Chapter 4 Ornamentals
Ornamental cultivation and production spans a very divers and broad range of plants. In this term we will focus on a diverse range of plants summarized under “edible flowers.” This plants getting more and more attention. Not only because they deliver colors to a dish or being used as garnish, but more and more because of their constituents and flavors, which could not only be used in food industry but also in pharmacology. In this course we will focus on how an ornamental plant could be assigned to an economic value (e.g. flavor for food industry, medicinal application) and how this will affect its cultivation practice and production.
In the 1st part we will discuss which steps are important for plant cultivation on an example of more “exotic” plant group. What knowledge is required for cultivation? How knowledge from other crops could be used for cultivation of edible flowers. In the 2nd part we will focus on the possible uses of such plants and how scientific knowledge help to develop a niche plant into an industrial crop.
In an impulse lecture I will introduce general aspects of ornamental production. But the main part will be the discussion on ornamentals on a group of ornamental plants summarized as “edible flowers”
4.1 Materials
Please take a look at some of the following videos found on YouTube on “edible flowers”
4.2 Instructions
Take a closer look at these videos concerning the following topics:
- What are edible flowers? Is there a definition?
- Which plants are mentioned?
- For which purpose are edible flowers grown / cultivated?
- What information is given on cultivation (production scale, cultivation, harvesting, storage)?
- What is the market?
Then try to find information on (1) cultivation and (2) uses for edible flowers. What do you already know about edible flowers?
Part 1: In the ornamental week we will collect the available information and the information you have found to discuss the meaning of edible flowers in horticultural production. For preparation take the following questions into consideration:
- How could edible flowers be produced on a larger scale?
- Are edible flowers just a niche or is there a market?
- What uses of edible flowers are interesting for growers and consumers and why?
- What are the differences between an “ordinary” ornamental plant and edible flower?
Part 2: In the 2nd part we will focus on published studies on edible flowers. For this purpose I have uploaded scientific papers to eCampus. You should take a look into them (at least one). We will give a special focus on the possible uses and benefits of ornamental with edible flowers.
4.3 Literature for discussion
You will find a collection of scientific papers on eCampus. Please read at least one of them. In the ornamental week we will discuss how scientific knowledge could affect horticultural practice.
4.4 Term paper topics
1. From a niche plant to a horticultural crop
Ornamental s are produced, because of their market value as cut flowers or garden shrubs. Many edible flowers are not considered in ornamental production because there is no market for them as ornamental only. But if there is an additional value, a niche plant could turn into an ornamental crop of interest. In this term paper you should describe on a self-given example which value edible flowers could have, what possible uses could be interesting and how this could turn it from a niche plant to an ornamental crop
2. From ornamental plant to edible flower
There is a profound knowledge on how to grow ornamentals. Are edible flowers different? Or do we know enough to turn any edible flower into an ornamental crop. In this term paper you should discuss an already known and cultivated ornamental plant which flowers are edible. Could the use as edible flowers affect cultivation?