Contents: Vol. I: Foreword. Preface. 1. Floriculture industry. 2. Soil and climate. 3. Fertilisers and manures. 4. Plant propagation for development of floriculture industry. 5. Flower seed production. 6. Nursery plant production. 7. Green houses for ornamental crops. 8. Essential oils from ornamental plants. 9. Dried flowers and plant parts. 10. Ornamental plant products. 11. Post-harvest technology of cut flowers and foliage plants. Production technology of cut flower crops: 12. Rose. 13. Chrysanthemum. 14. Carnation. 15. Orchids. 16. Anthurium. 17. Gerbera. 18. Gladiolus. 19. Tuberose.

Vol. II: 20. Tulipa. 21. Lilium. 22. Freesia. 23. Iris. 24. Alstromeria. 25. Liatris. 26. Strelitzia. 27. Solidago. 28. Dahlia. Production technology of loose flower crops: 29. Jasmine. 30. Marigold. 31. Crossandra. 32. Barleria. 33. Attractive and useful cut flowers from annual crops. 34. Herbaceous perennial flowering plants for pot culture. 35. Flowering shrubs for pot culture. 36. Production technology of popular house plants. 37. Aquatic ornamental plants. 38. Bulbous ornamentals for pot culture. General index. Index of common names. Index of plant families.

"The set Advanced Commercial Floriculture in 2 volumes has been organised in such a way that it will be useful to every one interested in the world of plants, particularly that increasing number of people who are concerned with commercial floriculture of today. This book will make people aware of the potential of ornamental plants from all angles and help in exploring the possibilities to develop new vistas for floriculture-based industries. Almost all commercially important plants cultivated in different parts of the world have found a place in this publication. There are 11 interesting and informative introductory chapters on floriculture industry, soil and climate, manures and fertilisers, plant propagation, nursery plant production, seed production, green houses, essential oils of ornamental plants, ornamental plant products, dried flowers and post-harvest management. Production technology of cut flowers and loose flowers involving 21 most important flower crops are discussed in depth. There are 6 exhaustive chapters on different groups of plants like annual crops, herbaceous perennials, flowering shrubs, house plants, aquatic plants and bulbous ornamentals. This is the first book of its kind which gives a comprehensive and complete account of the subject with many colour plates. It will be an useful and handy reference book for amateur and professional ornamental plant growers, small and big flower farmers, hi-tech floriculture entrepreneurs, extension workers, policy makers, exporters, students, teachers and scientists." (jacket)