Status and Problems of Rose Production in Northern Thailand

Abstract

The northern region of Thailand is the major area for cut rose production. In 1998 the production area were about 2,863.20rais 10 provinces, i.e. Chiang Mai, Chiangrai, Tak, Lumphun, Pijit, Uttaradit, Nakornsawan, Sukhothai, Payao and Maehongsong, covering 43 Amphur 83 Tumbon 142 Muban. Most of the rose farm owners were men from 41 to 50 years of age. The labor was from either man or woman within the family. Generally, rose farmer owned his land with less than 20 rais per household. Most farmer had less than 2 years-experience in rose production. Generally, rose productions were outdoor productions with about 3,000-4,000 plants per rai. The main sources of water were from river and canal. Flood irrigation system was applied at ten day intervals, at a rate of 2-3 hours a time. Plants from budding type stock, buying from Chiang Mai and Nakornpratom, were commonly used in production. Roses were grown two rows in a bed. The width of the upright bed was about 1-1.50 meter while the length depended on the condition of land. Average planting space was about 41-55x55 cm with two rows in a bed with north-south direction. Amendments such as organic and inorganic fertilizer were added during preparation. After planting, inorganic fertilizer was applied twice a month, through roots and leaves. Pruning was done regularly as well as the application of growth promotors, i.e. Biotika, GA and Polyair. The most popular rose cultivars were Dallus, Kardinal, Saphir, Diplomat and Tineke. The favorable colors were red, pink and white. Yellow was less popular. Generally, farmers daily cut flowers in the morning.  As soon as the flowers were cut, they were put in tapped water. For normal packing, fifty flowers were wrapped in a piece of newspaper without any cold storage. Flowers were transported via motorcycle or minibus to the wholesalers. Price varied according to the length of flower stem, which were quite different among provinces, such as in Chiang Mai, stem length of 30-35 cm, prices ranging from 0.60 to 4.00 Baht per flower. Whereas in Tak, prices of the same grade were 0.40-0.50 Baht per flower. Prices in Chiang Mai for stem length between 45 and 55 cm, were 1.50-10.00 Baht. While in Tak the prices were 0.60-2.20 Baht per flower. On the average, the payment to farmers was done every 2 to 10 days.

            The main problems for rose production were diseases and insects. The other problems were lack of new cultivars, marketing, small size of flowers in summer, scarce water and high prices of fertilizer and pesticide. The most important diseases found in rose production almost in every province were downy mildew, powdery mildew and black spot. There was also anthracnose spreaded in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Lumphun. Dye back was found in Tak, Chiang Mai, and Uttaradit. The major insect problems found in every cultivar were mite followed by thrips and flower borers. For disease and insect protections, most of the farmers sprayed 1-9 kinds of chemicals rotatingly such as Apron Benlate, Dithane, Lannate, etc. One farmer used light trap and kill numbers of insects using a jar containing water mixed with soap or pesticide, he also built a plastic house to reduce insects. Marketing problems for farmers were low price and irregular supply of the production.