Area, Production, and Export Facts

• Total area under floriculture in India (2023–24): ≈ 330 thousand hectares
• Major producing states: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh
• India’s annual flower production: > 3 million tonnes (loose & cut flowers combined)
• Major export destinations: Netherlands, USA, UAE, UK, Japan, Germany
• India ranks second in the world (after China) in area under floriculture.
• Export items include: Cut flowers, flower buds, dried flowers, foliage, and essential oils.
• APEDA (Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) promotes flower export.
• Major export ports: Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata.
• Major flower-exporting companies: Karuturi Floritech, Florance Flora, Suvarna FloriTech.
• India’s flower exports are mainly of rose, carnation, gladiolus, chrysanthemum, and orchids.

Floriculture Under Protected Cultivation

• Protected cultivation refers to growing flowers under polyhouse or greenhouse.
• Common protected crops – Rose, Gerbera, Carnation, Orchid, Anthurium, Lilium.
• Temperature maintained – 20–28°C (day), 15–18°C (night).
• Humidity range – 60–70%.
• Polyhouses reduce pest incidence and increase vase life.
• Most profitable flower under greenhouse – Gerbera.
• Cost of 1000 m² polyhouse – around ₹12–15 lakhs (subsidy available under MIDH).
• Drip irrigation and fogging systems are essential components.
• ICAR–IIHR Bengaluru developed improved polyhouse structures for tropical regions.
• Carnation requires cool climate (15–20°C) and is mainly grown in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Floriculture in Landscaping and Ornamental Gardening

• Ornamental horticulture includes floriculture, landscape gardening, and interior decoration.
• Landscape gardening types: Formal, Informal, Free, and Natural.
• Famous gardens in India:
  1. Mughal Garden – Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi
  2. Lalbagh Garden – Bengaluru
  3. Shalimar Garden – Srinagar
• Annuals: Grown for one season (e.g., Marigold, Aster, Zinnia).
• Biennials: Complete life cycle in 2 years (e.g., Hollyhock, Sweet William).
• Perennials: Live for more than 2 years (e.g., Rose, Chrysanthemum, Gladiolus).
• Edging plants – Ageratum, Kochia, Alternanthera.
• Hedge plants – Duranta, Croton, Hibiscus, Clerodendron.
• Foliage plants – Coleus, Dieffenbachia, Croton.
• Lawn grasses – Doob grass (Cynodon dactylon), Korean grass (Zoysia japonica).

Post-Harvest Technology in Floriculture

• Post-harvest losses in flowers – 25–30% (India).
• Pre-cooling temperature for cut flowers – 2–4°C.
• Optimum humidity for storage – 90–95%.
• Common holding solution: Sucrose (2%) + 8-Hydroxyquinoline citrate (200 ppm).
• Anti-ethylene chemical: Silver thiosulphate (STS) or 1-MCP (1-methylcyclopropene).
• Pulsing treatment – short-term chemical treatment to improve vase life.
• Common pulsing solution: Sucrose + STS.
• Common packaging materials: Corrugated fiberboard boxes, polythene liners, sponge pads.
• Vase life of rose – 7–10 days; gladiolus – 8–12 days; carnation – 10–15 days.
• Storage temperature for tropical flowers – 8–10°C, for temperate flowers – 0–2°C.

Flower Physiology and Growth Regulation

• Auxins (IAA, IBA) – used for rooting.
• Gibberellins (GA₃) – promote stem elongation and flowering.
• Cytokinins – delay senescence and promote flower opening.
• Ethylene – accelerates flower aging and petal drop.
• Abscisic acid (ABA) – induces dormancy in bulbs and corms.
• STS (Silver thiosulphate) – ethylene inhibitor for cut flowers.
• Sucrose solution – provides energy and maintains turgidity in vase life.
• Florigen – hypothetical hormone responsible for flowering induction.
• Photoperiodism – response of plants to day length.
• Vernalization – induction of flowering by low temperature.

Advanced & Miscellaneous Facts

• Loose flower export markets – Middle East, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka.
• High-value exotic flowers – Anthurium, Orchid, Lilium, Bird of Paradise.
• Exotic orchids belong to family Orchidaceae.
• Anthurium preferred under shade net house (75% shade).
• Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) – symbol of joy and freedom.
• Tuberose oil (tuberin) – used in perfumes.
• Flower therapy (Aromatherapy) – use of essential oils for mental wellness.
• Dried flower industry – uses dehydration and freeze-drying.
• Dry flowers retain color longer with silica gel drying method.
• India’s largest flower auction center – International Flower Auction Bengaluru (IFAB).