The document provides information on the planning, layout, pruning, harvesting, packaging, storage and propagation of ornamental gardens and several flower, medicinal and aromatic plants. It discusses the important factors to consider for nursery bed preparation such as location, soil type, and procedures for soil preparation and sowing. Methods of harvesting, processing, and determining vase life are described for different flower species. Specific harvesting techniques and yields for periwinkle and aloe are also outlined.

1. PRACTICAL MANUAL
PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY OF FLOWERS, MEDICINAL, AROMATIC
PLANTS
-Pavan kumar naik
Assistant Professor
1. Planning and layout of ornamental gardens training and pruning in flower crops lily,
rose, chrysanthemum.
Planning of gardening
• Land: Analyzing the soil for the suitability of planting is the most important beginning to
start a thriving garden. After testing the soil, enrich it with the required nutrients.
• Plants: Some forehand knowledge about plants like, which are hardy plants, which are for
hedging, flowering, shade giving plants etc. Then the knowledge about the plants suited for
dry gardens, clay soils and acid soils will help in planning good gardens. The selection of
plant and styles of garden should be in such a way that it should look green and variety show
that is going to last for a long time. This can be achieved by using wide range of plants from
trees to shrubs, to climbing plants, flowering ones and ferns, annuals and perennials.
• Environment: Choose plants that are suitable to the kind of environment and climate
conditions of that particular area. It would be useless and expensive to waste money on plants
that will hate the environment.
• Styles and Types: There are several planting styles from cottage gardens to prairie gardens,
from gardens for commercial purposes to those strictly for personal use. Based on the
different types and styles, you can tackle the job of planting them all together in a garden,
working out which ones will look best where and how they will compliment each other.
• Cultural aspects: Knowledge about preparation of land, fertilisation, weeding and disease
and pests of plants is necessary to keep the garden productive and for proper maintenance.
Layout of Garden
The layout should be as simple as possible, consistent with achieving the desired effects.
A complicated layout may look attractive on paper, but when the garden has become a
reality, results are likely to be disappointing, particularly if the plants become overcrowed.
A rough plan should be prepared with the boundaries of the plot.
Always have a levelled terrace where one can sit and relax and sunbathe. Such a terrace
should be at least 12 feet wide.

3. PRUNING OF ROSES
• Pruning is the judicious removal of plant parts to induce production of quality flowers and
to maintain vigour of plant.
• It keeps rose bushes in proper size and shape & also allow penetration of light to center of
plant.
• Strong, healthy canes are retained., weak branches, dead and diseased ones are removed
• Cuts are made at 45 degree angle, 5 cm above eye (bud).

4. 2. Harvest, packaging and storage methods of flowers
It is important to know the optimum stage of harvesting for each plant species to ensure the
quality of flowers after harvest. For maximum vase life of cut flowers, harvest flowers daily
at their proper stage of development. Harvesting too early or too late significantly reduces the
vase life of the flowers.
Each plant species has a minimum harvest maturity stage in which flowers can be harvested
without affecting their postharvest quality. Flowers of some plant species can be harvested at
the bud stage with no reduction in quality and vase life. For other plant species, disorders
such as bent neck, improper development of pigmentation, or abnormal opening of the buds
can result when flowers are harvested when they are too immature. If flowers are to be stored
or shipped long distances, then they are usually harvested at an earlier stage.
Prior to Harvest
Prior to harvesting:
 Plants should be healthy and turgid.
 White plastic buckets and cutting tools (knives or shears) should be cleaned and sanitized.
Avoid stacking buckets if the outside is not as clean as the inside.
 Cutting tools should be sharp. Dull cutting tools can result in crushed stems that reduces
water uptake.
1. Buckets should be cleaned and
disinfected regularly.
2. Dirt harbors bacteria which clogs
the stems of cut flowers.
3. Wash buckets thoroughly using a
low-suds biodegradable
detergent, rinse in clean water,
and give a final rinse with a
solution containing 1 ml (0.2 tsp)
Clorox (5% hypochlorite) per
liter (about a quart) of water,
preferably every time the bucket
is used.
4. Note that dirt can be easily seen
in white buckets vs dark colored
buckets.
 All buckets for harvesting should
contain clean water.

5. Harvesting
 Harvest in the morning or evening.
 Remove foliage on stems that will be below
water.
 Slant cuts will keep stems from lying flat on
the bucket bottom and increase water uptake.
 Never lay flowers on the ground or dirty
surface.
 Disinfect cutting tools
frequently, or at least 2 times
each day.
 Grade and bunch flowers
immediately after harvest.
 Bring flowers into the shade and
place in clean buckets of clean
warm water (acidified) and a
biocide.
 Avoid over-filing containers with
flowers.
Packing methods for cut flowers
 The method of packing depends on crop, flower, method
of transport and market.
 The principle of packing is to keep the flowers for long
time and retain quality by lowering the rate of
transpiration and cell division during transportation
and storage.
 The ideal packing should be air tight, moisture proof and
strong enough to withstand
handling, transport and staking.
 Corrugated fibre board boxes possessing isothermic
properties, light in weight and reusable are generally suitable and protects flowers
against physical damage, water loss.

