FARMER'S BOOKSHELF MAIN PAGE
TOPICS:
BACK TO ORNAMENTALS
FARMER'S BOOKSHELF MAIN PAGE
The industry estimates that the cost of starting an anthurium farm at the present time would cost at least $60,000 per acre, exclusive of land cost.
A new farmer entering the industry without hired labor would realize a reasonable return if he starts with 2 to 2.5 acres. However, he could have difficulty in obtaining the $100,000 to $125,000 or more required. Anyone with personal and/or family assets which could be used to help finance his enterprise will find it easier to obtain financing from available lenders.
FmHA (Farmers Home Administration)
The Farmers Home Administration has a new entry loan program. The agency should be contacted for more information.
State's Agricultural Loan Program
The State's Agricultural Loan Program, governed by Chapter 155, HRS, is intended to assist farmers who are unable to secure loans from private lenders or the FmHA. The program is also intended to maximize use of limited state funds and resources and to meet the needs of qualified farmers of all commodities.
Act 222, SLH 1979, adjusted the interest rates of DOA farm loans to be comparable with rates of applicable Farm Credit Banks, except for emergency loans and loans to new farmers and cooperatives. The legislative intent was to have established farmers secure financing from conventional sources.
The DOA Farm Loan Program has a $100,000 ceiling on new farmer loans for use in acquiring land, for operations, or a combination of these two. Additional financing could be obtained later from the DOA if the farmer shows that he is operating a viable farm and he is a good risk for additional financing. The DOA office administering farm loans should be contacted for more details.
Where the cost of the project exceeds the DOA loan ceiling, the DOA has, in many instances, been able to bring in other lenders to participate in financing.
Extending information on loan programs and assisting farmers to secure financing from other sources as well as the State have been on-going functions of the DOA Agricultural Loan Division. The CTAHR, primarily through its extension agents, has assisted by referring loan inquirers to the DOA.
There is a general need for farmers to be educated in financial management and the use of credit. Educational and training programs in farm and financial management on a continuing basis are needed.
The industry feels that it needs emergency funding (such as that granted papaya and dairy farmers) because of the decrease in production and the difficulty in marketing caused by the bacterial blight. (The State does have an emergency loan fund available. However, there are certain criteria which must be met before this fund can be used, one of which is that money is not available from other sources. Inquiries for more information should be directed to the Farm Loan Division of the DOA).
With existing varieties, the period of high production (summer) does not coincide with the period of high demand (winter). Cultural practices do not seem to be the answer in obtaining high winter production. The industry would therefore like to see greater effort expended to breed for high-yielding winter varieties.
The tulip-type varieties, 'Trinidad'; and 'Calypso' which were released a few years ago, are susceptible to anthracnose. Efforts are being made to breed for anthracnose resistance in this type of anthurium for future release.
TESTING
In May 1983, plants of 'Diamond Jubilee' derived from tissue culture were released through the Anthurium Plant Distribution Committee. Two selections, UH721 (large bright red, anthracnose resistant) and UH712 (red tulip type), were distributed to cooperating growers for advance testing. Tissue cultured plantlets of UH711 (large white, moderately resistant to anthracnose), UH798 (splash, anthracnose resistant), UH862 (white obake, anthracnose resistant) and UH927 (dark red, anthracnose resistant, exceptional yield) were transferred to the Beaumont Research Center for eventual advance testing with cooperators.
Other promising selections undergoinng clonal increase are UH908 (large light red, anthracnose resistant) and UH931 (large orange, anthracnose resistant). Also, five new selections resulting from crosses with the small lavender-flowered Anthurium amnicola have been placed under clonal increase. The pink-flowered miniatures (UH1003, UH1069, UH1070) give yields in excess of 8 flowers per plant per year. UH1067 and UH1068 have lavender-purple flowers, a new color in anthuriums.
GERMPLASM
The on-going breeding, selection, and evaluation program of the CTAHR has advanced the Hawaii anthurium industry beyond all other producing areas of the world. However, there is an urgency to intensify the efforts to develop new varieties in order to expand the markets and to maintain Hawaii's advantage over its foreign competitors.
