Cut Flowers - an overview (2024)

Specialty cut flowers may be defined as any cut flower other than roses, carnations, and chrysanthemums.

From: Introduction to Floriculture (Second Edition), 1992

  • Ethylene
  • Orchidaceae
  • Dianthus caryophyllus
  • Cultivar
  • Postharvest
  • Anthesis
  • 1-Methylcyclopropene
  • Ornamentals
  • Vase Life
  • Ornamental Plant
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Role of metal oxide nanomaterials in the preservation of harvested crops

Venkatachalam Vasudevan, Vidhya Arumugam, in Nanometal Oxides in Horticulture and Agronomy, 2023

14.3 Metal nanoparticles for extending postharvest life of cut flowers

Cut flowers are commonly used to express gratitude, affection, and emotion on various occasions. Vase life and quality are the two most significant characteristics of a cut flower (Ichimura et al., 2002). Silver NPs, which extend the vase life of cut flowers, enter the vascular tissues of the stem, reducing ethylene synthesis and repressing the ethylene-producing genes ACO1 (Musa acuminata oxidase 1) and ACS1 (Musa acuminata synthase 1). Furthermore, they promote the uptake of the solution, hence extending the vase life of cut flowers. Because of the interrupted water intake caused by microbial development, cut flowers do not have a long shelf life after harvest. Various nanotechnological products, such as nano-silver, can be used to make antimicrobial agents and ethylene inhibitors. This preservative solution also increases the vase life of cut flowers (Table 14.1). These silver NPs are safe to use, convenient to apply, and have a high level of stability. Silver NPs in variable concentrations are used to improve and maintain the quality of cut flowers in a variety of ways as shown in Fig. 14.1.

Cut Flowers - an overview (1)

Figure 14.1. Application of silver nanoparticles in preservation of cut flowers.

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Postharvest physiology of fresh-cut flowers

Zhiya Liu, ... Weibiao Liao, in Oxygen, Nitrogen and Sulfur Species in Post-Harvest Physiology of Horticultural Crops, 2024

8 Conclusions and outlook

Cut flowers have become an export income in the global floriculture market. They are used for decorating homes, in ceremonies, and as symbols of love, appreciation, respect, etc., in humane society. Various cut flower types have different vase lives, and the longevity of their freshness is affected by preharvest, harvest, and postharvest conditions and tools. Obtaining the desirable qualities of cut flowers requires considering the postharvest quality and vase life, and factors that affect these qualities are crucial to the floral industry. The quality of cut flowers is closely related to postharvest physiological changes and preservation techniques (Nguyen and Lim, 2021). In the past years, horticultural and physiological research has revealed the factors that affect the vase life of cut flowers. In the present review, we discuss the main physiological changes affecting postharvest vase life and quality of cut flowers, including changes in moisture, respiratory metabolism, membrane permeability, pigments, carbohydrates, and antioxidant systems. In general, cut flowers are able to rely on their own stored energy to maintain normal physiological activities in a short period of time after they leave the mother plants. However, with the change of time, the energy consumption in plants cannot be replenished in time, resulting in metabolic imbalance, thereby shortening the life of cut flowers and causing their own drop in value (Fig.2.4). Therefore, the postharvest processing technology of cut flowers has become the key to enhance their own value. Based on extensive experimental data, we explored the beneficial effects of many exogenous substances on postharvest lifespan and quality of fresh-cut flowers. These compounds have broad application prospects in regulating the senescence process of fresh-cut flowers, increasing the feasibility for the application of postharvest preservation of other horticultural products. However, there are still some drawbacks to using these compounds, since some substances may be toxic by themselves and might have residues after application. Thus, it is very necessary to filter out the best treatment in all aspects. Certainly, it is ideal to completely solve the short lifespan of fresh-cut flowers through breeding, which will be a huge challenge for the fresh-cut flower industry in the future.

Cut Flowers - an overview (2)

Figure2.4. Physiological change pattern of fresh-cut flowers after harvest.

↓, decrease.

