Post-harvest handling of cut Kniphofia

Abstract

Cold storage and floral preservative treatments were evaluated on post harvest quality of Kniphofia uvaria 'Flamenco 'flowers. Stems wrapped with wet newspapers stored at 4 °C showed better Post harvest performances than ‘d ry' stored stems. Cut stems were placed in floral solutions (Standard Vase solution ( ‘SVS ), Chrystal clear®, Flora 2000®, Flower fresh™), A biocide (8-HQS), a biological extract (Biovin®) and control (tap water) vases. Fresh weight, vase life, flower colour, water uptake and transpiration were noted for the vase period. Stems treated with Flora 2000® or Flower fresh™ Produced the longest vase life (6.90 or 6.51 d respectively). The C1E colour value, a * (red) increased in all floral solutions whereas the b * (yellow) value increased in flower stems kept in SVS and Flora 2000® vases. Flower lightness (L*) was increased in flowers placed in ‘SVS', ‘Flower fresh and Flora 2000 'vases. Lowest vase osmotic potential was observed in ‘Flower fr e sh ' (-2,00 mmol/kg) and it was positively correlated with flower dry weight (r2 = 0.78). Positive correlations between stem osmotic potential (r2 = 0.47) or initial a* (r2 = 0.53) and negative correlation between flower Soluble solid concentration (r2 = -0.55) and vase life were observed For cold storage, flower stems Wrapped with wet newspapers is considered the best option, reducing geotropic bending in storage Period and maintaining flower quality in vase period.