There is a need to collect and assemble new germplasm in anthurium-rich countries either for immediate adoption in commercial production or for use in the hybridization program to upgrade existing cultivars. During the past 2 years, however, opportunity has not presented itself for collecting and assembling new germplasm from South and Central America. Instead, 38 species were assembled from Florida and the Missouri Botanical Garden in 1982. Nine hybrid acquisitions were made locally.
SELECTING
Selecting for high yield, disease resistance, and flower characteristics remain as important objectives for the breeding program. Although an attempt is being made to breed for resistance to bacteria, the
CLONING
Rapid clonal increase of new cultivars to establish large acreages has been a limitation. The CTAHR has developed, published, and presented to the industry the technology and materials required for the rapid increase of desirable cultivars by tissue culture. Some growers have utilized tissue culture laboratories, but the cost per plant may be a deterrent for other growers. The Hawaii Anthurium Product Promotion Committee (HAPPC) has a program to distribute new cultivars as tissue culture or propagated plants at reasonable prices. Asexually propagated plants by conventional methods of established cultivars cost about 30 to 40 cents per plant.
In tests so far, plants propagated by tissue culture methods are apparently true to the parent.
Many growers who received plants propagated by tissue culture from the CTAHR have experienced problems in growing these plants in community pots. Research is being conducted and results so far have shown that losses could be minimized by proper handling.
With the developed technology of rapid clonal propagation through tissue culture, it is possible for Hawaii's competitors to take immediate advantage of newly developed cultivars. The question of patenting new cultivars needs to be addressed.
Anthurium
cultivars, Knowledge Master, CTAHR
Hawaii anthurium
photographs, Hawaii Tropical Flower Council
BLEACHING
From September 1981, approximately 30% of the anthurium acreage under saran has been affected by a bleaching problem, resulting in a reduction of 20-60% of the marketable flowers, but the problem has subsided during the past year. Although the cause of bleaching has not been positvely identified, there is considerable circumstantial evidence that it is caused by a combination of environmental and nutritional factors. Modifications to fertilization programs from a total reliance on encapsulated, slow-release fertilizers to the use of several different types of fertilizers, such as liquids in combination with encapsulated slow-release, low analysis organic types and other fertilizers are thought to be key factors in the low incidence experienced by growers who have gone this route.
FLORAL PIGMENTS
CTAHR investigators have identified two major anthocyanins; cyanidin 3-rhamnosylglucoside and pelargonidin 3-rhamnosylglucoside, and a minor pigment, peonidin 3-rutinoside (in the lavender-flowered Anthurium amnicola). Also identified in this variety was a major pigment, cyandin 3-rutinoside.
GROWTH REGULATOR
A CTAHR study to evaluate the effect of 0, 250, 500 and 1000 ppm gibberellic acid (GA) applications on flowering of anthuriums has been completed. The results showed that significant side-shoot production was evident on all GA treated plants. In a second experiment, which was designed to determine the effects of GA application on topped and untopped juvenile anthuriums, results showed a linear increase in the number of side-shoot production with increasing amounts of GA application, up to 500 ppm on topped plants.
MECHANIZATION
Anthurium production is still largely unmechanized. A time-and-motion study to determine which aspects of production require more mechanization would be desirable.
Although some information is available on fertilization and types of media and their interaction with water management, light intensity, or other environmental factors, more and better information is needed, such as that on trace elements and spacing and their interaction with the aforementioned factors.
MEDIUM
Preliminary results from on-going media experiments show that eucalyptus bark has a good potential as a medium for anthurium production. However, at the moment, the supply and price of this material is unknown.
Some media such as bagasse and wood shavings are not available at the present. Hapu'u as a medium is becoming too expensive.
Black cinder can be used as medium with good results if the plants are properly irrigated.
A study is needed to evaluate existing machines for bed making and media replenishment.
NUTRIENTS
A CTAHR study to determine the effects of applying liquid or solid fertilizers on flower production, flower size and flower stem length is currently in its second year. Also, a N-P-K factorial experiment to obtain tissue analysis standards is in it second year.
Information on N, P, K and Ca fertilization is available and that on N, P, K, Fe, S, and Mg deficiencies is being obtained.
