Anemone Cut Flower Timing, Yield, and Quality in a High-Elevation Field and High Tunnel

A narrow window of optimal spring temperatures limits anemone (Anemone coronaria L.) cut flower production in the US Intermountain West, where fall plantings risk winter injury and are limited by summer dormancy. Regional management recommendations needed to improve harvest timing yield for growers USDA hardiness zones 6 below (average annual minimum −18 °C). The aim this research was optimize timing, yield, quality, profitability high tunnel field systems evaluating planting dates, insulation, tuber preparation, cultivar selection. High trials were conducted from 2020 2022 North Logan, UT (41.767° N, −111.811° W, 1405 m elevation, zone 5). Tubers pre-sprouted or directly planted into a (left bare covered with low tunnels) mulch, tunnel, mulch tunnel) November April. Harvest began as early 2 March 9 April field, overall average marketable yields (stems per m2 ± SE) 142 7 85 4 field. Planting tubers under tunnels delivered earliest (2 March), greatest (280 stems 73 SE), net returns ($38 m2). For plantings, insulation improved emergence 75% 77 15 SE. Combining season advancement techniques low-cost pre-sprouting resulted total West compared traditional industry recommendations.