Floriculture

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About the Floriculture Team

The UMass Extension Floriculture Team supports the greenhouse industry with research and information on environmentally safe production practices and marketing. The greenhouse industry is one of the largest production agriculture moneymakers in Massachusetts's, valued at $78 million dollars. There are over 1000 commercial flower producing operations growing potted plants, perennials, bedding plants and cut flowers. The team's overall goal is to help Massachusetts greenhouse growers remain profitable within the environmental, social, and economic climate of the state.

The team's educational activities include newsletters (Floral Notes), publications, workshops, conferences, training programs, diagnostic services and research. The team also works with Extension Specialists and grower representatives throughout New England to host The New England Greenhouse Conference, held every other year at Worcester's Centrum Centre. The conference includes over 60 educational sessions and 200 exhibitors. The next conference will be held October 21-23, 2002.

Some examples of the team's research include developing new biological control agents for western flower thrips in bedding plants and reducing the cost of using biological controls against whitefly in poinsettia. The team is also working on developing integrated pest management methods for fighting these two greenhouse pests. Helping growers cut back on the use of nitrates and phosphates is also a crucial part of the team's work.

The team has two full-time outreach educators who provide information on a variety of plants, plant diseases and soil testing. For more information on the Floriculture Team contact Doug Cox at (413) 545-5214 or go visit the Floriculture Team website.