Floriculture / Greenhouses
North Carolina is one of the lead production states for floriculture/greenhouse production, ranked 4th in the nation with over $234M in value based on the 2015 USDA statics. Research at NC State is primarily focused on problem-solving industry-related production issues. Basic research and an active ornamental plant breeding program round out a holistic focus of the floriculture research efforts.
Plant Growth Regulators
![plant growth regulator example of large to small plants](https://cals.ncsu.edu/horticultural-science/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2018/02/pgr-1024x576.jpg)
The current market for flowering plants includes precise size standards. Greenhouse growers have at their disposal a wide assortment of plant growth regulators (PGRs) to help stimulate or control plant growth. North Carolina State University is the lead institution for evaluating new formulations of PGRs, expanding the possible uses of the PGRs, and determining optimal concentrations for use in commercial operations.
- Annuals Plant Growth Regulator Guide
- Perrenials Plant Growth Regulator Guide
- PGR Overdoses and Other Mimics Video
Plant Nutrition
![morning glory flowers](https://cals.ncsu.edu/horticultural-science/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2018/02/plant-nutrition-1024x576.jpg)
One of the basic building blocks of plant growth is mineral nutrition. The NC State Floriculture program focuses on optimal pH, electrical conductivity, and fertilizer concentration research. Current projects focus on phosphorus nutrition and hydrangea bluing. The focus is to optimize fertilizer performance for greenhouse growers in order to minimize the impact on the environment.
- Corrective Procedures for Modifying Substrate pH and Electrical Conductivity (EC)
- Nutrient Monitoring of Petunias
- Setting Up and Conducting a PourThru Test for Greenhouses Video
- Plant Growth Responses to Phosphorus Video
- Color Enhancement with Phosphorus Video
- Reproductive Stage P Deficiency Video
- Focus on Water Alkalinity, No Water pH Video
Problem Diagnostics
![Floriculture Diagnostics of nutrition and diseases](https://cals.ncsu.edu/horticultural-science/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2018/02/floriculture-diagnostics-1024x576.jpg)
For even the best greenhouse operations, plant problems can occur. The development of grower-based tools to help diagnose disorders is a focus area of the floriculture program at NC State. Current projects focus on nutrient disorder symptomology of floriculture and food crops.
- Strawberry Disorder Diagnostic Key
- Tobacco Nutrient Diagnostic Key
- GroZone Tracker
- GroZone Tracker Video (Dr. Owen, Virginia Tech)
- Nutrient Monitoring Advisor
- Carinata Nutrient Disorders Video