Development of Rice Flower (Ozothamnus diosmifolius) as a Cut Flower Crop

Abstract

Rice flower (Ozothamnus diosmifolius), an Australian native plant, was harvested for cut flowersfrom natural stands up to the late 1980s. Comprehensive research into marketing and cultivation of rice flower was conducted from 1992 to 1995. Marketing research established that the industry was based on 25,000 plants in the ground in 1992. Maturity standards for export rice flower were determined. The need to integrate efficient production with market strategies involving quality control, promotion and test marketing was acknowledged. Production research identified promising varieties (including two commercially available PBR varieties, ‘Cook’s Tall Pink’ and ‘Cook’s Snow White’, and QDPI variety ‘Redlands Sandra’) with an aggregate 3-6 weeks production season. A major opportunity for extending the production season to 10-12 weeks from existing germplasm was also identified. Agronomic requirements have been suggested, disease problems identified and tentative control measures suggested and aspects of harvesting and postharvest handling indicated. The results of these investigations have enhanced the opportunities for commercial development of this emerging industry.