Even the title sounds "terminal." However, this project
should allow you the opportunity to be creative and design a production
system to suit your particular interests. Each of you must select
a greenhouse crop and compile a report on its culture, cost analysis,
and marketing. The crop does not have to be of any particular
size (i.e., you don't have to grow an acre of it; just as much
as you believe you could sell). You do not have to keep the greenhouse
"full" all year with this project. Just pick one crop
for one particular market period.
Steps to successful completion of this project are given below.
Develop a crop schedule and cultural guide by:
Develop a budget for the production and marketing of the crop
by:
Develop a marketing plan for the crop by:
Submit a final, typed report (can be submitted electronically
via e-mail)
This term paper accounts for 15% of your final grade, so put
some time into it. Be creative and entrepreneurial. Why not force
strawberries for Christmas in a greenhouse or grow cilantro for
up-scale grocery stores? Someone has to supply restuarants with
edible flowers, too. As always, ask if you have questions. I
have example papers from last year that you may look at to gain
a better idea what I expect from you.
Sample Term Paper (With comments)
Un-Named Student
HORT 6050
Greenhouse Management
Term Paper
Title: CHRISTMAS CACTUS
68 Points - GRADE GIVEN = D
Christmas Cactus Term Paper - School Plant Sale
Rationale
I chose this particular plant because I feel that it has a proven
niche in the Christmas season market. Furthermore, as a future
teacher I think this plant would be great for students to learn
how to grow in the greenhouse and market themselves as a fundraiser
for the school I personally feel that Christmas Cactus' are a
beautiful plant because they are one of the few that flower in
the wintertime. The Christmas Cactus makes a great gift in that
it is easy to care for, and is easily grown indoors. The flowers
range in lovely colors from yellow, salmon, pink, fuchsia, and
white or combinations of those colors.
Cultural Guidelines
Scientific name-Schlumbergera bridesii
4 Points off - What cultivars should I use? Where do I get them? How about some photos...what does it look like?
Light-High light intensity produces more blooms (caution too much direct light can scorch leaves), however, medium light through a partially shaded window works well also. Six to eight weeks before Christmas short day treatment should begin by covering plants in the evening and removing the cover in the morning to help force flowering.
2 points off - What foot candle levels are we talking about?
Soil-Must be very well draining! Preferred soil is composed of equal parts of garden loam, leaf mold, and clean coarse sand (for drainage). A small amount of peat should be added also as these plants like the soil to be on the acidic side.
2 Points off - How about other commercial mixes? I don't have compost! What are my options and how much do they cost?
Water-These are not true cactus in that they are drought tolerant, so readily available water is necessary. Christmas cactus are succulent plants that store water in their leaves. Plants should be watered thoroughly and re-watered when top half is dry to the touch. Watering rates will vary based on light, air temperature, growth, and humidity. During the fall water should be tapered off until October when no water will be given. Then watering is slowly and cautiously resumed in November to help flowering. After flowering water again be withheld for six weeks.
Temperature-This plant prefers warm temperatures all year round.
4 Points off: What are the production temperatures required, and when do we initiate the photoperiod temperature treatment…at shading?
Propagation-Christmas Cactus is easily propagated from stem cuttings in the spring or summer. To propagate, cut off a stem consisting of 2-3 jointed segments, place in a moist peat and perlite mix. To prevent rotting, water should be given sparingly initially then increased over 2-3 weeks. When cuttings are rooted pot them in a very loose mixture of good potting soil.
2 points off - How long does it take to get a usable cutting? Can I sell cuttings?
Fertilization-The target for vegetative growth EC should be 0.7-1.0 mmhos/cm3 and a pH should be 5.5-6.2. pH and soluble salts will be continually monitored throughout the production cycle. Fertilizers such as 20-10-20 or 15-16-17 may be used at 150-200ppm. High ammonium fertilizer sources should be avoided, but magnesium levels should be closely monitored and raised with Epsom salts. Rate? Fertilization should be reduced or stopped a month before short days to increase percentage of flowers.
