Eini Laukkanen grows cut flowers in open ground in Ylistaro, Seinäjoki. He assembles bouquets of the flowers he grows for sale, which have already done well in their first summer.
– I'm surprised by how much demand there is for local flowers. I've only advertised my business on my Instagram and a couple of times on Facebook in the open grape radio stations in Seinäjoki and Ylistaro. Still, I've received a lot of inquiries, he says with satisfaction.
The idea for growing cut flowers came to Laukkanen, who has always loved flowers, when he read an article on the subject. Before that, he was not aware that this type of cultivation could be practiced in Finland, as the time for growing flowers is short in our country.
– I knew immediately after reading the article that I wanted to try that too.
To get his idea off the ground, Laukkanen applied for agricultural experimental support from Liiver. He had heard about it through a news report on Yle Areena.
– I started wondering if I could get that in this area too, and I called Liiver. It was possible and I also got help filling out the application.
Support speed to start cultivation
It is possible to receive agricultural experimental support of 2,500, 5,000 or 7,500 euros, and it is paid as a lump sum.
With his own support, Laukkanen has purchased, among other things, 500 tulip bulbs, built nine flower beds and obtained the necessary fertilizers, mulch and seeds.
According to him, this has made it possible to start growing cut flowers at a faster pace than expected.
– After all, the soil and all the things and services I need are really expensive. I probably wouldn't have been able to do all these activities this year if the support hadn't been granted.
One condition for receiving the support is that it must be used for expert services. Laukkanen implemented this part by hiring a photographer who took pictures and videos related to the cultivation of cut flowers for Laukkanen's social media.
Part of the support also went towards school trips required for studies.
– The open-field cut flower cultivation course at Livia Vocational College in Kaarina started just in time in January. I got to join, and now the school is almost ready.
The course is part of a degree in horticulture, which Laukkanen is fully prepared for, and will complete in September.
– School, support and this idea of growing cut flowers all came together really well, he enthuses.
“Why wouldn’t you apply for it if it’s possible to get it?”
Laukkanen knows of only two other cut flower growers in the South Ostrobothnia region, but the species is becoming increasingly popular throughout Finland.
– Yes, this is happening now, even though it sounds crazy. The season is really short and we are completely at the mercy of the weather.
The cut flower season can last until October, depending on whether there is frost. The season often starts with tulips, which appear in May. Summer flowers, on the other hand, start to be ready in late June.
– I started pre-growing some of the flowers indoors in March so that the seedlings would be a little bigger when I take them outside and they would grow faster. However, the pre-growing was largely unsuccessful because I don't have grow lights. I'll use those for next year, Laukkanen says.
Looking ahead to next summer, he plans to develop his business by increasing the number of flowers and possibly establishing a business name.
– According to the New Business Center's instructions, I didn't need it yet, but I have included the income in my own taxation.
Laukkanen recommends agricultural experimentation support to anyone who wants to try something new in agriculture.
– Why not apply for it if it's possible to get one? It really helps to get started and it might speed things up, he says with a smile.