Plant breeders, seed companies and propagators of vegetative plant selections provide the growers and consumers around the world with a wide selection of ornamental plants to choose from.  Not all these plants perform well in Florida or in regions in other parts of the world with a similar climate.  Florida and the similar regions are important markets for the sale and utilization of flowering annuals; therefore, evaluation of these crops in this region is valuable in a market currently worth more than $100 million in wholesale value to Florida.

    The Gulf Coast Research & Education Center (GCREC) conducts trials on seed propagated annual bedding plants to determine the best performers for central Florida.  This research is part of a the statewide plant trials led by Dr. Rick Schoellhorn, statewide extension floriculturist. 

    The statewide trial evaluation program will evaluate a wide selection of ornamental crops at different research centers around the state.  This research will provide useful information on plant performance in the different climatic zones of Florida to growers, landscapers, extension agents, seed companies, plant breeders and amateur gardeners.    What then is the mission of the bedding plant trials at the Gulf Coast Research & Education Center?

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1. Conduct fully replicated trials in sprayed (commercial conditions) and unsprayed fields (homeowner conditions) that will generate comprehensive, publishable data on cultivar performance and pest resistance or susceptibility for both professionals and homeowners in their quest for the best cultivars to grow in climates similar to central Florida.

2. Support the statewide plant trials by working in a cooperative effort to help meet the goals for that program.

3. Provide timely reports on cultivar performance to seed companies, growers, landscapers, plant breeders and homeowners.

4. To better inform the public about our trials and cultivar performance by publishing results in a wide variety of media: journals, trade and gardening magazines, television, radio and newspapers.  Offer best-of-class cultivars for public gardens to display with the cultivar names to help promote demand for these plants.  To promote our trials and our research center through appearances at public events, when possible.  Develop and maintain a website as a window to the world, allowing anyone access to trial evaluation information, with additional links to information and resources provided by the University of Florida, as well as from sources outside this institution.

5. To work with Florida growers to help them be competitive in a bedding plant wholesale market currently valued by the USDA at over $101 million, and to maximize the number of seed companies competing in our trials to provide Florida growers with the best selection of cultivars available around the world that truly perform well in this climatic zone.