Although some information is available on fertilization and types of media and their interaction with water management, light intensity, or other environmental factors, more and better information is needed, such as that on trace elements and spacing and their interaction with the aforementioned factors.
PH
A solution culture test on the effect of pH on anthurium growth and flower production was recently initiated. Preliminary results indicate that, between the range of pH 3 to 7, there are no significant differences in the economic traits being tested.
PRUNING
Pruning experiments have shown that anthurium plants develop well with three leaves. Growers do most of their pruning during the summer months when there is ample time for this chore, but the process is very time-consuming.
INDUSTRY
According to the Statistics of Hawaiian Agriculture, the anthurium industry in the State showed steady growth until 1980, when 2,532,000 dozens were produced and marketed at a gross value of $6,878,000. In 1981, however, 2,104,000 dozens valued at $5,295,000 were produced and marketed, which was a decrease of 23% (in gross value) from the previous year and the first decrease since statistics began to be recorded 12 years ago. As shown below, yearly marketings since 1980 have shown decreases as well as an increase.
From the beginning of the commercial industry, the Big Island of Hawaii has always produced and marketed more than 90% of the totals for the State. The size of the industry in terms of the number of farms, flowers marketed, and gross value of sales are shown below from 1977 to 1983. The figures for 1984 have not yet been reported (only the export figures were available)
| Year | No. of Farms | Dozens of Flowers Sold | Wholesale Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 165 | 1,549,000 | $3,372,000 |
| 1978 | 187 | 1,925,000 | 5,017,000 |
| 1979 | 180 | 2,111,000 | 5,568,000 |
| 1980 | 228 | 2,532,000 | 6,878,000 |
| 1981 | 235 | 2,104,000 | 5,295,000 |
| 1982 | 225 | 1,984,000 | 5,633,000 |
| 1983 | 210 | 2,054,000 | 6,035,000 |
DECLINE
The reasons for the lower marketings since 1980 are attributable to the decline in foreign sales and the emergence and continuation of a very serious problem in production; the bacterial blight which causes a decline in productivity. The bleaching of flowers, which decreases the percentage of marketable flowers, significantly in many cases, insect pests, and other diseases such as anthracnose, have also caused the decline in production.
EXPORTS
Several years ago, the industry began to concentrate marketings in the readily accessible U.S. mainland and Foreign markets. For the past few years, more than three-fourths of the total State production have been exported. The table below indicates that, while mainland U.S. sales have increased, exports to foreign markets have declined after attaining a high in 1980. From 1977 through 1984, mainland sales have more than doubled while foreign sales have declined from a high of 1,430,900 dozens in 1980 to 895,000 in 1984; a decrease of 535,900 dozens or 37%. Despite the decline in foreign marketings, the significant increase in mainland U.S. sales boosted the combined export figures for 1984 above that for either 1982 or 1983. Mainland U.S. sales were nearly equal to that for foreign markets for the first time in 1984.
| Year | Dozens of Flowers Exported | Destination | Percent of Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 388,800 | U.S. | 25 |
| 1977 | 819,800 | Foreign | 53 |
| 1978 | 430,400 | U.S. | 22 |
| 1978 | 1,065,500 | Foreign | 55 |
| 1979 | 413,700 | U.S. | 20 |
| 1979 | 1,299,000 | Foreign | 6 |
| 1980 | 1,430,900 | Foreign | 57 |
| 1981 | 527,700 | U.S. | 25 |
| 1981 | 1,254,200 | Foreign | 60 |
| 1982 | 647,000 | U.S. | 33 |
| 1982 | 1,096,700 | Foreign | 55 |
| 1983 | 720,300 | U.S. | 35 |
| 1983 | 999,800 | Foreign | 49 |
| 1984 | 895,000 | Foreign | -- |
Exports to the U.S. mainland are highest during the winter months while that to foreign markets are highest during September through November. About one-third of the exports to the mainland U.S. are sold in the Pacific region while only about 3 percent are sold in New England and the Mountain region. Twenty percent, 10 percent, and 20 percent are marketed in the Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Central regions, respectively.
