The document is a project report that studied the water required to grow a stem of a rose flower in a greenhouse. It monitored 40 randomly selected rose plants from budding to harvest over 52 days on average. Weather data like temperature, humidity and solar radiation were recorded daily. The plants took on average 7.5 weeks and used 63cm of water to mature. Water meters tracked the humidification water used, while irrigation amounts were kept constant. The results provide the water needs at different growth stages to efficiently manage irrigation in the greenhouses.

1. i
WATER REQUIRED IN GROWING A STEM
OF ROSE FLOWER
PROJECT REPORT
Prepared for
Finlays Horticulture Kenya, Naivasha Flowers
Project No.: KINR5-001-015
JUNE 2015
Our Commitment to a Sustainable Future:
We strive tomake Finlays an enjoyable andrewardingplace towork.
 By developingour employees’life andbusiness skills
 By demonstratingleadership in equal opportunityemployment
 By encouragingethnic andcultural diversityin the workplace
 By encouragingandfacilitatingthe contributionof womenin the business
Finlays is committed to a sustainable future, because there is no other future

2. ii
Our Commitment to a Sustainable Future

3. 1
Table of Contents
LIST OF TABLES...................................................................................................................................2
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...................................................................................................................3
2.0 OBJECTIVES...................................................................................................................................4
3.0 SCOPE ..........................................................................................................................................5
4.0 APPROACH...................................................................................................................................6
5.0 PROJECT PICTORIALS.....................................................................................................................7
6.0 RESULTS AND ANALYSIS.................................................................................................................9
6.1 Weather Data ...........................................................................................................................9
6.2 Growth and Development Data................................................................................................11
6.3 Water Usage Data per Plant.....................................................................................................14
6.4 Net Water Used per Stem Data................................................................................................17
6.5 Water Used per Stem...............................................................................................................18
7.0 CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................20
8.0 APPENDICES ...............................................................................................................................22
9.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY............................................................................................................................23

4. 2
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Weather Data..............................................................................................................7
Table 2: Growth and Development Data………………………………………………………………………………9
Table 3: Water Usage Data per Plant……………………………………………………………………………………11
Table 4: Net Water Used per Stem Data………………………………………………………………………………14
Table 5: Water Used per Stem……………………………………………………………………………………………..16

5. 3
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The report represents the results of the project that determined the average volume of irrigation
water used to grow a stem of the rose flower in a greenhouse. The project covered several
parameters that directly and indirectly affect the growth rate of a rose flower from budding to
final harvesting stage in a greenhouse. The results come in handy in determining the approximate
water requirement per rose plant at different growth stage so as to efficiently manage our
irrigation water needs. The project results act as a control tool that will improve irrigation water
management in the various greenhouses in the farm. The Revival Rose Flower type in the project
site was tagged, and growth closely monitored until harvesting stage. It was apparent that the
growth of the selection was not uniform due to the biochemical differences. A few assumptions
were used during the project, but most of the calculations regarding plant water use were
analysed using raw data. All the factors of production remained constant and, therefore, the only
assumptions used were non-measurable parameters that affected growth. As Parker (2009)
reiterates, one of the observations made was that the maturity period of individual plants differed
due to the previously mentioned factors. All the tagged samples took around 52.65 days to
reestablish to maturity stage, after previous harvesting in April 2015.
The rate of water and fertilizer application remained a central focus with regards to the growth
rate of the plants (Singh, 2006). Since the feeding rate remained constant, it was presumed that
the varied growth rate was dependent on morphological, and other environmental factors.
However, the samples retained a near uniform growth rate, a factor attributed to the
homogeneous atmospheric conditions in the greenhouse. The other pivotal factor considered was
the plant root and leaf density that has a direct influence on the rate of water and nutrient uptake
by the plant. The project results are tagged on the prevalent weather patterns during the period.
Therefore, the project represented the plant water usage in a tropical climate. Also, the
temperature gradient was an essential element in calculating the plant evapotranspiration rate.
The other weather aspects considered included the relative humidity, and the solar energy during
the project period. In conclusion, the project results gave an insight to the average water that was
used to grow a rose flower in Naivasha region in the stated month.

