DRIED ROSE BUDS

1. Industry and Products

Roses are a very popular flower which grow well in the Mallee climate. They are a favourite in the wheat zone, and form a large part of many gardens.

Among dried flowers, the dried rose bud has a special place and there is good demand for them.

They are marketed in bunches of 1 dozen with 30-40 bunches per flower box and graded according to stem length. Dried production allows long life and travel. A specialised rose producer will always find some markets locally for fresh product for special days like weddings, and St Valentines day.

There are very few producers of dried roses and it is done very much as a side line. Fresh flower production generally takes precedence where farms are in close proximity to major capital cities with large fresh flower markets.

2. Physical Requirements

Roses are subject to a number of pests and diseases, and do best where the climate is warm and rainfall and humidity is low. The fungus diseases powdery mildew and blackspot must be controlled but the warm dry climate of the Mallee generally minimises these diseases. Plaque thrips and aphids are the main insect pests and also must be controlled.

Indian meal moth has been found to be a serious problem in the dried product requiring careful attention to hygiene in drying, packing and storage areas.

Roses need rich soil conditions with good drainage. Soil mulching and a regular fertiliser program is recommended.

A water supply of 3 megalitres per hectare is necessary and irrigation must not be applied over the top of the plants. Drip irrigation is ideal. Wind breaks will reduce strong wind damage.

3. Production

Roses of all varieties are suitable. Bush roses are used for maximum production.

Planting distances are designed to meet cultural methods especially spraying. If planted a metre apart on the square and mulched, then tractor lanes must be left according to the length of the boom spray used. Other designs would be used for different cultivation and spraying methods.

Roses are harvested from the second year from October to May, usually with three main flushes of about 40 buds per pick. It has been suggested that about 1 hectare of planted area or 10,000 rose bushes would be necessary for a full commercial operation.

Both the growing and harvesting of the roses and drying and packaging are done by hand. The whole operation is very labour intensive.

Roses are harvested in advanced bud stage and bunched in dozens. They are graded into short (15 mm ) medium and long (30 mm), and hung to dry in a drying room.

Quick drying is necessary to retain colour. A fan is used to circulate the air and some simple form of heating is necessary especially for the cooler months.

4. Marketing

As with all proposals for new enterprises, interested persons are advised to plan their marketing before entering into the enterprise. Marketing is essential to success. In broad terms it is believed there are good payable markets for good product, especially through flower wholesalers in capital cities. Developing market contact and relationships is never easy, but is the essence of good marketing.

Individual florists and resellers are other outlets, but require greater attention and marketing skills because of the greater number of individuals involved.

Export marketing has potential but this generally requires greater quantity. Consistency of supply over time and in quality is important in all marketing.

5. Financial Aspects

Rose plants cost about $4.50 a bush. Bunches of dried roses return $3.00 - $5.00 per bunch in capital cities.

Equipment needed includes:

• Small tractor.
• Sprayer.
• Drying Shed and Racks.
• An insulated storage room.
• If fresh flowers are to be sold then a small cool storage facility will be necessary.

6. Organisations and Contacts