Post-Harvest PhysiologyPost-Harvest PhysiologyFlower ProcessingFlower Processing

Floral DesignFloral DesignOrnamental HorticultureOrnamental HorticulturePlant PhysiologyPlant Physiology

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

like bleach to kill bacterialike bleach to kill bacteria a sugar compound for the a sugar compound for the

flower food flower food helps flowers openhelps flowers open

an acidifier an acidifier to maintain the pH levelto maintain the pH 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 up food products up and down the stem and down the stem of the plant.of the plant.

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

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

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

aging of flowers.aging of flowers.

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

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

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

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

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

Step by Step by Step:Step:

3. Place in flower solution3. Place in flower solution Be sure flowers are able to “drink” the flower Be sure flowers are able to “drink” the flower

solution for at least 1 hour at room temperature.solution for at least 1 hour 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 4. After drinking for an hour, its

time to “harden” the flowers.time to “harden” the flowers. Place them in the cooler!Place them in the cooler! Most common flowers should be Most common flowers should be

stored at 32 – 38 degrees F.stored at 32 – 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 plastic sleeves on For roses and tulips, leave the plastic sleeves 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 Stripping rosesStripping roses

Be careful not to strip the ‘bark’ because the xylem is right Be careful not to strip the ‘bark’ 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 support the flower heads to Use chicken wire to support the flower heads to prevent bent neck.prevent bent neck.

Also, keep them in just enough water, about 2 – 4 Also, keep them in just enough water, about 2 – 4 inches. Their stems are spongy and absorb lots of inches. Their stems are spongy and absorb lots of water, which can cause them to wilt prematurely.water, which can cause them to wilt prematurely.

Storing FoliageStoring Foliage Greens, like leather leaf and other plumosa ferns, Greens, 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, hose down the bunches.Keep foliage wet, hose down the bunches. Keep foliage wrapped in plastic bags inside the Keep foliage wrapped in plastic bags inside the

boxes to prevent drying out.boxes to prevent drying out.

TropismsTropisms Tropisms is when flower Tropisms is when flower

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

problem when storing problem when storing flowers. flowers.

PhototropismPhototropism This is when flowers curve This is when flowers curve

towards a light source.towards a light source. like turning toward a windowlike turning toward a window

TropismsTropisms GeotropismGeotropism

This is when flowers curve up away This is when flowers curve up away from gravity. from gravity. growing upwards, when laying downgrowing upwards, when laying down