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- Author or Editor: Virginia R. Walter x
- HortScience x
A 100 parts per million solution of potassium silicate was added to the nutrient solution of well established, hydroponically grown `Kardinal' rose plants. No significant effects of silicon were determined on post harvest life of the rose flowers harvested over a 3-month period as compared to flowers harvested from control plants grown without the silicon additive. Silicon additive did have a significant positive effect on the length of harvested stems.
The effect of vernalization and two growth regulators Fascination™ and Pro-Gibb® on the growth, inflorescence development and flowering of Ornithogalum `Chesapeake Snowflake' was studied. Regardless of bulb size, chilling bulbs for 3 weeks at 10°C before planting accelerated flowering of the first inflorescence and shorten leaf length by 3-5cm as compared to non-chilled bulbs. Fascination™ 10% 100 μL and Pro-Gibb® 200 ppm accelerated flowering of first inflorescence by large bulbs (8- to 10-cm circumference) as compared to controls. PGR treatments appear to have no effect on small bulbs (3-5-cm circumference).
Shipments of floral products to Pacific rim markets must meet stringent pest-free requirements. Conventional fumigation methods with methyl bromide will soon become unavailable. Studies show that controlled atmosphere (CA) environments can offer effective insect control. Currently, CA overseas marine shipping is occuring with fresh fruits and vegetables. These shipments use microprocessors to precisely control O2, CO2, temperature and relative humidity. This study is evaluating similar commercial shipments with fresh flowers and foliage under low temperature and low O2 and high CO2 atmospheres. Preliminary results with shipments conducted by TransFresh to Guam indicate that properly maintained CA shipments of 0.5 % O2 kill insects and that flowers in properly maintained atmospheres can withstand 14 days of marine shipment with minimum effect on post-harvest life. Adequate regulation of CA storage during transit seems to be the primary limitation to the expansion of floral markets using this method of shipment.
Abstract
Hydrocooling, forced air cooling, and hydrocooling plus forced air cooling techniques reduced the 7/8 mass mean cooling time of packaged potted chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) by 57, 43, and 70%, respectively, compared to cooling under normal refrigeration. Mass mean 7/8 cooling time for plants in boxes with 0, 1 or 5 sides exposed to normal air movement in refrigerated storage was 49, 21 and 10 hours, respectively. Plants hydrocooled and stored at 2°C for 0, 5, or 10 days had equal postharvest longevity upon removal compared to plants cooled to 2°C in 60 hours and subsequently stored for the same periods. Plants stored at 22°C displayed equal postharvest longevity after 5 days of storage but were inferior after 10 days storage compared to rapidly cooled plants. Reasons for determining plants inferior varied according to cultivar.