Commercial floriculture
Flowers are grown for cut flowers, loose flowers (for garlands and worship), essential oils, dyes, landscaping and export. Floriculture gives high returns per unit area.
Gladiolus (Iridaceae)
A bulbous cut flower propagated by corms and cormels. Planted in autumn in the plains. Spikes are cut when the lowest one or two florets show colour. Corms need a dormancy period before replanting. Staking prevents spikes from bending. Fusarium wilt is a major disease.
Canna (Cannaceae)
A hardy perennial grown in beds and borders for its bright flowers and broad leaves. Propagated by dividing rhizomes. Grows in sun with plenty of water and manure; tolerates a wide range of soils.
Chrysanthemum (Asteraceae)
A short-day plant: flowering is triggered when nights become long (autumn–winter). Propagated by terminal cuttings and suckers. Pinching (removing the growing tip) promotes branching and more flowers; disbudding (removing side buds) gives large single blooms. Flowering time can be controlled by artificial lighting or black-cloth shading.
Rose (Rosaceae)
"Queen of flowers". Propagated by T-budding on rootstocks such as *Rosa indica* (edward rose), and also by cuttings. Groups include hybrid teas (large single blooms), floribundas (clusters), polyanthas, climbers and miniatures. Pruning is done once a year (in north India in October). Rose oil (attar) and rose water are made from scented varieties (e.g. *Rosa damascena*). Problems: die-back, black spot, powdery mildew.
Marigold (Asteraceae)
The most widely grown loose flower in India. Two types: African marigold (Tagetes erecta, tall with large flowers) and French marigold (Tagetes patula, dwarf with small flowers). Propagated by seed. Pinching increases branches. Marigold roots suppress nematodes, and it is used as a trap crop for tomato fruit borer. Petals give the pigment xanthophyll/lutein, used in poultry feed.
Key points
- Gladiolus: corms; canna: rhizomes.
- Chrysanthemum is a short-day plant.
- Rose: T-budding; annual pruning.
- Marigold: African (tall) and French (dwarf).
- Pinching = more branches; disbudding = bigger blooms.
Common mistakes
- Saying gladiolus grows from bulbs; it is technically a corm.
- Confusing pinching with disbudding.