Greek wildflowers in flower shops with licensed crops suggest researchers

Bouquets of Greek wildflowers instead of the usual roses could be created and available as a choice in florists. Researchers, in the context of the “promotion of new floricultural species from rare – precarious indigenous plants in Greece, for producing flower -lubricants”, cultivated five species of Greek flora and proposed their use in florists.

However, as Dr. George Tsokouridis, head of the Operational Team, explained to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, with the co-ordinator of ELGO “DIMITRA”, and in particular the Institute of Genetic Improvement & Plants, and the Institute of Genetic Improvement and Resources is required. to farmers.

“We have chosen five flowers, namely three from Crete (Campanula-Cretica, Campanula-Pelviformis and Petromaroula-pinnata), Helichrysum-Orientale, which grows in islands such as Kythera and Amorgos and Satureja-Pilosa, which is Balkan. We cultivated them in collaboration with flower producers in two pilot fields and what happened, we liked it, ”explains Mr. Tsokouridis.

The flowers came out, were cut and evaluated last spring and included in compositions with other commercial plant species presented at a recent event at the Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems ELGO-DIMITRA, where the results of the project implemented with the contribution was discussed. “It was not easy to cultivate, because at the same time we had to try some shading systems, in the greenhouse and outside, in the field,” Mr Tsokouridis said.

But the important thing is, according to him, that endemic species that are part of the Greek flora cannot be taken, exploited and traded. You need a special permission from the relevant ministries, which will have to create a scheme to allow farmers to be licensed to cultivate them.

“There is, however, interest in other plant species that will” go down “to research programs, such as Greek tulips, which we have 15 species. We need to begin to exploit the genetic resources of our country in order to reap the Greek farmers. A legislative framework should of course be made to ensure all our endemic species (about 1500) and not be cultivated by other states. “

Greek wildflowers in jars

An additional advantage of the five types of Greek flora selected is that they have been kept in refrigerators for some time and have large executives. “Flowers are aimed at flowers, which are cut for the jar, that is, they have at least 60cm executives,” the researcher explains.

The project, which is completed late September, entitled Greek Copped Flowers, was implemented in the framework of the Rural Development Program 2014 – 2020, Measure 16, Sub -Library 16.1-16.5 “Cooperation for Environmental Projects, Environmental Practices and Actions for Climate Change” – ACTION 2: They show respect for environmental protection and adaptation to climate change.

Its ultimate goal is to reduce the imports of the floriculture industry by highlighting, using and commercially exploit new floricultural species from the Greek flora and have particular characteristics (endemic, rare, endangered) and physical adaptation to local conditions. With the sustainable cultivation of these species, their genetic material is protected without diminishing native populations or destroying their habitats. At the same time, such low -input alternative crops for high value added products with precision agriculture is estimated to help reduce damage and increase agriculture adaptability to climate change effects.

The Operational Team consists of eight partners, co-ordinated by ELGO “DIMITRA”, and with other members Theophrastus fertilizers, Rhodland nurseries, the Athens Rural Flower Cooperative, the Attica Flowers Association, the Attica Flower House, Vegetable Production & Agricultural Environment – Floriculture and Landscape Laboratory.