Abstract: A method for accelerating the growth of Taxus X media `Hicksii` and related Taxus species to enhance the production and recovery of taxol and Taxotere from plant tissues is described. The method includes the steps of increasing the production of biomass by cycling growth periods of Taxus plants within a greenhouse or other enclosed structure, harvests of plant parts and cold storage of the remaining unharvested plants to break dormancy and condition the plant for the next cycle of growth and harvest. After at least several cycles, entire plants are harvested for extraction from all plant parts while other plants are saved for stock plants or reforesting. The collected plant material is prepared for extraction of taxol or Taxotere, compounds used in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: A computer program simulates the growth pattern of plants grown in a controlled environment such as a greenhouse. The program produces planting and harvesting schedules, a schedule of predicted yields, and a schedule of greenhouse space utilization, which permit the planning of a controlled growing environment which is capable of producing continuous predictable yields of agricultural product over predetermined time periods. This result is useful in producing commercially viable agricultural production during the times of year when field grown agricultural production is unavailable.