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Ethylene and horticultural crops

Antonio Ferrante, in The Plant Hormone Ethylene, 2023

6 Ethylene and ornamentals

Cut flowers are very sensitive to ethylene, and the vase life often depends on the flower organs’ sensitivity to ethylene. Postharvest treatments that inhibit ethylene biosynthesis or action greatly extend the vase life of many cut flowers. The flower life is directly correlated with flower or petal sensitivity to ethylene. In cut flowers, ethylene can reduce productivity starting from greenhouse cultivation. High ethylene concentration in the greenhouse can induce bud abscission in Lilium or other sensitive flowers (Reid, 1985). The ethylene can be released from the heating system that has a power station using gasoline as fuel. The incomplete combustion of the fuel can release ethylene into the environment, and if the engine of the power station is inside the greenhouse, the leaks of engine exhaust gases can damage the crop. After harvest, the exposed cut flowers can be stored in a cold room free of ethylene that can be achieved using decontamination systems. The cut flowers can be preserved and protected by ethylene avoiding the storage or transportation with fruit or vegetables producing a high level of ethylene.

The effect of ethylene on quality losses of cut flowers is due to the petal wilting or abscission or color fading. In cut foliage and flowers, the vase life can be reduced by ethylene inducing the leaf yellowing or abscission. Low concentrations such as 0.5μLL−1 can induce petal, bud, or leaf abscission in sensitive cut flowers. During the cut flowers distribution chain, the concentration of ethylene can range from 0.01 to 3–5μLL−1. The protection of cut flowers from endogenous or exogenous ethylene can be obtained with different postharvest treatments.

The use of AOA as a post-harvest treatment allows to extend the post-harvest life of ethylene-sensitive flowers (Wawrzyńczak and Goszczyńska, 2003). Cut carnation flowers exposed to ethylene or treated with an ethylene promoter (ACC) rapidly showed symptoms of senescence with petal wilting (Fig. 2). Carnation cut flowers (Dianthus caryophyllus L.), pre-treated for 24h with 2mM AOA doubled the vase life (Mensuali-Sodi et al., 2005), since AOA reduced ethylene production. However, AOA treated flowers did not produce ethylene but are not protected from exogenous ethylene, in fact, cut flowers exposed to ethylene dramatically reduced the vase life. On the contrary, cut carnation flowers treated with ACC and 1-MCP did not show any symptom of ethylene effect, demonstrating that ethylene action inhibitors can greatly preserve the cut flowers (Seglie et al., 2011).

Cut Flowers - an overview (3)

Fig. 2. Effect of treatments with water (control), ethylene promoter 1mM ACC, 2mM AOA, 500nLL−1 1-MCP and combination 1mM ACC+500nLL−1 1-MCP, 2mM AOA+1μLL−1 ethylene, or 500nLL−1 1-MCP+1μLL−1 ethylene.

Action inhibitors are very effective in protecting flowers from both exogenous and endogenous ethylene (Mensuali-Sodi et al., 2005). AOA was one of the first ethylene inhibitors that reduced the ethylene biosynthesis in carnation and extended the vase life (Broun and Mayak, 1981). The use of 1-MCP has been successfully tested on various cut flowers (lily) and potted plants (Wei et al., 2018).

The 1-MCP provides full protection from exogenous and endogenous ethylene and is the perfect postharvest treatment for ethylene sensitive flowers. Many different ornamental plants show extended vase life or chlorophyll retention after the treatment with 1-MCP (Table 3).

Table 3. Effect of ethylene inhibitor on different ornamentals.