6.  The dimension of packing boxes depends on stem length, type of flower, efficient
utilization of space in the cargo, refrigerated trucks, etc.
Methods of storage of cut flowers
There are 3-4 general methods of storage of flowers, they
1. Refrigerated storage: Most widely used method of storage of cut flowers. There
are two types (a) Wet storage and (b) dry storage.
(a) Wet storage –
 Flowers stored with their bases dipped in water or preservative solution,
 Good for short duration, day to day handling,
 Stored at temperature at 2-4o
C.
(b) Dry storage –
 Flowers are sealed in plastic bags to prevent loss of moisture.
Flowers are sealed in plastic bags to prevent loss of moisture.
 More laborious but hold the flowers for longer duration.
 Pre-cooling and pulsing before dry storage is important.
 Stored at 0.5-1 o
C is ideal for most flowers,
 For tropical flowers like anthurium, cattleya and poinsettia is 10-15o
C and
 For sub-tropical flowers like gladiolus, Strelitzia and anemone is 2-8o
C.
^Top
2. Controlled atmosphere storage (CA):
 Low temperature storage in gas tight chambers under decreased levels of
oxygen (O2) and increased levels of carbon dioxide (CO2).
 CO2 levels higher than 4% and O2 level lower than 0.4 per cent causes injury
and anaerobic conditions respectively.
 Different types of flowers cannot be store in the same room at the same time
since the O2 and CO2 required for storage vary for different flowers and it is
the one major limitation in CA storage.
3. Modified Atmosphere storage (MA):

7.  Less precise form of CA storage, the dry storage of flowers in sealed bags
leads to reduction in O2 and increase in CO2 levels due to respiration of the
tissue.
 Build up of very high level of CO2 may cause damage to flowers.
 Flowers stored in partially permeable materials are beneficial.
4. Hypobaric or Low pressure storage (LPS):
 Storage at low atmosphere pressure under refrigerated conditions, continuous
ventilation and high relative humidity.
 Rapid loss of water from tissues is major disadvantage and cost of installation
is also high.
The optimum storage temperature and duration of storage varies with flower
type. The recommended commercial storage conditions for
important flowers at 90-95% RH is as follows.

8. 3. Vase life determination in cut flowers
Vase life is the period during which a cut flower or cut foliage retains its appearance in
a vase. This is a major consideration in identifying plant species suitable for use in
floristry, plants with a long vase life being far more desirable than those with a short vase
life.
1. China Aster : 5 to 10 days.
2. Birds of Paradise : 1 to 2 days
3. Calla Lily : 4 to 8 days.
4. Carnation : 03 weeks.
5. Chrysanthemum : 1 to 2 days
6. Dahlias : 2 to 14 days.
7. Gladiolus : 6-12 days
8. Heliconia : 7 to 21 days.
9. Lily : 4 to 14 days.
10. Orchid : 3 to 4 weeks
11. Rose (HT Rose) : 7 to 10 days.
12. Spray Rose : 7 to 10 days.
13. Statice : 10 to 12 days
14. Tuberose : 7 to 10 days.

9. Determination of the vase life of carnation flowers:
For the determination of the vase life by the observation of senescence profiles and ethylene
production, cut flowers with single flowers at their fully open stage (day 0) and 3 cm in stem
length were placed in 50-ml glass vials with their stem end in 20 ml distilled water (one
flower per vial).
Five flowers were used per experiment.
The distilled water was replaced every three days during incubation.
The flowers were left under the light condition described above.
Ethylene production in each flower was examined once a day as described later, and each
flower was observed daily to record senescence symptoms, i.e., in-rolling and subsequent
wilting of petals, desiccation and discolouration of the petal margins.