6. 4
2.0 OBJECTIVES
1. To estimate the actual volume of humidification water used to grow a stem of the rose
flower.
2. To determine the actual volume of irrigation water required in growing a stem of a rose
flower.
3. Ensure reliable information is available for purposes of understanding the crop water cycles
in the region. The results provide irrigation knowledge and plant characteristics that
influences the rate of water uptake in a greenhouse.

7. 5
3.0 SCOPE
The project process included observing changes in growth and development of the selected plants
in the greenhouse from April 2 to May 31, 2015. The monitoring process occurred on April 2,
2015 to May 31, 2015 on a daily basis and any observable change noted. A random selection of
40 freshly harvested plants was tagged, and independent sheets used for recording individual
progress.
The following physical classes of plants were sampled:
 Plants with thin stems
 Plants with medium stems
 Plants with thick stems
Normal irrigation routine was maintained; no special practise was adopted in the selected plants.
The samples, therefore, were a representative of all the plants in the greenhouses since they all
are in the same geographical zone with the same climatic characteristics.
As the observations from the samples had several similarities, the average of all the samples
result was used to tabulate the required outcomes of the project. The common outcome was quite
reasonable since no severe infestation that would have altered results by a large margin was
noted. In summary, the following were engaged in the project implementation:
 The production team helped obtain planting and harvesting records, pest and disease control
records and monitoring development of the samples till cutting stage.
 Irrigation team that met the irrigation water requirements at a normal rate without
overfeeding or underfeeding the plants.
 Plumbing team, Roses. Installation of a measuring device was essential for the success of the
project.
Also, crop maintenance routine practices were conducted by a skilled team that ensured the best
result was achieved.

8. 6
4.0 APPROACH
The approach for the project included the following steps:
1. A selection of a preferable greenhouse for the project, followed by plant health inspection
essential for good quality results. The phase commenced on April 1, 2015 in the presence of
the key stakeholders.
2. Installation of a measuring device (¼ inch water meter) to capture humidification water used
in the project. The plumbing and irrigation team was pivatal in the success of the step. Data
collection occurred after every humidification process to capture usage.
3. Plan bed selection was done randomly to avoid biases in data quality. The center bed was
selected for the random sampling.
4. Then a random selection of twenty plants was done in each of the beds before harvesting.
5. Cutting and tagging each stem for ease of identification and monitoring. Cutting was done
above nodes to allow growth of buds that would eventually develop into stems with flowers
for the next harvesting. Care and caution were observed to prevent damage of the nodes.
6. Data logger fitted in the greenhouse recorded the greenhouse weather parameters that would
be used in data analysis. Data download accured on May 31, 2015 after project completion.
7. The agronomy team conveniently established plant population cover in the greenhouse. A
template for recording total irrigation water used in the greenhouse per day was prepared
using Excel.
8. Data collection is begun on 2nd April to 31st May after harvesting the last flower stem in the
greenhouse. During harvesting, the height of the stems was measured for each stem for
calculating the water usage per centimeter growth.
9. Raw data was analyzed using Excel.
10. Reporting findings.

9. 7
5.0 PROJECTPICTORIALS
Project site: Greenhouse No. 62 having Revival type
Selected beds 1 & 2 with the tagged stems, 20 stems in both beds
Inside greenhouse 62 where project was implemented

10. 8
Tagged plantsHarvested Rose Flower stems
Shoots with flower buds Sulphur burner in the greenhouse
47 days old stem with flower bud 50 days old stem with flower bud
Tagged plant