Ornamental speciesConcentration, treatment time (h), temperature (°C)Ethylene exposureEffectsReferences
Alstroemeria spp.20nLL−1, 6h at 20°C1μLL−1Increased vase life of flower treated with exogenous ethyleneSerek et al. (1995a) and Nasiri et al. (2020)
Antirrhinum majus20nLL−1, 6h at 20°C1μLL−1Increased vase life of flowers exposed to ethyleneSerek et al. (1995a)
Begonia×elatior “Najada” and “Rosa”5 or 20nLL−1, 6h at 20°C1μLL−1Prevented bud abscission, flowers, leaves, and delayed senescence and increased vase lifeSerek et al. (1994b, 1995b)
Begonia×tuberhybrida “Non-Stop”5 or 20nLL−1, 6h at 20°C1μLL−1Prevented bud abscission, flowers, leaves, and delayed senescence and increased vase lifeSerek et al. (1994b, 1995b)
Boronia heterophylla10nLL−1, 12h, 20°C10μLL−1Avoided fresh weight loss and flower abscission after exposureMacnish et al. (1999)
Calanthe triplicata100nLL−1, 6hExtended the vase lifeTsai et al. (2021)
Campanula carpatica “Dark Blue” and “Blue Clips”20, 50 or 100nLL−1, 6h, 20°C3μLL−1Extended flower life of cut flower exposed to ethyleneSisler et al. (1999)
C. carpatica “Dark Blue”20, 50 or 100nLL−1, 6h, 21°C0.5μLL−1Treatments extended flower lifeSerek and Sisler (2001)
C. medium “Champion Pink”800nLL−1, 4h, 22°CImproved vase lifeBosma and Dole (2002)
Cassiniaadunca10nLL−1, 12h, 20°CNo effectMacnish et al. (2000)
Ceratopetalum gummiferum10nLL−1, 12h, 20°C10μLL−1Avoided the negative effects of exogenous ethylene and increased vase lifeMacnish et al. (2000)
Chamelaucium uncinatum10nLL−1, 12h, 20°C10μLL−1Avoided the negative effects of exogenous ethyleneMacnish et al. (2000)
Chamelaucium uncinatum200nLL−1, 6 or 13h, 21°C2μLL−1Avoided the negative effects of exogenous ethylene and reduced bud and flower abscission.Serek et al. (1995c)
Consolido ambigua20nLL−1, 6h, 20°C1μLL−1Increase vase life under ethylene exposureSerek et al. (1995a)
Dendranthema grandiflorum “Coral Charm”20nLL−1, 6h, 20°CReduced rooting of cuttingsSerek et al. (1998)
Dianthus barbatus20nLL−1, 6h, 20°C1μLL−1avoided vase life reduction in ethylene treatmentsSerek et al. (1995a)
Dianthus caryophyllus “Sandra”0.6, 1.7, 3.3, 5.8 or 20nLL−1, 6h, 20°C0.4μLL−1Treated flowers avoided exogenous ethylene effects and reduced senescence and increased vase lifeSerek et al. (1995a,b)
Dianthus caryophyllus5nLL−1, 12h, room temperature1μLL−1The 1-MCP alone or included in nanosponges avoided exogenous ethylene effects and increased vase lifeSerek et al. (1995b) and Seglie et al. (2011)
Epipremnum pinnatum200nLL−1, 6 or 13h, 21°CPrevented leaf yellowing of cuttingsMüller et al. (1997)
Eriostemon scabe10nLL−1, 12h, 20°C10μLL−1No effectsMacnish et al. (2000)
Gynurabicolor10μLL−1, 20°C, 6hIncreased anthocyanins and flavonoids, but reduced lignin biosynthesisZhang et al. (2022)
Grevillea “Kay Williams”10nLL−1, 12h, 20°C10μLL−1Avoided flower abscission and vase life reductionMacnish et al. (2000)
Grevillea “Misty Pink”10nLL−1, 12h, 20°C10μLL−1Prevented flower abscission and vase life reductionMacnish et al. (2000)
Gypsophila paniculate200nLL−1, 24h, 20°C0.7μLL−1Prevented senescence of flowersNewman et al. (1998)
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.200nLL−1, 6h, 20°C1-MCP continuously applied avoided leaf yellowing and flower senescenceSerek et al. (1998), Reid et al. (2002), and Trivellini et al. (2011)
Ixora coccinea “Big Red”100nLL−1, 8h, 20°CAvoided leaf abscissionMichaeli et al. (1999)
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana “Tropicana”5 or 20nLL−1, 6h, 20°C1μLL−1Prevented bud abscission, flowers, and leaves, and delayed senescenceSerek et al. (1994b, 1995b)
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (different varieties)200nLL−1, 6h, 20°CNo effectSerek and Reid (2000)
