How can I grow long-stemmed flowers for arrangements?

Question

I want to grow flowers with long stems to be cut and put in a vase. I want to grow them in a controlled indoor environment. What factors can help me grow my flowers with nice long stems? pH levels? Light control? certain nutrients? physical apparatuses?

Answer 1

Flower arrangement is an art and requires different flowers,leaves, seeds etc and relates to different moods and situations. If you want to grow all such things, it will be very difficult choice. But if you want to grow any one, say long stemmed Roses, then you can do glass house protected cultivation with artificial environment inside. The length of pedicel (stem) is a varietal character and can be seen in most fllowers like rose, dhalia, gerbera etc.

Answer 2

http://www.gomestic.com/Gardening/Bright...

I find growing them outdoors makes better sence.. and I like white both as an addition to the garden and for flower arrangements..

LIGHT is very very important.. if you dont give them enough - they will be tall and leggy (sparce)

make sure you have proper PLANT GROW lights.

Answer 3

Select proper species to grow and with intensive greenhouse culture you will be able to manipulate individuals for long stem but only to a point. Location is everything. There is a lot of competition from South and Central America to the Northern grower. But local is much fresher and longer lived. I use to attend a university that had a massive rose culture for cut flowers. That is really something to see. To avoid a lot of management problems it would be wise to find a single or possible 2 species to grow. Frequently lights are used or light proof covers to force a crop to flower when wanted. Such is the case with mums (potted live sales) but that will also be the case with pushing a rotation of a cut flower. Floriculture can be quite complicated and frequently is the reason most growers limit their culture species. All the factors you mention can come into play with intensive indoor culture but you can't make a flower do something beyond what it is naturally inclined to do with respect to height and it's suitability to the vase. P.S. (hint) growing market in edible flowers!

Answer 4

Well, you will need all of the things you mentioned in growing flowers in an indoor environment. You will need to control pH levels, light intensity and day length, and supply the proper nutrients, all depending on the type of flowers that you plan to grow. Most of all to grow the long stemmed flowers that you you want , you are going to need the right genetics. Study and select the right varieties or hybrids you need to get the long stems of roses or any other flower that you are interested in.

http://www.seedman.com/cutdry.htm

http://www.burpee.com/product/annual+flo...

http://www.bizrate.com/flowers_plants/pr...