In this blog Post, I will be writing on the meaning of FLORICULTURE, cultivation, Importance and uses of Ornamental Plants.
Meaning Of Floriculture
Meaning: Floriculture can be defined as the cultivation of flowering plants. In order words, floriculture involves the growth, care, uses and marketing of some flowering plants, trees and shrubs. Beautiful trees or flowering plants which can be used to decorate our environment are called ornamental plants. Ornamental plants could be trees or flowers.
Floriculture is the art and science of cultivating and marketing flowers and ornamental plants. It involves the production, marketing, and sale of flowers, foliage plants, and other ornamental crops for various purposes, including landscaping, floral arrangements, and decorative purposes. The floriculture industry plays a significant role in global agriculture and economy, providing employment opportunities, enhancing environmental aesthetics, and contributing to cultural and social activities.
Florist: This is a person who grows or sells flowers.
Importance Of Floriculture: Ornamental Plants and Use
Ornamental plants or trees, shrubs and flowers are very important in so many ways. Here are the importance of floriculture:
1. For interior decoration: some beautiful flowers are used to decorate the interior of residential, commercial and industrial buildings.
2. For Exterior Decoration: Some flowers are also used to decorate the exterior of residential, commercial and industrial buildings, making such flowers to add beauty and colors to the environment.
3. For landscaping: Many beautiful and colorful flowers are used for landscaping by florists. It may involve the writing of some wordings, using flowers.
4. Decoration of avenues and resort centers: Flower are also used to decorate city centers, roundabouts, route junctions, and resource centers.
5. Decoration of Road: Road decoration is one of the importance of floriculture, Many roads are often decorated with beautiful and colorful flowers. Such colorful flowers add beauty to the design of such roads.
6. Preparation of perfumes: Some perfumes can be prepared from flowers. For instance, morning glory flowers can provide natural perfume especially in the morning and evening.
7. For scientific research: Many flowers are used by florist, scientist, for scientific studies in botanical gardens.
8. Provision of shades: Some flowering plants have large and broad leaves which are capable of providing shades in residential or industrial environment.
9. As a symbol of Love: People often use or give beautiful, colorful flowers to their partners, friends or relative as a symbol or sign of love and affection.
10. For commercial Use: Some beautiful flowers are used in certain ceremonies example: wedding ceremonies, birthdays, burials.
11. Sources of local herbs: Some ornamental plants can be used as sources of local herbs or local medicine.
12. Sources of income to florists: Ornamental plant and flowers also provide huge sources of income to horticulturist or florists.
13. Noise Absorption: Some specific flowers and ornamental mental plants are used in noise absorption.
14. Purification of atmospheric air: Ornamental plant including other plants help to purify atmospheric air by removing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
15. Provision of employment: Another importance of floriculture is the provision of employment through the cultivation of flowers, example, for gardens.
16. Provision off foreign exchange: Foreign exchange is another importance of floriculture, some beautiful flowers and ornamental plants provide foreign exchange to the government when exported.
COMMON SPECIES OF ORNAMENTAL TREES, SHRUBS AND FLOWERS
Some common species of ORNAMENTAL trees, shrubs and flowers includes.
ORNAMENTAL TREES
- Frangi Pani
- neem cassia
- royal Palm
- balsam
ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS
- Allamamda
- Crotons
- Ixora
- Cauliflower
- Acalypha
ORNAMENTAL FLOWERS
- Justicia
- Canalily
- Morning glory
- Crotalaria
CULTIVATION OF ORNAMENTAL TREES AND FLOWERS:
ORNAMENTAL trees and flowers are better cultivated through a number of cultural practices in order to enhance good production and high quality of flowers. This cultivation of ornamental flowers include the following:
1. Choices of Site: The site should be well drain and easily accessible to the florist and customers. Water should easily be available for watering of flowers.
2. Planting materials: Planting materials include seeds, vegetative propagating through Cut stems, roots, leaves, e.g (bryophylum) stolons, etc.
3. Method of Cultivation: ORNAMENTAL trees and flowers can be grown through any of the following methods.
- Uses of prepared beds: This serves as nursery beds where the young seedlings of flowers are raised.
- Direct sowing to soil: Seeds or stem cuttings can be sown directly into soil where they sprout to become flowers.
- Use of nylon bags: Seeds or stem cuttings can be sown directly into nylon bags containing soil from where they can grow up before transplanting.
- Provision of shades: Shade can be provided for the seedlings to protect them against excessive rainfall and heat of the sun.
- Use of pots: Seeds or stem cuttings can also be sewn directly into clay pots, containing loamy soil from which flowers can grow.
- Use of loamy soil/organic manure: Soils in which seeds or stem curtains are to be planted should be loaming soil because it is very fertile. Some organic manures, example; farmyard manual can be added to the soil to improve its fertility.
- Regular watering: Flowers should be watered at least twice a day morning and evening.
- Regular WEEDING: The florist should ensure that unwanted plants, i.e, weeds, are removed so as to provide nutrients, space, light, etc. for the normal growth of ornamental trees and flowers without competition.
SOURCES OF PLANTING MATERIALS
Sources of planting materials like seeds, Cut stems, leaves, stolones or rhizomes, includes:
- Established private horticulture gardens
- Higher institution Botanical gardens.
- Government-owned horticultural centers.
- Private house and offices.
- Imported ornamental trees and flowers.
- Resort or recreational centers.
MAINTENANCE OF HORTICULTURAL PLANTS AND FLOWERS
1. Provision of shades: Shades should be provided for the siblings to protect them against excessive rainfall and excessive heat of the sun.
2. Regular WATERING: Horticultural plants and Flowers should be watered and at least twice a day, early in the morning and late in the evening.
3. Regular WEEDING: The florist should ensure that unwanted plants which are removed so as to allow for adequate nutrients, space, light, for the growth of the ornamental trees and flowers.
4. Fertilizer Application: Fertilizer and manures can be applied to the soil to improve the soil fertility for the growth of ornamental trees, SHRUBS and flowers. To read and study about fertilizer application [Click Here]
5 Fencing: Fundamental plants should be protected from being eaten up by animals like cattle, sheep, goat, etc.
6. Regular Pruning: Old leaves, stems and side branches should be pruned with either shears or secateurs.
Summary of floriculture Meaning and importance: In essence, floriculture not only adds beauty to our surroundings but also contributes to economic growth, cultural richness, environmental sustainability, and human well-being.