Explore our sustainability planning templates for retail florists and wholesalers. Learn more.

Grower

Resource Available for Integrated Pest Management

Pest management plays a big role in keeping floriculture businesses running smoothly. Without it, practitioners struggle with reduced quality, inadequate production, and disease. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a strategy that allows growers to handle effective pest control in a comprehensive manner, incorporating biological, chemical, cultural, and physical control methods..  Sustainabloom has called upon the expertise of researchers to help growers learn to implement IPM effectively in their practices. Through a detailed guide and supplemental resources, researchers Amanda Solliday and Dr. Melinda Knuth of the Department of Horticultural Sciences at North Carolina State University not only provide valuable guidance about IPM to growers but also explain how an effective strategy can lead to improved product quality and a more sustainable-friendly…

Nutrient Management Practices That Benefit Plants & Our Planet

In the field of floriculture, nutrients are a vital part of what helps plants thrive. Primary macronutrients including nitrogen, phosphate and potassium are the essential ingredients in fertilizer that assist in the growth of everything from flowering plants to crops that are produced for food, clothing, and other items.  But as the old idiom suggests, “Too Much of a Good Thing” can sometimes lead to more harm than good. While that relates to many things in life, it is especially true in floriculture. Growers must be cautious in the use of these macronutrients, often called the Big 3 or N-P-K. While they are critical for good plant production, excessive use could not only be detrimental to plant health but harm…

 Survey Reveals Push Toward Sustainability and the Opportunities Ahead 

A newly released survey led by North Carolina State University (NCSU) and funded by the American Floral Endowment’s Sustainabloom program reveals promising trends in sustainability across the floral industry—and outlines opportunities for growers, wholesalers, florists, and suppliers to build greener, more profitable businesses.“Across all floral industry sectors, we’re seeing strong interest in sustainability,” said Dr. Melinda Knuth, assistant professor at NCSU and faculty lead on the project. “And by communicating their efforts and tapping into consumer values, floral businesses can turn sustainability into a competitive advantage.”The 2024 Floriculture Sustainability Survey gathered input from over 100 floriculture businesses from the grower and retail segment, as well as industry wholesalers and suppliers. While the responses represent only a small sampling of the industry—primarily from those who…

Sustainabloom Releases Four New Guides for Floriculture Sustainability

Sustainabloom, a leading resource for sustainability in the floriculture industry, has released four new industry guides to help businesses support their sustainability journey. These comprehensive guides offer insights and practical advice on Energy Efficiency, Carbon Accounting, and Inventory Management.Developed by Sustainabloom program researchers at NC State University, these guides provide industry members with the tools and knowledge they need to reduce their environmental impact and improve their business operations. The new guides released include: Carbon Accounting: The Carbon Accounting guide offers a comprehensive overview of this essential practice and helps businesses understand the greenhouse gas emissions associated with their operations, measure their carbon footprint, and begin to think about strategies for reduction and offsetting. By implementing carbon accounting, florists and growers can make informed…

Want to Get Involved?

Share Your Story

Make a Difference

Donate to the Program