Spacing- Pots that are 4 1/2" or smaller can be grown pot-to-pot for most or all of the production period. While 6" pots will require some additional space after approximately 14 weeks. In order to maximize space, hanging baskets may be grown overhead with the use of drip lines.
Potential Pests/Viruses-Caterpillars, mealybugs, fungus gnat larvae, scale insects, purple ring spots, line patterns in leaves.
4 Points off: What products or strategies should be used? What does the virus look like? I need details here!
Production Schedule-Plants would be propagated in early spring to begin growing in order to be large enough for Christmas market. Six to eight weeks before Christmas short day treatment should begin by covering plants in the evening and removing the cover in the morning to help force flowering.
8 points off : Show me a production schedule! Calendar or step by step!
Crop Cost Analysis
The greenhouse facilities would be on school grounds and already
constructed hopefully, but if not I have included figures that
could be considered for starting a greenhouse. Most of the soil
and pots would be donated in the school setting and of course
labor is free!
Fixed Costs
One 36x108 ft. greenhouse (foundations, superstructure, plastic
@ $4.75sq ft.) $18,500
Environmental control system (heating, cooling, utilities, benches
@ $4.75sq ft.) $15,600
Outside Mixing Area $2,500
Fertilizer Equipment $2,500
Sprayer $2,500
Electric Generator $850
Emergency Heaters $500
Fuel Tank $5,500
Carts $1,500
Truck $16,800
Other tools & equipment $2,350
Total Investment $66,600
6 Points off: What are my variable costs? What is the amount of fixed costs to be assigned to each pot given the number of weeks in a greenhouse ?
Marketing - Most of the sales will be as a fundraiser within the school system and to family members of students. Upon questioning various faculty members many were willing to purchase 6" pots of Christmas Cactus for $8.00 each. I have worked out a deal with the Family and Consumer Sciences (Home Ec.) teacher to have her students make foil pot covers for all of the plants, this will in turn be a fundraiser for them in that we will pay $.50 per cover. Our projected number of sales is 300. At this amount it should leave enough room to make a profit of about $5.50 per plant, assuming $.50 for covers and $2.00 for any un-donated materials. ($1650.00) I realize that in the "real world" the school board would not foot the bill for the greenhouse and therefore I would have to produce on a much larger scale to pay the bills. However, this is a manageable task for a teacher with five classes everyday, and plenty of student workers. Plants will be distributed to buyers by student deliveries before and after school, and pick up will also be available. All students involved in production, maintenance, and delivery of plants will be rewarded with a pizza party before the Christmas break. The advantage of this business plan is that it involves high school students with Greenhouse Management and crop production; through this they will be better prepared to enter the workforce.
What would be the real world costs if this were not a fund raising project...what was the cost of the pots, labor, soil and inputs on a per pot basis so I can see how much we make per pot? That way I can tell if I should be growing something that will make more income per square foot on my expensive bench space.
Other Subject areas:
Shipping Concerns
Packing
Shelf-life Considerations
Graduate and Undergraduate freelance writers.... please take note of this opportunity:
If you cover the term-paper topic thoroughly, and you are interested in having it published, please contact Dr. Thomas. Your paper will be considered for publication in Southeastern Floriculture Magazine, our regional trade magazine for greenhouse growers. If it passes faculty review, and you perform the requested editing/corrections, we will run the article in the next available issue. You will be the sole author, the article will include your picture. Your article, once published, will stand on your resume as a valid academic regional trade article. SEF, which is jointly published by 5 state growers organizations and their state university Extension services. The magazine does not pay contributing authors, faculty and industry contributions are voluntary...your contribution is similarly voluntary.
Policy: You are not obligated in any way to submit your term paper for publishing. Your grade will not be affected by contributing or deciding not to contribute. All student contributors will receive a complimentary one year subscription to the magazine.
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Last Modified: 27 July 2006 pathomas@uga.edu