11. 9
6.0 RESULTS AND ANALYSIS
6.1 Weather Data
DATA LOGGER WEATHER RECORDS
Date
Average G/H
Temp (°C)
Average
Humidity
Average Dew
Point Temp (°C)
Solar Radiation
J/kgs
2-Apr-15 18.5 67.0 11.5 1,771
3-Apr-15 21.2 67.2 13.9 1,992
4-Apr-15 19.6 70.9 13.6 1,869
5-Apr-15 18.3 74.9 13.4 1,346
6-Apr-15 19.2 72.8 13.7 1,882
7-Apr-15 18.5 74.0 13.3 1,545
8-Apr-15 20.9 64.9 13.0 2,525
9-Apr-15 20.3 59.7 11.0 2,423
10-Apr-15 20.0 61.7 11.2 2,406
11-Apr-15 20.2 66.3 13.1 1,772
12-Apr-15 21.6 64.8 13.8 2,037
13-Apr-15 22.1 63.8 14.3 2,128
14-Apr-15 20.5 68.2 13.9 1,723
15-Apr-15 21.0 67.1 14.0 1,826
16-Apr-15 20.2 65.3 12.6 1,887
17-Apr-15 18.6 69.6 12.4 1,344
18-Apr-15 20.7 71.4 14.8 1,388
19-Apr-15 20.2 71.5 14.4 1,472
20-Apr-15 21.3 64.4 13.6 2,074
21-Apr-15 21.2 62.6 13.1 2,254
22-Apr-15 20.9 62.5 12.5 2,291
23-Apr-15 20.9 62.2 12.1 2,387
24-Apr-15 21.1 63.6 13.1 2,245
25-Apr-15 20.5 63.9 12.7 1,751
26-Apr-15 21.1 63.2 12.8 2,094
27-Apr-15 20.8 59.4 11.4 2,384
28-Apr-15 20.6 60.0 11.4 2,458
29-Apr-15 11.8 82.4 8.9 2,295
30-Apr-15 21.0 66.3 13.7 2,256
1-May-15 20.4 65.3 13.0 1,952
2-May-15 20.4 66.1 12.9 2,446

12. 10
3-May-15 21.3 67.4 14.3 1,969
4-May-15 21.6 65.4 14.1 1,614
5-May-15 22.6 65.0 14.8 2,171
6-May-15 21.2 67.8 14.3 1,776
7-May-15 20.7 67.4 13.8 2,008
8-May-15 21.2 67.0 14.2 1,360
9-May-15 21.2 67.6 14.4 1,545
10-May-15 21.4 70.8 15.3 1,262
11-May-15 22.4 66.9 15.2 2,136
12-May-15 21.6 65.4 14.2 1,898
13-May-15 22.0 66.1 14.6 1,837
14-May-15 20.9 66.2 13.4 2,239
15-May-15 21.2 65.9 13.9 1,741
16-May-15 21.2 62.8 12.9 1,888
17-May-15 20.8 62.9 12.4 2,223
18-May-15 21.1 62.4 12.6 1,962
19-May-15 21.2 62.9 13.1 1,996
20-May-15 19.7 68.1 13.3 1,526
21-May-15 21.1 64.6 13.4 1,992
22-May-15 20.9 65.1 13.5 1,577
23-May-15 19.7 68.1 13.1 1,588
24-May-15 19.4 61.1 10.7 2,286
25-May-15 20.2 63.0 12.0 1,870
26-May-15 21.3 63.4 13.3 1,631
27-May-15 21.4 64.8 13.7 1,888
28-May-15 20.4 67.8 13.7 1,563
29-May-15 20.2 68.4 13.6 1,458
30-May-15 21.3 64.4 13.5 1,847
31-May-15 21.7 64.1 13.5 1,832
Table 1: Greenhouse Weather as Recorded by Data Logger
The chart above shows weather data as recorded by the data logger in the greenhouse. The
average greenhouse temperature was 20.6C with 66.1% relative humidity, and 13.2C dew
point temperature. The relative humidity was regulated by spraying humidification water
between the beds to keep temperatures optimum.

13. 11
Graph of weather in the greenhouse
The chart above indicates a relatively constant weather conditions exhibited in the greenhouse.
On 28th April, the greenhouse temperature dropped drastically as a result of the humidification
done to control pest and greenhouse temperatures. The rate of surface evaporation was
considerably high on the same day at 6mm, increasing the greenhouse relative humidity levels.
6.2 Growth and Development Data
0
30
60
90
120
Day
WEATHER TRENDS IN THE GREENHOUSE
Average Dew Point
Temp (°C)
Average Humidity
Average G/H Temp (°C)
Specimen
Number
Date Cut
Date
Harvested
Days
Taken
Number
of Stems
Weeks
Taken
Maturity
Height (cm)
Harvesting
Height (cm)
1 2-Apr-2015 27-May-2015 55 4 7.86 60 54
2 2-Apr-2015 27-May-2015 55 4 7.86 65 60
3 2-Apr-2015 23-May-2015 51 4 7.29 56 51
4 2-Apr-2015 24-May-2015 52 4 7.43 66 60
5 2-Apr-2015 26-May-2015 54 4 7.71 68 61
6 2-Apr-2015 26-May-2015 54 4 7.71 55 50
7 2-Apr-2015 22-May-2015 50 2 7.14 67 61
8 2-Apr-2015 21-May-2015 49 4 7.00 57 51
9 2-Apr-2015 25-May-2015 53 3 7.57 62 55