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana0.5, 2.5, 5 or 10nLL−1, 6h 20°C3μLL−1Prevented exogenous ethylene effectsSisler et al. (1999)
Leptospermum petersonii10nLL−1, 12h, 20°C10μLL−1Exogenous ethylene was prevented by treatment and avoided flower abscission and extended vase lifeMacnish et al. (2000)
L. scoparium10nLL−1, 12h, 20°C10μLL−1No effectsMacnish et al. (2000)
Lilium “Mona Lisa”500nLL−1, 18h, 25°C2–5μLL−1Prevented ethylene effects and reduced bud and flower abscissionÇelikel et al. (2002)
Lilium “Stargazer”500nLL−1, 18h, 25°C2–5μLL−1Avoided ethylene effects such as bud and flower abscissionÇelikel et al. (2002)
Lilium hybrids, Lilium longiflorum150nLL−1, 6h, 20°C10μLL−1Avoided the negative ethylene effects such as vase life reductionElgar et al. (1999)
Lupinus havardii “Texas Sapphire”450nLL−1, 12h, 15°CReduced flower abscission and weight lossPicchioni et al. (2002)
Matthiola incana20nLL−1 6h, 20°C1μLL−1Prevented ethylene vase life reductionSerek et al. (1995a)
Matthiola incana500nLL−1, 6h, 20°C1μLL−1Avoided flower abscission and extended vase lifeÇelikel and Reid (2002) and Ferrante et al. (2012)
Metrosideros collina0, 1.5, 15, or 150nLL−1, 6h, 20°C0.1μLL−1Reduced stamen abscissionSun et al. (2000)
Mokara (Arantha×Ascocentrum×Vanda)200nLL−1, 6hExtended vase lifeWongjunta et al. (2021)
Ozothamnus diosmifolius10nLL−1, 12h, 20°C10μLL−1No effectsMacnish et al. (2000)
Pelargonium×hortorum100 or 1000nL, 3, 6, 12, or 24h, 20°C1μLL−1Prevented petal abscissionJones et al. (2001)
Pelargonium zonale “Isabel”200nLL−1, 6h, 20°CDelayed leaf yellowing during storageSerek et al. (1998)
Pelargonium peltatum “Pink Blizzard”1000nLL−1, 2h, 22°C1.5μLL−1Delayed petal abscission of ethylene treated flowersCameron and Reid (2001)
Penstemon “Firebird”20nLL−1, 6h, 20°C1μLL−1Avoided vase life reduction exposed to exogenous ethyleneSerek et al. (1995a)
Petunia hybrida “Pink Cascade”150nLL−1, 6h, 22°C1–12μLL−1Avoided exogenous ethylene-induced membrane integrity losses and increased flower longevitySerek et al. (1995d)
Phalaenopsis “Herbert Hager”250nLL−1, 6h, 22°CAvoided ethylene production after pollinationPorat et al. (1995a)
Phlox paniculate “Rembrandt”25, 250, or 500nLL−1, 6h, 22°C0.3, 1 or 3μLL−1Avoided exogenous ethylene, flower abscission and vase life reductionPorat et al. (1995a)
Platysace lanceolata10nLL−1, 12h, 20°C10μLL−1No effectsMacnish et al. (2000)
Primula sinensi150nLL−1, 24h, 20°CIncreased the flower lifeGhasemzadeh et al. (2021)
Rosa damascene Mill. var. trigentipetala400mgm−31-MCP, 6h, 18±1°C.Extended vase lifeAli et al. (2022)
Rosa “Royal” and “Sunset”
Rosa “Vanilla” and “Bronze”
100nLL−1, 6h, 20°C
200nLL−1, 6h, 20°C
0.5μLL−1Avoided leaf abscission and flowers senescence, but did not prevent ABA effectsSerek et al. (1996) and
Müller et al. (1999)
R. hybrida “Victory Parade”5 or 20nLL−1, 6h, 20°C1μLL−1Avoided exogenous ethylene-induced bud abscission, flowers, leaves, senescence and extended vase lifeSerek et al. (1994b, 1995b)
Schlumbergera truncata “Dark Marie”20, 50 or 100nLL−1, 6h, 21°C0.5μLL−1Extended of flower lifeSerek and Sisler (2001)
Telopea “Shady Lady”10nLL−1, 12h, 20°C10μLL−1No effects on exogenous ethylene exposure on flower abscission and vase lifeMacnish et al. (2000)
Thryptomene calycina10nLL−1, 12h, 20°C10μLL−1No effectsMacnish et al. (2000)
Tulipa gesneriana “Apeldoorn”1nLL−1, 16h, 20°C0.3PaAvoided exogenous ethylene effectsDeEll et al. (2002)
Verticordia nitens10nLL−1, 12h, 20°C10μLL−1Avoided exogenous ethylene effects such flower abscission and vase life reductionMacnish et al. (2000)
Zieria cytisoides10nLL−1, 12h, 20°C10μLL−1No effectsMacnish et al. (2000)

