A flower’s journey doesn’t end when it leaves the farm or greenhouse. It may travel hundreds or thousands of miles, pass through multiple hands, and spend time in storage before eventually becoming part of a bouquet, arrangement, or display in someone’s home or yard.

At every stage of that journey, businesses face challenges that can affect flower quality, profitability, and customer satisfaction. And at every stage, research has a role to play.

AFE funds research that addresses challenges across the floral industry. Just as importantly, we work to ensure that the knowledge gained is shared with the people who can benefit from it.

Through AFE’s Research Education and Resources, growers, wholesalers, retailers, and other industry professionals can access free research findings, educational materials, and practical tools designed to help their businesses succeed.

We’ve also expanded access to our research and educational resources through new Spanish translation features on our website and Growing Further newsletter, and our AI chatbot, Professor Petal, offers additional language options. Now it’s easier than ever for industry professionals to explore and benefit from AFE’s research.

Protecting Quality Along the Supply Chain

Maintaining flower quality is a challenge shared by every segment of the industry. A flower that looks beautiful at harvest must still withstand transportation, storage, handling, and display before reaching its final destination.

AFE-funded research has investigated factors that influence postharvest performance, including temperature management, storage techniques, disease prevention, and vase life. Research projects include exploring the potential to store cut flowers at subzero temperatures, biological approaches to extending flower longevity, Botrytis management, and more.

Although research findings vary by crop and application, this work provides insights that can inform decisions throughout the supply chain, from harvest and shipping to wholesale storage and retail flower care.

Research and Education at Your Fingertips

Research is continually evolving, and staying informed doesn’t have to mean reading lengthy technical reports.

Our free Serie de seminarios web Grow Pro features researchers and industry experts sharing current findings, emerging technologies, and practical management strategies. Past sessions are available on demand on our Canal de YouTube, allowing industry professionals to learn on their own schedules.

Our grower newsletter, Creciendo más, also helps connect the industry with new findings, educational opportunities, and resources as they become available.

Tackling Thrips and Botrytis Across the Industry

Few challenges demonstrate the importance of research across the supply chain better than thrips and Botrytis. These persistent problems affect flower quality, longevity, and profitability, with damage and losses extending well beyond the greenhouse.

To address these challenges, AFE launched a dedicated five-year research initiative focused on improving thrips and Botrytis management. The resulting Biblioteca de investigación sobre trips y botritis brings together years of research findings and educational resources in one accessible location.

The library includes practical fact sheets, articles, research reports, and recorded webinars covering management strategies, treatment approaches, and emerging solutions. Resources are available in both English and Spanish, with information organized by plant species and topic to help users find relevant guidance.

For growers, these resources offer insights into pest and disease prevention and management. For wholesalers and retailers, understanding how these problems develop and affect product quality can help inform handling practices and identify potential risks throughout the supply chain.

Explore the Research Reports Library

For those wanting more in-depth scientific information, AFE’s Research Reports Library offers another way to explore the science behind everyday industry challenges.

The library provides free access to final reports from AFE-funded projects, sharing research findings, scientific advancements, and potential applications for the industry. Reports cover a wide range of topics, including production efficiency, pest and disease management, postharvest quality, and plant performance.

For wholesalers and retailers, research on cut flower storage, longevity, and postharvest handling can be particularly valuable. These findings help connect the science behind flower quality with the practical challenges businesses face every day. 

Reports are organized by research category, making it easier to explore topics relevant to your operation or discover new developments that may influence future practices.

Help Shape the Future of Floriculture Research

While every floral business has different needs, we all benefit when research improves flower quality, reduces losses, and strengthens industry practices.

Research is most valuable when it addresses real-world challenges, and your input helps AFE identify where future research and educational efforts can make the greatest impact.

What challenges are affecting your business? Whether you’re a grower, wholesaler, retailer, or another industry professional, we want to hear from you. Share your challenges and research priorities with AFE to help shape future funding and educational programs.

Explore AFE’s free resources at endowment.org/research/results-resources and discover how research can support your part of the floral industry.