Development of New Varieties of Australian Native Plants for Cut Flower and Pot Plant Markets

The introduction of new native Australian cut flowers is essential for the competitiveness of the Australian cut flower and pot plant industry. Australian native flowers, such as Conospermum (smokebush), Pimelea physodes (Qualup bell), Verticordia and Chamelaucium (waxflower) offer many colours, forms and types that have potential as cut flower and pot plants. These species have been targeted, by the Western Australian Department of Agriculture and Food. The selection process has involved; surveys, propagation, cultivation and postharvest evaluation. In the case of smokebush, out of the 53 species in the genus, 12 species were identified with cut flower and pot plant potential. Further evaluation and surveys narrowed these down to 5 species; including both blue and white smokebush (Conospermum eatoniae and C. triplinervium). Similar processes have been used for selecting other native Australian species. Tissue culture techniques were necessary for successful propagation of blue smokebush as well as special cultivation techniques, such as trellising to manage stem production. Split irrigation application and the use of low nutrient fertilizers were required during establishment and production of many of these native flowers. Also hormonal techniques were used on various waxflowers to produce attractive pot plant forms. Vase life solutions were tested and ethylene sensitivity of cut flowers determined. Smokebush and Qualup bell appear not being sensitive to ethylene whereas waxflower and some Verticordia were sensitive to ethylene and required anti ethylene management. Test marketing has shown that blue smokebush is particularly suited to the ikebana industry whereas white can be used to highlight the blue colour in arrangements and as a filler flower. Qualup bell is more a feature cut flower as are some of the Verticordia with waxflower a filler flower. Potted waxflowers are being successfully marketed on the European and US pot plant and amenity or landscape flower markets.