Cut flower production in the Northeastern United States is restricted by a short growing season. This impacts profitability for many growers and reduces the number of flower options available to them. While there is a reduced selection available, it can still be difficult to select which flowers are profitable and high yielding during a short season. For these reasons, field and controlled environment production of a variety of flowers that could be used in bouquets sold at markets or available for events was investigated. An early- and late-season arrangement was designed utilizing six different plants which could be harvested, assembled, and sold as a bouquet. Two synchronized trials occurred in 2024 with one in the field and the other in the greenhouse. The field plants were germinated indoors and transplanted in a full sun location in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The greenhouse plants were grown in three systems which included drip irrigated plants in containers with 4:1 coconut coir: parboiled rice husks, drip irrigated containers filled with rockwool GrowCubes, or hydroponic nutrient film technique. Greenhouse and field plants in both trials were assessed for germination rate and timing; time to flower; flower number, stem length, and subjective quality; and vase life utilizing 3 different floral preservatives. Plants grown in the greenhouse were also compared for adaptability to each growing system. Seeds for the early season bouquet were germinated in April and transplanted into their respective systems in May. Seeds for the late season bouquet were germinated in June and transplanted in July. This information can be used by cut flower growers in the Northeast to potentially extend their season and develop a market for designed “grow-a-bouquet” planting strategies.
