Floral Preservatives Research Articles

Vaselife Evaluations of Autumn Sedum, Lobelia, Hardy Amaryllis, Oregano, and Blue Spirea

Specialty cut flowers have come of age. In 1996, the value of domestic fresh cut roses, carnations and mums were $195 million while the value of “other” flowers was $251 million. As consumers acquire a taste for more new and different flowers, postharvest information is needed to determine what growers, vendors and consumers can expect for vaselife from these flowers and how the vaselife can be best extended. The vaselife of autumn sedum, lobelia, hardy amaryllis, oregano, and blue spirea was evaluated with and without pretreatments of STS and holding solutions of floral preservatives or water. Results were varied among the different species for the best handling procedures. Lobelia, blue spirea and autumn sedum flowers benefitted from the use of STS. The longest vaselife for oregano was 8.5 days, for blue spirea was 11.3 days, for lobelia was 14 days, for hardy amaryllis was 7 days and for autumn sedum was 32.5 days.

Postharvest Evaluation of Fresh Cut Sunflower Cultivars

Specialty cut flowers are gaining a greater market share of the floral industry. One species that seems to be losing its fad status and again becoming a market mainstay are sunflowers. In response to that demand seed companies are introducing new sunflower cultivars. Little work has been done to evaluate and compare the postharvest life of these new cultivars. A study was conducted Summer 1995 to determine the postharvest life of several cultivars using both water and floral preservatives. Less than half of the cultivars evaluated had an acceptable commercial postharvest life when only water was used. When fresh flower preservatives were used only three of the cultivars evaluated had an unacceptable postharvest life. The addition of floral preservatives significantly increased the postharvest life of more than a third of the cultivars evaluated, but only two thirds of those had their postharvest life increased into the acceptable range. Cultivars found to have an acceptable postharvest life include a wide variety of colors, plant heights and pollenless flowers, giving the grower a wide choice of cultivars for commercial production.

Fertilization Rate Affects Production and Postharvest Quality of Tapeinochilus ananassae Flowers

Greenhouse-grown Tapeinochilus ananassae Hassk. were fertilized with 1110, 2220, or 4440 g of Osmocote 17N–3P–10K/m2 per year for 4 years. Plants receiving the medium rate of fertilizer produced the most flowers, while the highest fertilization rate resulted in the fewest. Flower stalk length decreased each year after planting, but cutting back the vegetative shoots to the ground resulted in increased flower stalk length the following year. Fertilization with the highest rate resulted in reduced flower postharvest life, but floral preservatives and ethylene inhibitors had no effect on postharvest life.

A Question for the Class: Why Do Roses Die?

An undergraduate class in postharvest physiology observed a number of factors in the senescence of cut roses, which had been studied separately in the literature. They assessed the relative importance of the factors in determining vase life. `Samantha' roses were held at 20C in distilled water or a floral preservative. Ethylene treatment caused petal distortion and premature senescence. Floral preservatives stimulated ethylene production, although vase life was extended relative to flowers in water. Higher sugar contents and respiration were maintained in preservative than in water. Water uptake by roses was almost constant, but stem resistance to water flow increased faster in water than in preservative. In the 2nd week of vase life, transpiration exceeded water uptake, particularly for roses in water. As much of this water was lost through leaves as through the flower. The results suggest that a complex interaction of several factors determines vase life.

Postharvest Characteristics of cut Inflorescences of Lupinus havardii

Big Bend bluebonnet (Lupinus havardii Wats.) is native to a narrow geographic range in southwestern Texas and produces attractive blue inflorescences (racemes) that may be used as cut flowers. Several crops were produced in the greenhouse to determine postharvest-characteristics of the cut inflorescences. Without any postharvest conditioning treatments, the inflorescences held in water had an average vase life of about 7 days. During this period, an average of 13 flowers abscised per inflorescence. When preconditioned for 4 hours in 40 to 160 mg·liter−1 silver thiosulfate (STS), vase life increased to 10 to 12 days and fewer than three flowers abscised per inflorescence. A commercial floral preservative (Oasis) had no effect on flower abscission or vase life of STS-treated inflorescences. Flower abscission and vase life were the same whether STS-treated inflorescences were placed in floral foam moistened with water or in water alone. Storing STS-preconditioned inflorescences in water at 5C for 72 hours did not affect flower abscission or vase life compared to the unstored control. Dry postharvest storage at 5C for 72 hours caused noticeable wilting, but, on dehydration, these inflorescences still had a vase life of about 8 days. Postharvest characteristics of pink-and white-flowered breeding lines were the same as for the blue-flowered line. These results indicate that cut inflorescences of L. havardii have desirable postharvest qualities and can be stored for up to 72 hours without seriously limiting vase life.

