Abstract
Cut flowers produced for the local market come mainly from the Up-country region of Sri Lanka. Using a questionnaire, a field survey was carried out to find out information on aspects of postharvest handling and postharvest losses in Up-country produced cut flowers supplied to the local market. Forty-seven personnel involved in the cut flower handling chain in and around Nuwara Eliya town, Ragala, Bandarawela and Kandy were interviewed. A variety of postharvest problems related to Up-country cut flower production were identified. Inadequate knowledge on proper pre-and postharvest handling methods among the majority of farmers and sellers contributed largely to considerable postharvest losses in cut flowers. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v41i1.4538 Ceylon Journal of Science (Bio. Sci.) 41 (1): 67-70, 2012
Highlights
Since the beginning of floriculture in the 1970s largely for the export of cut flowers and live plants (Dhanasekera, 1998), the cut flower industry in Sri Lanka has faced both pre- and postharvest problems in both export and local markets
It was evident that harvesting of flowers at proper maturity stage was done mainly through experience and sufficient consideration was not given for the time of harvest within the day
The average day temperature (12–20 C) and relative humidity (75–95%) prevailing in the Up country area of Sri Lanka is quite suitable for the growth of majority of temperate cut flower types and for the tropical cut flower types like gerbera
Summary
Since the beginning of floriculture in the 1970s largely for the export of cut flowers and live plants (Dhanasekera, 1998), the cut flower industry in Sri Lanka has faced both pre- and postharvest problems in both export and local markets. Under the cool climatic conditions prevailing in the Up-country, temperate cut flowers such as alstroemeria (Alstroemeria sp.), arum lilies (Zantedeschia aethiopica), daisies (Chrysanthemum frutescens), gerbera (Gerbera sp.), roses (Rosa sp.), baby’s breath (Gypsophila sp.), super daisies (Chrysanthemum sp.), statice (Limonium sinuatum), Madonna lilies (Lilium candidum) and golden rods (Solidago sp.) are grown successfully in small and medium scale flower nurseries in Nuwara Eliya, Sita Eliya, Hawa Eliya, Boralanda, Black pool and Ragala areas. Especially arum lily is found in the wild in marshy lands at Ambewela and Top-pass area
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