ISHS Acta Horticulturae 683: V International Symposium on New Floricultural Crops
STORAGE AND SIMULATED SHIPPING OF CUT ´RENAISSANCE RED´ POINSETTIAS |
| Author: | J.M. Dole |
| Keywords: | Euphorbia pulcherrima, vase life, cut flower, ´Winter Rose´, postharvest physiology |
| Abstract:
The effect of several storage and handling treatments on the vase life of cut ‘Renaissance Red’ poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) stems was investigated. Removing all foliage increased vase life and delayed cyathia abscission. Stems with 100% of foliage (9 to 11 leaves) had fewer days to first abscised leaf than stems with 50% foliage (5 leaves) remaining. Allowing cut stems to dehydrate for 24 h at 20 °C caused the inflorescences to wilt severely and allowed them to be more easily packed in a box. However, wilting reduced vase life and hastened leaf abscission, but had no effect on cyathia abscission. Cut stems tolerated 12 or 24 h dry storage at 1 or 5°C with no decrease in vase life which averaged 24.5 to 28.2 days in deionized (DI) water. Storing cut stems wet at 1 or 5°C for 12 or 24 h reduced vase life to 13.3 to 20.2 days. Storage for 48 h at 1 or 5°C either wet or dry reduced vase life compared to 12 or 24 h storage. Increasing storage duration decreased the number of days to first leaf and cyathia abscission, regardless of storage conditions. Light during 10°C long term storage had no effect on vase life or days to first cyathia or leaf abscission. | |
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