Retractable roof greenhouses can help improve the profitability of growers of cut flowers like roses, carnations, snapdragons, delphinium, and bulb crops like tulips, lilies, and freesias by:

	increase yields per square meter or foot.
	improve quality.
	improving the timing of when flowers are ready.

Yields of cut flowers can be increased up to 30% by:

	increasing the level of photosynthesis by taking advantage of both the outdoor and greenhouse environment.
	preventing or reducing losses due to:
	fungal diseases, powdery mildew, botrytis etc.
	delay to flower buds by preventing flower temperatures from exceeding 38C (98F).
	sunburn, or bleaching of flowers.

Improving Flower Quality

	Flower color can be brighter, especially red and yellow, since plants are exposed to UV radiation.
	Flowers can have a longer shelf life compared to flowers grown only in a greenhouse environment since flowers exposed to the outdoor conditions can have:
	developed a better ability to transport more water through the stems.
	developed thicker cuticles on the leaves to allow the plant to be better able to slow down the rate of water loss.
	accumulated higher levels of carbohydrates which will help provide energy during dark or dimly lit conditions such as         when a plant is in transit or on a retail display, and helps prevent aborted flower buds, and chlorotic leaves.
	developed stronger stems.
	developed stronger leaves which makes the plants less prone to injury during handling and transport which helps reduce         the release of ethylene gas.
	reduced exposure to fungal spores.
	The flower heads can larger due to cooler temperatures and increased levels of oxygen at night.

Improved timing of when flowers are ready

	It is easier to speed up or slow down production to react to changing market or weather conditions simply by increasing or decreasing average temperatures retracting or closing the roof.

Customer Links

www.allseasonflowers.com www.ascfg.org