Grower to study specialty cuts

Erin Benzakein, an organic flower grower and owner of Floret, a floral design business in Mount Vernon, Wash., received an Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers Research Committee Grower Grant. Benzakein submitted two grant applications.

The first project will look at ornamental grasses for cut flower production. She will trial 27 grasses on ease of cultivation, flower length, vaselife and usefulness in cut floral designs. Benzakein is hoping this research will open a new category in the North American cut flower market.

The second grant will examine several Rosa varieties for rose hips production. European breeders have produced disease-resistant plants with an extended harvest season, good storage capabilities and long vaselife.

Benzakein’s research results will be published in ASCFG’s The Cut Flower Quarterly.

{sidebar id=1}

For more: Floret, 16288 Penn Road, Mount Vernon, WA 98273; (360) 424-3403; fax (360) 424-9369. Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers Inc., MPO Box 268, Oberlin, OH 44074; (440) 774-2887; fax (440) 774-2435; www.ascfg.org.