PRELIMINARY RESULTS FROM OUTDOOR GROWING OF CARNATIONS IN WESTERN ALGARVE, PORTUGAL

The red carnation was the symbol of the portuguese revolution on 25 April 1974, and carnations were grown in Portugal for many years before that date, mainly for domestic consumption. The smaller growers are generally located in the North, the larger farms are situted in the Lisbon-Setubal area in the Middle, and very few carnations are, so far, grown in the South, the Algarve region.

The coastal areas of Portugal have often ideal conditions for horticulture, with sunny and mild winters and moderate temperatures in in Summer. Water for irrigation is seldom a problem, and the quality from the deep wells is normally very good. Labour is inexpensive, compared with the rest of Western Europe, dependable and good when properly trained. Problems are mainly lack of know-how, technicians and capital.

When Portugal recently joined the Common Market, horticulturists found the opportunity to increase their export to Western Europe, like their Spanish neighbours, who have already done this with great succes. Conditions are at least as good as in Spain, labour costs are less and the water problems in many areas in Spain do not exist in Portugal, not at the present time.