Model Bankable Project

on Floriculture(Rose & Gerbera)

Protected Cultivation-0.5 Acre
BACKGROUND

Protected cultivation practices can be defined as a cropping technique wherein the micro climate
surrounding the plant body is controlled partially or fully as per the requirement of crops grown
during their period of growth. With the advancement in horticulture various types of protected
cultivation practices suitable for a specific type of agro-climatic zone have emerged. Among
these protective cultivation practices, poly green house, net house, shade house, plastic tunnel &
mulching etc. are very useful for Odisha State. Protected cultivation under different types of
structures save plants from winter and extends the cultivation session for off-season crop
production.

Why Green house & Poly house Cultivation?

After the advent of green revolution, more emphasis is laid on the quality of the agricultural
product along with the quantity of production to meet the ever-growing food and nutritional
requirements. Both these demands can be met when the environment for the plant growth is
suitably controlled. The need to protect the crops against unfavourable environmental
conditions led to the development of protected agriculture. Greenhouse is the most practical
method of achieving the objectives of protected agriculture, where natural environment is
modified by using sound engineering principles to achieve optimum plant growth and yield. Poly
house cultivation has become an important policy of Indian Agriculture. This technology can be
adopted by the rural youth for more income per unit of land.
 ROSE
A. INTRODUCTION
Depending on the species and varieties, roses have various uses. They may be used as cut
flowers, and garden plants. They may also be used in making rose oil, rose water and gulkhand.
Model project is on production of roses for use as cut flowers, which have an important place in
preparation of bouquets, floral arrangements, worship, social occasions and presentation of
gifts. Measured in terms of volume of trade in the international market cut roses rank first in
popularity. Further, with the advancement in production and marketing of cut roses and also on
account of recent economic liberalisation there has been an upsurge of interest in production of
cut roses in plastic green houses in India.

B. CLIMATE
Plenty of light, humid and moderate temperature ranging from 150C to 280C may be considered
as ideal conditions for roses in the tropical and subtropical climate of India. At temperature
below 150C roses can be grown, but the interval between flushes become longer. At higher
temperature, say above 300C, roses can be grown provided high humidity is maintained and
evaporation is slowed down.

C. SOIL
Well drained soil rich in organic matter and oxygen is good for roses. Organic matter as high as
30 per cent in the top 30 cm of the growing beds is preferred by many growers. The pH of the
soil should be around 6 to 6.5.

D. BED PREPARATION
Top width – 90 cm
Bottom width – 100 cm
Height – 45 cm
Path way – 50 cm

E. PLANTING DISTANCE
Plant to Plant distance: 17 cm
Row to Row distance : 45 cm

F. PLANTING MATERIAL
Rose plant used for plantation should be 2-3 month old and have minimum two dark green
colour leaves. Bud union of rose plant should not be covered with soil. It should be 2-3 cm above
the ground level. The sprout coming out of the union should face towards the path at the time of
plantation. Rose plants are planted in a zigzag method on the bed.

G. TYPES OF ROSES AND VARIETIES

The major types of roses which are commercially important are as under:-

• Hybrid Tea Roses : These have large flowers (4 cm.) long stems (125 cm). Yield varies
from 100-200 stems/sqm. Hybrid Teas fetch higher price than other types. A few well-
known varieties of this group are SONIA, VIVALDI, TINEKE, MELODY, DARLING and ONLY
LOVE.
 • Floribunda Roses : These have small flowers (2.5 cm) and shorter stems (less than 60
cm), but yield much higher than other types. Examples of this type are FRISCO,
MERCEDES, JAGUAR, KISS and FLORENCE.

• Spray Roses : A single stem of this type may carry 5-6 flowers, but stem yield per sqm is
low. Important varieties belonging to the type are EVELIEN, JOY and NIKITA. 

H. MANURES AND FERTILIZERS

Organic manures are required to be added so that top 30 cm of the soil has 30% organic matter
content. Application of nutrients should be based on analysis of soil and plant. In the present
model the cost has been estimated based on 250 fertigation days and 1.2g dose of fertilizers per
day per sq. meter.

