Post-harvesting of cut flowers and ornamental plants

Abstract

The preservation of floral stems aims to prolong durability, maintain quality and reduce losses after harvesting, leading to a longer shelf life and commercialization of these products. In that there is a storage period, especially, of cut plants relatively short between seven and 15 days, this being one of the most important stages of the floricultural sector, ensuring the maintenance of the balance of the distribution market to the final consumer. The high perishability of the floral stems requires specific pre- and postharvest handling contributing positively to its conservation. In cut plants, such as the floral stems, there is an intensification of the physiological processes to maintain its metabolism right after harvest, when the plant leaves the plant and discontinues the supply of water and nutrients, resulting in the acceleration of its senescence. Thus, the understanding of the metabolism of the conservation of the floral stems gives the producer and the consumer products without changes in their aesthetic and qualitative aspect. Thus, the objective of the present study was to carry out a review of the post-harvest literature on cut flowers and ornamental plants, including pre- and post-harvest factors, solutions and preservative components.