MSU ExtensionFloriculture & Greenhouse Crop Production

The Floriculture & Greenhouse Crop Production Team at Michigan State University is composed of extension educators and outreach specialists with responsibilities in commercial greenhouse crops, staff at Diagnostic Services, and faculty members in the Departments of Horticulture, Entomology, and Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences. The Team has a strong relationship with the greenhouse industry in the state. The goals of our team are outlined below:

1. To enhance the ongoing growth and profitability of Michigan's floriculture/greenhouse industry.
2. To deliver research-based information, educational programs, and scientific and marketing expertise to the greenhouse industry in Michigan and beyond.
3. To improve greenhouse crop production through research that identifies new production techniques, new crop production protocols, energy conservation strategies, control of insect and disease pests, and enhanced postharvest longevity techniques.
4. To coordinate greenhouse grower tours and experiences that broaden Michigan growers' perspectives and help identify opportunities that can advance their businesses.
5. To provide training and professional development opportunities for MSU Floriculture Team members.

Information on the Michigan floriculture industry

The MSU Floriculture Team serves Michigan's vibrant and expanding floriculture industry. According to the USDA Floriculture Crops 2015 Summary:

• The wholesale value of floriculture crops produced in Michigan and sold in 2015 was $409 million.
• In 2015, Michigan was the U.S. leader in the production of annual bedding/garden plants ($209 million wholesale) and among the largest producers of propagative floriculture materials ($83 million in 2015).  Growers in the state also produced the second most valuable crop of herbaceous perennial plants ($62 million).
• Michigan ranks third in floriculture production output behind California and Florida.
• There were 556 floriculture crop producers in Michigan in 2015, with 52% of them reporting wholesale sales of over $100,000.
• Total covered area utilized for floriculture crop production was reported at 43.1 million square feet (nearly 1,000 acres) with an additional 1,856 acres of open ground used for floriculture crops.
• Floriculture/nursery crops was the fourth largest segment of agriculture in the state in 2012, behind corn, milk, and soybean production.

In 2015, Michigan led the nation in value of sales for 14 floriculture crop segments: flats of begonia, seed geranium, impatien, and petunia; hanging baskets of begonia, vegetative geranium, impatien, and petunia, and other bedding plants; potted seed geranium, petunia, hosta, and Easter lily; and transplants of herbaceous perennials.  Michigan growers also produced the second-most valuable crop in 8 market segments: flats of New Guinea impatiens and marigold; hanging baskets of New Guinea impatiens; potted vegetative geranium, other bedding plants, garden mum, and flowering bulbs; and transplants of annual bedding/garden plants.

For more insights into Michigan's floriculture industry, read the Michigan Floriculture Blossoms article published in 2014 by Farm Flavor magazine and supported by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development.