14. 12
The flower stems took an average of 52.68 days to mature. Also, most of the plants had an
average stem density of 4.1stems/plant, with just one tagged. It was deduced that the samples
took an average of 7.52 weeks to mature with a mean flower stem height of 63cm. During
10 2-Apr-2015 20-May-2015 48 4 6.86 63 56
11 2-Apr-2015 24-May-2015 52 4 7.43 66 61
12 2-Apr-2015 23-May-2015 51 4 7.29 65 59
13 2-Apr-2015 26-May-2015 54 4 7.71 68 61
14 2-Apr-2015 22-May-2015 50 4 7.14 59 52
15 2-Apr-2015 28-May-2015 56 4 8.00 70 64
16 2-Apr-2015 26-May-2015 54 4 7.71 67 61
17 2-Apr-2015 25-May-2015 53 6 7.57 59 54
18 2-Apr-2015 23-May-2015 51 4 7.29 58 51
19 2-Apr-2015 24-May-2015 52 4 7.43 66 60
20 2-Apr-2015 22-May-2015 50 3 7.14 57 52
21 2-Apr-2015 23-May-2015 51 5 7.29 76 70
22 2-Apr-2015 24-May-2015 52 4 7.43 78 72
23 2-Apr-2015 21-May-2015 49 3 7.00 58 51
24 2-Apr-2015 26-May-2015 54 5 7.71 64 59
25 2-Apr-2015 30-May-2015 58 4 8.29 55 49
26 2-Apr-2015 23-May-2015 51 5 7.29 64 59
27 2-Apr-2015 29-May-2015 57 4 8.14 67 62
28 2-Apr-2015 27-May-2015 55 4 7.86 63 57
29 2-Apr-2015 22-May-2015 50 6 7.14 56 49
30 2-Apr-2015 28-May-2015 56 2 8.00 69 62
31 2-Apr-2015 31-May-2015 59 4 8.43 56 50
32 2-Apr-2015 27-May-2015 55 5 7.86 54 49
33 2-Apr-2015 28-May-2015 56 3 8.00 55 48
34 2-Apr-2015 31-May-2015 59 4 8.43 62 55
35 2-Apr-2015 18-May-2015 46 6 6.57 65 58
36 2-Apr-2015 23-May-2015 51 4 7.29 55 48
37 2-Apr-2015 21-May-2015 49 4 7.00 72 65
38 2-Apr-2015 27-May-2015 55 5 7.86 56 49
39 2-Apr-2015 21-May-2015 49 4 7.00 63 56
40 2-Apr-2015 22-May-2015 50 5 7.14 65 58

15. 13
harvesting, cutting was done at about 7cm above the stem junction, leaving about 56cm
harvested stem height for the 40 samples.
Some of the samples that had a higher stem density and produced relatively taller stems than
other specimens. According to Pemberton (2008), the samples that had a higher root density than
other samples and, therefore, were able to absorb more water and nutrients that were able to
support more growth. It was evident that high stem density was not in direct correlation with leaf
mass per plant.