Modified from Blankenship, S.M., Dole, J.M., 2003. 1-Methylcyclopropene: a review. Postharvest Biol. Technol. 28(1), 1–25.

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POSTHARVEST PHYSIOLOGY | Xylem Structure and Function in Cut Roses

H.M.C. Put, A.C.M. Clerkx, in Encyclopedia of Rose Science, 2003

Introduction

As cut flowers lack roots, root-supplied hormones and dissolved materials are no longer available. As transpiration continues unabated, water moves upwards from the cut end and allows air to enter the vascular system. This makes it difficult to reestablish the supply of water to leaves and flowers. Additionally, when water uptake is established, dissolved materials, microbes and particulate matter carried into the vascular system restrict the flow of water and shorten postharvest life.

The vase-life of cut greenhouse roses is, above all, dependent on water balance, which is affected by the water uptake by the flower, water transport through the stem and transpiration. Although the maintenance of an optimal water status is the most important factor in cut-flower longevity, many of the underlying mechanisms leading to disturbed water balance are still unresolved.

This article summarizes methods of assessing the water status of the cut-rose flower, analysis of factors leading to a disturbed water status, the relation of a disturbed water status to the xylem structure and the consequences of disturbed water status for vase-life.

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Specialty Cut Flowers

Allan M. Armitage, in Introduction to Floriculture (Second Edition), 1992

V. SUMMARY

Specialty cut flowers have a huge potential in the United States market. At the present time, many specialty flowers are imported. There is no doubt that the market for specialty flowers will continue to rise, but the sites of production are still uncertain. American growers are capable of producing as large a variety of flowers equalling or surpassing the quality of imported production. If the American grower is to compete with international growers, competition must be based on the quality of the product and effective marketing. American growers must have pride in their product, and “Grown in the U.S.A.” must mean that the flowers are true to name, color, and quality designation. Postproduction treatments must begin in the field, grading must be honest, and packing must be done with the contents in mind and not to see how many stems can be jammed together. “Grown in the U.S.A.” must become a recognizable and proven symbol of quality to wholesalers, florists, and consumers or the specialty cut flower market will be turned over to lawyers and brokers, with no interest in quality, and to overseas producers.

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Snapdragons

Marlin N. Rogers, in Introduction to Floriculture (Second Edition), 1992

C. Postharvest Physiology

Few cut flower crops are more responsive to good postharvest treatment than snapdragons. Freshly cut flower spikes of most cultivars will have a vase life of about 1 week in tap water or distilled water. When the best combination of flower preservatives is used, vase life can be increased two or three times.

Larsen and Scholes (1966) and Raulston and Marousky (1971) found that longest vase life, greatest number of florets opening, and greatest increase in spike length after cutting occurred when flowers were held in a solution containing 300 ppm of 8-HQC + 1.5% sucrose. The former researchers also found the addition of 25 ppm Alar (n-dimethylaminosuccinamic acid) to be beneficial. Johnson (1972) got best results from a solution of 300 ppm 8-HQC + 0.5% sucrose. Both light and floral preservatives are crucial for proper development of floret color in florets that open after harvest (Marousky and Raulston, 1970). Regardless of the solution used, spikes held in darkness produced little anthocyanin and were poorly colored. In the light, those spikes held in 8-HQC + sucrose produced much more intensely colored florets than those held in tap water. Light (2.15 klx) incident on the developing floret at the time of opening was critical for anthocyanin production.

Self-generated ethylene gas can be a prime cause of early senescence in cut snapdragons. One of the reasons for excellent results with hypobaric storage is the constant removal of trace quantities of ethylene from the storage atmosphere. Pretreatment of cut snapdragon stems for 20 hours immediately after harvest in a solution containing silver thiosulfate (STS) and sucrose inhibits ethylene action and added about 6 days vase life compared to distilled water controls (Nowak, 1981). The highly toxic silver ion, however, has not yet been cleared for commercial use in postharvest treatment of cut flowers in the United States.

Another approach to control of ethylene problems has involved use of chemicals to suppress ethylene formation (Wang et al., 1977). In this study, two analogs of rhizobitoxine and sodium benzoate were tested to determine the relationships between their effects on ethylene production by flowers and keeping quality. Both ethoxy and methoxy analogs of rhizobitoxine significantly reduced ethylene production and increased vase life. Like hypobaric storage, however, this treatment has also not yet gained commercial acceptance.

