ISHS Acta Horticulturae 405: VI International Symposium on Postharvest Physiology of Ornamental Plants
PRODUCTION FACTORS AFFECT THE POSTPRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF POINSETTIA - A REVIEW |
| Authors: | Terril A. Nell, Ria T. Leonard, James E. Barrett |
| Abstract:
Poinsettia longevity and quality are influenced by production and postproduction factors. Postproduction disorders include premature leaf, bract and cyathia abscission, epinasty, bract fading, leaf yellowing, and bract edge burn (BEB). Cultivars vary considerably in their tolerance to postproduction disorders. High average daily production temperatures or use of a negative DIF (low day/warm night temperatures) increases cyathia drop. Use of a negative DIF has been shown to increase the incidence of BEB. Production temperature has not been shown to have a significant influence on leaf drop. High irradiance levels are necessary for optimum growth, bract color development and cyathia retention prior to and following anthesis. Low fertilizer levels (3 grams/15 cm pot of Osmocote 14–14–14 or 250 mg N/liter liquid fertilizer at every watering) minimizes leaf drop. Higher fertilizer levels may increase leaf drop and increase the incidence of BEB. Plants must be shipped at temperatures between 13C to 16C to avoid bract discoloration resulting from chilling injury. Light levels indoors must be equal to or greater than 7 to 10 μmol m-2 s-1 unless temperature is between 16C to 21C to avoid leaf drop. | |
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