Chapter 1 Careers in Floriculture 15
As the popularity of interior colors changes, so do the colors of
decorative materials being used by consumers. The Color Marketing Group
(CMG) is a nonprofi t association that creates color forecast information
for professionals who design and market color. The group also provides
information about trends in interior colors for manufacturers. Items such as
silk fl owers, containers, and even decorations for holiday trees, garlands, and
themes change with the forecast of trendy new colors.
Education and Research
If you have a strong background in fl oral design and enjoy teaching others
how to do things, you might enjoy employment as a teacher. Floral design is
often offered at the high school level in either the agriculture department or the
fi ne arts department. Beyond high school, fl oral design educators are employed
at the community college level and are involved in two-year associate and four-
year bachelor’s degree programs at many universities.
Do you like to study how things work or how people respond to various
situations? If so, you may be surprised to fi nd that you can combine your interest
in fl oral design with a research position. Many types of research in the fl oral
design fi eld are ongoing. A degree in a higher education specialty is generally
required for research positions, most of which are available through universities.
For example, a research program at Rutgers, The State University of New
Jersey, has studied the effect of fl owers on people’s moods. In a 10-month study,
researchers found a defi nite link between the presence of fl owers and happy
emotions. People feel more satisfi ed and less anxious after receiving fl owers.
The study indicated that the mood-enhancing effect of receiving fl owers is not
just a quick sensation. It lasts long enough that study participants reported that
they enjoy life more. Therefore, it seems reasonable that fl owers can be used as
behavioral therapy to help people with chronic depression or anxiety.
Other universities have research programs
devoted to developing sturdier plants that are
resistant to pests and diseases and can withstand
a wider range of temperatures, Figure 1-15. The
Flower Bulb Research Program at Cornell University,
for example, has an ongoing research program
dedicated to analyzing new tulip varieties. The
plants are evaluated and the results are published to
help wholesalers and retailers know which varieties
are best for their businesses or customers.
These and other research programs play
an important role in fl oriculture. They provide
solid information that can be used by commercial
growers, wholesale fl orists, and retail fl orists to
improve their businesses. The Rutgers study, for
example, can be used by retailers to encourage
customers to buy fl owers for everyday use, rather
than wait for a special occasion. The Cornell research
helps growers and wholesalers know which tulip
varieties are most likely to please their customers.
Vasiliy Koval/Shutterstock.com
Figure 1-15. This research technician is experimenting with
new plant hybrids that may improve on the plant’s current
characteristics.