Growers looking for new cut flower crops or improved varieties attended an open day at the National Cut Flower Centre in Holbeach St Johns on Thursday.
The centre, a Horticultural Development Company (HDC) funded project to carry out research and development on behalf of the cut flower industry, shares its findings with growers at its open days.
However, as Pinchbeck flower grower Sue Lamb points out, the day is also an opportunity to network with other growers as well as key people from the supply chain.
She said : “The days are very useful. It’s a chance to have a good conversation with other growers to see if everybody is experiencing the same problems.
“But you have also got attendance there from buyers, supermarkets and big packers and that’s quite rare because not everybody gets a chance to meet these people. The idea is that it’s a look and see, not just for growers but for the buyer, so if there is serious interest there is no reason it won’t develop into a contract the next year.”
HDC knowledge transfer manager for ornamental crops Wayne Brough said visitors to the day looked at commercial trials of column stock, which he said tended to suffer from root disease, and soil treatments.
They also considered weed control options and looked at a herbicide trial, as well as studying new crops and different varieties available to growers.