Dubbed as a “bright shine industry,” the ornamental plants industry is recognized for the vastness of the opportunities it holds. The potential of the industry is evident in how it started from small-scale operations and then rapidly expanded with the entry of more commercial growers. In 2019, the Philippines exported about PhP 253 M worth of foliage, making it the 34th largest exporter of foliage in the world. In the same year, cut flowers were the world’s 346th most traded product, with a total trade value of $8.94B (Source: Observatory of Economic Complexity). However, the potential of the industry is hampered by problems including the limited availability of new and unique varieties of flowering and foliage ornamental plants with high acceptability/demand for local and global markets. Hence, strengthening the ornamental plants industry through addressing existing industry development gaps is significant so that opportunities driven by the increasing global demand for ornamental plants on top of its current active involvement in the global trade is maximized.
Various R&D initiatives were pursued to address challenges posed by the limited availability of new and unique varieties of flowering and foliage ornamental plants with high acceptability/demand for local and global markets. These initiatives resulted in three (3) new and unique Hibiscus varieties registered to Germplasm and Technology Release and Registered Office (GTRRO) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños-Institute of Plant Breeding. Moreover, three (3) new outstanding Hoya varieties were also registered to the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC). These newly registered varieties are expected to contribute in boosting the Philippine ornamental plants industry through introducing novel and unique varieties that are acceptable to the local and international market.
