The Institute of Ornamental Plants and Flowers at Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences (ZAAS), formerly known as the Zhejiang Xiaoshan Cotton and Hemp Research Institute, was founded in 1963. It primarily focuses on the collection, preservation, identification, and evaluation of germplasm resources of flowers and trees, as well as the innovative use of flowers and trees. The institute also conducts research on flower seedlings, tree resistance mechanisms, flowering control, seedling breeding, and other key technologies for industrialization, research, and promotion.
The institute encompasses five major disciplines: garden plants, leisure and tourism, home gardening, new flowers, and specialty cash crops. It is responsible for three national platforms: the Comprehensive Experiment Station of National Hemp Industry Technology System, the National Crop Germplasm Resource Platform of Zhejiang, and the National Flower Engineering and Technology Platform of Zhejiang. It also hosts the National Flower Engineering Research Center Bromeliad R&D and Promotion Center.
More information (in Chinese): http://www.zaas.ac.cn.
