A new idea comes to renew the flowering industry in Greece: bouquets of Greek wildflowers instead of ordinary roses. Researchers, in the context of the work of ELGO “DIMITRA”cultivated five species of Greek flora and suggested their use to florists. However, as Dr. George Tsokouridis, Head of the Operational Team, required Special Permit and Framework From the relevant Ministries of Environment and Rural Development to allow the cultivation of these indigenous plants to farmers.
The selected species and results
Researchers selected five flowers: Three from Crete (Campanula-Cretica, Campanula-pelviformis και Petromaroula-Pinnata), το HELICHRYSUM-EASTERAL grown in islands such as Kythera and Amorgos, and Satura-littlea Balkan species. These species were cultivated in collaboration with flower producers in two pilot fields, with the results being encouraging. The flowers were cut and evaluated last spring, and were included in compositions presented at an event at the ELGO-DIMITRA Institute of Mediterranean Ecosystems.
Mr Tsokouridis noted that their cultivation was not easy, as simultaneous tests were required with greenhouses and fields.
Legislative Framework and Protection of Genetic Resources
The most important point is that the Endemic species of Greek flora cannot be exploited and traded freely. You need a special license and a shape from the relevant ministries to authorize farmers.
There is also interest in other species such as Greek tulipsof which there are 15 species. The goal is the exploitation of genetic resources of the country for the benefit of Greek farmers, as well as the creation of a legislative framework that will guarantee all endemic species (about 1500) so that they are not cultivated by other states.
Advantages and goals of the project
An additional advantage of the five selected species is that kept for some time in refrigerators and they have large executives (at least 60 cm), a feature that makes them suitable for cut flowers in jars.
The project, which is completed late September, was implemented under the Rural Development Program 2014 – 2020. Its ultimate goal is to Reduction of Imports In the flowering industry, through the promotion, use and commercial exploitation of new floricultural species by the Greek flora. These species, which are often endemic, rare or endangered, have natural adaptation to local conditions. With their sustainable cultivation, their genetic material is protected without diminishing native populations. At the same time, such low -input alternative crops for high value added products, with precision agriculture, can help reduce damage and increase the adaptability of agriculture to climate change.
OR Business team It consists of eight partners, with the coordinator of ELGO “DIMITRA”, and the participation of companies, cooperatives, associations and academic institutions.