Articles
CONTROL OF CUT FLOWER OPENING
Article number
181_4
Pages
45 – 54
Language
Abstract
The postharvest life of many flowers includes a period during which the flower opens from the bud or near-bud stage.
New techniques for handling of cut flowers may include greater use of bud harvest and storage, and would therefore require better understanding of the mechanisms of bud opening.
These mechanisms vary for different flowers, and include: growth of the petals (as in carnations, chrysanthemums and roses); reorientation of the petals (as in many members of the Compositae); growth of the pedicel (as in iris); reorientation of the pedicel (as in bird-of-paradise); untwisting of the petals (as in cyclamen), and abscission of the calyx to allow unfurling of fully developed petals (as in poppies). These processes are sensitive to, and may even be controlled by, a range of environmental influences, notably temperature, water supply, carbohydrate supply, and light.
New techniques for handling of cut flowers may include greater use of bud harvest and storage, and would therefore require better understanding of the mechanisms of bud opening.
These mechanisms vary for different flowers, and include: growth of the petals (as in carnations, chrysanthemums and roses); reorientation of the petals (as in many members of the Compositae); growth of the pedicel (as in iris); reorientation of the pedicel (as in bird-of-paradise); untwisting of the petals (as in cyclamen), and abscission of the calyx to allow unfurling of fully developed petals (as in poppies). These processes are sensitive to, and may even be controlled by, a range of environmental influences, notably temperature, water supply, carbohydrate supply, and light.
Authors
M. S. Reid, R. Y. Evans
Keywords
Online Articles (72)