Overview of Native Wildflower Seed Production in Florida Jeffrey G. Norcini University of Florida/IFAS North Florida Research & Education Center, Quincy
Wildflower Coop. 20 growers / 6 advisors Wildflower Seed Production Growers Floridawildflowers.com
Wildflower Seed Co-op Coreopsis basalis - Dye Flower2700 LBS Coreopsis lanceolata - Lanceleaf Coreopsis107 LBS Coreopsis leavenworthii - Leavenworth's Coreopsis0 LBS Gaillardia pulchella - Blanketflower0 Ipomopsis rubra - Standing Cypress0 Phlox drummondii - Drummond Phlox0 Rudbeckia hirta - Black-eyed Susan0 Rudbeckia mollis - Softhair coneflower34 LBS Trifolium reflexum - Buffalo Clover0 Vernonia gigantea - Iron Weed5 LBS
ERNST Southern Native Seeds, LLC Suwannee County, FL A Division of: ERNST Conservation Seeds, LLP Meadville, PA
Plant Origin Matters Origin of native wildflowers could affect performance and survival.
Many of the best stands of wildflowers are…. Native Naturally-occurring
Coreopsis basalis GoldenmaneTickseed
Coreopsis nudata Swamp Tickseed
Mimosa strigillosa Powderpuff
Sisyrinchium angustifolium Narrowleaf Blue-eyed Grass
Rudbeckia hirta Black-eyed Susan
All of these wildflowers …. Adapted to our climate Can be thought of as Florida “ecotypes ”
Population of a species that’s adapted to a particular set of environmental conditions Occurs via natural selection What is an ecotype?
The bottom line… The origin of the seed or plant can make a difference in performance.
Comm. C-Fla. N-Fla. Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed Susan)
Central Florida ecotype flowering while flooded - Sept Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed Susan)
Advantages of Florida ecotype Longer living Longer flowering Longer period of seed production facilitates long-term sustainability facilitates expansion of population Implications? Rudbeckia hirta
Comm. Fla. Eco. Coreopsis lanceolata Lanceleaf Tickseed
Advantages of Florida ecotype Flowers first year after seeding Flowers earlier Low growing reduced mowing; lower costs Implications? Coreopsis lanceolata
Florida Wildflower Seed Production
Two types of cropping systems: Traditional field planting Landscape fabric system Wildflower Seed Production
Wildflower Seed Production Planting Broadcast Seeding
Harvest Natural Stands
Wildflower Seed Production Cropping Sys. Parallel rows of landscape fabric with 2” to 4” gap; plus drip tubing
Wildflower Seed Production Planting Row Seeding
Wildflower Seed Production Planting Transplants
Injector system for landscape fabric prod. Wildflower Seed Production Fertilizer
Wildflower Seed Production
Important issue from site prep marketing Crop interference Eliminating weed seed from final product Limited number of herbicides Wildflower Seed Production
Wildflower Seed Production Harvesting Vacuuming Combining
Vacuuming Adjustable shroud Wildflower Seed Production Harvesting
Seed drying
Prototype drying bin for tobacco box barn Wildflower Seed Production Seed Drying
Growers need to be innovative Work with a grower that has seed cleaners or access to them - contact/join Fla. seed prod. co-op FDACS central processing facility Wildflower Seed Production Seed Cleaning
Rotary Screen Wildflower Seed Production Seed Cleaning
Cool, dry environment (refrigerator) temp. + RH 100 ex.: 35 o F, 40% RH = 75 (best is RH < 50%, and total < 75) Protect against insects and rodents Wildflower Seed Production Storage
Tests % Germination Total % viable seed = % germ seed + % dormant seed % Purity by weight (want >90%) Noxious weed seed – zero tolerance Wildflower Seed Production Seed Testing
Southern Seed Certification Assoc., Inc. P.O. Box 2619 Auburn, AL Phone: / Wildflower Seed Production Certification
Thank You vFor more information visit the Small Farms web at vTake a virtual field day tour by visiting the Virtual Field Day web at This presentation brought to you by the Small Farms/Alternative Enterprises Focus Team.