by Claudio C. Pasian, Assistant Professor,
Deptartment of Horticulture and Crop Science,
The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
In December 1995, we sent out a small questionnaire to all growers on our mailing list. Our objectives were 1) to increase our knowledge of the floriculture greenhouse industry in Ohio and 2) to establish a rapport via-surveys with growers. We sent out 601 surveys. Two hundred and fifty or 41.6 % were returned. Not bad for a survey! Our interpretation of the results follow. We would like to know what you think about these results. Do you see something in these figures that is worth discussing? Please, let us know by phone, fax, e-mail or in person!
As expected, the results show that Ohio growers are mainly bedding and potted plant growers Fig.1. The number of growers producing cut flowers is surprisingly high. Twenty percent of respondents grow fresh cut flowers, 11% cuts for drying and 8% specialty cuts. USDA statistics for Ohio tell us that the quantity of cut flowers produced in Ohio is relatively small, both in quantity and money and this is born out by the results of the survey. However, from an Extension point of view, our survey numbers also indicate that we should provide growers with more information about cut flowers.
If a small grower is defined as someone with less than 25,000 sq.ft., then 44.7% of the respondents fell in that category. Only 7% of respondents have more than 250,000 sq.ft. Fig. 2. In trade magazines we read a lot about our industry's national trend to move towards fewer but larger production facilities. We must ask ourselves in Extension how we can help these small growers survive.
The majority of the respondents sell their products wholesale and retail Fig. 3. Thirty five percent have garden centers. Twenty two percent have flower shops. Twelve percent have both garden centers and flower shops Fig.4. Growers in this last category must face quite a management challenge!