10. 4. NURSERY BEDS PREPARATION AND SOWING OF FLOWER CROPS
Objective
Preparation of nursery bed by following scientific techniques to raise quality and disease free
flower seedlings
Factors to be taken into consideration
for raising nursery
Location of the nursery:
●Nursery should be situated near the
main field for transplanting
● Nursery area should receive sunlight
right from morning till evening i.e. south-
west aspect is most suitable as this aspect
is very sunny.
● Area must be free from water stagnation i.e. proper drainage must be provided.
● Well protected from stray animals and strong winds.
● The area should be near the water source for continuous supply of good quality water
Soil
● Soil should have good organic matter.
● Soil texture should be neither too coarse nor too fine.
● Soil should be sufficiently porous and adequately aerated.
● It should have a fair degree of water holding capacity.
● Soil pH of nursery bed should be in the range of 6 to 7.
● Acidic and alkaline soils are not suitable for raising nursery rather, neutral soils are
suitable.
● Soil should normally be rich in all essential nutrient elements. Preferably soil testing of
nursery area should be done so as to mix additional nutrients accordingly for improving its
soil fertility status.
Procedure
Nursery bed preparation:
● The soil of the nursery area should be
fine and fertile with good water holding
capacity. For the preparation of beds, the
field should be ploughed and levelled well.
Soil should be worked to obtain a fine
textured soil free of clods and debris.
● Prepare raised beds to facilitate proper
drainage of excess water. The level of the
bed surface is also made little slanting on
the two sides.

11. ● The length of nursery bed should be 3-5 m but it can be increased or decreased according to
the availability of land and requirement of plants but the breadth of the beds should not be
more than 1-1.2 m and the beds should be 15-20 cm raised from the ground surface.
● The standard size of nursery bed is 3m × 1m × 15 cm.
● A space of 20 - 25 cm should be left between two beds. This space can be utilized to
perform intercultural operations such as weeding, disease and insect-pest management and
also for draining out the excess rain water from the nursery beds.
● Add 20-25 kg well rotten farmyard manure in each standard size nursery bed along with
200g single super phosphate and 15-20 g each of fungicides and insecticides such as
mancozeb and dusts like methyl parathion.
● The number of nursery beds depends on the particular crop, season and growing area of
crop for transplanting.
● The beds should be prepared in the east and west direction and lines/rows for sowing of
seeds should be made from north to south direction on the beds.

12. 6. Propagation methods in aromatic & medicinal plants.
S. No Botanical name Propagation
1 Acorus calamus Linn. Rhizome
2 Adhatoda vasica Linn. Stem cutting
3 Allium sativum Linn Bulb
4 Aloe vera (L.) Burm. F. Mill Bud
5 Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd. Rhizome
6 Alstonia scholaris L.R.Br Seed/Stem cutting
7 Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson Corm
8 Andrographis paniculata Nees Seed/Stem cutting
9 Asparagus racemosus Willd. Seed/Tuber
10 Curcuma longa Linn. Rhizome
11 Basella alba Linn. Stem cutting
12 Coleus scutellarioides (L.) R. B Stem cutting
13 Dioscoria bulbifera Linn. Tuber/ Stem cutting
14 Eclipta prostrata Linn. Seed/Stem cutting
15 Hibiscus rosa sinenses Linn Stem cutting
16 Jasminum grandiflorum Linn. Stem cutting,
17 Moringa oelifera Lam. Seed/stem cutting
18 Mimosa pudica Linn Seed
19 Ocimum gratissimum Linn. Stem cutting

13. 7. Harvesting and processing methods of aromatic and medicinal plants. (This practical is
Assignment for everyone – write in record book)

14. 9. Importance of medicinal plants- production harvest and processing techniques in
diososea, periwinkle, aloe, solamun, semna, coleus, belladona.
 The term “medicinal plant” include various types of plants used in herbalism
(herbology or herbal medicine). Medicinal plants are also used as food, flavonoid,
medicine or perfume and also in certain spiritual activities.
 Herbs such as black pepper, cinnamon, myrrh, aloe, sandalwood, ginseng, red
clover, safflower are used to heal wounds and boils.
 Basil, fennel, chives, apple mint, thyme, variegated lemon balm, rosemary are
some important medicinal herbs and can be easy to grow, look good, taste and smell
amazing and many of them are magnets for bees and butterflies.
 Many herbs are used as blood purifiers to alter or change a long standing condition by
eliminating the metabolic toxins. These are known as “blood cleansers”.
 Certain herbs improve the immunity of the person, thereby reducing conditions such
as fever.
 Some herbs are also having antibiotic properties. Turmeric is useful in inhibiting the
growth of germs, harmful microbes and bacteria. Turmeric is widely used as a
home remedy to heal cut and wounds.
 Honey, turmeric, marshmallow and liquorice can effectively treat a fresh cut and
wound. They are termed as vulnerary herbs.
Harvesting of PERIWINKLE
i) Roots The crops are harvested
after 12 months of sowing. The
plants are cut about 7.5 cm above
the ground level and dried for the
stems leaves and seeds. The field is
then copiously irrigated and when
a reaches the proper condition for
digging, it is ploughed and the root
are collector. The roots are later
washed well and dried in the shade.
ii) Leaves, Stem and Seeds
If there is a demand for leaves, two
leaf stripping, the fist after 6
months and the second after 9 months of sowing – can be taken. A third leaf stripping
is also obtained when whole plant is harvested. After the plant is harvested it is dried
in the shade. Its second nods dehisce and release the seeds with a light threshing which
can be used for the next sowing. The leaves and stems are also collected separately.
The aerial part of the plant between 7.5 cm and about 25 cm above the ground level is
taken as the stem for the purpose of marketing.

