PRODUCTION OF POTTED

ORNAMENTAL PLANTS UNDER

PROTECTED CONDITION

Dr. V.S.PATIL
Professor and Head
Department of Horticulture,
A.C Hanumanamatti.
 Our Changing Planet: Surface Temperatures

Projected surface temperature changes for the early and late 21st century relative to the
period 1980–1999. The central and right panels show the Atmosphere-Ocean General
Circulation multi-Model (AOGCM) average projections for the B1 (top), A1B (middle)and A2
(bottom) SRES scenarios averaged over decades 2020–2029 (center) and 2090–2099 (right).
Source: IPCC Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis: Summary for Policymakers
 Plants and our environments

 Climate change leads to amplification of health risks known to be associated

with outdoor and indoor environments….currently no great surprises.
 Urban indoor air quality (IAQ) is an international health issue, since city
dwellers spend 90% of their time indoors.
 Alleviation of many of the problems of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) -
promotion of the health and well-being of building occupants.
 NASA-funded project concluded that foliage plants can remove nearly 87% of
air pollutants from sealed chambers within 24 hours.
 Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum ‘Mauna Loa’) plant removed 16, 27, and 41 mg
formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and benzene, respectively, from sealed
chambers after a 24-hr exposure to the respective chemical.
POTTED-PLANTS IMPROVE INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ)
 Urban Air Pollution and Health Risks
 Plants, including ‘indoor’ species absorb and degrade all types of
urban air pollutants (oxides of carbon (CO2) (CO), nitrogen (NO2) and
sulfur (SO2) ‘air toxics’, i.e. ‘organics’ from not-fully burnt fuel, e.g. the ‘big
four’ ‘BTEX’ (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene) and ‘PAHs’
(polyaromatic hydrocarbons) and metals) and thereby reducing air
pollution levels and health risks (asthma, strokes, heart attacks, and
sudden infant death syndrome, low birth weights, some cancers,
cardiovascular problems, and schizophrenia and other mental illnesses).
 POTTED-PLANTS IMPROVE INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ)
Indoor Air Pollution and Health Risks
 Urban indoor air is generally more polluted than outdoors because, as
outdoor air diffuses inside, the pollution load is augmented from indoor
sources.
 The CO2 levels are generally higher, because building occupants have to
exhale and there is also house (or office) dust.
 Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from plastic or synthetic sources - Main
class of indoor derived air pollution
 The USEPA has identified over 900 VOCs in indoor air 43(not all at once!)
sources include components of furniture, fabrics, and fittings, paints, glues
and varnishes, computers, printers, solvents, detergents, and shampoos,
cosmetics, etc.
 VOCs are a common cause of ‘Sick-building syndrome’ or ‘Building related
illness
 Acute health and comfort effects experienced by
building occupants that are apparently linked to time
spent in the building. (EPA)
 symptoms appear 2-6 hours after entry
 symptoms disappear shortly after leaving or overnight
(fresh air)
 Headache, fatigue, hortness of breath, sinus, congestion
 Cough, sneezing, eye, nose, and throat irritation

 Indoor plants reduce dust levels, and tend to stabilise humidity and temperature
and They can also baffle noise.
 UTS studies demonstrated that indoor potted-plants can eliminate high or low
doses of airborne VOCs within about 24 hours.
 The ‘potted-plant microcosm’ (PPM) of any indoor-plant species will have a
similar capacity for efficient, reliable VOC removal.
 Potted Plants
 Rapidly development of foliage industry and its much contribution to the
national exports in South Asian countries.
 Great potential to export fresh foliage items i.e., cut leaves, unrooted cuttings,
and rooted cuttings, stems, potted plants and landscaping plants, to Europe,
North America, Japan and Middle East Countries.
 entry Indian companies in a big way in the international floricultural trade.
 Besides cut flowers, another avenue which has a tremendous scope for India, is
to enter or diversify in to pot plant production because of the availability of
cheap labour besides many other inherent advantages.
Indoor potted
plants can
protect us
 Global trends in Pot Plants

Top ten Plot Plant

Kalanchoe
Hedera
Ficus
Saintpaulia
Pot Chrysanthemum
Dracaena
Pot rose
Hyacinth
Primulas
Begonia
 Classification of potted plants

 Flowering pot plants

 Green or Foliage Pot plants
 Bedding Plants
 Bulbous plants

 Foliage plants are best suited for pot growing and are defined
literally.
 Foliage plants :
 Attractive foliage and/or flowers that are able to
survive and grow indoors
 Used as living specimens for interior decoration or
interior plant scaping
 Historical Background

 The Sumerians and ancient Egyptians started growing plants in containers

about 3,500 years ago

 No known record as to precisely when humans first started to use foliage

plants for interior decoration.

