Nursery & cutflowers

Western Australia has a significant nursery industry and also grows exotic and Australian native flowers for local and export markets. Nurseries exist in most areas from Broome to Esperance.

Important sectors include land rehabilitation after mining and on farms, state and local government, seedlings for commercial growers and home gardens. There is growing emphasis on ‘waterwise’ plants using local provenance species.

Sales of exotic cutflowers are primarily local whereas waxflowers, South African proteas and bush-picked flowers and foliage are mostly exported.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has developed new hybridised waxflower varieties and produced reports on best propagation, field and postharvest management practices of these crops.

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Articles

  • Nurseries may choose to buy in potting mix rather than making their own

    Potting mixes

    9 January 2014

    This page describes the characteristics of a good potting mix and outlines some of the common ingredients, as well as detailing simple tests for aeration and water-holding capacity.

  • Carrots of the same age, healthy ones on the left and three damaged by root-knot nematodes on the right

    Root-knot nematodes in Western Australia

    15 May 2014

    Root-knot nematodes are plant-parasitic round worms with a broad host range which includes many important horticultural crops, pastures and some weed species.

  • Alternaria blight on waxflower

    Foliar diseases of waxflower

    9 January 2014

    Waxflower is susceptible to a range of foliar diseases. The main problems which occur in commercial plantations and their control are outlined here.

  • Red and green kangaroo paw

    Growing kangaroo paws in Western Australia

    27 March 2014

    The red and green kangaroo paw is the floral emblem of Western Australia.

  • King proteas

    Growing proteas

    26 May 2014

    Proteas are attractive shrubs originating from South Africa which can be cultivated commercially in Western Australia.

  • Corynanthera flava flowering in its natural situation on the sandplain north of Perth

    Golden cascade for cutflower production

    22 July 2014

    This article describes the conditions for sustainable bush management and/or cultivation of golden cascade (Corynanthera flava), a species unique to the northern sandplain of southern West

  • A bunch of verticordia

    Verticordias for cutflower production

    22 July 2014

    Verticordias are a diverse group of Australian native plants which display a range of flower colours of orange, yellow, red, pink, cream and white.

  • Cultivar Lambert cherries with Little cherry disease symptoms (left) and healthy fruit (right)

    Little cherry disease: declared pest

    7 February 2014

    Little cherry disease [Ampelovirus Little cherry virus 2 (LChV-2)] is a serious pest of cherries that can affect fruit development and quality.

  • A flower arrangement of Western Australian wildflowers including Banksia's, Kangaroo Paw and Wax Flowers.

    Drying cut flowers and foliage

    20 January 2014

    Dried flowers are a popular longer-lasting alternative to fresh flowers. A number of methods can be used to dry flowers but some basic principles apply generally such as drying as fast as possible

  • The photo shows a forced air cooling setup at a commercial flower exporters packing shed

    Cooling cut flowers and foliage

    22 January 2014

    Cut flowers and foliage are highly perishable items. Field heat should be removed as soon as possible after picking.

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