Introduction to Floriculture provides an introduction to commercial floriculture, containing information on major and minor greenhouse and field crops, and includes potted plants and cut flowers. The book is organized into two parts. Part I on cut flowers discusses the history and propagation of chrysanthemums, carnations, roses, snapdragons, orchids, gladiolus, and minor cut crops. Part II on potted plants includes bulbous plants, azaleas, pot mums, African violets, poinsettias, and Easter lilies. This book was written for students who have been exposed to a sufficient number of biology courses to acquaint them with many of the terms and plant processes discussed in the text. It would be beneficial if they have also taken a course in greenhouse management or are taking one concurrently with their floriculture course. The book can be used by commercial growers who constantly seek more information to enable them to realize maximum gain from the investments of labor, time, and capitol they have placed in this challenging field.

The Growth of Bulbs: Applied Aspects of the Physiology of Ornamental Bulbous Crop Plants presents an account of ornamental bulbs as plants and as crops, with emphasis on scientific aspects of bulb growing, bulb treatment, and bulb forcing. While the account is biased towards British bulb growing, it also introduces bulb growing in other parts of the world, especially in the Netherlands, the United States, Israel, and Japan. The book's opening chapter discusses the origins of bulbous plants, how they became important as crop plants, and how the various forms now widely grown had been developed. This is followed by separate chapters on bulb types, structure, morphology, development and periodicity; bulb growth and productivity; flower initiation and differentiation; and the storage of bulbs. Subsequent chapters cover bulb physiology and metabolism, bulb disorders, and bulb pests and diseases. The book concludes with reflections on the form of the plant of the future.

Although a great deal of research on ornamental geophytes has been conducted since the beginning of the 1990s, current information has not been comprehensively presented to researchers and horticulturalists. Covering the latest advances in geophytes science, Ornamental Geophytes: From Basic Science to Sustainable Production provides up-to-date reviews on geophyte taxonomy, physiology, genetics, production, plant protection, and postharvest biology. Novel approaches to environmentally-friendly, sustainable production and integrated management have stimulated new research directions, and innovative biochemical and molecular methods have opened new avenues in taxonomy and breeding. In addition to the issues historically associated with traditionally growing countries, the book reviews the development of new production centers in Africa, Asia, and South America. In 20 chapters, this book reflects three main trends in plant science and horticulture: A demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly production Widespread employment of new molecular technologies The globalization of the production and marketing chains Thoroughly modern and in tune with the needs and methods of the geophytes industry, Ornamental Geophytes: From Basic Science to Sustainable Production will benefit not only researchers who have been engaged for years but also new researchers and students who must meet and challenge the existing dogmas. In addition, the information contained in this book is vital to bringing the value of flower bulbs to the worldwide consumers who are the most important and last links in the chain of utilization and profitability of all ornamental products.