The Good, the Bad, and the Bleurgh: Realities from the 2025-26 NZ Flower Farming Season S3E3
Flower Farming in New ZealandShow Notes
In this episode, Jo Robinson shares insights from flower farmers across New Zealand, highlighting what worked, what didn't, and practical lessons for future planning. Whether you're a seasoned flower farmer or just starting out, these real-world experiences offer valuable takeaways to refine your strategies and boost resilience. It was a season of "strange weather," featuring early heatwaves, torrential rain, and unexpected hail.
Our thanks to Egmont Seeds for providing some of the images used in this episode. In this episode: • Key factors influencing season outcomes • Common challenges like weather extremes, pests, and crop failures • Successful crop choices and sales channels • Practical tips on crop management, pest control, and planting schedules • Planning for next season based on this year’s lessons • The importance of resilience and adaptability Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and season overview for flower growers 01:03 - Astrid’s experience at Gulf Harbour 01:33 - Vicky’s weather extremes in Northland 02:13 - Ellie’s slow start using fertiliser teas for flower production 02:51 - Melanie’s rainy season challenges and landscape-growing approach 03:31 - Daisy’s first year in cut flowers and learning curves 04:00 - Penelope’s season as an experienced grower 04:29 - Sophia’s organic practices and rapid early season growth in Canterbury 04:57 - Insights from Jo in Central Otago on spring flowers 05:36 - Emma’s diverse event work and the impact of weather 05:59 - Bronwyn’s resilience and recovery from hail damage 06:16 - Key activities and crops that thrived this season 07:14 - Successes and struggles 08:48 - Astrid’s experience with dahlias 10:10 - Penelope’s standouts 11:00 - Ellie’s high-density dahlias and airflow strategies 11:43 - Melanie’s marigolds and the early season flowering 12:37 - Sophia’s trial and error with spring blooms and mildew issues 14:07 - Jo’s success with tulips and ranunculus 16:29 - Challenges crops this year 19:14 - The impact of weather on crop quality 20:15 - Emma’s rain and temperature challenges with peonies and dahlia 22:19 - Wet winter and spring effects on planting and flowering timelines 23:54 - Adapting to unpredictable weather and wind damage 25:14 - Sale channels: Facebook Groups, wholesale and local markets 29:58 - How growers plan changes for next season 34:39 - Final thoughts: grow what does well where you are, and plan ahead
Key Highlights & Takeaways: • Sales Strategy: Why a $30/$50 price choice model worked • Smart Solutions: Using diatomaceous earth for thrip control on Dahlias • Grow What Works: focus on what thrives in your specific microclimate. • Get the Transcript: Want to read the full breakdown? Leave a comment on this post/video, and we’ll send you the full transcript! • Support the Podcast: If you enjoyed these insights, please Like, Subscribe, and leave a Review! Follow Flower Farming in NZ on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/flower_farming_in_nz/ Already a flower farmer in NZ? Join the private Facebook group Flower Farming in NZ https://www.facebook.com/groups/3293079974103061 #FlowerFarminginNZ #NZFlowerFarmers #NZCutFlowerGrowers #CutFlowers #LocalFlowers #FlowerFarmingPodcast #FlowerFarminginNZPodcast #SustainableGrowing #nzflowergrowers #nzflorists #sustainablefloristry #sustainableflowerfarming Connect with Our Sponsors: Freshcut Flower Wholesalers. Follow them on Instagram @freshcutflowerwholesalers https://www.instagram.com/freshcutflowerwholesalers/ Support Our Work! Don’t forget, if you like the way we are connecting the NZ Flower Farming Community, you can support our work by: · Advertising in an episode · Sponsoring an episode or a season · Buy us a Coffee (make a donation) following this link https://coff.ee/flowerfarmersinnz Music Credit: Credit for some of the music in this episode goes to Shane Ivers - Happy Clappy Ukulele
More from Flower Farming in New Zealand
What actually happens to a seed before you buy it? Today on Flower Farming in New Zealand, Jo Robinson is joined by Charlotte, co-owner of King’s Seeds, to break down the highly regulated, high-tech world of commercial seed production.
What if the biggest mistake flower farmers make isn't how they grow flowers, but how they sell them? Too many growers spend months nurturing beautiful crops, only to find themselves scrambling for buyers when harvest arrives. In this episode, Lissie from Provenance Brokers NZ shares a different approach: start with demand, build a plan, and grow with a market already waiting for your flowers. Drawing on years of experience as both a florist and commercial flower buyer, Lissie offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at what florists are really looking for, what products are currently missing from the market, and why some growers thrive while others struggle to make flower farming profitable We discuss: • Why growing more flowers isn't always the answer • The flowers florists wish they could source more easily • How pre-selling crops can reduce risk and improve profitability • The importance of quality control, grading and presentation • Why freight and logistics matter more than most growers realise • How small-scale growers can compete without growing thousands of stems • The reality of turning a flower-growing hobby into a viable business • Why collaboration, not competition, is the future of the flower industry One of the most powerful messages from this conversation is that successful flower farming isn't about trying to grow everything. It's about identifying the right crops, growing them exceptionally well, understanding your market, and building relationships that support long-term success. Whether you're planning your first season, trying to increase profitability, or looking for a better way to connect with buyers, this episode is packed with practical insight and hard-earned industry knowledge. Contact Provenance Brokers Here: [email protected] or https://www.instagram.com/provenancebrokers/ Find Kings Seeds Here: https://www.kingsseeds.co.nz
Healthy flowers begin with healthy soil—but what does that really mean? In this episode of Flower Farming in New Zealand, I sit down with Nicky from Crop to explore the fascinating world beneath our feet. We discuss how soil biology influences plant health, why understanding your soil test is so important, and how microbes, fungi, pH and organic matter all work together to produce stronger, healthier flowers. Nicky also shares practical ways flower farmers can improve soil naturally, including the role of biochar, avoiding common phosphorus mistakes, and building resilient soils that support productive crops year after year. Whether you're growing flowers commercially or simply want healthier plants in your garden, this episode will change the way you think about soil. It's all about healthy soil for flower farming. Easy Ways to Support Our Work! 1) Subscribe Subscribe to Flower Farming in New Zealand for practical conversations with growers, florists and industry experts from across New Zealand. 2) Share If this episode helped you, please share it with another grower. Every recommendation helps strengthen New Zealand's flower farming community. 3) Donate If you'd like to support the podcast, please consider making a donation. Your support helps us continue sharing practical knowledge and connecting New Zealand's flower industry. The easiest way to donate is to Buy us a Coffee (make a donation) following this link https://coff.ee/flowerfarmersinnz 4) Comments and Likes Comments and Likes really help the algorithm find us so that other flower farmers and growers can enjoy our content.
How Rachel Inger Built a Thriving Small Flower Farm Join us as we explore Rachel Inger’s journey in flower farming, highlighting her adaptable approach to growing flowers in Hamilton's climate, and the importance of community and planning in flower farming success.
In this episode of Flower Farming In NZ, Jo Robinson sits down with Julie Treanor, business coach, flower farmer and co-founder of the Floral Business Activator. We move past the "build it and they will come" trap to explore the marketing strategies that actually move the stems you are already growing.