{"id":2017,"date":"2021-06-11T13:42:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-11T13:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/afe.epicenter1.com\/news\/care-handling-resources-guides-and-research-for-cut-flowers"},"modified":"2024-03-22T18:15:24","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T18:15:24","slug":"care-handling-resources-guides-and-research-for-cut-flowers","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/endowment.org\/es\/news\/care-handling-resources-guides-and-research-for-cut-flowers","title":{"rendered":"Care & Handling Resources, Guides, and Research for Cut Flowers"},"content":{"rendered":"

When the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers<\/a> recently announced their Cut Flowers of the Year<\/strong>, the Endowment asked Dr. John Dole from NC State University to provide information on the handling of each crop. AFE has been supporting the important research at NC State for decades and is funding a new two-year project on long-term storage of cut flowers beginning in July.<\/p>

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Care & Handling for Cut Flowers<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>

\"Roses<\/p>

Fresh Cut Flower of the Year:\u00a0 Hellebore Ice N\u2019 Roses series<\/strong>.<\/span>\u00a0 Interest in hellebores as cut flowers has steadily increased over the years, fueled by their durability and new genetics that feature outward-facing flowers in many colors and color combinations. Flowers can be harvested over a\u00a0long period \u2013 interestingly, the older flowers last longer.\u00a0 Harvesting can start when they are fully open, and the stamens are visible for a 7-day vase life, but flowers will last two weeks or more when harvested after the stamens have dropped or when the sepals are leathery, and the small central seed pods are developed.\u00a0 While single flowers can be harvested, stems with more than one flower will give a better show as the buds open.\u00a0 Note that the colors will darken as the flowers age; bright whites, pinks, and pale yellows are found on young flowers.\u00a0 Use a commercial holding preservative to extend the vase life by up to 7 more days.\u00a0 Flowers tolerate storage and shipping well; keep temperatures cold, 34-36F, for best results.<\/p>

Woody Cut Flower of the Year:\u00a0 Viburnum \u2018Roseum\u2019<\/strong>. <\/span>\u00a0Many of us know this plant as \u201csnowball bush\u201d for its large, round clusters of pure white flowers. For the most extended vase life of 7-10 days, harvest the flowers when the sepals have just turned bright white.\u00a0 The immature flowers can be picked anytime from tight bud to bright green before they turn white.\u00a0 Be aware, however, that vase life will be shorter, 5-7 days. Use a hydrator after harvest to prevent wilting and a holding solution to maximize vase life.\u00a0 Store in water or flower food at 34-36F.\u00a0 One drawback to snowball bush is that the flowers tend to come on all at once.\u00a0 Luckily, the elegant foliage makes a long-lasting cut as well. Harvest after it is mature.<\/p>

\"CloniBulb Cut Flower of the Year:\u00a0 Ranunculus \u2018Cloni Success Hanoi\u2019<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> The lushness of large, well-grown ranunculus flowers can be hard to beat, and \u2018Cloni Success Hanoi\u2019 is particularly striking with its soft pink petals.\u00a0 \u00a0Harvest buds when well colored and soft, but before they are open yet.\u00a0 For easiest handling, harvest in the morning when they are still closed up from the night.\u00a0 Using a holding solution will extend the vase life from up to a week to up to 10 days. Store at 34-36F in holding solution.<\/p>

Foliage Cut Flower of the Year:\u00a0 Baptisia \u2018Twilite Prairieblues\u2019<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span> Baptisias are a true multipurpose plant \u2013 flowers, seed pods, and foliage all make great cuts \u2013 one of the reasons they have become an important field-grown flower.\u00a0 The striking and long spikes of pea-shaped flowers and charming botanical pods should be enough, but the elegant blue-green foliage is the reason baptisia was selected as the Cut Foliage of the Year.\u00a0 The foliage is harvested when mature and can last up to two weeks.\u00a0 Foliage is prone to wilting \u2013 cut early in the day into water or commercial hydrator and put in the cooler immediately.\u00a0 Flowers are harvested when about 1\/3 of the spike is open.\u00a0 The pods start out green and age to black but can be cut anytime they reach full size.\u00a0 Flowers can last 7-10 days, but the lower florets tend to drop.\u00a0 Not surprisingly, anti-ethylene agents are likely effective with the flower spikes.\u00a0 The pods can last virtually indefinitely \u2013 just a little dusting off needed.\u00a0 Foliage, flowers, and pods all do well in a holding solution and can be stored at 36-41F.<\/p>

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Additional Postharvest Resources and Research<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>

\"\"<\/a>Production and postharvest handling of specialty cut flowers are essential to many growers. The Endowment has recognized the importance and the unique needs of these cut flowers for many years.\u00a0 AFE has funded numerous research projects on specialty cut flowers over the last 20 years. A wealth of information can be found across the AFE site, but some resources that we would specifically like to highlight are:<\/p>