![]() ![]() Under these situations, supplements can be provided to the flowers by adding table sugar (sucrose) to the vase solutions. When the stored carbohydrates are low, leaves and flowers senesce rapidly and petals that develop at low sugar levels have pale colors. The maintenance of the metabolic activities, including respiration, even for flowers that are harvested when fully developed, requires that adequate reserves are provided in order to achieve a reasonable postharvest life. These stored carbohydrates can be mobilized for the flower bud to use but may be insufficient when the buds are harvested at a tight-bud stage. The development of these flower buds requires food (carbohydrates), which is stored in the leaves and stems. Sugars: Many flowers are harvested before they are fully developed, to ensure a long postharvest life and to minimize mechanical damages that might occur during handling. However, placing all field-grown cut flowers in a preservative solution will extend their postharvest life and keep their quality. Providing external sugar to flowers harvested during fall is therefore more crucial than to those harvested in the summer. In the Northeast region, the postharvest quality of many field-grown cut flowers declines in the fall season as the temperatures drop and the number of hours for photosynthetic activities is reduced. Time of Year and Flower Quality: It has long been known to the cut flower industry that flowers produced in the greenhouse during winter, when the natural light intensity is low and the days are short, are often of lower quality than those produced at other times of the year. ![]() In this article, I will discuss how sugars affect the postharvest quality of cut flowers and what a grower can do to optimize their postharvest performance. Factors such as the stage and time of day of harvesting, bunching, sleeving, boxing (if necessary), temperature treatment, and the holding solution will all influence the quality and longevity of the flowers. Steps to delay the process rely on consideration of many aspects of handling. Once harvested from the plant, flowers undergo physiological changes that often lead to an early senescence. Therefore, growing those beautiful field-grown flowers is only part of what it takes to have a successful cut flower business. Introduction: As more and more growers are expanding their businesses by growing field-grown cut flowers, it is important to understand that all handling, from harvesting to marketing, will significantly affect the quality and the longevity of the flowers. Sugar and Acidity in Preservative Solutions for Field-Grown Cut Flowers ![]()
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