Our “World” of Floriculture Jack Williams Ecke Europe / Ecke Ranch
Phi Alpha Xi / OSU Student Questions for Today • What do we do as breeders of floriculture crops? • What is the process of developing new cultivars? • How do we pick the winners? • Do we look toward wild species? • What is my job and how did I get there? • Others???
History: the Poinsettia & Ecke The Ecke family moved from Europe and began farming in Los Angeles. In 1906 poinsettias were used for cut flowers, not potted plants.
History: the Poinsettia & Ecke In 1923, Paul Ecke Sr. moved the Ranch and family to Encinitas where the climate is ideal for growing in the field. Today this location is still our world headquarters.
History: the Poinsettia & Ecke Under the guidance of Paul Ecke Jr., the company established and promoted use of poinsettias as the official ‘living symbol of Christmas’, today it is sold in virtually every country of the world. It is one of the highest value flowering crops in the
History: the Poinsettia & Ecke Currently under the leadership of Paul Ecke III, the business continues to grow and expand. To support growers throughout North America greenhouses have been built in Guatemala to supply cuttings to the USA and Canadian market. New crop diversification strengthens with acquisition of Oglevee.
Paul Ecke de Guatemala
Ecke Europe While Ecke Ranch services the needs of growers throughout North America, it’s sister company Ecke Europe is involved in distribution and promotion of poinsettias and spring plants throughout all other regions of the world!
Ecke Europe
Elite plant production and selection in Europe
Ecke Breeding Programs
Ecke has the worlds oldest and most extensive poinsettia breeding program, yielding new genetics in the family of Euphorbia.
Ecke Breeding Objectives Breeding with the grower in mind: – – – – –
Stronger plants Easy to grow Long lasting Solve problems Improve profitability
Breeding timeline: Year 1:
seedling
Year 2:
5 pots
Year 3:
10 pots
Year 4:
100 pots and offsite trials
Year 5:
Commercial Trials
Year 6:
Introduction?
New Colors • 90-95% of all seedlings are ‘red’! • Natural (spontaneous) mutations are a common source of new colors…. – Red to Pink – Pink to White or Marble (pink / white) – Pink or Marble to Jingle Bells (pink / red)
Induced Mutations • While spontaneous mutations provide us with many of the color sports sold commercially, mother nature does need a little help at times to speed up the process! • Radiation is commonly used to speed-up and force changes in genetics to yield new colors and forms.
This + Radiation
= New Variety
This + Radiation
= New Variety
Evaluation of New Genetics Even though our breeding program is in California, evaluation of poinsettias is coordinated world wide to find the right plant for the right region!
Evaluation of New Genetics Trial Stations
Evaluation of New Genetics
Commercial growers throughout the world.
Benefits of Regional Selection Growers produce different finished plants to meet the specific needs of their market. New genetics are evaluated in these forms to confirm adaptability to the growers needs.
Benefits of Regional Selection New poinsettias must be adaptable to the climate and conditions of different regions.
Other Breeding Lines at Ecke • In addition to poinsettias, we breed other Euphorbia based crops targeted for the pot plant market. One of these is E. fulgens; although currently we have not commercialized any varieties due to postproduction issues.
Other Breeding Lines: Interspecific hybrids • Creating new potted plants is another key strategy in our breeding program. • Using other wild species in the Euphorbia family, new hybrids can be created through advance breeding techniques. • The resulting plants offer growers new opportunities for production / sales from fall through spring.
Dulce Rosa • First commercialized sale of this hybrid was in Japan. • Currently grown and sold in Japan / Korea / Taiwan / US and being introduced in Europe.
Ecke Geraniums • With the 2006 acquisition of Oglevee, breeding has expanded to include our geraniums, New Guinea impatiens, Kalanchoe and Streptocarpus.
Other Genetics • Ecke works with independent plant breeders from around the world to test, produce and promote genetics through our network of growers and distributors. Many of these crops are sold under our brand “The Flower Fields”.
PLA / Ecke Europe: Trial Station
From Selection to Introduction • • • • •
Clean Stock Production Testing Field Testing (GA, etc.) Production Protocols Commercial Introduction
It’s a Small World After all! • Every corner of the globe is already, or getting involved with horticulture projects! • Key consumption markets continue to grow, although at a slower rate due to already high consumption. • New markets are opening up in countries and areas not already established for production and sales. • Third world nations are becoming key supply sources for the cuttings and seeds used due to competitive cost opportunities!
Australia / New Zealand
Asia
Asia: India / Sri Lanka
Africa
Europe
Trends!
New Markets!
Opportunities! • The demand for professionals in the field of horticulture is greater than the supply! – – – – – – – – –
Grower / managers Broker / sales Breeder / product development Product managers Garden center managers Landscape architects Nursery managers Journalists New business opportunities
Thank You!