Read's late grandfather, Edward Reckner, began Reckner Greenhouses and Farms LLC in Melville as a vegetable farm in 1951

 Read's late grandfather, Edward Reckner, began Reckner Greenhouses and Farms LLC in Melville as a vegetable farm in 1951

, and transitioned to flower farming two decades later. Today the business, run by Read and her brother, Alexander Reckner, still grows two acres of dahlias and another of assorted flowers "to maintain income during the summer and because it’s a tradition in our family to grow them," she said.  But the business has pivoted away from flowers, with its primary income coming from bedding plants and vegetable and herb plants.

Long Island "used to have ... back in the '70s and the '80s, a lot more [rose and cut-mum production], because there wasn't so much being brought in from South America," Read said.  More than three-quarters of the cut flowers sold in the United States are imported, with Colombia by far the biggest producer, according to federal data.  

For small local growers to compete directly with those selling hardy, lower-priced imported flowers is challenging if not unrealistic. In many cases, the Island's growers cater to an audience that appreciates locally grown flowers and is willing to pay more for them.