Foliage Plants Crop Guide
| Estimated Cost | $2 to $7 per square foot of greenhouse/shade house |
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| Market Outlets | Retail garden centers, mass merchandisers, grocery stores, interior landscapers, retail florists |
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| Market Potential | Good |
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| Profit Potential | $0 to $20 per square foot per year (gross) |
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| Adapted Areas | All, some climate advantages in South Texas; best near urban areas or other major markets |
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| Labor Requirements | Moderate to high depending on mechanization level. Generally one to three employees per 10,000 square feet |
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| Equipment Requirements | Greenhouse faculity, shade houses |
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| Soil Requirements | None |
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| Water Requirements | Large volume of high quality irrigation water |
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| Minimum Size | 15,000 square feet |
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| Risk Factor | Moderate |
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| Other Limiting Factors | Direct competition with Florida and other major producing areas limits Texas production. |
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| Comments | Many foliage plants are susceptible to saline water and cannot be produced commercially in Texas. Foliage business is somewhat seasonal with primary sales in spring. |
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