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Light is crucial for photosynthesis and crop growth, primarily focused on photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) from 400 to 700 nm, but adding far-red light (700 to 750 nm) as 'extended PAR' (ePAR) can enhance growth. While far-red light can improve plant growth, excessive amounts may reduce quality, suggesting an optimal range of 10% to 20% in lighting spectrums and highlighting the need for more research on its application across various crops.
LEDs have become the preferred choice for horticultural lighting due to advancements that enhance crop quality and reduce growth time. Key metrics in LED selection include light output, spectrum, and efficacy, with added considerations such as reliability, installation cost, and energy rebates for optimizing grower outcomes.
An update on Marketing and Economic Research delivers insights on pricing, grower costs, and consumer trends in the green industry, featuring MarketMetrics benchmarks, the Green Industry National Survey, and value creation strategies.
Greenhouse floriculture growers face challenges in timing blooms for market due to diverse species needs, such as water, light, temperature, and growth regulators. Precise management is crucial as factors like late growth regulator applications, photoperiod sensitivity, low light, high temperatures, and inadequate vernalization can lead to delayed or missed flowering.
Effective greenhouse temperature control is crucial for optimizing crop growth, timing, and energy efficiency while also impacting humidity, flowering, and plant height, making consistent management and maintenance vital.
An online survey found that messaging on plant benefits influences consumer purchasing behavior across various plant types, with notable differences among consumer groups. This impact suggests further research is needed to understand the underlying reasons.
This study found that among 860 U.S. consumers, higher plant spending was linked to improved mental health and future-oriented thinking, with indoor plants boosting future orientation and annual plants enhancing mental health.
This study found that U.S. consumers were willing to pay more for lavender plants when presented with social benefit messaging, with prior plant spending and income boosting WTP, while age lowered it.
The study found that future-oriented, physically active individuals tend to have better mental health and spend more on diverse plant types, suggesting that plant marketers could use imagery of active, happy people to attract these consumers.
The presentation focuses on MarketMetrics benchmarks, the Index of Prices Paid by Growers, and insights from the Green Industry National Survey, emphasizing consumer purchasing trends and behavior while outlining strategies to create and communicate value for improved consumer engagement and market positioning.
During the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine in 2020, a study of 1,211 U.S. respondents found that plant purchases surged, with Millennials deriving the most social benefits and Gen Z focusing on educational and physiological advantages. Plant buyers, particularly of edible varieties, reported greater food security, highlighting key themes of food security, boredom relief, and social connections for effective consumer communication strategies.
GardeningMotivations-of-U.S.-Plant-PurchasersDuring-the-COVID-19-Pandemic (392 KB)
Boxwood, a widely used evergreen shrub in the U.S., is threatened by boxwood blight, now present in 30 states. A survey of 29 nursery producers highlighted crucial management practices, including cultural controls and sanitation, for controlling the disease, while opinions varied on the impact of composted manure on its spread.
This summer supplement to the Index of Prices Paid indicates that the green industry supply chain has returned to pre-COVID levels, with declining inflationary pressures, though rising labor costs continue to concern growers. Projections suggest a 1.0% increase in input costs by the end of 2024 and a preliminary 3.2% rise for 2025.
YMM-Grower-Index-PricesPaid-2007-2023 FINALFeb-2024 (851 KB)
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