A Comparison of Attitudes and Practices among Sectors of the Oklahoma Floriculture Industry

Oklahoma floriculture producers, ornamental-horticulture retailers, mass-market retailers, and cut-flower wholesalers were surveyed to compare and contrast the industry in terms of attitudes towards their products and problems. Overall, attitudes of all four segments of the industry were neutral to negative on potted flowering plants, but were positive to neutral on bedding and foliage plants. However, producers were slightly negative concerning the postharvest life of bedding plants. While cut-flower wholesalers had a positive attitude concerning cut flowers, ornamental-horticulture retailers and mass-marketers tended to be neutral to negative. In particular, retailers and mass-marketers believed that cut flowers were too expensive and too short-lived. Floral preservatives were used by 82% of ornamental-horticulture retailers, while only 19% of mass-market retailers used preservatives. All cut-flower wholesalers used preservatives. Capital availability and market demand were the factors most limiting expansion for producers and ornamental-horticulture retailers; whereas mass-market firms listed competition as their most limiting factor.

SUPERMARKET FLORAL DEMONSTRATIONS INCREASED FRESH FLOWER INVENTORY

Consumers' first-hand experience with products can increase their knowledge, which can stimulate sales. The purpose of this study was to determine if in-store floral demonstrations would increase fresh flower inventory (a measure of sales). Demonstrations were conducted for eight weeks on consecutive Fridays and Saturdays in September and October, 1992, in eight stores of a mid-western supermarket chain. Four test and four control stores in the same market area participated. Trained demonstrators contacted 18,418 consumers during 512 hours of demonstrations and distributed 4450 fresh flowers and 15,216 packets of floral preservative. After 11 weeks of monitoring, we observed a 28% increase in the average fresh flower inventory of demonstration stores compared to control stores (P = 0.0750). Supermarket in-store floral demonstrations increased average fresh flower inventory.

A COMPARISON OF ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES AMONG SECTORS OF THE FLORICULTURAL INDUSTRY

Floricultural producers, cut flower wholesalers, mass market retailers and general retailers were surveyed to compare and contrast the industry in terms of attitudes and problems. Questions involved general business information, as well as specific crops. Overall, all four segments of the industry were neutral to negative on potted flowering plants, but were positive to neutral on bedding and foliage plants. However, producers were slightly negative concerning the postharvest life of bedding plants. While cut flower wholesalers had a positive attitude concerning cut flowers, retailers and mass marketers tended to be neutral to negative. In particular, retailers and mass marketers felt cut flowers were too expensive and too short lived. Floral preservatives were used by 81.6% of general retailers, while only 18.8% of mass market retailers used preservatives. All cut flower wholesalers used preservatives. Capital availability and market demand were the factors most limiting to expansion for producers and general retailers; mass market firms listed competition as their most limiting factor. Results from other questions will also be provided.

RED DATA BOOK SPECIES IN THE CAPE FLORISTIC REGION: THREATS, PRIORITIES AND TARGET SPECIES

SUMMARY The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) contains a disproportionate number of southern Africa's Red Data Book plants (70%), freshwater flsh (57%), amphibians (43%), butterflies (38%), and reptiles (35%), relative to the small area (4%) of the subcontinent which it occupies. With the exception of reptiles, the vast majority of these species are endemic to the CFR, occurring mainly in mountain and lowland fynbos vegetation. Among the threats to the continued survival of these species, agriculture and alien invasive plants rank highest overall, although many scavenging birds and large mammals have been hunted and poisoned to extinction within the CFR. An active reintroduction of these large mammals from outside the CFR has been the dominant strategy of local conservation agencies. The focus on large mammals as target species for conservation strategies has been to the detriment of floral preservation. The geographical distribution of threatened species is not related to the extent to which vegetation types h...

