Alicain Carlson Ph.D

Head of Technical Services, Syngenta Flowers

Dr. Alicain Carlson has been with Syngenta Flowers, a global flower breeding company, for 8 years and is currently the Head of Technical Services and Cut Flower Technical Expert. Before joining Syngenta Flowers, Dr. Carlson earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in the Cut Flower Research Program of Dr. John Dole at NC State University studying various aspects of production and postharvest of cut flowers. Dr. Carlson also co-wrote the book “Postharvest Handling of Cut Flowers and Greens” which is available through the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers. This is the premiere resource for the best postharvest practices for maximizing vase life of an extensive array of species. She found her love of cut flowers through floral design and working on a cut flower farm, Lynnvale Studios, during college.

Show Notes

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  1. Know that there is an entire industry behind the world of floral design within the floral industry.

  2. Syngenta is an innovative company in breeding plants, flowers, and cut flowers.

  3. Syngenta is a producer of genetics for the seeds and plants that brokers like Farmer Bailey distributes for all of us.

  4. Alician mentioned the valuable resource that customers bring.  We can all learn from each other.

  5. Holding solutions in addition to chlorine solutions are important to continue to give food and energy to your cut flowers.

  6. Syngenta also produces rooted liners for Dahlias.  When comparing tubers to these liners they’ve found that the plants are very consistent in size and virus free.  Plus there seems to be a more consistent flower color for Dahlia’s

    like Cafe Au Lait.

  7. It was exciting to learn about a new Karma Dahlia variety coming next year in addition to two new colors of the Uproar Zinnia series.