Export figures also indicated that the once lucrative foreign market is harder and harder to penetrate. The increase in the value of the U.S. dollar and the price of Hawaiian anthuriums have caused the closing of the German market and the softening of the Italian market. Other factors such as high tariffs, high air freight rates, and increases in production of low-priced flowers from other countries have had, and are continuing to have an adverse effect on the Hawaiian industry. Japan, Italy, and Switzerland, in that order, are the highest importers of Hawaiian anthuriums. Exports to Japan have been steady, but the most favorable months for Hawaiian anthuriums are July and August while the least favorable months are January and February.
Inspite of the large percentage increases in yearly exports to the U.S. mainland, the stability and growth of the industry would definitely be affected if this market is not further expanded, especially in regions other than the Pacific Coast. A more aggressive marketing strategy for more direct sales would be very desirable. At the present, many of the importers in the Pacific region are in the floral business with outlets in different regions of the U.S. Depending on demand, these importers may hold onto the flowers for a period of time before shipping them, which could result in low quality flowers of questionable shelf-life.
Although the problems relating to marketing and its effective development are cirtical, the industry is concerned primarily with the minimization of the bacterial blight problem. These, as well as other problems, must be overcome in order for the industry as a whole to realize stability and growth and for individual growers, processors, and wholesalers to have efficient and profitable operations.
Hawaii
Anthuriums--Mainland & foreign exports. Agricultural Statistics
Service
Hawaii
Anthuriums--Hawaii flowers & nursery products annual summary. Hawaii
Agricultural Statistics Service
Since 1980, bacterial blight has been a major concern of the industry. Bacterial blight is caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. dieffenbachiae (Xcd) and is currently established in most of the commercial anthurium producing areas. The impact of the disease varies from extremely severe to a mere nuisance. Because of the systemic nature of the disease, it has proved difficult to control, especially if preventive and sanitary measures are not implemented early. Once the organism infects the stem, it cannot be controlled and the plant is considered a loss and must be eradicated in a sanitary manner to prevent transmission.
The known means of transmission of bacterial blight are:
SANITATION
A control method has been developed employing sanitation measures (removal of systemically infected plants and leaves) and chemical sprays using streptomycin sulfate and oxytetracycline, both of which have been registered for the control of anthurium bacterial blight. The method has proven to be effective when done as directed, but some growers feel that the sanitation measures are too expensive in time and labor. Also, farmers should realize that resistance to streptomycin and oxytetracycline has occurred in almost all other bacterial diseases for which it was registered.
ANTHRACNOSE
Anthracnose is another disease of major significance to the industry. Uncontrolled, this disease could render up to 50% of the flowers unmarketable. Mancozeb (Manzate 200) and benomyl (Benlate) are registered for anthrocnose control. Laboratory, greenhouse, and field testing for anthracnose control showed that mancozeb (Manzate 200 and Ditane M45) was as effective as 13 highly regarded new fungicides, including compounds such as Tilt, Bayleton, Baycor, and Prochloraz.
BLEACHING
Bleaching of flowers was a serious problems a few years ago, but the seriousness has now subsided. Although the cause of bleaching has not been positively identified, there is considerable circumstantial evidence that it is a physiological disease involving drought, high temperatures, and nutritional imbalances and is precipitated by the return to normally cool and wet weather. Further research is needed to determine the exact cause(s) and develop preventive measures.
NEMATODES
Nematodes also cause economic losses to farmers. Excellent control of yield decline caused by nematodes can be obtained with applications of Nemacur 15G. In fact, yield increases of more than 50% could be obtained by treating with this chemical. The effectiveness of this nematicide, and the constant association of burrowing nematodes with yield decline has been the circumstantial basis for the implication of this oragnism as the causal agent. Preliminary direct evidence for the causal relationship has been obtained and conclusive data are anticipated shortly.
Nemacur 15G has a State label for pre- and post-planting applications on anthuriums. CTHAR is conducting research for alternative nematicides for pineapple. Studies on pineapple nematode control show that, thus far, there is no chemical better than Nemacur.
EXTENSION
Extension's efforts in helping farmers have included numerous grower/public educational meetings in Hilo, Keaau, Pahoa and Mountain View; an illustrated brochure (an updated version is being completed); numerous farm visits to assist growers in identifying diseased plants and to explain control measures in detail; and providing diagnostic services.