 A desire for exotic plants developed among the aristocracy of France and
England by the middle of the 16th century, and orangeries and conservatories
became commonplace on the estates of the nobility and wealthy class by the
17th century.

 An estimated 5,000 species of exotic plants had been brought into Europe
from the world’s tropics. The availability of diverse and exotic plants that
could tolerate the environment typical of Victorian homes promoted the use
of living plants indoors and gave birth to the modern foliage plant industry.
 The oldest known Dieffenbachia hybrid is ‘Bausei’, a cross
between D. maculata and D. weirii made in 1870 in the
greenhouses of the Royal Horticultural Society of London at
Chriswick.

 Selling Shiploads of foliage plants from greenhouses in England

and mainland Europe to greenhouse growers in the Northeast
U.S. for either immediate resale or for “growing on” and
subsequent resale was considered as the beginning of
“globalization of foliage plant production”.
 Pot plants- importance
 Foliage potted plants are used for indoor gardens Because of their varied growth
habits, multitude of foliar charms, brilliant patterns of leaf variegation and
texture, elegant flower shapes and colors, tolerance to low light levels, etc.

 Plants bring beauty and comfort to our surroundings, contribute to the

psychological well-being of people, and remind us of nature

 Plants in building interiors reduce dust, act as natural humidifiers, and purify
indoor air.
 Scope and Prospects
 Increasing urbanization undoubtedly increase urban population densities
as clustered housing units will increase.

 As foliage plant production practices become more cost efficient and the
world economies continue to grow, the purchase and use of foliage plants
will become an international commonality.

 The foliage plant industry needs to respond to this expanding demand by

providing high quality and durable plants with increased drought and low
light tolerance, and improved leaf color and growth habits.

 Some foliage plants are purchased in various intermediate stages of

development and are grown to the finished market stage in the temperate
region greenhouse.

 India can certainly tap this advantage and enter into production of foliage
plants both exotic as well as those native to India.
 Foliage plant production – A glance
The E.U.
 The E.U. is still a major region of foliage plant production.

 Netherlands, Belgium, England, France, Germany, and Italy are significant producers of
foliage plants for the European and international markets.

 The floriculture auction houses in the Netherlands play a crucial role in the trade of
foliage plants.

 In addition to plants from domestic production, about 14% of the Netherlands’ foliage
plants were imported, of which India, Italy, and Germany accounted for 26%, 14%, and
14%, respectively.

 The Netherlands exported about 21%, 22%, and 52% to Germany, United Kingdom, and
France, respectively.
 Predominant plants grown in California include Kentia palm (Howea forsterana)
and Pothos (Epipremnum aureum), followed by Philodendron and Araucaria, Heart-
leaf Philodendron (Philodendron scandens oxycardium) was introduced.

Howea forsterana Epipremnum aureum

Asia
 Many foliage plants are associated with good luck or fortune in Asian culture; viz.,

 Aglaonema is believed to bring good fortune to life, Dracaena sanderiana is

called Lucky Bamboo, and Pachira macrocarpa is known as the Money Tree.

 However, commercial production of foliage plants in Asia is a more recent trend.

 New Aglaonema species were found in Thailand in the south along the
Malaysian border and in the west along the border with Burma.

 Cacti are a unique group of foliage plants. There are about 15 million grafted
cacti sold yearly in the international market, of which Korea produces 10 million.

 Much of foliage plant production is exported to other countries including the U.S.
In 2000, the values of foliage plants exported to the E.U. from India, China, and
the Philippines were $9.7, 3.6, and 1.7 million, respectively.
Other foliage plant genera produced in Asian countries include Aglaonema, Anthurium,
Calathea, Ficus, Phalaenopsis, Bromeliads, and ornamental gingers as well as braided
Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana), Money Tree (Pachira macrocarpa), Buddha’s Hand
(Alocasia cucullata).

