Field crop of stock in Lompoc, California
Harvesting and grading stock in the field
Matsumoto Asters growing under hoop in Oxnard, California
Outside view of hoop house in Watsonville, California
This week in California Insights we are going to discuss the growing of field ‘crop’ flowers in California. There are essentially three methods in which flowers are grown here: field, hoop and greenhouse. Field grown flowers have no protection from the elements, hoop are low plastic covered protection and greenhouses are the most protected and have automation to control environment. Certain flowers do best in a field setting such as; stock, larkspur and sunflowers. Unfortunately that means that any changes in weather can affect them adversely. In stock for example, the term ‘heat check’ is often heard in the summer months. Heat check is when the variance between daytime and night time temperatures is not enough. The stock basically shuts down and stays dormant until the difference is greater than 15 degrees again. Stock is also affected by rain/ moisture. If there is rain when the stock is flowering and ready to harvest then growers have to treat the crop and allow it to ‘dry out’ for two days before it can be cut. This is why you will have gaps in availability during season that seem odd but they are most likely weather driven. All types of growing are affected by weather but because of their completely open exposure field flowers are most susceptible to these changes. The pictures attached to this post are examples of field grown stock and also show what hoop houses look like. As you can see in the matsumoto aster picture, they are protected by the low hoop house above them. The stock is completely left to the elements. Now, it is worth mentioning that many field flowers if not exposed to extremes are actually ‘hardier’ than many hoop grown flowers. The plants grow in wind and other daily elements and they develop stronger stems than most hoop or greenhouse flowers. So, although they are most vulnerable they can often time be the strongest! In later posts we will dive deeper into the other two methods of growing and their benefits.