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Ethylene in floriculture

Hilary J. Rogers, ... Rakhee Dhorajiwala, in The Plant Hormone Ethylene, 2023

Abstract

The cut flower industry is an increasingly globalized market, of economic importance worldwide. It relies on the transport of high value and high-quality flowers across long distances. Flowers follow a genetically controlled developmental program that starts with floral initiation and ends with petal senescence and often abscission. Ethylene is a key regulator in this senescence process in many species. Understanding which species or varieties are more or less ethylene sensitive and controlling ethylene through the flower supply chain is a major contributor to flower quality for the consumer. Our understanding of ethylene biosynthesis and signaling is largely based on model species such as Arabidopsis. However, a better understanding of ethylene in different floral organs, in different species and interactions with other growth regulators is emerging and is reviewed in this chapter. Several approaches have been tried for delaying floral senescence through manipulation of ethylene levels and ethylene perception both through chemical means and by generating transgenic lines. The success of these approaches to date is considered, and future technologies are reviewed for their application to floriculture.

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Exogenous postharvest application of ROS for prolonging the shelf-life of horticultural crops

Vasileios Ziogas, in Oxygen, Nitrogen and Sulfur Species in Post-Harvest Physiology of Horticultural Crops, 2024

4.7 Cut-flowers

For fresh-cut flowers the extension of vase-life is an important factor that affects their ability to trade and travel long distances, thus increasing the economic profit of their commercial value (Weaver etal., 1998). It has been documented that the use of H2O2 (20, 40mg/dm) into the vase water influenced the postharvest quality of tuberose cut flower (delay of chlorophyll loss, inhibition of water loss from leaves, delay of browning and abscission of florets) and extended the vase-life up to 14–17days (Rahimian-Boogar etal., 2016). Also, in the work of Cocetta and Ferrante (2018) it was demonstrated the beneficial application of H2O2 toward the prolongation of rose vase-life. In their work, the inoculation of roses into H2O2 solution (0.1mM) for 24h, resulted to a significant increase of the vase-life, and a delay in flower opening and increased loss of chlorophyll content.

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Application of ROS, RNS, and RSS for prolonging the shelf-life of horticultural crops via the control of postharvest bacterial infections

Sajid Ali, ... Shaghef Ejaz, in Oxygen, Nitrogen and Sulfur Species in Post-Harvest Physiology of Horticultural Crops, 2024

7 Factors affecting vase life of cut flowers

The vase life of postharvest cut flowers is the most important aspect in the extension of their storage as well as shelf-life. The prolongation of the vase life potential remained the major challenge and most imperative factor which still needs to be extended in order to provide a broader marketability of the cut flowers in the world (Naing etal., 2022). Therefore, maintenance and conservation of cut flower quality along with shelf-life extension offer one of the major constraints for the sustainable supply chain operations of the cut flower industry (Hassan and Schmidt, 2004). In addition, exporters and commercial floriculturists need to extend the longevity and maintenance of the general quality of the cut flowers during postharvest conditions. Typically, cut flowers vase is conserved with the help of certain preservative solution types encompassingdisinfectants and energy source, i.e., sugars. The purpose of sugars in the vase solution is to ensure a sustained supply of energy and disinfectants to inhibit the microbe's proliferation (Ahmad etal., 2013; Akhtar etal., 2021). Among the different factors, the microbial infestation in the vase solution and cut ends of flowers also significantly influence the shelf-life and longevity of the cut flowers. Microbialinfections such as bacterial pathogens (among others) negatively affect the wateruptake (from vase solution) thereby significantly reducing the vase life of postharvest cut flowers (Van Meeteren and Schouten, 2013; Mohammadi etal., 2020; Fang etal., 2021; Naeemi etal., 2022).

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Orchids

Thomas J. Sheehan, in Introduction to Floriculture (Second Edition), 1992

D. Storage

Orchids, unlike many cut flowers, do not store for any length of time at 31°F. Flowers start turning brown in 3 days at this temperature and lose their salability very rapidly.

Because most orchid flowers are long-lived on the plants, up to 3 or 4 weeks, growers will often leave them on the plants until they are needed. If they must be cut and stored, they should be stored at 42° to 45°F. At this temperature, most orchids can be safely stored for a 10- to 14-day period. If orchids are not at their peak, then storage time will be less.

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Cut Flowers - an overview (2024)

FAQs

Cut Flowers - an overview? ›

Cut flowers are flowers and flower buds (often with some stem and leaf) that have been cut from the plant bearing it. It is removed from the plant for decorative use. Cut greens are leaves with or without stems added to the cut flowers for contrast and design purposes.

