Strategies for Ensuring Fresher Cut Flowers
Dr. Michael Reid, University of California, Davis, $39,000, 2 year project
2005 Annual Progress Report
INDUSTRY NEEDS ADDRESSED
This research project is focused on improving the postharvest handling and postharvest performance of floral crops. The overriding need of the cut flower industry is to increase the consumption of flowers in the United States, which is low compared to most industrialized countries. A doubling of consumption (to the level seen in Holland), or even tripling (to that of Switzerland) would dramatically alter the balance between supply and demand, resulting in higher returns to all segments of the industry. The key to increasing consumption, as seen in the U.K., is improving the vase life of cut flowers, primarily through improving handling and temperature management in the marketing chain. In addition we have continued our efforts to develop tools for predicting residual vase life and basic studies with the long-term goal of breeding longer-lasting flowers.
To view full report click here.
For further information contact Dr. Michael Reid at msreid@ucdavis.edu
