greens, and culinary herb crops) in the field, high tunnels and greenhouses. His cut flower research aims to increase yield, stem length and caliper, quality and reduce production time by manipulating the growing environment.
Getting Ahead of Diseases in Specialty Cut Flower Production
Mary Hausbeck, Michigan State University
Plant diseases are a constant menace that can easily reduce the quality and marketability of floriculture crops. In this session, Mary Hausbeck discusses several common pathogens as well as management practices that can help keep losses to a minimum.
Speaker bio: Mary Hausbeck, PhD is a university distinguished professor and extension specialist of plant pathology in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences at Michigan State University. She has statewide Extension and research responsibilities in field and greenhouse vegetables, herbs and ornamentals. Her current research emphasis includes downy mildews and Phytophthora spp. Her overall program goal is to develop novel and integrated disease management strategies for growers and to mentor graduate students. She has served as the advisor for over 50 students who have received advanced degrees in plant pathology.
One Day More: A Quick Guide to Cut Flower Postharvest Handling
Nathan Jahnke, Ball Horticultural Company
We all wish the best things in life could last one day more, right? Cut flowers are no exception. During this talk we will cover some basic and advanced techniques to prolonging cut flower vase life. From preharvest factors like harvest time, cooler temperature and dehydration to postharvest handling preservatives, there are so many things cut flower growers can do prior to the sale. Don't forget about your customer. There are quick tips for customers that can help cut flowers give your customers the biggest bang for their buck and coming back to buy again.
Speaker bio: Nathan Jahnke, PhD is a culture research manager for Ball Horticultural Company in West Chicago, Illinois. He runs a robust research program developing young plant production solutions and culture recommendations for the industry, Ball products, and Ball partners around the globe. His research has helped growers better utilize LED lighting, acclimate tissue culture plants and apply plant growth regulators for enhanced plant quality and production efficiency.
We Grow, You Pick: Creating and Implementing a Successful U-Pick Flower Program
Michelle Brosius, Green Things Farm Collective
Strolling through a field of flowers is intrinsically pleasing to the senses. As agrotourism becomes an increasingly important source of income for small farms, cut flower growers can harness the natural beauty of their production fields to attract customers and create new revenue streams. Michelle Brosius from Green Things Farm Collective shares her experience with setting up and maintaining a U-pick flower field. Cultivars, pricing and marketing considerations will also be discussed.
Speaker bio: Michelle Brosius is a co-owner, flower production manager and Airtable wizard for Green Things Farm Collective in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michelle came to farming with a degree in zoology from MSU and a background in ecological restoration work. She was looking for a way to make a living that combined her love of the natural world, food and physical activity, while allowing her to feel like she was truly making a positive impact on the world. When she's not at the farm she can often be found walking slowly through a prairie or the woods, quietly observing anything and everything she can.
Online registration for the Expo is now open. Attendees and exhibitors can find the full session schedule and trade show information at the Great Lakes Expo website.