I. CULTURAL PRACTICES
For proper growth of rose plant and high production special cultural practices are to be
carried out as follows:

i). Initial plant development / mother shoot bending: If the young plant is allowed to flower
immediately after planting there is serious risk that the important structural frame work of the
plant will be impaired. The various types of plants require different treatment. First flower is
pinched after one month from the date of plantation so that 2 to 3 eyes bud will sprout on main
branch to grow as branches and these branches in turn will form buds. When the plant attains
this stage of growth, the mother shoot is to be bent towards the direction of path. This cultural
operation in rose plants is done to initiate bottom break ground shoot. The maximum leaf area
is required to build up a strong root system. The mother shoot is bent nearer to the bud joint.

ii). Plant structure development: To develop more growing points and plant structure
development plays an important role. After planting ground shoot will start growing from crown
of plant. The weak ground shoots should be bent at ground level, for forming a basic and strong
frame work of plant structure for production throughout their life cycle. the strong ground
shoots should be cut at 5th five pair of leaves after four and half months from the date of
plantation. The medium ground shoots should be cut at 2nd or 3rd five of leaves.
iii). Bending in roses: Bending helps in maintaining enough leaf area on the plants. The
maximum leaf area is required to build up a strong root system. Leaves are important for
producing carbohydrates. The mass of leaves is also known as the lungs of the plant. The growing
suckers should be removed in order to check new growth on the bended stem. The buds should
be removed from the bended stem in order to check the incidence of thrips and bud rot
(botrytis). Only weak and blind shoots are selected for bending. Bending breaks apical
dominance of the plant. It is continuous process and hence carried out throughout the life cycle.
Bending should be such that the most of the stems lay below horizontal. In summer season it is
generally advised not to go for bending as it provides favourable condition for mite’s incidence.
Bending is done on 1st or 2nd five pair of leaves. One can also grow roses in green house without
bending by keeping some blind shoots on plants in standing position for extra photosynthesis
and uptake of water nutrients. While bending the stems, the care should be taken that the stem
will not break and the leaves will not touch the soil on the bed.
iv). Disbudding: Standard varieties are those with one flower on each stem. But as nearly all
varieties produce some side buds below the center bud. these side buds have to be removed.
The removal of these buds is known as disbudding. It should not be done too early or too late. If
done too early it may harm leaves and if done too late then large wounds in the upper leaf axil
can take place. When bud attain pea-size and shows slight colour then it is right time to do
[Link] most spray varieties, the center crown bud is to be removed. Disbudding is
generally done on weak stem so that it can convert itself to thick stem and in future cuts can be
taken. Thick stem produce strong sprouts whereas then stem gives out weak sprouts
v). Pinching: Removal of unwanted vegetative growth from the axil of leaf below the terminal
bud is called pinching. This helps to get good quality flowers and buds and avoids wastage of
energy in the development of auxiliary bud if done at right stage and right time. It leads to
apical dominance.
vi). Wild shoot (root stock) removal: Wild shoots are the unwanted growth that takes place at
the union on the root stock. They should be removed at the earliest as these will deplete
nutrients and checks growth and development of plant. They should not be cut but removed
from its union by pressing it with thumb in order to check its further sprouting.
vii). Support of the plants
The support system consists of bamboo / GI pipes / 'L' angles inserted on both sides of bed at the
start and end of the bed. Post are placed at intervals of 3m on both sides of the bed, along the
sides of bed, fastened at the posts at 30 cm – 40 cm intervals are 14 gauge GI wires or plastic
string to support the plant. Between the wires across the bed, thin strings can be tied to keep
the width of the bed constant. Support system makes intercultural operation easy and protects
the buds from being damaged by not allowing the stems bend into the path.
viii). Pruning: Stems are cut back leaving 4-5 nodes on the basic stock frame, removing all weak
shoots and redirecting the wayward ones. This may be practised in a phased manner so that
flowering takes place from September to March. Generally, flowering takes place 45 days after
pruning.

J. IRRIGATION
Rose plant require a lot of water, at least 6mm/day i.e. 60cum/ha/day. A drainage line may be
laid below the beds for disposal of excess water.

