All CCGGA members have some level of on-going R&D effort that aims to improve products, increase efficiencies, or mitigate water or pesticide usage. However, some members have R&D efforts in very focused areas that not only help their own businesses but also become part of the overall improvement of plant and flower production for other growers as well.
Developing New Plant Varieties — One such type of improvement is in the breeding of new varieties of existing plants, such as that done by Ball FloraPlant Breeding Station. These new varieties most often take the form of the introduction of a new color or perhaps more importantly, the introduction of a better performing plant. At any given time, Ball FloraPlant has thousands of different plant types in testing that might be aimed at producing a more disease resistant plant, or a larger flower, or a brighter color, or more uniform foliage. From the seedling stage to shipping a new product to market, this testing typically takes from five to six years, and entails testing in both field and greenhouse environments, as well as in a variety of geographical sites around the country. Hardier or larger plants or brighter or new color doesn’t just happen — it takes dozens of growing cycles and numerous field trials to accomplish.
The sources of these new plants and how they are developed are varied. Some are as basic as cross pollination, or the grafting of cuttings from one plant to another. Leading-edge technology may also be used. Tissue bulture is a specialized method for creating new or different varieties of plants, as is mutation breeding, which creates “sports” that can become an entirely new strain of flower or plant. Sometimes new products arise from amateur back-yard breeders or from spontaneous “sports” or mutations that can occur during production of plants.
