Species and hybrids of Eucalyptus and Corymbia are used in the cut flower industry for foliage, buds, flowers and gumnuts. The different market segments require different species and management.

There are four leaf phases in the development of a eucalyptus plant: the ‘seedling’, ‘juvenile’, ‘intermediate’ and ‘adult’ phases but there is no definite transitional point between the phases. The intermediate phase, when the largest leaves are often formed, is the stage used for most cut foliage production. Trees grown for foliage require heavy pruning to maintain juvenile leaf growth.

The most readily recognisable characteristics of eucalyptus species are the distinctive flowers and fruit (capsules or "gumnuts"). Flowers are mostly a mass of fluffy stamens which may be white, cream, yellow, pink or red, and the flowers have no petals. In bud, the stamens are enclosed in a cap and as the stamens expand, the cap is forced off, and the many showy stamens emerge.

Growers entering the cut flower industry are encouraged to do extensive research on the inherent risks and challenges throughout the value chain. Eucalyptus trees generally produce a large quantity of harvestable product per tree, but much is sold at a low cost, with only flowering stems attracting higher prices.

The wildflower industry, including eucalyptus producers, is a mature industry in Australia. It has an active research & development program that assists industry members develop better production techniques, works towards industry-wide standards and undertakes market development activities. The wildflower industry is represented by WildFlowers Australia, which represents a diverse range of industry participants, including growers, buyers, wholesalers, exporters and importers, and research and extension specialists.

Facts and figures

• Wildflower cultivation can achieve better returns per unit area of land and per unit of water for irrigation, than many other agricultural enterprises
• Growing wildflowers generally requires fewer inputs of pesticides, fertiliser and water than growing traditional flowers such as roses, carnations and annuals

Eucalypts are used in the cut flower industry for foliage, buds, flowers and nuts.

A range of eucalypt species are used for foliage in flower displays, offering green or silvery grey colours, and more recently red-maroon.

In many species, the juvenile foliage has round or oval waxy leaves with a silvery sheen, providing attractive and textural foliage to enhance a wide range of traditional flowers and wildflowers.

Growing regions

Current production of eucalyptus products for cut foliage (including flowers, buds and nuts) is in the coastal regions of Queensland, New South Wales and southern Western Australia. The coastal region of south east South Australia and the many parts of Victoria also have areas under eucalypt production.

Soil type

Soil type, salinity and pH tolerance vary widely across the eucalyptus genera and there are species adapted to most regions of Australia.

Climate

Eucalypt species are widely adapted to temperate, subtropical and tropical climates. Most eucalypt species require a minimum annual rainfall of 200mm, and many growers use supplementary irrigation to achieve reliable production levels. 

Corymbia ficifolia, one of the eucalypts most cultivated for flowers, is suited to temperate climates with low rainfall and humidity, but specialist nurseries have selected a range of rootstocks to allow production in a greater range of climates and soil types; however, it is susceptible to severe frost.

Varieties

There are a wide range of Eucalyptus and Corymbia species used in the cut flower industry; and development of particular lines of species has occurred to produce market-suited products. Species cultivated for foliage include E. cordata (heart-leaved silver gum), E. cinerea (Argyle apple), E. globulus (Tasmanian blue gum), E. gunnii (cider gum), E. pulverulenta (silver-leaved mountain gum) and the cultivar of E. cladocalyx EUC78 ‘Vintage Red’™, which has red to deep maroon leaves.

Eucalypt buds are harvested from E. kruseana, E. x tetragona , E. tetraptera, E. forrestiana and E. rhodantha. Eucalypt nuts are widely sourced from E. x tetragona but other species and hybrids also provide attractive product.

Most of the flowering gum sold on the domestic market is derived from C. ficifolia (formerly E. ficifolia) and hybrids of C. ficifolia and C. ptychocarpa (a tropical species). Flowers are also harvested from E. caesia (silver princess) and E. tetraptera (four-winged mallee).

Superior selections and hybrids have been developed by grafting onto more broadly adapted rootstocks. Grafted plants for eucalypt cut flowers include the varieties Dwarf Orange, Summer Beauty, Summer Red, Summer Glory, Summer Snow, Watermelon, Apricot Dawn and Scarlet. Some of these varieties are protected by Plant Breeders Rights.

For further information on eucalypt varieties for cut flower production refer to the publications What Cut Flower is that? The essential care and handling guide for cut flower professionals and Quality specifications for Eucalyptus flowers.

