FLOWER-GROWING UNDER CONTROLLED CONDITIONS IN ISRAEL

Ten years ago the real development of the Israeli flower industry started (table 1), after a long period of trial and error. The development was very rapid. The problems which arose were manifold:

• growers without experience
• no greenhouse construction firms in Israel
• no types of greenhouses suitable for our climate
• no export firms for flowers
• great distance to the potential markets
• no experience as to which varieties will grow well and are commercially good.

Greenhouse construction problems as well as ventilation and heating solutions are discussed; and also the technical side of sorting and packing of cut-flowers. A short survey of the main export crops, Roses, Spray-Carnations, Gerberas and some house-plants, and their growing conditions in greenhouses is included.