7 Jan 1986 Travel study awarded to look at dried flower production in Holland

Studying dried flower production in Holland and the United States is the intention of Otago horticulturist Laurel Spence, who has been given a Lincoln College Foundation travel study award.

She intends visiting growers in Holland and California to see their techniques and methods of growing and drying flowers.

Her intention is to return to establish an export dried-flower industry in Central Otago.

Mrs Spence says the Central Otago climate is ideal for producing dried flowers, and expensive drying equipment of the type used overseas is not needed.

Some flowers dry in about two days, so there is the potential for producing dried flowers in quantity.

Presently Mrs Spence grows flowers for drying on about one hectare, but intends to expand to commercial production on seven hectares ; she already exports to Japan.

Mrs Spence is among nine people whose Lincoln College Foundation travel-study awards have just been announced.

The Lincoln College Foundation was established in 1978 to mark the centenary of the college.

The intention of the Foundation is to encourage teaching, study and research in agriculture and horticulture in New Zealand.

People who are seen as being able to contribute to the development of agriculture in New Zealand are helped by the Foundation to travel from and to this country for study.

Further information from Mr G.A. Hay, Secretary, Lincoln College Foundation, Lincoln College