Bromeliads

Aglaonema Phalaenopsis
 Criteria for foliage potted plants

 The most important postproduction considerations in foliage plants are the

beauty of their foliage and the overall form of the plant in relation to container
size.
 Size and shape of leaves and their attachment to the stem
 Number and texture of leaves, and their color intensity
 Strength, straightness and length of stem.
 Development and condition of foliage
 Free from blemish and damage from pests and diseases, nutrient deficiency,
physical and chemical injury
 Leaves and stems should free from chemical residues
 Well-formed, healthy root system that is not pot bound is necessary for pot
plants. The large roots should not come out of the pot holes.
 Tips for growing pot plants commercially
 Crop selection: The selection of the plants to be grown should be decided
up on current global demands.
Factors on which choice of crops for exportation :
 Outdoor or Greenhouse production
 Labor requirement and availability
 Distance from the field to the market and transport facilities
 Produce demand and personal preferences
 Financial status
 Growing Environment
 Most of the foliage plants are native to mild climates and many of
them actually came from various tropical areas around the world.
 Sanseveria and some of the palms may be grown entirely outdoors,
while Philodendrons, Aglaonemas, Dracaenas, Crotons,
Dieffenbachias, Nepthytis and Pothos may be grown in plastic screen
houses.
 The stock plants of Dieffenbachia, Maranta, Nephthytis, Peperomia,
Philodendron and Pothos and grown in heated slat or plastic screen
houses.
Light
 Light intensity influences internode length, foliage color, carbohydrate level,
growth rate, and acclimatization.
 The best growth of most foliage plants is produced with approximately 10000
lux of light. However, Sansevierias and Peperomias should be supplied about
20000 lux and Aglaonema simplex does best at about 7000 lux.
 Too high light intensities cause scorching and leaf dropping by abscission.
 A decrease in light intensities below the light compensation point is always
unfavorable for plant growth and results in many physiological, anatomical and
morphological changes including reduction in the content of reserve
carbohydrates and chlorophyll, decrease in the thickness of leaf blades, the
dropping of leaves, etc.
Temperature
 Foliage plants require 21 to 24 0C temperature for their growth and
development.
Humidity
 Humidity requirements of foliage plants during production are not verified by
research, but maintenance of 50% of higher relative humidity appears to be
desirable.
 Important foliage plants
ARALIAS (Araliaceae):
A. balfouriana
Aralias
A. elegantissima
A. Seiboldi
AGLAONEMA
Jewel of India
Hybrid developed in India
Ideal for low light interior situation
Compact growth habit, with dense foliage
Thick silvery green leaves with dark green
margins
Ideal for 15-25cm diameter pots
Resistant to major pests and diseases
Emerald Star
Hybrid developed in India
Ideal for low light interior situation
Compact growth habit, with dense foliage
Thick glossy dark green leaves of medium size Aglaonema
Leaves are speckled with variegation and have a white mid vein
Ideal for 25-35cm diameter pots
Resistant to major pests and diseases
Cacti and Succulents (Cactaceae)

The most important genera are Agave, Astrophytum Cephalocercus, Cereus,

Mammillaria and Opuntia.

Agave Opuntia. Mammillaria

Dieffenbachia
The most important plants sold in the industry
are D.maculate, D.amoena, or hybrids between
species.
D.maculata Camille, D. maculata Exotica
Compacta and D.amoena Tropic Snow.

Dieffenbachia

Dracaena (Dracaenaspp. Liliaceae)

The most common species in use are D.
deremensis warnecki, D. fragrans
massangeana, D. godseffiana D. marginata,
and D. sanderiana.