K. PEST and DISEASES

The principal diseases of rose are

i. Downy Mildew
ii. Powdery Mildew
iii. Botrytis
iv. Pruning Dieback
v. Black leaf Spot

Major insect pests of the rose are

i. Red Spider Mite

ii. Leaf Roller
iii. Aphids
iv. Thrips
v. White Fly

Control
The preventive spray programme with a volume of 1500 litres/spray at an average interval of
once in a week is suggested. The chemicals could be as under.
• Dithane M-45 0.6 gm/litre
 • Metasystox 1.25 ml/litre
• Karathane 1.00 ml/litre
 L. HARVESTING
Roses should attain the right stage for harvesting. If cut too early, flowers miss reserve food and
therefore, may not develop into full flowers. If cut too late, longevity diminishes. As such, roses
should be cut just as the buds are opening, after the sepals have almost fully curled up and the
colour is fully visible. In small flowered varieties and Floribundas, the flowers are cut just when
they begin to open the cluster. The cutting may be done in the evening or early morning with
long stem. The lower end of cut stems are immediately placed in clean plastic buckets containing
a clean solution of 500 ppm citric acid or in chrysal - RVB. Thereafter, the buckets containing cut
roses are brought to the grading and packing Shed/Hall.
Harvesting Stages
[Link] Particulars Place of cutting Month from date of
plantation
1 Ground shoot cutting At 5th five pair of leaves from 3 to 3.5
bottom of plant
2 First harvesting 2nd or 3rd five pair of leaves from 4.5 to 5
first cut
3 Second / Regular 2nd or 3rd five pair of leaves from 6th month onwards
harvesting first cut daily harvesting

The rose should be cut with the help of sharp cut and hold secateurs. Ground shoot cutting
should be done on 5th five pair of leaf then one or two eye buds sprout from lower leaves below
the cut. These sprouts will grow into flowers in the period of 35 to 50 days. This varies from
variety to variety. Later on the first harvest should be taken on 2nd or 3rd five pair of the leaves
above the first cut. During summer season or when there is less leaf area on plant it is always
advisable to take cut on 3rd five pair of leaves above the first cut. Always bend thin stems and
take cut on 3rd five pair of leaves above the first cut. Always bend thin stems and take cut on
thick stems to get strong shoots.

The regular harvesting is done on 2nd five pair of leaves. Sometimes under cutting is also
practiced as it is an important technique to keep rose plants at reasonable height. Harvesting cut
should be sharp and inclined direction for avoiding the deposition of water or spray solution.
When the temperature is low in the green house harvesting is done only once i.e. during early
morning hours. When there is high day temperature it is necessary to take second harvesting in
later afternoon.

Cut stages of roses play an important role in harvesting. Cut stages of roses for export is stage 0
and 1 whereas cut stage is 2 and 3 for domestic market.

M. YIELD
Average yield of roses is 30 to 35 stem/ plant per year.

N. GRADING
Flowers should be graded into different classes according to their qualities. Grading is done on a
mechanical grader or by hand grading tables or work stations.
 O. PACKAGING
Packing comprises three steps: bunching, wrapping and packing.

The heads of roses are evened up and their stem tied with a rubber band into bunches in 10s,
20s, 25s, or 50s depending on the ultimate market. They are cut so that all the stems are of the
same length. The bunches are placed in preservative solution and may be shifted to the cold
store.

They are brought back to the packing hall and the buds are wrapped and bunches are sleeved in
transport polyethylene. The wrap is a 15-20 cm. wide plastic strip which acts as a cushion for the
buds.

Many different cardboard boxes are used for packing. For long term transport it is best to use
telescopic style boxes made of corrugated fibreboard. The size could be 100 cm x 45 cm x 22 cm.
There may be 400 to 1000 stems per box and weight may vary from 14 to 18 kg/box. Depending
on the market, the box is either filled with one variety, one grade, or mixed colour one grade.

P. ESTIMATED COST, MEANS OF FINANCE AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

The details of estimated cost, means of finance, economics and financial viability is worked
out for Naturally Ventilated Polyhouse as follows.
 GERBERA
A. INTRODUCTION
Gerbera is a very attractive, commercial cut flower successfully grown under different conditions
in several areas of the world as well as in India and meeting the requirements of various
markets. This flower is originated in Asia and South Africa. Gerbera jamesonii has been
developed through cross breeding program.

B. CLIMATE
Bright sunshine accelerates the growth and quality of the flowers, however, in summer this
flower needs diffused sunlight. Gerbera plants grown in locations with insufficient light will not
bloom well.

