Growing Ammi Visnaga for Smallholder Flower Farmers

Ammi can tolerate different soil conditions, although they prefer moist soil with good drainage.

Also known as the Bishop’s Weed, Ammi has its origins in the Mediterranean Sea region. Florists use it to blend other flowers because of its distinct white and green colours, which help make a bouquet more beautiful. It also does not have a scent.

• Ammi seeds are tiny. However, they are planted directly in the soil, which should be ploughed until it is fine to maximise the number of seeds that will germinate.
• Get an agronomist to test your soil so that he can advise on which flowers can grow well.
• Farmers are advised not to overwater the crops since they can overgrow
• Apply nitrogen fertiliser at a rate of 50 grams per metre square a month after planting and, thereafter, apply foliar sprays of nitrate fertiliser every two months after planting to improve the quality of the flowers.
• After three months, the flowers should be ready for harvesting.
• The flowers are sold in grades ABC. They are graded depending on the circumference. Grade A goes for Sh4 per stem, Grade B Sh3 and Grade C Sh2.
• To get big stems, one should not plant during rainy season. The more sunshine they receive, the bigger they bloom.
• To achieve maximum output, farmers should separate their farm into blocks and plant the flowers at different times so that they can harvest all-year round.