Dracaena

Ferns (Filicies)
The most important commercial genera are
the Nephrolepis and Adiantum, together with
the general group of table ferns, including
Pteris, Cyrtomium Aspidium and Asplenium. Asplenium
Palms (Palmaceae)

Cycas revoluta Rhapis excelsa

Phoenix roebelenii
Anthurium

Antink Pink
(A. andreanum)
Alpine
(A. andreanum)
Funny
(A. scherzerianum)
Bessandra Calypso
(A. andreanum)
Red Star
(A.schrzerianum)
Sweety
(A.scherzerianum)
 Ficus sp.
F. nitida
F. benjamina F. 'Panda'
F. elastica F. panduriformis
F. Iyrata F. repens
F. macrophylla F. triangularis

F. triangularis F. repens
Ficus benjamena Ficus elastica
 Ficus panda

Ficus lyrata
 PACKAGING
Packaging Systems
Boxing system
 Cartons must meet interest-shipping regulations concerning
weight of corrugated cardboard
 Waxed or moisture resistant to prevent deterioration of boxes
in transit
 Shipping loose in specially constructed racks and trucks
Choice of packaging
 Size of the plant
 Amount of foliage
 Flexibility of the branches and leaves
 Tendency of branches and leaves to become entangled or
damaged during loading.
 Freight rates
 desired loading density
Industry standards for potted plant pack sizes

Pot Diameter Number of

Pots
76 mm (3.0 in) 28
102 mm (4.0 in) 15
114 mm (4.5 in) 15
127 mm (5.0 in) 10
140 mm (5.5 in) 8
152 mm (6.0 in) 6
165 mm (6.5 in) 6
178 mm (7.0 in) 4
191 mm (7.5 in) 4
203 mm (8.0 in) 4
216 mm (8.5 in) 4
229 mm (9.0 in) 3
254 mm (10 in) 2
357 mm (14 in) 1
 Materials for packaging

 Minimum 1724 kPa (250 lb/in2) ) bursting test fiberboard.

 161 g/m2 (33 lb/1000 ft2) corrugated medium.
 C Flute corrugation, 42 flutes per 0.3 m (linear ft), 3.5 mm (9/64 in) high.
 Waterproof adhesive.
 Fiberboard dividers for long distance transport or high relative humidity.
 Moisture resistant wax or plastic impregnated fiberboard tray.
 Cut-out hand grips for ease in handling.

Source: Society of American Florists and the Produce Marketing Association. (28).
 Shipping temperatures for some acclimatized foliage plants to maintain
quality in refrigerated vans
Shipment Plant species
temperature (ºC)
1-15 day shipment
10-13 Phoenix robelenii, Schefflera arboricola, Spathiphyllum,
13-16 Yucca
13-18 Ficus benjamina, Philodendron selloum
16-18 Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, Dracaena marginata
Philodendron oxycardium, Peperomia bicolor, Nephrolepis
exaltata, Codiaeum variegatum, Cordyline terminalis,
Dracaena deremensis, D. fragrans, Scindapsus aureus
16-30 days
shipment Schefflera arboricola, Yucca
10-13 Spathiphyllum
13-16 Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, Codiaeum variegatum,
16-18 Dracaena marginata, Aglaonema cv. Silver Queen & cv.
Fransher
¹Data are for plants in containers in the dark. Some plants stored without lights for 10-14 d
will show slight to severe leaf loss and/or yellowing but will recover.
Points for consideration during and after transportation

 Light--high light levels should be reduced by 75% over a 5-week period.

 Watering--soil should be moist, with water content at 50% of soil capacity
during transportation. Soil that is too moist may damage packaging and
lead to diseases, while soil that is too dry will injure plant tissues and lead
to a loss of leaves.
 Plants should be watered one day before shipping.
 Fertilization--initial fertilizer rates should be reduced by 25-30% over a
period of 1 month. No fertilizer should be applied within 1 week of
shipping.
 Marketing tips for potted plants

 Grow pot plants with selected growers and have selected retailers in major
consuming cities in the form of a closed chain.
 Provide along with plant a specially designed sleeve of package, which is quite
attractive.
 Providing along with plant a leaflet containing scientifically developed plant
care tips.
 Develop plants with very high quality standards and keeping quality.
 Provide plant health certificate along with the plants.
 Provide a leaflet containing the scheduling of operations to be followed by the
end user after he purchasers the plant.
 Individual initiatives in this direction may not be economically viable, thick of
forming a co-operative with active participation of all the members.
 Market through an attractive brand name of cooperative with due recognition
to the actual producer.
 Possibility of marketing through Internet (E-commerce).
Potted Chrysanthemums (Pot Mums)