16. 14
6.3 Water Usage Data per Plant
Specimen/Plant
Number
Total Humidity Water
Used per plant
Humidity
water/cm
growth per
plant
(litres/cm)
Cumulative irrigation
water used in
Greenhouse62 per day
(m3)
Irrigation Water Used
by Each Plant during
theproject
Irrigation
water
used/cm
growth
(m3) (litres) (m3) (litres) (litres/cm)
1 0.00359 3.592 0.0597 40 0.02743 27.43 0.4556
2 0.00359 3.592 0.0549 80 0.02793 27.93 0.4270
3 0.00333 3.331 0.0592 120 0.02543 25.43 0.4516
4 0.00340 3.396 0.0514 150 0.02593 25.93 0.3922
5 0.00353 3.527 0.0516 190 0.02693 26.93 0.3936
6 0.00353 3.527 0.0647 220 0.02743 27.43 0.5032
7 0.00327 3.266 0.0485 260 0.02480 24.80 0.3685
8 0.00320 3.200 0.0563 300 0.02430 24.30 0.4278
9 0.00346 3.461 0.0563 347 0.02643 26.43 0.4297
10 0.00313 3.135 0.0500 377 0.02380 23.80 0.3796
11 0.00340 3.396 0.0518 417 0.02593 25.93 0.3952
12 0.00333 3.331 0.0509 457 0.02543 25.43 0.3888
13 0.00353 3.527 0.0517 497 0.02693 26.93 0.3948
14 0.00327 3.266 0.0556 537 0.02480 24.80 0.4225
15 0.00366 3.657 0.0526 577 0.02793 27.93 0.4018
16 0.00353 3.527 0.0526 617 0.02693 26.93 0.4013
17 0.00346 3.461 0.0591 657 0.02643 26.43 0.4509
18 0.00333 3.331 0.0570 687 0.02543 25.43 0.4354
19 0.00340 3.396 0.0512 717 0.02593 25.93 0.3910
20 0.00327 3.266 0.0577 759 0.02480 24.80 0.4382
21 0.00333 3.331 0.0439 799 0.02543 25.43 0.3354
22 0.00340 3.396 0.0434 839 0.02593 25.93 0.3311
23 0.00320 3.200 0.0555 879 0.02430 24.30 0.4211
24 0.00353 3.527 0.0553 919 0.02693 26.93 0.4220
25 0.00379 3.788 0.0695 959 0.02893 28.93 0.5307
26 0.00333 3.331 0.0523 999 0.02543 25.43 0.3991
27 0.00372 3.723 0.0553 1,039 0.02843 28.43 0.4224
28 0.00359 3.592 0.0569 1,079 0.02743 27.43 0.4346
29 0.00327 3.266 0.0581 1,129 0.02480 24.80 0.4413
30 0.00366 3.657 0.0527 1,169 0.02793 27.93 0.4024
31 0.00385 3.853 0.0692 1,209 0.02955 29.55 0.5305
32 0.00359 3.592 0.0670 1,249 0.02743 27.43 0.5117
33 0.00366 3.657 0.0663 1,289 0.02793 27.93 0.5059
34 0.00385 3.853 0.0620 1,329 0.02955 29.55 0.4751

17. 15
REFERENCE NOTES
35 0.00300 3.004 0.0460 1,369 0.02268 22.68 0.3472
36 0.00333 3.331 0.0609 1,414 0.02543 25.43 0.4648
37 0.00320 3.200 0.0444 1,454 0.02430 24.30 0.3370
38 0.00359 3.592 0.0644 1,494 0.02743 27.43 0.4915
39 0.00320 3.200 0.0506 1,534 0.02430 24.30 0.3845
40 0.00327 3.266 0.0502 1,574 0.02480 24.80 0.3810
1,614
1,654
1,694
1,734
1,774
1,814
1,864
1,904
1,944
1,984
2,034
2,074
2,114
2,154
2,194
2,234
2,274
2,314
2,364
2,404
* The number of plants in green house 62 = 80,000 plants
* Total area of green house 62 = 10,000 m2 (1 Ha)
* Planting date = 30-June-2012
* Rose plant variety = Revival
* All flowers were initially cut and tagged between 3:00 - 3:50 on 1-April-2015 after irrigation
* Water used per day in greenhouse 62 was recorded in a sheet provided to the irrigators
* All weather parameters were recorded by the data logger
* Humidity water used per session = 578 litres = 0.578m3
Humidification was done 6 times therefore 3,470 litres (3.47m3) was used
Water used was presumably shared among the plants in the beds.
* Number of beds = 45
* Plants per bed = 1,777 (40 selected in one bed during the project)
* Total humidity water used in the bed (1,777 plants) =3,470 litres
Humidity water was used 1.4 times per week for therefore total humidity water used per plant was multiplied
by the number of weeks
* The following weather data was recorded in greenhouse 62 during the project:
Average temperature = 20.7°C Average RH = 66.3% Average DPT = 13.4°C