C. SOIL
Red lateritic soils are good for Gerbera cultivation as it is having all the essential qualities that an
ideal soil should have. After fumigation with formaldehyde, the raised beds are prepared on
which Gerbera plants are planted.

D. BED PREPARATION
Top width – 60 cm
Bottom width – 70
cm Height – 45 cm
Path way - 40 cm

E. PLANTING DISTANCE
Plant to Plant distance: 30 cm
Row to Row distance : 40 cm

F. PLANTING MATERIAL
Plant should not be less than three months old. At the time of planting the tissue culture, plant
should have atleast 4 to 5 leaves. Gerberas are planted on raised bed in two rows formation.
Zigzag plantation system is mostly preferred. While planting 65% portion of root ball should be
kept below ground and rest of the portion i.e. 35% should be kept above the ground for better
air circulation in the root zones.

G. VARIETIES
There are many multi coloured varieties of Gerbera developed through tissue culture.

H. MANURES AND FERTILIZERS

Organic manures are required to be added so that top 30 cm of the soil has 30% organic matter
content. Application of nutrients should be based on analysis of soil and plant. In the present
model the cost has been estimated based on 250 fertigation days and 1.2g dose of fertilizers per
day per sq. meter.

I. CULTURAL PRACTICES
i). Weeding & raking of soil: Weeds take the nutrients of the plants and affect the production.
Hence, they should be removed from the bed. Due to daily irrigation, the surface of the gerbera
bed becomes hard hence raking of soil is done with the help of a raker. It increases soil aeration
in the root zone of the plant. This operation should be done regularly, may be twice in a month.
ii). Disbudding: Removal of inferior quality flowers at the initial stage after plantation is called
disbudding. The normal production of gerbera plants starts after 75-90 days from the date of
plantation. Production of flowers starts 45 days after plantation but initial production is of
inferior quality, hence these flowers should be removed from the base of the flowers stalk. this
helps in making the plant strong and healthy.
iii). Removal of old leaves: Sanitation helps in keeping the disease and pest infestation below
the economic threshold level. The old, dry, infested leaves should be removed from the plant
and burnt outside the green house or dumped in to a compost pit. This practice allows producing
good, healthy new leaves and better aeration in the crop.

J. IRRIGATION
Gerbera plant require a lot of water, at least 6mm/day i.e. 60cum/ha/day. A drainage line may
be laid below the beds for disposal of excess water.

K. PEST and DISEASES

The principal diseases of rose are

i. Pythium
ii. Sclerotinia
iii. White rust
iv. Rhizoctonia
v. Fusarium

Major insect pests of the rose are

i. Red Spider Mite

ii. Aphids
iii. Thrips
iv. White Fly

Control:
The preventive spray programme with a volume of 1500 litres/spray at an average interval of
once in a week is suggested.

The chemicals could be as under.

 • Dithane M-45 0.6 gm/litre
• Metasystox 1.25 ml/litre
• Karathane 1.00 ml/litre

M. HARVESTING
The first flowers may be harvested after 75-90 days after planting. Flowers of most of the
varieties (single types) are ready to be picked when 2-3 whirls of stamens have entirely been
developed. Some varieties are picked little riper, especially the double types. Skilled labours are
required for harvesting of gerbera cut flowers. After harvesting the flowers should be kept in
bucket containing clean water. Flowers are very delicate hence they should be carefully handled
otherwise can be damaged and their quality gets deteriorated. For harvesting gerbera no
secateurs are required and are done by naked hands.
 N. YIELD
Average yield of roses is 30 to 35 stem/ plant per year.

O. GRADING
Flowers should be graded into different classes according to their qualities. Grading is done on a
mechanical grader or by hand grading tables or work stations.

P. PACKAGING
Packing comprises three steps: bunching, wrapping and packing.
Many different cardboard boxes are used for packing. For long term transport it is best to use
telescopic style boxes made of corrugated fibreboard. The size could be 100 cm x 45 cm x 22 cm.
There may be 400 to 1000 stems per box and weight may vary from 14 to 18 kg/box.

Depending on the market, the box is either filled with one variety, one grade, or mixed colour
one grade.

Q. ESTIMATED COST, MEANS OF FINANCE AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

The details of estimated cost, means of finance, economics and financial viability is worked
out for Naturally Ventilated Polyhouse and Walk in Tunnel Polyhouse separately as follows.