Varieties
White : Alpine, Free Spirit, Ruffled Spirit, Joy,
Surf
Yellow : Gettys Burg, Sunburst Spirit, Yellow Spin
wheel, Ritz
Pink : Fantasy, Anthem, Loyality, Albert, Chic
Bronze : Aglow, Copper Hostess, Minuteman,
Mandarin

Poinsettia
Varieties
K Paval Mikkelsen, Eckespoint C-1, Annette Hegg Red, Gutbler V-10 Amy,
Gutbier V-14 Glory, Gross SUP JIBI, Eckes point Lilo, Eckes point Lemon drop,
Eckes point Pink Peppermint, Eckes point Celebrate-2
Anthurium
ORCHIDS
Success Story
(Kazo Kogiso)
Cut Flowers to Potted Plants
 Establishment of green house
production of cut flower in
1954
 Left fresh cut flower production
because the consumer market
size was too small.
 Then moved into cultivation of
annual bedding plants due to
low initial investment.

 Since moved on again to the production of interior plants and cyclamen

 Finally , to potted flowering plants
Begonia elatior (Started with)
Poinsettias (56 % of production)
Small scale production: Begonia , phalaenopsis,Epipremnum sp., Maranta, etc.
 Alocasia

Asparagus Aspidistra
 Bromelia Chlorophytum

Cordyline Rhoeo spathecea

Pepromia Pleomele

Pelargonium
Schefflera
Ophiopogon japonicus Begonia

Begonia Ruellia
 Bulbous Flowering Plants

Dahlia Daffodils
A wide range of ornamental plants can be grown in a greenhouse or conservatory.
Some of these must have the protection of a greenhouse and cannot be grown
successfully in the open garden. Other plants, though they can be grown outdoors,
grow better inside a protective structure.
Climbing and Trailing Foliage Plants

Ficus
Asparagus
Hedera helix
Philodendron
Scindapsus

Bushy and Upright Foliage Plants

Aglanema commutatum
Aralia elegantissima
Araucaria
Aspidistra lurida
Caladium
Cryptanthus
Cryperus
Ficus
Maranta
Flowering House Plants

Aphelandra
Begonia Maculata
Beloperone guttata
Saintpaulia ionantha (African Violet).

Flowering Pot Plants

Begonias
Calceolaria
Chrysanthemums
Cineraria
Coleus
Pelargoniums
Euphorbias
Bulbs
Daffodils (Narcissus)
Crocus
Hyacinths
Tulips
Amaryllis

Ferns

Orchids
Dendrobiums, Pelonopsis

Cacti and Succulents

Bonsai
A wide range of herbaceous plants, such as busy lizzie, streptocarpus, pelargonium,
cymbidium orchid, canna and peruvian lily, can be grown in the greenhouse.
Some of the indoor plants are bulbs, corms or tubers such as gloxinia,
tuberous begonia, amaryllis and lily

Growing Potted flowing plants such as Euphorbias is a multimillion $ industry in US

particularly for Cristamas

Cyclamen Euphorbias
In European Counties maintenance of potted foliage plants in green house and renting them
to clients is gaining lot of importance now a days

Packing and Shipping

Packing of green house grown potted plants for transport
Top traded potted plants world over

The latest data available from Aalsmeer Flower Auction Centre, The Netherlands
indicates that kalanchoe, hedera and ficus are top three positions among pot plants.

Germany, France and UK remain top consumers of floricultural products in the world.

Among species, colour of flowers is important.

Since varieties in demand today may not be important tomorrow,

it would require necessary change in cultivars as per the needs.

Kalanchoe Hedera
Out of total Indian floriculture export 36 % is from potted plants
Major buyers are UK, USA, Germany, Europe, South East Asia, Japan,
Hong Cong, Singapore
Begonia, Yucca, Saint paulia, Chrysanthemum, Poinsettia, Dieffenbachia, Ficus,
Dracaena, Azalea, Kalanchoe are popular plants

Azalea

Saint paulia

Begonia,

Yucca