What is the importance of cut flowers? ›

They are used for decorating homes, in ceremonies, and as symbols of love, appreciation, respect, etc., in humane society. Various cut flower types have different vase lives, and the longevity of their freshness is affected by preharvest, harvest, and postharvest conditions and tools.

What do cut flowers symbolize? ›

They help express emotions we're reluctant to say aloud and reinforce the sentiment behind a gift. While any gift of flowers conveys thoughtfulness and brightens the day, certain blooms add another layer of meaning to bouquets, symbolizing love, friendship, joy, gratitude, or remembrance.

What is the theory of cut flowers? ›

' Cut flowers retain their original beauty and fragrance, but only so long as they retain the vitality that they have drawn from their now-severed roots, after that is exhausted, they wither and die.

How much money does a cut flower farmer make each year? ›

What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Flower Grower Jobs
CityAnnual SalaryHourly Wage
Scottsbluff, NE$51,622$24.82
San Mateo, CA$51,266$24.65
Richmond, CA$50,951$24.50
Irvine, CA$50,922$24.48
6 more rows

What is the problem with cut flowers? ›

SO WHAT ARE THE ISSUES? There are many variables that affect the environmental and ethical impact of cut flowers, such as growing conditions, pesticide use, import distance and method and working conditions.

What makes a good cut flower? ›

Longevity: A good cut flower should have a relatively long vase life, allowing you to enjoy its beauty for days rather than mere hours. Sturdy stems: Flowers with strong, sturdy stems are better equipped to withstand being cut and arranged in vases without wilting prematurely.

What is the spiritual meaning of flowers? ›

In the Bible, flowers often symbolize various virtues, such as love, faith, and hope, as well as significant events in the lives of biblical figures. For example, the lily represents purity, innocence, and resurrection, while the rose symbolizes love, beauty, and hope.

What is the cut flower culture quote? ›

“When we buy a bouquet of flowers, they are cut off from their roots. We bring them home and put them in water and enjoy their beauty—but only for a short time. Sooner or later, because of their lack of rootedness in a source of nutrients and life, they die.

What is the description of cut flowers? ›

Cut flowers are flowers and flower buds (often with some stem and leaf) that have been cut from the plant bearing it. It is removed from the plant for decorative use.

What is the history of cut flowers? ›

Formal cut flower production began in the Netherlands in the 16 and 1700's with the development of the greenhouse. Greenhouses allowed the forcing of outdoor plants so they could be produced out of season and the flowers sold.

Why are cut flowers so expensive? ›

Quality of Flowers: Florists typically source high-quality, fresh flowers for their arrangements. This quality comes at a cost, as premium flowers are often more expensive to grow and maintain. Labor and Expertise: Crafting floral arrangements requires skill, creativity, and time.

What are the two biggest places for cut flower production? ›

Florida has the highest cut flower sales in the nation, followed by California (NASS, 2022). The cut flower industry in Utah is small, with approximately 40 acres dedicated to producing cut flowers in 2022, but it is dynamic and rapidly growing (Curtis & Stock, 2023).

Who is the largest cut flower producer? ›

The Netherlands stands as the global leader in flower production, renowned for its vibrant tulip fields and advanced horticultural practices. With an estimated production capacity of over 12 billion flowers annually, the country dominates the international flower market.

Are cut flowers good for the environment? ›

On top of pollutants and water use, flowers can generate serious carbon emissions because of refrigeration and long-haul transport. Stems may be transported up to 6,000 miles in refrigerated airplane holds.

What is the importance of flowers to a plant? ›

Functions: Reproduction and Multiplication: Flowers are the reproductive structures in plants and lead to formation of fruit and seed after fertilization. Ornamental value: Some flowers are bright colored and have strong fragrance and therefore can be used for decorative purposes.

What is use for cutting flowers? ›

Pruning shears are a type of scissors used for cutting plant stems. Floral designers look to pruners for cutting through tough, woody stems that are not easily cut with knives. A paring knife can be a good substitute for a cut-flower knife, but the blade may be too long and, therefore, difficult to hold and control.

Does cutting flowers encourage more blooms? ›

Warm-season annuals for attracting pollinators include basil and zinnia, as well as spiderflower, cosmos, sunflower and Mexican sunflower. A complete list of annuals for a variety of planting conditions can be found on the HGIC website. Cutting flowers from your garden encourages more blooms.

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