Resistant varieties are generally recognized as the best means of plant disease control. However, since suitable resistant cultivars require a long period of time to develop, the industry wants to see the CTAHR participating in active research and extension programs to develop interim control measures that are effective and, at the same time, economical.
A sensitive and accurate detection system for Xcd is still lacking.
Plant disease pathogens--anthuriums, Knowledge
Master, CTAHR
Hawaii
Pesticide Information Retrieval System, CTAHR
Insects such as thrips, whiteflies, coffee twig borers, aphids, Katydids, scales and mites such as false spider mites, spider mites, and broad mites are pests of anthuriums. The coffee twig borer, which infests a wide range (200-300) of host plants, could kill the anthurium plant and there is no effective means to control it. Insect damage is apparently greater at lower elevations than it is at higher elevations.
Insects and other pests--anthuriums, Knowledge Master, CTAHR
INSECTICIDES
The following chemicals are registered for use on anthuriums:
The problem growers face regarding the insect pests is the inadequate number of registered chemicals. In tests involving seven cultivars and conducted on commercial farms in Hawaii, seven insecticides--Cygon, Diazinon AG500, Lannate, Metasystox-R, Pydrin, Sevin, and Vydate--were found to be non-phytotoxic (safe) when sprayed at rates as high as four times the normal application rates.
In a small-pot experiment, Cygon and Lannate were found to be effective in controlling flower thrips. However, large-pot tests using mist blowers and chemigation application methods must be conducted before these chemicals can be registered.
Emulsifiable concentrate formulations of Dursban, Kelthane, and Isotox 200 (lindane) were found to be harmful to plants of some cultivars when applied at four times the normal application rates.
The industry would like to see work initiated to obtain registration for the following:
Tests are needed to find a chemical that will effectively control Katydids.
Methods of applying insecticides and the use of overhead spinkler irrigation systems for the application of insecticides need to be investigated. The requests for the registration of chemicals need to cover the application of the chemicals through the irrigation system.
Hawaii Pesticide Information Retrieval System, CTAHR
Although anthuriums do not require land with soil, farms should be located in easily accessible areas which have somewhat flat terrain.
AGRICULTURAL PARKS
All of the lots in Phases I and II in the Pahoa and Panaewa Agricultural Parks have been leased. The State is considering taking back lots which have not been put into production (the leases require that 50% of the parcel must be put into production within 5 years). The industry feels that the Agricultural Park regulations are not being enforced in some cases. To date, however, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), which is responsible for administering the operation of Agricultural Parks, has not cited any violations, principally because of the lack of personnel.
The industry believes that most of the land it requires for expansion could be satisfied by the Agricultural Parks in Pahoa and Panaewa and lands privately owned.
Some in the industry feel that there is total inequity in the design of meter size in relation to lot size in the Agricultural Parks.
COSTS
The cost of acquiring land for anthurium production ranges from $5,000 to $10,000 per acre on Hawaii. Additional costs for clearing and levelling must also be incurred for a new farm. The cost of leasing land ranges from $28 per acre per year in the Pahoa Agricultural Park to $650 per acre per year on privately owned land.
Up to 1977, the industry funded small promotional programs and some individuals have been, and still are, involved in market development and promotion, but in a diversified manner. The Hawaii Anthurium Council, organized in 1979 to represent the industry in government and industry affairs, was dissolved in 1981. The following year, the Hawaii Anthurium Product Promotion Committee was formed to represent the industry in promotional and market development activities.
HAPPC (Hawaii Anthurium Product Promotion Committee)
Since its formation, the HAPPC has been very active. A voluntary assessment program has been developed, and a private consultant has been working with the committee for the past two years on promotional programs. The Hawaii Anthurium Industry Association and the Hilo Florist and Shippers Association are members of the organization and have contributed and displayed support. Because of the small budget ($50,000), HAPPC feels that promotional and market development programs should be concentrated on the U.S. mainland to expand current markets and to open new ones. It feels there is need for broader industry participation and support, together with the cooperation of the Department of Agriculture and the County of Hawaii in its efforts to develop the markets for its products.