Effect of Water Status on Dendrobium Flower Spray Postharvest Life

The postharvest life of Dendrobium spp. flower sprays was limited by wilting and shedding of individual “flowers. Late-summer-harvested sprays had a reduced postharvest life compared to winter-harvested sprays. Cultivars differed in postharvest life in response to packing and storing for 2 days at 22C. Water 10ss rates of `Princess' sprays continuously held in deionized water declined from ≈ 1.25 g/day per spray 4 days after harvest to 0.35 g/day per spray 20 days later. Flower shedding occurred when the rate of water loss fell below ≈1.0 g/day per spray. Addition of a floral preservative to the vase water slowed the decline in water loss and increased postharvest life. Sprays packed and stored for 6 days at 22C had half the postharvest life of nonpacked controls held in deionized water or of sprays packed for 2 or 4 days at 22C. Submerging sprays in water immediately after harvest did not significantly increase postharvest life; submerging the sprays after harvest, before packing, and again after unpacking reduced postharvest life. Sprays could not be held for more than 4 days at 10C without suffering chilling injury. Silver thiosulphate (2 mm) and other silver preparations had no effect on postharvest life, although silver ions did reach the top flowers of the spray; thus, ethylene may play only a minor role in spray postharvest life. The postharvest life of sprays was increased by using boiled deionized water in vase solutions and by the continuous presence of chloramphenicol. Other antimicrobial agents, such as Physan, sodium hypochlorite, and sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione dihydrate were without effect. Microbial growth in the vase solution and at the cut stem end mav have reduced water transport and induced subsequent flower wilting and shedding.

The keeping quality of Otacanthus coeruleus — a potential new cut flower

By adding a floral preservative containing sugar to the vase solution, vase life, the number of flowers opening during vase life and the flower size were increased. Cold storage overnight had a positive influence on vase life, number of flowers opening during vase life, and flower size, if stems were harvested at an early stage and placed in a floral preservative. No injuries to flowers or leaves were visible. Because of the very delicate petals, it is recommended that Otacanthus is harvested with few flowers open, since all flowers open at harvest time will be slightly damaged during the harvesting and handling process.

Cut Flower Vaselife is Little-affected by Lipoxygenase Inhibitors

Abstract A survey of seven known lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitors showed that 0.1 mm DHN in a vase solution extended ‘Royalty’ rose vaselife by 2.5 days. Phenidone (PHE) did not enhance rose vaselife. Subsequent experiments showed no effect or a decrease in vaselife from both PHE and DHN application on roses, gladioli, and carnations. Sugar source and pH of the solution did not influence the effectiveness of the inhibitors on carnations. Carnations previously held without water for 24 hr showed only a minor increase in vaselife (2.6 days) from application of a vase solution containing 0.1 mm PHE. The commercial usefulness of LOX inhibitors in floral preservatives is therefore questionable. Chemical names used: 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolidone (phenidone); 1,5-dihydroxy-naphthalene (DHN).

The Effect of Floral Preservatives on the Vase Life ofAlstroemeriaCut Flowers

The Effect of Floral Preservatives on the Vase Life of<i>Alstroemeria</i>Cut Flowers

Response of Cut Gerbera Flowers to Fluoridated Water and a Floral Preservative

Abstract Twenty gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii H. Bolus, ex Hook f.) cultivars were evaluated for longevity in deionized water (DI), deionized water containing 1 mg fluoride (F)/liter, and deionized water containing 200 mg 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate (8-HQC) + 20 g sucrose (S)/liter. Flowers of different cultivars differed in fluoride sensitivity. Sensitive cultivars developed necrosis on the tips of ray florets within 12 to 24 hr of exposure to fluoridated water, whereas the least-sensitive cultivars were injured within 4 to 6 days. Petal necrosis was the prim ary factor reducing longevity in fluoridetreated flowers. Petal necrosis did not occur on flowers held in DI or 8-HQC + S. The mean postharvest lives of the 20 cultivars held in fluoridated water, DI, and 8-HQC + S were 2.6, 5.3, and 8.3 days, respectively.

