Explore Cut Flower Growing Trends at the 2026 Michigan Greenhouse Growers Expo

The Michigan State University Extension floriculture team will be presenting a full day of educational programming for specialty cut flower growers at the 2026 Michigan Greenhouse Growers Expo, Dec. 8–10, 2026, at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, MI. Presented in association with the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market Expo, the Greenhouse Growers Expo brings together growers, researchers, and industry professionals to share practical knowledge and explore new opportunities in floriculture.

This year’s specialty cut flower sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 9, and will explore strategies for improving young plant production, diversifying crop offerings, and building successful flower businesses. Topics range from seed germination and low-cost LED lighting to edible flowers, flowering shrubs, and intensive production on small urban lots.

Led by university researchers and experienced industry professionals, the program offers useful perspectives for both new and established specialty cut flower growers.

Using Off-the-Shelf LEDs for Cut Flower Plug Production

Led by Dr. Roberto Lopez of Michigan State University, this session discusses how to purchase, handle, and store raw and treated seeds, tips for successful germination indoors under low-cost LEDs, the influence of day length on flowering, and more.

Blooming Knowledge: Growing and Selling Edible Flowers

From Makenzie Lee of the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, this session will cover a snapshot of the U.S. edible flower market from the perspective of farmers’ markets. Lee will dive into ways to produce edible flowers, whether outdoors, in greenhouse soilless substrates, or hydroponically.

Beyond the Border: Shrubs as Cut Flowers

Led by Natalie Carmolli of Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs, this session will explore new and noteworthy varieties, best practices for harvesting and conditioning woody stems, and how to prepare shrubs for future production.

Flowers in the City: Growing and Running an Urban Flower Farm

From Janie Case Beuthin of Twig End Farm, this session will share how she produces a large amount of flowers on less than one-eighth of an acre while navigating the opportunities and realities of farming in an urban neighborhood.

For more information on featured speakers, as well as additional sessions and educational opportunities, see the Great Lakes EXPO’s 2026 Education Agenda and read the original article by Jeremy Jubenville on the Michigan State University Extension website.