Effect of dry storage on scape bending in cut Gerbera jamesonii flowers

Abstract

The effect of dry storage on scape bending in cut flowers of Gerbera jamesonii Bolus was investigated in nine cultivars (Cora, Donatella, Liesbeth, Mickey, Nikita, Regina, Rosamunde, Simonetta and Terrafame). Freshly cut flowers placed in water for 14 days showed no bending, except in Cora and Liesbeth. During the summer, dry storage (4 days at 1°C) had no effect on most cultivars, but in winter it increased bending in all cultivars investigated. At the end of the dry storage treatment, both in summer and in winter, the scapes of most cultivars were bent and intervarietal differences were mainly based on the recovery during the first day of vase life. Among the cultivars tested no differences were found in water potential after dry storage nor in the water balance during vase life. The scape curvature after dry storage in winter was not correlated with fresh weight of the flower head or the uppermost 12 cm of the scape, nor with scape diameter at 12 cm from the flower head. The percentage dry weight of the scapes, however, was lowest in Cora and Liesbeth, which may explain why they are apt to bend.