DOA (Department of Agriculture)
On July 1, 1982, the DOA entered into a contract with the County of
Hawaii to undertake a promotional program for anthuriums. This contract
covered the publication of printed materials, participation in trade
events, and trade journal advertisements. Developed under the terms of
the contract were:
In July, 1983, the DOA published a magazine-catalogue (Magalog) which showcased Hawaiian anthuriums, dendrobiums, proteas, and potted nursery products. This publication was mailed out to 37,000 mainland retail and wholesale handlers of floricultural products. Response to advertisements in this publication was excellent, and the DOA is in the process or printing a second publication.
A contract was executed between the DOA and HAPPC on July l, l984 and expires on December 30, l985. This contract is for a $45,000 program with the DOA contributing $27,000 and the HAPPC $l8,000. The industry, however, has questioned the distribution process--it wants to be an integral part of distribution as well as production, along with representatives of other floral industries.
A private firm (MPI) has completed two studies, one of the European markets and the other of the U.S. mainland market for the DPED on Hawaiian floricultural products. One study included the examination of the following:
COMPETITION
In general, Hawaii anthuriums (cut flowers) compete favorably with those produced in other countries. The bulk of its sales within the floral trade is the traditional red anthuriums. However, importers and consumers are always looking for novelty products (different shapes and colors). Nevertheless, foreign competitors have penetrated the European and Japanese markets. Also, Holland and Central American countries have penetrated the U.S. markets with different varieties of inconsistent quality.
STATISTICS
Because of these developments, the industry would like to receive production and marketing statistics of tropical flowers and ornamentals from countries that are, or could be, competitors of Hawaii's floral and ornamental industries for foreign markets. The Hawaii Agriculture Reporting Service has requested separate statistical breakouts for specific cut flowers from the Committee for Statistical Annotation of Tariff Schedules. This request specified that separate tabulations for anthuriums and dendrobium orchids were justified on the basis of suspected imports of $l million annually for each of these items.
Additional consideration for separate tabulations was requested for Bird of Paradise, Red Ginger, and Helaconia, although impressions from several industry leaders indicate that imports probably do not reach the $l million minimum value required for a separate breakout. The response received from the Committee on June 24, l985 indicates that this request will receive a review by their members with the decision forthcoming at a later (unspecified) date.
The DOA feels that the Anthurium Industry is in a better position than the Hawaii Agricultural Reporting Service to maintain a current file on foreign production of cut flowers. Trips made by industry representatives are likely to generate more reliable information than piecemeal data reported by foreign production of cut flowers. Additionally, the American Embassy officials do not have cut flowers in their reporting program and are not adequately staffed to undertake an extensive fact finding program without additional funding.
Some shippers are using grades and standards which are higher than the official grades and standards. However, during periods of high demand, some shippers in the industry loosen the grades and standards they normally apply. Anthurium grades and standards set up in 1959 have never been reviewed or revised. The DOA recommends, and some in the industry desire, a review and revision process that would reflect current needs.
Hawaii
Anthuriums--Hawaii flowers & nursery products annual summary. Hawaii
Agricultural Statistics Service
Hawaii
Anthuriums--Mainland & foreign exports. Hawaii
Agricultural Statistics Service
Although the industry has no major packaging problem, it is very much concerned with the shelf-life and the quality of flowers upon arrival at the markets.
FLORAL INJURY
Factors such as the mode of transportation, conditions during transport and while in storage at the distributors, time lag from shipment to ultimate sale ("Chain-of-Life") are very important in the maintenance of quality and extending shelf-life. The industry believes that most of the abuse suffered by the flowers occur after the flowers leave the packing shed and before they arrive in the markets. Flowers sometimes freeze in transit during the winter. During the summer, flowers are damaged while they are stored in containers left in the open at airports where the temperature within the containers could reach 120oF or higher.
WATER QUALITY
The quality of the water in which flowers are held after harvest affects the quality of the flowers.
