Wild growers hunt market share
From the January 2008 edition of Agriculture Today.
NSW DPI researcher Jonathan Lidbetter will discuss his evaluation of the performance of grafted plants in a range of species, at the annual NSW Wildflower Conference at Campbelltown in February.
One of the challenges faced by the wildflower industry is how to increase its share of the domestic flower business, especially as the export scene has become more difficult.
The 2008 annual NSW wildflower conference in February will focus on domestic market opportunities, with a panel discussion extending the information gained during a tour by participants of the Sydney Flower Market, located in the Sydney Markets at Flemington.
The tour will also take participants to three farms to the south of Sydney.
It will be the tenth annual conference, and will be held at Campbelltown Catholic Club, on the southern edge of Sydney.
Each year the event brings together growers from NSW and interstate, as well as marketers, allied traders and researchers.
Conference organiser, Bettina Gollnow, says invited speakers will cover a range of topics of immediate relevance to growers and others in the value chain.
NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) researcher, Jonathan Lidbetter, will discuss his evaluation of the performance of grafted plants of a range of species.
His colleague, Ms Gollnow, will give an update on new product specifications.
Workshops will be another feature of the conference, covering plant disease diagnosis and vase life trials.
NSW DPI scientist Dr David Nehl, in charge of the Department’s Plant Health Diagnostic Laboratory at Menangle, will run through the simple steps growers can follow to work out why their plants aren’t looking well.
In a second workshop, Dr Jenny Ekman will show growers how to set up and interpret vase life trials, to enable testing potential new products for their postharvest longevity.
Confirmed speakers are Craig Scott from East Coast Wildflowers and Peter and Karen Brooks from Folia Australia. Other topics include the commercial aspects of developing new products and efficient irrigation and nutrition.
Confirmed speakers are Professor Daryl Joyce from the Centre for Native Floriculture at the University of Queensland, Sam Plant, water industry development officer working with the Queensland flower industry, and Murray Fraser from the Sydney Soil and Environmental Laboratory.
Overseas developments will be covered by Brian Shannon, president of the Flower Association of Queensland Inc, who will report on a recent fellowship tour to Israel, where he was amazed at the efforts being made to commercially develop and grow Australian natives.
Companies interested in promoting products and services to the commercial wildflower industry are invited to apply for a trade show package.
Registration is essential.
Contact Bettina Gollnow, Camden, (02) 4640 6437, bettina.gollnow@dpi.nsw.gov.au
