Floriculture Production - Michigan State University

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Floriculture Crop Production Information

Click on one of the topics above to view specific articles in pdf format published in floriculture trade magazines. Articles posted with permission from Greenhouse Product News, Greenhouse Grower, Greenhouse Management & Production, and GrowerTalks magazines. All articles are in pdf format.

FlowersOnTime
This Excel spreadsheet allows users to predict the effect of modifying greenhouse temperature on crop production time. First, select one of the 60+ floriculture crops (many of which are bedding plants) in the drop-down list, then specify your typical finish crop time at a particular temperature. The model then predicts the effect of increasing or decreasing temperature at 2 °F intervals, assuming all other conditions are the same. Download it free at the Floriculture Research Alliance website.

Greenhouse Cost of Production Software
This cd/dvd package contains a spreadsheet tool (in Microsoft Excel) that growers can use to estimate greenhouse production costs and explore opportunities for savings. Also included is a DVD tutorial that makes learning to use the spreadsheet simple and effective. Purchase price is $26. Developed by Roger Betz, Tom Fernandez, Erik Runkle, Bridget Behe, Tom Dudek, and Jeanne Himmelein.

Growing Plants Indoors
This 20-page, full color bulletin presents information on how to care for common indoor plants. Topics presented include light, water, fertilizer, insects, mites, and diseases.

Daily Light Integral (DLI) Maps
These maps provide the average outdoor daily light integral throughout the continental United States and were developed by Jim Faust at Clemson University. To estimate the average DLI in your greenhouse, determine the percentage of light transmission that reaches your crops. For example, if you measure 6,300 footcandles outside the greenhouse and an average value of 4,100 footcandles inside, your light transmission value is about 65% (0.65). Multiply the DLI value on the maps by the light transmission value to get the estimated DLI inside your greenhouse.

Cold Storage of Plug Seedlings
This 20-page pdf document (3.4 mb) contains research-based information on storing seeding plugs. Written by Royal Heins, William Carlson, Nathan Lange, and Tom Wallace, Michigan State University. Copyright Greenhouse Grower magazine and Michigan State University, 1994.

Lighting Up Profits
This 96-page book contains 14 chapters on lighting greenhouse crops. Co-edited by Erik Runkle (MSU) and Paul Fisher (currently at Univ. of Florida), this grower-friendly book contains dozens of photos and crop-specific information to maximize greenhouse light. The book also includes grower case studies, conversion and summary tables, study questions, research highlights, and a CD with lighting unit conversion software and PowerPoint slides. Order a copy through Meister Media.

This page was last edited Mar 13, 2012.
Please send your comments to Dr. Erik Runkle runkleer@msu.edu

MSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.