Cultivating greenhouse cut roses with bending system

Abstract: In the light of the global financial crisis, inexpensive and easily applicable cultivation techniques are a necessity for the grower in order to maintain his profit, while old cultivation techniques resulting in low productivity and yield are gradually eliminated. In the present paper the bending cultivation system of greenhouse cut roses is described, with its two key modifications: the ‘arching’ and the ‘high rack’ practice. The advantages of this system, that can improve the quality of flower shoots and increase production of cut roses, are described along with the commercial and physiological characteristics of the cut flower shoots and the overall physiology of the rose plant. The impact of shoot bending on the sink-source relationship in rose plants is also assessed. Moreover, the cultivation technique of partially removing the first compound leaf below the harvest cut is described and according to this treatment, an early harvest up to 7-10 days (15-20%) can be achieved. Finally, the effect of the pruning height on the quality and yield is discussed. The above mentioned cultivation techniques can be very easily applied with minimum cost, especially in cases when harvest programming for high-demand seasons is important.