15. Yield
Under irrigated conditions, about 4 t/ha of leaves, 1.5 t/ha of stem, and 1.5 t/ha of roots
on an air-dried basis may be obtained. Whereas, under rainfed conditions, about 2 t/ha
of leaves and 0.75 t/ha each of stem and roots on an air-dried basis may be obtained.
Harvesting of ALOE
The plants are harvested' eight months after
planting. While harvesting, the plants can be
removed manually or with the help of a tractor-
drawn disc harrow or cultivator. The broken
rhizome part left in the soil throws out new sprouts
in spring for raising the succeeding crop. An aloe
plantation gives a commercial yield from the
second year up to the age of five years, after which
it needs replanting.
The yield of the crop on a fresh-weight basis will be around 10,000-12,000 kg/ha.
Harvesting, Processing and Yield of BELLADONNA
The first harvest of the leaves is available three
month after planting. Harvesting should be done
as soon as the plants start flowering, as it is the
period when alkaloid content is higher. The leaves
are cut with the help of pruning scissors.
Leaves are dried immediately after the harvest
under shade or sun or artificial heat with or
without fans for air circulation. Leaves should be
turned over frequently while drying.
The roots are also harvested after 3 years. After
the harvest, they are washed, cut into 4 inches
length, split length wise if thick and shade or sun
dried.
During the first year an average of 1000 kg of dry
herb is obtained. The yield increases to 1500 kg per hectare during 2nd and 3rd year.
The yield of dry roots will vary from 170 to 335 kg per hectare.
Harvesting and Processing of MEDICINAL SOLANUM
Generally, the accumulation of glyco-alkaloid
increases with the physiological age of the fruit and
attains its peak value in the fruits of 50-60 days.
This state of fruit growth coincides with the change

16. in fruit colour from green to just yellow with streaks of green still present, after which
the glyco-alkaloid content falls gradually with the maturity of fruits. The alkaloid is
distributed throughout the fruit. It is, however, established that about 60% of this is
present in, the seeds and the remaining 40% in the pericarp.
The crop takes about 6 months to be ready for harvesting. Harvesting is one of the
labour-intensive operations in the cultivation.
Yield
When the crop is grown by adopting proper cultivation practices, it may yield nearly
10,000 kg/ha of fresh berries which, in turn, will give about 2 500 kg/ha of dried
berries.
Harvesting, Processing and Storage of SENNA
It has been found that young senna leaves and pods contain a high sennoside content
but since the produce is sold on the basis of weight, a balance between weight and
content has to be made, to choose the right
stage for harvest. It is also found that senna
plants produce foliage containing higher
sennosides between 50-90 days of sowing. The
first picking of the foliage crop should be done
at 50-70 days' age, depending upon the total
plant growth. The picking of leaves is done by
hand so that most of the growing tops are
removed at harvest; this also induces more
branching which, otherwise, reduces the
foliage growth considerably. A second picking
is taken at 90-100 days and the third picking
between 130-150 days, when the entire plants are removed, so that the harvested
material includes both leaves and pods together. The harvested crop should be spread
in a thin layer in an open field to reduce its moisture. Further drying of the produce is
done in well-ventilated drying sheds. It takes 10-12 days to dry completely. The dry
leaves and pods should have a light-green to greenish-yellow colour. Improper and
delayed drying changes the colour to black or brown which lowers the sennoside
content and it fetches a lower price. A rapid mechanical drying at 40°C could also be
attempted. The seeds contain no sennosides and only add weight to the produce. The
pods are threshed during drying to remove the seeds. The produce is baled under
hydraulic pressure and wrapped in gunny bags for export. Yield A good crop of senna
can give 15 q/ha of dry leaves and 7 q/ha of pods, under irrigated and good
management conditions. The yield, under rainfed conditions is about 10 q/ha of leaves
and 4 q/ha of pods.

17. Harvesting of COLEUS
Flowers if any should be nipped off during
the growing period to obtain more biomass
of roots. The crop is ready for harvest 4.5
to 5 months after planting. The plants are
loosen, uprooted, the tubers separated,
cleaned and sun dried for the extraction of
“forskolin”.
Yield
Fresh tubers : 15 – 20 t/ha Dry tubers :
2000 – 2200 kg/ha