18. 16
Irrigation water use in the greenhouse was averagely 40m3/day, which accumulated to 2,404m3
utilized in the project period as seen in the table.
The following assumptions were made during analysis.
i. Each plant received equal irrigation water from the drips regardless of the root density
ii. Each stem had equal water and nutrient uptake.
iii. Irrigation water through the drips to the root zone was equivalent to the crop water
requirement.
Given the above factors in place, the results indicated that;
i. Each plant used an average of 3.439 litres of humidity water during the growth,
development and maturity phases. Alternatively, the result indicated that about 0.0554
litres of humidity water was used per centimetre growth per plant. Humidification water
was used in six instances during the project duration.
ii. The other analysis indicated that each rose plant used about 26.24 litres of irrigation
water during the project period. Water usage largely depends on the ambient weather
conditions in and outside the greenhouse and the morphological characteristics of the
plant.

19. 17
6.4 Net Water Used per Stem Data
Specimen
/Plant
Number
Number
of Stems
Total Water Used by Each
Plant duringtheproject
(humidity + irrigation)
Total Water Used by Each
Plant duringtheproject per
cm growth (humidity +
irrigation)
Total Water Used per Stem during
theproject (humidity + irrigation)
(m3) (litres) (m3) (litres) (m3) (litres)
1 4 0.03102 31.017 0.00052 0.5152 0.00775 7.7543
2 4 0.03152 31.517 0.00048 0.4819 0.00788 7.8793
3 4 0.02876 28.756 0.00051 0.5108 0.00719 7.1890
4 4 0.02932 29.321 0.00044 0.4436 0.00733 7.3303
5 4 0.03045 30.452 0.00045 0.4452 0.00761 7.6129
6 4 0.03095 30.952 0.00057 0.5679 0.00774 7.7379
7 2 0.02807 28.066 0.00042 0.4170 0.01403 14.0328
8 4 0.02750 27.500 0.00048 0.4842 0.00688 6.8751
9 3 0.02989 29.886 0.00049 0.4860 0.00996 9.9622
10 4 0.02693 26.935 0.00043 0.4296 0.00673 6.7337
11 4 0.02932 29.321 0.00045 0.4470 0.00733 7.3303
12 4 0.02876 28.756 0.00044 0.4397 0.00719 7.1890
13 4 0.03045 30.452 0.00045 0.4465 0.00761 7.6129
14 4 0.02807 28.066 0.00048 0.4781 0.00702 7.0164
15 4 0.03158 31.582 0.00045 0.4544 0.00790 7.8956
16 4 0.03045 30.452 0.00045 0.4538 0.00761 7.6129
17 6 0.02989 29.886 0.00051 0.5100 0.00498 4.9811
18 4 0.02876 28.756 0.00049 0.4924 0.00719 7.1890
19 4 0.02932 29.321 0.00044 0.4422 0.00733 7.3303
20 3 0.02807 28.066 0.00050 0.4959 0.00936 9.3552
21 5 0.02876 28.756 0.00038 0.3794 0.00575 5.7512
22 4 0.02932 29.321 0.00037 0.3745 0.00733 7.3303
23 3 0.02750 27.500 0.00048 0.4766 0.00917 9.1667
24 5 0.03045 30.452 0.00048 0.4773 0.00609 6.0904
25 4 0.03271 32.713 0.00060 0.6002 0.00818 8.1783
26 5 0.02876 28.756 0.00045 0.4514 0.00575 5.7512
27 4 0.03215 32.148 0.00048 0.4777 0.00804 8.0369
28 4 0.03102 31.017 0.00049 0.4916 0.00775 7.7543
29 6 0.02807 28.066 0.00050 0.4994 0.00468 4.6776
30 2 0.03158 31.582 0.00046 0.4551 0.01579 15.7912

