Increased investment

In 2018, more growers seem optimistic about the health of the green industry — and it shows in how they are looking to invest in their own businesses.

Through the responses Greenhouse Management has analyzed in our 10^th annual Structures Report survey, we have found that more growers across the entire spectrum are looking into building and/or improving their facilities. And with more growing space comes more plant production and, in some cases, a change in the crops being grown.

Compared to 2017’s results, the number of respondents growing bulbs doubled in 2018 to 12.4%. This year, 48.7% of respondents reported growing annuals/bedding plants — a 9.7% increase from 2017’s total. This edges out perennial production, which decreased about 3% from last year to 38.1% in 2018.

Additionally, the number of respondents growing finished stock increased from 11.4% last year to 17.7 this year. The number of respondents growing foliage/tropicals, however, dropped from to 16.8% in 2018 after 26.7% of growers reported growing foliage/tropicals in 2018.

Also of note: 5.4% of respondents indicated that they grow cannabis – a 4.4% increase from 2017 when cannabis was first listed as an option in the research.