Extending Vaselife and Improving Quality of Nerine Cut Flowers with Preservatives

Abstract The addition of chemicals, particularly sucrose and silver, to flower holding solutions prolongs the vaselife of many cut flowers. These preservatives have their greatest effect when used either continuously at lower 2% to 5% concentrations (holding solutions) (3), or at 10% to 20% concentrations for a short period immediately after harvest (pulse solutions). The optimal sucrose concentration for pulsing varies with species; 20% for gladiolus (4), 10% for bird of paradise (2), and 5% for leucospermum (1). Nerines are a cut flower crop of increasing importance in New Zealand, but little information exists on postharvest handling requirements. We evaluated the effects of floral preservatives on vaselife, flower development, and changes in fresh weight of Nerine bowdenii, W. Wats ‘Pink Triumph’ and ‘Bowdenii 63’.

Cut Flower Longevity of Peony

Abstract Flower longevity (as influenced by stage of maturity at harvest), dry weight, and flower preservative were studied using cut flowers of herbaceous peony (Paeonia spp.) cultivars Felix Crousse, Festiva Maxima, John C. Lee, Mons. Jules Elie, and Richard Carvel. Flowers harvested in the tight calyx stage frequently failed to open or opening was delayed. No substantial difference in longevity between flowers harvested at the loose calyx stage or first loose petal stage was found. Those cut at the loose calyx stage maintained quality well during dry storage at 0°C for up to 4 weeks. Vase-life and days to opening differed significantly with cultivar, length of storage, and their interaction. Fresh weight increased before or during flower opening, and the increase was greater after storage than for unstored flowers. Inclusion of a floral preservative in the vase solution increased gain in fresh weight upon hydration after storage and weight throughout vase-life.

Artificial pollination of almonds,Prunus dulcis, with bouquets monitored by fruit set and pollen germination

SummaryBouquets of almond flowers placed in or near trees of compatible cultivars significantly increased fruit set. Fruit set was highest near the bouquets and decreased rapidly with distance within the same tree. Germination tests revealed no significant differences between one-day-old flowers from cut or intact limbs in two of the three groups sampled, but there were significant differences by the fifth day especially from bouquets in floral preservative.

Marketing and Postharvest Management Characteristics of the North American Rose Industry.1

Abstract Survey analysis of the major North American rose producers provided a profile of industry marketing and postharvest management practices. The role of the wholesaler in product distribution has diminished, as more than half of the firms now utilize some form of retail distribution. Although most firms perceived little industry-wide uniformity in rose grading, packaging procedures were uniform, with most firms packaging roses in units of 25. The use of floral preservatives has been widely adopted, as nearly 80% of the firms used preservatives in their production operations, but postharvest storage practices have not been optimal, as nearly 45% of the firms stored roses at non-optimal temperatures levels. Most firms indicated that roses last between 5 and 6 days; however, 47% of the firms indicated that rose vase life should extent to 8 days or longer.

Graphic Display of Quantitative and Qualitative Character Associations in Cut Roses1

Abstract Difficulty is frequently experienced in displaying associations of quantitative characters such as flower weight and vaselife with qualitative characters such as flower shape, petal attitude, color, and leaf damage in cut roses (Rosa hybrida L.) A scatter diagram technique which accommodates 2 quantitative and up to 12 qualitative characters applied to experiments on rose cultivars and floral preservatives revealed qualitative associations with increased vaselife and flower fresh weight in response to the use of various preservative solutions.

Comparison of Conditioning, Precooling, Transit Method, and Use of a Floral Preservative on Cut Flower Quality1,2

Abstract Excessive temperatures recorded within flower boxes on transcontinental refrigerated trucks were avoided by using an integrated system of preshipment cooling with forced-air, standardized containers and appropriate stacking pattern. The longevity and quality of flowers shipped from California to Florida by refrigerated trucks were comparable to or better than that of air-shipped flowers. Preshipment conditioning treatments did not improve flower longevity of shipped roses, carnations or gladioli. Preconditioning chrysanthemum stems in AgNo3 solution eliminated the need to recut stems after shipment. Carnations and gladioli handled dry lasted as long as conditioned flowers. Floral preservative used on roses and carnations after shipping had a more positive affect on longevity than any other handling treatment.