20. 18
31 4 0.03340 33.403 0.00060 0.5997 0.00835 8.3508
32 5 0.03102 31.017 0.00058 0.5787 0.00620 6.2034
33 3 0.03158 31.582 0.00057 0.5721 0.01053 10.5275
34 4 0.03340 33.403 0.00054 0.5370 0.00835 8.3508
35 6 0.02568 25.679 0.00039 0.3933 0.00428 4.2799
36 4 0.02876 28.756 0.00053 0.5257 0.00719 7.1890
37 4 0.02750 27.500 0.00038 0.3814 0.00688 6.8751
38 5 0.03102 31.017 0.00056 0.5559 0.00620 6.2034
39 4 0.02750 27.500 0.00044 0.4351 0.00688 6.8751
40 5 0.02807 28.066 0.00043 0.4311 0.00561 5.6131
Given the variation of the growth rate in the sampled flower stems, the net water used per stem
also varied as observed in the table.
6.5 Water Usedper Stem
Specimen/Pl
ant Number
Number of
Stems
Total Water Used by Each
Plant duringtheproject
per cm growth (humidity
+ irrigation)
Total Water Used per
Stem duringtheproject
(humidity + irrigation)
Irrigation Water Used to
Grow Stem
(m3) (litres) (m3) (litres) (m3) (litres)
1 4 0.00052 0.5152 0.00775 7.7543 0.00686 6.86
2 4 0.00048 0.4819 0.00788 7.8793 0.00698 6.98
3 4 0.00051 0.5108 0.00719 7.1890 0.00636 6.36
4 4 0.00044 0.4436 0.00733 7.3303 0.00648 6.48
5 4 0.00045 0.4452 0.00761 7.6129 0.00673 6.73
6 4 0.00057 0.5679 0.00774 7.7379 0.00686 6.86
7 2 0.00042 0.4170 0.01403 14.0328 0.01240 12.40
8 4 0.00048 0.4842 0.00688 6.8751 0.00608 6.08
9 3 0.00049 0.4860 0.00996 9.9622 0.00881 8.81
10 4 0.00043 0.4296 0.00673 6.7337 0.00595 5.95
11 4 0.00045 0.4470 0.00733 7.3303 0.00648 6.48
12 4 0.00044 0.4397 0.00719 7.1890 0.00636 6.36
13 4 0.00045 0.4465 0.00761 7.6129 0.00673 6.73
14 4 0.00048 0.4781 0.00702 7.0164 0.00620 6.20
15 4 0.00045 0.4544 0.00790 7.8956 0.00698 6.98
16 4 0.00045 0.4538 0.00761 7.6129 0.00673 6.73
17 6 0.00051 0.5100 0.00498 4.9811 0.00440 4.40
18 4 0.00049 0.4924 0.00719 7.1890 0.00636 6.36
19 4 0.00044 0.4422 0.00733 7.3303 0.00648 6.48

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20 3 0.00050 0.4959 0.00936 9.3552 0.00827 8.27
21 5 0.00038 0.3794 0.00575 5.7512 0.00509 5.09
22 4 0.00037 0.3745 0.00733 7.3303 0.00648 6.48
23 3 0.00048 0.4766 0.00917 9.1667 0.00810 8.10
24 5 0.00048 0.4773 0.00609 6.0904 0.00539 5.39
25 4 0.00060 0.6002 0.00818 8.1783 0.00723 7.23
26 5 0.00045 0.4514 0.00575 5.7512 0.00509 5.09
27 4 0.00048 0.4777 0.00804 8.0369 0.00711 7.11
28 4 0.00049 0.4916 0.00775 7.7543 0.00686 6.86
29 6 0.00050 0.4994 0.00468 4.6776 0.00413 4.13
30 2 0.00046 0.4551 0.01579 15.7912 0.01396 13.96
31 4 0.00060 0.5997 0.00835 8.3508 0.00739 7.39
32 5 0.00058 0.5787 0.00620 6.2034 0.00549 5.49
33 3 0.00057 0.5721 0.01053 10.5275 0.00931 9.31
34 4 0.00054 0.5370 0.00835 8.3508 0.00739 7.39
35 6 0.00039 0.3933 0.00428 4.2799 0.00378 3.78
36 4 0.00053 0.5257 0.00719 7.1890 0.00636 6.36
37 4 0.00038 0.3814 0.00688 6.8751 0.00608 6.08
38 5 0.00056 0.5559 0.00620 6.2034 0.00549 5.49
39 4 0.00044 0.4351 0.00688 6.8751 0.00608 6.08
40 5 0.00043 0.4311 0.00561 5.6131 0.00496 4.96
As discussed before, the number of flower stems varied from plant to plant and, therefore, the
number of rose flower stems able to be produced by each stem also varied considerably. Plants
with more stems can produce more rose flower stems compared to plants with fewer stems. The
aspect also affects the rate of water uptake with regards to leaf mass (Byczynski, 2008).
From the data analysis, it was clear that the net average irrigation water used to grow a stem of
the rose flower was 6.76 litres for an average growth and development period of 52.65 days in
the greenhouse. The result could also mean that for each day, 0.1284 litres of irrigation water
was supplied per flower stem. When both humidity and irrigation water were analysed, the it was
apparent that 7.64 litres was used for growing a stem of the rose flower. Moreover, therefore,
0.1451 litres was used per day to support growth and development. Photosynthesis occurs during
the day when there is sufficient sunlight and therefore using mean sun hours of 6 hours a day,
0.024183 litres/plant/hour was actively used for photosynthesis.

