Gulf Coast Research and Education Center
14625 C.R. 672, Wimauma, FL 33598
(813) 634-0000 SC514-6890
Fax (813) 634-0001
Jack Rechcigl, Center Director
Breeding and Evaluation of Floral Crops
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Gulf Coast Research and Education Center
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Breeding and Evaluation of Floral Crops |
| Faculty and Staff | Societies and Associations |
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Dr. Brent Harbaugh, Professor Nancy West, Biological Scientist Gail Bowman, Lab Technician
Dr. Zhanao Deng, Assistant Professor |
American Horticultural Society Master Gardener Information National Gardening Association |
| Producers of cut flowers and flowering pot plants require a
continuous input of new varieties of crops currently under production,
as well as potential new crops, to maintain market
interest. There is a need to select and/or develop varieties adaptable
to Florida growing
conditions and that are resistant to ever changing crop pests. A caladium breeding program emphasizing bright colorful leaves, multiple leaf development, and large, good quality tubers was established in 1976. Hybridizations among commercial caladium varieties and their subsequent culture and selection on muck and sandy soils have resulted in the release of Florida Sunrise,1990; Florida Calypso in 1998; and Florida Cardinal, and Florida Roselight in 1988; Florida Elise, Florida Sweetheart, and Florida Fantasy in Florida Ruffles and Florida Irish Lace in 2000. For more visit our Caladium website. A lisianthus selection and breeding program began in 1985 to develop heat-tolerant and basal branching bedding (dwarf) and pot plant (semi-dwarf) varieties. Maurine Blue (pot plant) and Florida Blue (bedding plant) were released in 1995 as the first heat-tolerant varieties whose seedlings can be grown at 82 to 88 o F without rosetting making them highly desirable for production in Florida. Additional varieties that have been released from this program that provide the same heat tolerance and a wide selection of colors are: Maurine Pink, Maurine Pink Lilac, Maurine White, Maurine White-on-Blue, Maurine Light Blue, and Maurine Lilac in 1997; Florida Pink and Florida Light Blue in 1998, and Florida Silver in 2000. A cooperative breeding program was begun in 1972 to develop ornamental tomatoes suitable for production in small pots and hanging baskets. Varieties that have been released include, Florida Petite and Florida Lanai (dwarf pot types); Florida Basket, Floragold Basket (semi-dwarf, cascading habit for hanging baskets), Micro-Tom and Micro-Gold (miniature-dwarf tomatoes), and Micro-Tina and Micro Gemma (miniature-dwarf tomatoes with increased sugar-sweetness). New species and new varieties of major floral crops have and are being evaluated continually for possible use in Florida's floriculture industry. Information gained from these studies and combined with research on crop culture developed from interdisciplinary studies at GCREC has led to the development of new crops for Florida or new uses of existing crops. For example, guide lines (including production cost analyses and market analyses) were developed for the production of mini-mums and pixie poinsettias for mass market sales; promising varieties of chrysanthemum, gladiolus, caladium, statice, poinsettia, gypsophila, fuschia, Rieger begonia, and streptocarpus were indentified; and many crops that were not being grown in Florida were introduced such as episcia, achimines, lisianthus, aeschymanthus, crossandra, exacum, and others. In 1984, variety trial programs were initiated for evaluation of seed propagated bedding plants. This program has provided bedding plant producers, landscapers, and homeowners with timely information on crop performance of new bedding plant varieties. The information has also been useful for plant breeders desiring to produce plants suitable for Florida but that have breeding facilities in areas with different environmental conditions. |