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Postharvest Handling of Cut Flowers: Advanced Course On Postharvest Technology November 2003, Mauritius
Postharvest Handling of Cut Flowers: Advanced Course On Postharvest Technology November 2003, Mauritius
Postharvest Handling of Cut Flowers: Advanced Course On Postharvest Technology November 2003, Mauritius
Advanced Course on
Postharvest Technology
November 2003, Mauritius
• Maturity stage
• Carbohydrate supply
• Temperature
• Water loss
• Ethylene
• Mechanical damage
• Diseases
Maturity stage
Cut flowers are usually picked when the buds are
starting to open. (rose, gladiolus).
In some cases, the flowers must be picked open
(chrysantemum, carnation).
Carbohydrate supply
The reserves of starch and carbohydrates in the leaves
and stems are usually not enough to support energy
for proper bud opening and maintenance.
Therefore, cut flowers are often pulsed for up to 24 h
with a solution containing sugars (from 2 to 20%
sucrose).
Control Sucrose 5%
Liatris
Temperature
Flowers have high respiration rates, which increases
logarithmically with increasing temperatures.
Cooling slows respiration and delays senescence.
The optimal storage temperatures for most cut flowers
are between 0-2ºC.
Tropical flowers, like anthurium and several orchids,
that are sensitive to low temperatures should be kept
at 10-13ºC.
Forced-air cooling of cut flowers
Water loss
Flowers have a large surface area and, therefore, they
loose water rapidly.
Flowers should be stored at low temperatures and at a
relative humidity of 95% to reduce water loss and
wilting.
B.
D. Red
PinkCharm
Tango
A. Carmen
C.E. Frisco
Tamara
F. Sun Beam
7 days in
vase life
Control
Control TOG-MJ-1
TOG-MJ-1
TOG-MJ-1
Control
Control TOG-MJ-1
ControlControl TOG-MJ-1
TOG-MJ-1
Postharvest handling of cut flowers
Harvest
Grading
Packing
Cooling
Transportation
Marketing
Postharvest vase solutions
Anthurium
* Storage at 10-12C.
* Prevent mechanical damage by wrapping with plastic
sleeves and fill-packing boxes with shredded paper.
Roses
• Pulse treatments with fungicides (vinclozolin,
iprodione, copper) against Botrytis cinerea.
• Storage at low temperature (0-2C) without water
condensation.
• Usually, not treated with sugar or ethylene inhibitors.
• Add bleach to the vase solution.
Gerbera
• Are long lasting (till 20 days).
• Add bleach to vase solution
• Trim stems every few days
Lilium
• Pulse treatment with GA and STS.
• Add bleach to vase solution
Gladiolus
Pulse with high concentrations of sugar (10%), STS
and a fungicide.
Thank you for your attention!