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7.0 CONCLUSION
When the ambient temperature is high, the greenhouse temperature rises, increasing plant
irrigation water requirement and vice versa (Maharaj, 2004). It is necessary to maintain
greenhouse relative humidity at 66% to 75%, which was the optimum level used in the
production period. The plants grow in hydroponics in a closed irrigation system; the results
mostly apply to the described conditions. The average ambient solar energy exhibited during the
project period was 1,915J/kgs. The solar radiation had a direct impact on energy lost by the plant.
The compensation measure to prevent wilting was by constantly supplying irrigation water and
nutrients to sustain growth and development. As Pemberton (2008) relays, the other crop
maintenance practises like removing wild shoots must be done to allow steady and healthy
growth of the flowering stems.
The amount of water needed to grow a stem of flower depends on the weather; the size of the
plant; the composition of the soil/planting medium; the cycle of growth; the plant variety, and
probably several other environmental factors. Roses, just like other plants grown in a closed
irrigation system, need more water when it is hot and less when it is not (Parker, 2009). At low
temperatures, when the humidity is high, more irrigation water will be used by the plants. A
typical full size rose grown in hydroponics has a root zone with a diameter of about 19 cm. Root
base is constrained by the limited space in the hydroponics, leading to the mentioned root base
size. Drip irrigation system was used in delivering irrigation water to the root zone therefore
irrigation efficiency remained optimal.
It was worth noting that the porosity of the growing medium had an enormous impact on water
infiltration rate that also influenced its storage characteristics. The porosity of the growing
medium, pumice, was determined to be 24%. The data signifies that approximately 24% of
irrigation water was drained out through the hydroponics to the recycle system. Water retention
potential of the pumice was 10% therefore the roots absorbed only 66% of irrigation water. Plant
root area has a direct influence on the wetting area required to meet fully plant water
requirement. It was determined using arithmetic that the average root area of a rose plant was
0.0284m2.

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However, since we were mostly interested in the actual volume of water required to grow a stem
of rose flower, then it implied that only 66% of 6.76 litres of irrigation water was absorbed by
the roots. Therefore, 4.4616 litres of irrigation water was used to grow a stem of the rose plant.
In conclusion, the results imply that the amount of water required to grow a stem of rose flower
greatly depends on the above-mentioned factors, most of which could be replicated in a
controlled environment in a greenhouse.

24. 22
8.0 APPENDICES
APPENDIX I Graph of Weather Patterns in the Greenhouse
APPENDIX II Reference notes

25. 23
9.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY
Byczynski, L. (2008) The Flower Farmer: An Organic Grower’s Guide to Raising and Selling
Cut Flowers, 2nd Edition. United States: Chelsea Green Publishing Company
Maharaj, N. (2004) game of the rose: the Third World in the global flower trade. Utrecht,
Netherlands: Published for the Institute for Development Research Amsterdam by
International Books
Parker, R. (2009) Thorns & Roses. United States: Tate Publishing & Enterprises
Pemberton, R. J. (2008) Roses: Their History, Development, and Cultivation. United States:
Applewood Books
Singh, A. K. (2006) Flower Crops ; Cultivation and Management. New India Publishing Agency

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