Planting and crop management

Some eucalypts are sensitive to the dieback root rot but there is variation in susceptibility within the genus. The soil of a prospective site for a eucalypt plantation should be tested for root diseases before planting; if tests for pathogens are positive, another site should be chosen or a tolerant species selected.

Irrigated agriculture and horticulture enterprises generally have compatible infrastructure to adapt to growing eucalypts. Infrastructure and equipment for planting and crop management include machinery for site preparation, tractors for mowing and towing flower trailers, fertiliser spreaders, pesticide application equipment and irrigation infrastructure and equipment.

Harvesting and pruning equipment may include various hand picking tools, hedge trimmers, and/or machinery adapted or designed for mechanical pruning and harvesting.

Foliage stems should be cut in the coolest part of the day and immediately placed into water. Leaves are usually stripped from the bottom 15m of stem and the stems may be dipped into anti-transpirants to reduce water loss. The stems are then placed in a holding solution, which consists of clean potable water and held at 2-4°C. Stems treated this way may have a vase life of up to two weeks or longer, depending on the species. Sometimes the foliage is treated with glycerine to preserve it. This is undertaken by placing the foliage in a glycerine and water solution and gives the foliage an attractive sheen with a supple texture.

The flowering season for eucalypt species usually lasts from late November to February. Harvesting stems for buds, flowers or nuts requires post-harvest treatment similar to that for leaves. The foliage and gumnuts have a very good vase life, but the flowers have a short vase life and if not handled carefully may last as little as one day.

There is a wide range of market opportunities for wildflower (including but not limited to Eucalypt) growers. Markets can be local, regional, national or international and each has its own range of management requirements.

At the local level, wildflowers can be sold to local florists, farm or road side stalls, farmers’ markets, restaurants, motels and resorts. Ideally, the farm will be located within an hour’s drive of these customers, and deliveries can be made twice a week. Regular supply and excellent service will be critical to maintain the market.

Individually or in cooperative arrangements, growers may sell to florists that require a year-round supply of a variety of lines. Flowers need to be packed in flower boxes and delivered direct to florists over a large geographical area. Setting up an effective and economic transport network is critical, as is keeping in close contact with customers about orders and payments.

If the flowers are produced close to a capital city, there is the opportunity to sell at flower markets. Growers may sell their product from a stall at the market, engage an agent to sell their product or sell to a wholesaler.

Eucalypt flowers are generally not exported due to their delicate nature and short vase life. Stems with gumnuts are generally sold on the domestic market as insects are difficult to eradicate. On the export market, competing product from overseas producers may set a lower price than Australian growers would accept.

Growing for export requires careful planning, based on thorough market research and an export marketing plan. Some export advisers recommend that growers learn how to sell flowers on the domestic market successfully, before taking on the export market. Only top-quality product should be exported, therefore the farm production system will need an excellent quality control system. Few growers are large enough to meet these requirements alone, which has given rise to the formation of grower co-operatives that allow several smaller producers to market their product together and thereby gain more power in the marketplace.

Risks/Challenges

The greatest risk associated with cut flower production (including eucalypts) is not researching the enterprise sufficiently before investing and establishing the business. Extensive research should be carried out on what species (and varieties to grow) and into which market/s the flowers will be sold.

Equally important to market research, is gaining a clear understanding of the personal attributes needed to be a successful flower grower and to operate a profitable flower-growing business; and a good understanding of capital investment and time to earn returns on investment. Chapters 1 and 2 of the publication Getting Started in Wildflower Growing provide excellent guidelines for working through these considerations.

Once the business is established, many of the risks and challenges of cut flower production are associated with markets and marketing. These include understanding market requirements and volumes; competition from cheaper product available (especially on the export market, though flowering eucalypts are not exported); unfavourable exchange rates; judging demand and securing orders prior to harvest; and oversupply of product driving down prices so that returns to the grower are less than the cost of production.

Publications/information

Emerging animal and plant industries: Their value to Australia RIRDC Publication (2014)

Quality Specifications for Eucalyptus Flowers RIRDC Publication (2010)

Getting Started in Wildflower Growing RIRDC Publication (2013)

WildFlowers Australia represents the wildflower industry, including growers, wholesalers, exporters and importers, flower and foliage buyers, research and extension specialists and plant growers.