The general focus of this research program is on the ornamental plant industry and ornamental plant production in South Florida. Specific areas of interest include plant tissue culture and the development of micropropagation protocols for ornamental plants aiming commercial production and/or conservation purposes. This program also focus on orchid commercial production and conservation of native orchids, clonal propagation of tropical flowering trees, and ornamental bedding plant production. Collaborative efforts with the USDA include the development of new tetraploids of Alstroemeria, a flowering bulb of commercial importance, using tissue culture techniques.