POSTHARVEST LIFE
The industry would like to see if proper nutrition and other cultural practices could pre-condition flowers to withstand post-harvest handling and transportation abuses better. Reduced post-harvest life is apparently associated with clogging of the vascular tissue in the stem by a flower-produced material. Silver nitrate (together with distilled water) treatment of the stem reduces this blockage and helps maintain water conducting tissue, thereby increasing post-harvest life by up to 50%. Initial results indicate that surface shipping of anthuriums and accumulation of flowers for peak demand with air shipment is feasible using dry packing procedures and silver nitrate treatment.
Reduced water loss from the flower by wax coating also increases post-harvest life up to 30%. The best wax of those tested was a carnauba base wax (FMC-819). Both of these treatments (silver nitrate and wax) have commercial possibilities with the wax treatment being the easiest to use. Some growers who have used the wax treatment say that the added sheen is very attractive.
CTAHR investigators are currently working on the pre-harvest factors affecting post-harvest life. So far, they have found significant enviromental and fertilizer effects. This study is scheduled to be completed in 1985.
Experiments with hypobaric and controlled atmosphere storage are not encouraging. The very small increase in total post-harvest life could more easily be obtained with less costly alternatives.
VASELIFE
In tests conducted on the farm, it was found that calcium nitrate treatment in combination with waxing at 80% relative humidity (RH) significantly increased shelf-life of miniature anthuriums.
In experiments on refrigerated storage, it was found that there is no significant difference in the vase-life of flowers when stored at 55oF and at room temperature for 7 days.
The major limitation to post-harvest life is apparently the clogging of the water-conducting tissue of the stem. Until this problem is completely overcome, other treatments may not significantly improve total post-harvest life. However, the industry would like to see studies pursued in determining the effect of varying RH in the "Chain-of Life" on quality and shelf-life.
PACKING SHED
Every year, farmers have to contend with more and more rules and regulations. An example is the County Building Code which calls for packing sheds to be set back 100 feet on all sides. The industry does not see any good reason for this requirement.
BULBUL BIRD
At present, the "bulbul," a bird resembling the cardinal in size and body conformation, but with dark gray to black feathers, is considered an economic pest by certain Oahu plant farmers (this bird is not yet found on the island of Hawaii). Since information on the damage to anthuriums is lacking, the industry feels that a survey should be conducted to determine what damage, if any, this bird causes on anthuriums, and that existing government regulations restricting the interisland movement of bird pests such as the bulbul, should be strictly enforced.
The industry would like to see better coordination between government agencies to develop and implement programs which benefit the industry. The County says that input by industry is sorely needed to effect some of the changes requested.
AIR CARGO
Direct air cargo space to the mainland depends on tourist flow. With the reduction in the number of tourists visiting the Big Island, the sole commercial passenger carrier has daily services to Hilo from Los Angeles via Lihue, Kauai. This flight returns to Los Angeles either directly or through Honolulu.
Because it is uneconomical for local air freighters to fly empty, one-way air cargo space from Hilo to Honolulu is limited by the volume of incoming air cargo from Honolulu. Increased outgoing cargo space could be accomplished economically only by increasing incoming air cargo space.
COOPERATIVES
Transportation cooperatives have been suggested as a partial solution to some of Hawaii's agricultural transportation problems. This matter was covered in the 1980 study by MPI for the Department of Planning and Economic Development (DPED), which explained how such a system could work to the floriculture's advantage. The resulting organization, Hawaii Floriculture Industry Association, pursued the cooperative concept, but interest waned and the association died.
DISTRIBUTION CENTER
The 1982 State Legislature appropriated $500,000 to the DOA for the establishment of a mainland distribution center for agricultural products. The nursery industry and then the dendrobium cut flower industry expressed interest in this project but could not enlist adequate industry participation necessary to pursue, develop, and operate such a facility. All but $50,000 of the appropriation lapsed in June 1984. The $50,000 was used to enlist the services of a consulting firm to conduct a feasibility study on marshalling, transporting, and distributing facilities for Hawaii's floriculture export products. A draft report is due in late April, 1985.
EUROPEAN MARKET
The air freight rate for anthuriums shipped across the Atlantic is high. A specific commodity rate for cut flowers would make anthuriums more competitive in the European market.
