Cut Flower Production in Maryland
University of Maryland Extension specialists and educators started conducting cut flower farm tours and educational programs for specialty cut flower crops in the late 1980s. When the tours and programs started, a specialty cut flower was generally considered anything not a rose, carnation, or a mum. Growers produce specialty cut flower crops in small backyards and on large farms in the field, high tunnels, and greenhouses.

Production of Celosia as a Cut Flower
Plume type celosia
Select Celosia types and colors according to your market needs.
Production of Tulips as Cut Flowers
Tulip flowers in vase
Tulips are harvested when petals show color, but are not completely colored or open.
Lisianthus grown as a cut flower crop in a high tunnel
Growers can produce some crops (like lisianthus) in high tunnels in order to start production earlier in the spring and extend the season later in the fall. High tunnels are unheated structures with sides that can be raised when it gets too hot.
Production of Hybrid Lilies for Cut Flowers
Stargazer lily is an Oriental_hybrid
Stargazer lily is an Oriental hybrid that was introduced in the late 1970s.

Integrated Pest Management
UME stresses the importance of monitoring crops regularly to reduce the chance of problems with insects, diseases, and nutrients. Correct identification of the problem is key to producing a high quality cut flower crop.