Post-Harvest PhysiologyPost-Harvest Physiology

Flower ProcessingFlower Processing

Floral DesignFloral Design

Ornamental HorticultureOrnamental Horticulture

Plant PhysiologyPlant Physiology

Flower food contains:Flower food contains: a bio-inhibitor a bio-inhibitor

like like bleachbleach to kill bacteria to kill bacteria

a a sugarsugar compound for the compound for the flower food flower food helps flowers openhelps flowers open

an an acidifieracidifier to maintain the to maintain the pH levelpH level

General Background Info: General Background Info: Fresh Flower FoodFresh Flower Food

General Background Info:General Background Info:Flower PlumbingFlower Plumbing

Xylem & PhloemXylem & Phloem These are the tubes These are the tubes

that move water and that move water and food products food products up and downup and down the the stem of the plant.stem of the plant.

General Background Info:General Background Info:Old, Dead FlowersOld, Dead Flowers

EthyleneEthylene This is the This is the aging hormone gasaging hormone gas

from plants. from plants. It causes It causes flower blooms to openflower blooms to open.. It can also cause premature It can also cause premature

agingaging of flowers. of flowers.

When Flowers arrive: When Flowers arrive: Processing FlowersProcessing Flowers 1. Debunch 1. Debunch

Take flowers Take flowers out of plastic sleevesout of plastic sleeves to release any to release any ethylene gas.ethylene gas.

Cut open the bundlesCut open the bundles so the blooms have room to so the blooms have room to open and breath.open and breath.

2. Cut & Clean Stems2. Cut & Clean Stems Make a Make a fresh cutfresh cut, about , about 1 inch1 inch from the bottom to from the bottom to

provide a new water source for the flower stem.provide a new water source for the flower stem. RemoveRemove any any lower leaveslower leaves that will be underwater. that will be underwater.

Step by Step by Step:Step:

3. Place in 3. Place in flower solutionflower solution Be sure flowers are able to “Be sure flowers are able to “drinkdrink” the flower ” the flower

solution for at least solution for at least 1 hour1 hour at room temperature. at room temperature.

When Flowers arrive: When Flowers arrive: Condition FlowersCondition Flowers

Step by Step by Step:Step:

After Processing: After Processing: Storing FlowersStoring Flowers

4. After drinking for an hour, its time 4. After drinking for an hour, its time to “harden” the flowers.to “harden” the flowers. Place them in the Place them in the coolercooler ( (3636ºº F F)) Most common flowers should be stored Most common flowers should be stored

at at 34 – 38 degrees F34 – 38 degrees F..

Step by Step by Step:Step:

Tropical FlowersTropical Flowers Store at temperatures between Store at temperatures between

55 – 75 degrees F55 – 75 degrees F Keep air humid Keep air humid

mist with watermist with water

Special CircumstancesSpecial Circumstances

Special CircumstancesSpecial Circumstances Curving StemsCurving Stems

For roses and tulips, leave the For roses and tulips, leave the plastic sleevesplastic sleeves on on while letting them ‘drink’ the floral solution, to prevent while letting them ‘drink’ the floral solution, to prevent curving stems.curving stems.

Special CircumstancesSpecial Circumstances StrippingStripping roses roses

Be careful not to strip the ‘Be careful not to strip the ‘barkbark’ because the xylem is right ’ because the xylem is right below the surface, rather than in the center of the stem.below the surface, rather than in the center of the stem.

Special CircumstancesSpecial Circumstances

Gerbera Daisies: Gerbera Daisies: Use chicken wire to Use chicken wire to support the flower headssupport the flower heads

to prevent bent neck.to prevent bent neck. Also, keep them in just enough Also, keep them in just enough waterwater, about , about

2 – 4 inches2 – 4 inches. Their stems are spongy and . Their stems are spongy and absorb lots of water, which can cause them to absorb lots of water, which can cause them to wilt prematurely.wilt prematurely.

Storing FoliageStoring Foliage GreensGreens, like leather leaf and other plumosa ferns, , like leather leaf and other plumosa ferns,

can be stored in the cooler without a water bucket.can be stored in the cooler without a water bucket. Keep foliage wet, Keep foliage wet, hose downhose down the bunches. the bunches. Keep foliage Keep foliage wrapped in plastic bagswrapped in plastic bags inside the inside the

boxes to boxes to prevent drying outprevent drying out..

TropismsTropisms Tropisms is Tropisms is when flower when flower

stems curvestems curve.. We want to prevent this We want to prevent this

problem when problem when storing storing flowersflowers. .

PhototropismPhototropism This is when flowers curve This is when flowers curve

towards a light sourcetowards a light source.. like turning toward a like turning toward a windowwindow

TropismsTropisms GeotropismGeotropism

This is when flowers curve up This is when flowers curve up away away from gravityfrom gravity. . growing growing upwardsupwards, when laying down, when laying down