• A Subject Guide
• Cut Flower Notes
• Accompanying Notes
• Soils & Nutrition Booklet
• Soil Test Booklet
• Pests & Diseases Booklet
• Greenhouse Management Booklet
• List of Seed Merchants
• Kings Herb Seed Catalogue

• The Flower Expert by Dr Hessayon
• Growing Flowers & Foliage for Cutting by Barbara Coates
• The Bulb Expert by Dr Hessayon

1. Introduction to Cut Flower Production
2. Soils & Nutrition
3. Cultural Practices
4. Flower Initiation & Development
5. Pest & Disease Control
6. Australian Natives & Related Plants
7. Greenhouse Culture
8. Harvest & Post Harvest
9. Developing A Production Plan
10. Export Marketing

• Explain the physiological processes which affect flower development in plants.
• Identify plant varieties suitable for commercial cut flower production.
• Evaluate the suitability of different plants as cut flower crops.
• Determine soil and nutrition requirements for cut flower growing.
• Determine the cultural requirements for commercial production of a cut flower crop.
• Determine harvest and post-harvest management practices for cut flower crops.
• Develop a production plan for a cut flower crop.
• Determine export market opportunities for cut flowers.

• Describe the botanical mechanisms involved in the process of flower initiation for two different plant genera.
• Explain the effect of carbon dioxide enrichment on flowering for a specified plant species.
• Determine the factors causing aging of flowers in ten different genera of commercially grown cut flowers.
• Compare three different treatments to preserve cut flowers after harvest, including: *Glycerine *Drying *Pressing.
• Determine procedures to produce cut flowers out of season for three different cut flower species.
• Compile a resource file of forty different sources of information regarding commercial cut flower varieties, including: *Publications *Suppliers of seed and/or planting stock *Industry associations *Relevant government contacts.
• Describe ten herbaceous perennials suitable to cut flower growing in a specific locality.
• Describe ten annuals and biennials suitable to flower growing in a specific locality.
• Describe ten bulbs, corms, rhizomes or tubers suitable for cut flower growing in a specific locality.
• Describe six plant varieties commonly used as fillers in the floristry trade.
• Differentiate between twenty different plant varieties suitable as cut flowers, including: *Family, genus, species & variety name (if applicable) *a description of the physical characteristics of the plant *a flower description, flowering season and length of flowering.
• Develop criteria for the selection of plant varieties to be grown as cut flower crops on a specified property.
• Determine ten Australian native plants with potential as a cut flower crop in a specific locality.
• Determine twenty exotic plants with potential as cut flower crops in a specific locality.
• Explain the success of three specified Australian plant varieties as cut flowers.
• Describe ten different plant varieties suited to grow as cut flowers, including; Family, genus, species & variety name (if applicable) a description of the physical characteristics of the plant *flower description, flowering season and length of flowering.
• Analyse the commercial viability of two different cut flower crops being produced in a specified situation.
• Perform simple tests on three different soils to determine: *Soil type *pH *Drainage *Water holding capacity.
• Compare the performance of a specified variety of cut flower in three different soil types.
• Determine appropriate cut flower crops to grow in three different types of soils from the learner's locality or region.
• Recommend soil preparation techniques for a specific site, for a specified cut flower crop.
• Compare the suitability of six different types of fertilisers for use with two different cut flowers.
• Analyse the nutritional management being practiced by two different growers, on specified cut flower crops.
• Identify five nutrient disorders on two or more different cut flowers.
• Explain the results of a plant tissue analysis to provide fertilizing recommendations.
• Compare plant establishment techniques for five different cut flowers, including planting and staking.
• Explain the applications for three different types of irrigation system, for cut flower production, on sites visited by the learner.
• Differentiate between greenhouse and open field growing of a specified cut flower crop, grown in a specific locality.
• Develop guidelines for the pruning of four different flower crops.
• Determine fifteen common pest and disease problems, on specified cut flower crops,in the learner's locality.
• Prepare pest and disease management plans, for a twelve month period (or the life of crop), for two different cut flower crops.
• Compare commercially available propagation methods for six species of cut flowers.
• Evaluate the use of ground and tap water for use on a specific cut flower crop.
• Develop an integrated pest management program for a specific cut flower crop.
• Describe three common harvesting techniques for cut flowers.
• Compare four alternative post-harvest storage facilities for cut flowers.
• Explain the commercial grading procedures for five different types of cut flowers.
• Determine the quality of five different cut flowers inspected by the learner, using a standard judging system.
• Describe three methods to extend cut flower life during storage and transport.
• Evaluate the market value of two different specified cut flower crops.
• Determine three cut flower crops with under developed commercial potential in the learner's locality.
• Describe appropriate post-harvest techniques for a selected flower crop.
• Determine factors which effect the marketability of a selected flower crop.
• Describe appropriate marketing methods for a selected flower crop.
• Prepare a management plan, including: *materials and equipment lists *schedules of crop husbandry tasks *estimates of production costs *marketing strategies *contingency plans, for three selected flower crops.
• Describe the production requirements for exporting cut flowers to a specified country.
• Describe the market requirements for cut flower exporting to a specific country.
• Analyse the current export market for Australian cut flowers, including; *quantities and types of flowers being exported *where cut flowers are being exported to *prices growers are obtaining *trends in the market.

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