SURFACE SHIPMENT
Surface transportation of anthuriums needs to be investigated to provide a long-range solution to the industry's transportation problems. However, it does not seem promising presently. The industry, which is pro-tourism, may consider overland transport of anthuriums to Kona for eventual shipment to the mainland if tourism increases in the area and the number of flights also increases. It would also like to learn the feasibility of surface transportation from Hilo to Honolulu for shipping their products out-of-state.
In order to address the concerns by Hawaiian producers regarding shipping costs to the mainland, the Business Development Branch of the DPED conducted a survey of 494 representative Hawaiian manufacturers (of which, 17% came specifically from the flower industry). The statistical overview provided by the survey has helped create the first step in implementing efficient and less costly shipping methods to the mainland U.S. The follow-up recommendations to this study will include alternative options and opportunities to the present shipping methods.
The industry feels that cooperatives and individual shippers should become more aggressive in marketing their products more directly to ultimate points of consumption rather than to distributors. It also feels that freight forwarders consider consolidation of shipments to lower costs.
DROUGHT
Although anthurium production is centered in the high rainfall areas of Hawaii, periodic droughts do occur. During droughts, both plant growth and flower production are affected and, following a drought, it requires about 2 to 3 months for plant growth and flower production to return to normal. Without an irrigation system, a grower could suffer economic losses for more than 3 months, depending on the length of the drought period.
Research conducted by the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) has shown that irrigation can be beneficial. Many major producers have installed irrigation systems. They claim that the cost of such a system is equivalent to the loss they would sustain from one 2- to 3-month drought without irrigation. Some have even installed catchment systems to use during dry periods.
RESERVOIRS
On the other hand, most of the major producers who have not installed irrigation systems have not done so because they do not have a domestic water system to tap into or because they cannot get enough water through small 1-inch meters (with an 8-inch main, a 1-inch meter is maximum). It has been suggested that these growers consider building reservoirs that could be filled during non-peak usage hours. One large grower has a reservoir with a capacity of 2.8 million gallons and without a catchment system. This farmer did not suffer any losses from the severe drought of a few years ago.
RATES
On Hawaii, anthurium growers must compete with domestic users for water. The rates of $0.65/1000 gallons for the first 5,000 gallons per month and $0.71/1000 gallons for the next 20,000 gallons per month that anthurium farmers pay for water is high compared to the $0.08/1000 gallons that farmers in Lalamilo, Hawaii and Waimanalo, Oahu pay for agricultural water.
An agricultural water rate is available for farmers who use more than 50,000 gallons in a 2-month period--a single home farmer will be charged $0.61/1000 gallons. In order to qualify for this rate a farmer must make an application to the Board of Water Supply. If he does not use more than 50,000 gallons in a 2-month billing period, however, he must pay at rates listed above. The anthurium farmers in East Hawaii, however, would like to have an agricultural water rate similar to that in Lalamilo.
SCS
The Soil Conservation Services' (SCS) study on the feasibility of catching surface water in high elevation areas of Hilo and Puna was deemed inappropriate because plans for the Agricultural Parks in Pahoa and Panaewa did not have provisions for water catchment equipment.
The lack of efficient water supply and distribution systems may limit the development of the industry in areas where land is available.
Additional research conducted by the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) is needed to determine more precisely the water requirements under different cultural conditions and develop efficient systems--frequency and rate of application, design, etc. in relation to the meter size of the transmission line.
There is need for a total agricultural water system, taking into consideration the fact that the industry is spread out over a large geographic area, that portions of the existing system is inefficient because water is pumped for long distances, andthat the meter size is inadequate in certain areas.
Controlling weeds such as chickweed, fireweed, bittercress, drymera, ferns, and other broad leaves and grasses is a continuing problem for anthurium growers. However, without effective registered chemicals, the weed control operation becomes very expensive.
HERBICIDES
Although a State registration for using diuron (KarmexR) in anthurium production has been obtained, alternatives to this chemical need to be found and registered. Promising alternatives are linuron (Lorox TR) and oxidiazon (RonstarR), but more work is needed before conclusive data are obtained. No work, however, has been done during the past few years.
The industry is in need of the technology to apply herbicides through the overhead spinkler irrigation system.
Hawaii Pesticide Information Retrieval System, CTAHR