Flowers A to Z - Zinnia

Zinnia

Botanical Name :	Zinnia elegans
Common Name :	Zinnia
Product Use :	Cut Flower
Pronunciation :	ZIN-ee-a EL-e-ganz
Family Roots :	Member of the Asteraceae or Compositae (aster family). Native of Mexico. Common relatives include sunflower, yarrow, chrysanthemum and dahlia.
Personality :	Fully double, dahlia-shaped flowers, 2-3 inches across, with one flower per stem. Stems have a few coarse leaves, up to 24 inches long. Plant is an annual, classed as a dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined. No fragrance.
Availability :	Summer-early fall.
Flower Color :	White, pink, red, purple and yellow.
Decorative Life :	5-10 days.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	Low
Ethylene Comments :	Treatment with 1.0 ppm ethylene had no effect.
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	Remove bottom foliage if present, recut stems under water and place in flower food, hydration or bleach in water solution. Flower foods can greatly extend flower life but leaf damage can result if the solution is made too strong (over 1%), too weak (0.5%) and/or if the wrong flower food brand is used. Sugar can also stimulate ethylene synthesis but this should be of little concern since this species is not sensitive to this gas. Leaves decay and/or dry out easily and this can be hastened by some brands of fresh flower foods. One antitranspirant (Cloud Cover) offered some protection against powdery mildew. The use of floral foam can reduce vaselife.
Storage Specifics :	They can be stored wet at 36-38 F up to 5 days. Storage for seven days at 34F can be detrimental. Some data suggests that this species is chill sensitive and should be stored no lower than 41F.
Preharvest & Harvest Factors:	Harvest when flowers are fully open.
Tidbits :	Named for Johann Gottfried Zinn (1727-1759), a professor of medicine at Goettingen, Germany. The specific epithet name "elegans" means elegant. In its native Mexico, the zinnia was called "mal de ojos" by the Spaniards, who considered it ugly to the eye. However, Chain of Life Network member Terri Doyle reports that the "mal de ojos" meant they were so bright they hurt your eyes! Most modern zinnia cultivars are the result of crosses with the descendents of a single plant (known in the trade as "Old 66") found in an experimental planting at the Burpee Seed Co. Often grown in home gardens for cut flowers. Smaller types can be used in border gardens and planter boxes. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology lists this species as an allergy-safe pollen producing plant. Harvest flowers when fully open. The Compositae or aster family is vast, with over 20,000 species, and is also one of the most developed families. It was named Compositae because the flowers are actually a "composite" of many individual flowers into one head. Hence, when children pull one "petal" off at a time, saying "she/he loves me, loves me not", they are actually removing a complete flower, not just a petal. See More at Hoogasian Flowers A to Z: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html

Flowers A to Z - Yarrow

Yarrow, Fern-Leaf Yarrow

Botanical Name :	Achillea filipendulina
Common Name :	Yarrow, Fern-Leaf Yarrow
Product Use :	Cut Flower
Pronunciation :	a-KIL-ee-a fil-i-PEN-du-la
Family Roots :	Is a member of the Compositae (aster) family with common relatives such as zinnia, cosmos, ageratum, sunflower, lettuce and dandelion. Native to Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia.
Personality :	Stems to 40 inches, flat head flowers at stem ends, leaves finely divided at base, 8 x 2 inches in size. While some foliage in this genus have fragrance or a distinctive, this species generally has none.
Availability :	Mostly summer.
Flower Color :	Mostly yellow - gold, some white.
Decorative Life :	Years as a dried flower. Even fresh flowers can last for 3 weeks.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	Low
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	Stems often go bad before flowers. Therefore, select a flower food, hydration or bleach solution that offers some help to the stems as well as the flowers.
Storage Specifics :	'Coronation Gold' did not tolerate one week storage at 35F whereas 39 or 45F was better suggesting possible chilling sensitivity. As dried flowers, just about any temperature will do as long as disease organisms are prevented from growing.
Preharvest & Harvest Factors:	Harvest when flowers are fully open. Engle et al. (1994) noted that seed-propagated plugs can be stored at about 27F up to 6 weeks if given sufficient light and low temperature treatments prior to storage.
Tidbits :	Named after Achilles, who used the plant medicinally to heal his wounded soldiers. Yarrow stems were used by both the Druids and the Chinese to foretell the future. One yarrow leaf is said to speed decomposition of a wheelbarrow full of raw compost. Species used for cut flowers besides A. filipendulina (yellow) include A. millefolium (many colors), A. ptarmica (white), and A. 'Coronation Gold' (yellow). The Compositae or aster family is vast, with over 20,000 species, and is also one of the most developed families. It was named Compositae because the flowers are actually a "composite" of many individual flowers into one head. Hence, when children pull one "petal" off at a time, saying "she/he loves me, loves me not", they are actually removing a complete flower, not just a petal. While many yarrow species tend to grow and spread rapidly in a garden setting to the point that they become weeds, this species will remain in relatively tight clumps. See More at Hoogasian Flowers A to Z: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html

Flowers A to Z - XSolidaster

XSolidaster

Botanical Name :	X Solidaster luteus
Common Name :	Solidaster, Aster, Golden Solidaster
Product Use :	Cut Flower
Pronunciation :	so-li-DAS-ter LOO-tee-us
Family Roots :	Member of Asteraceae or Compositae (aster family). Native of France. Common relatives include sunflower, daisy, gerbera, chrysanthemum and lettuce.
Personality :	Many small daisy-like flowers in loose, branching clusters at stem ends. Stems leafy, 18-24 inches long. Plant is a herbaceous perennial, classed as a dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined. No fragrance.
Availability :	Nearly year-round.
Flower Color :	Yellow.
Decorative Life :	7-10 days.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	Low
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	Remove bottom leaves if present, recut stems under water and place in plain tap water containing regular household bleach at 20 drops (1/4 teaspoon) per quart. Can be stored dry 5-6 days at 36-41 F.
Storage Specifics :	32-38 degrees F.
Tidbits :	Solidaster is an intergeneric hybrid, a cross between Aster and Solidago (goldenrod) originating in Lyon, France at the Leonard Lille Nursery in 1910. The "X" in front of the genus name indicates that it is a cross between two genera. The specific epithet name "luteus" means yellow, in reference to the flower color. Is sometimes mistakenly identified as Solidago missouriensis. The Compositae or aster family is vast, with over 20,000 species, and is also one of the most developed families. It was named Compositae because the flowers are actually a "composite" of many individual flowers into one head. Hence, when children pull one "petal" off at a time, saying "she/he loves me, loves me not", they are actually removing a complete flower, not just a petal. Good as a filler. See More at Hoogasian Flowers A to Z: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html

Flowers A to Z - Waxflower

Waxflower

Botanical Name :	Chamelaucium uncinatum
Common Name :	Waxflower, Geraldton Wax-flower
Product Use :	Cut Flower
Pronunciation :	cham-e-LAW-see-um un-si-NAY-tum
Family Roots :	Member of the Myrtaceae (myrtle) family. Native to Australia. Related species include Eucalyptus, bottlebrush and Leptospermum.
Personality :	Flowers 1/2 inch across, occur along stems with needle-like leaves. Stems 24-36 inches long. Plant is a woody shrub, classed as a dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined. Flowers are not fragrant.
Availability :	Nearly year-round.
Flower Color :	White, pink, purple, cream, rose.
Decorative Life :	Mostly 5-9 days but varies greatly depending on species and cultivar. For example, Faragher et al. (2000) report that 'Newmarracarra' had a 5 day vaselife while 'Mullering Brook' lasted 12 days in the same experiment.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	High
Ethylene Comments :	Yes, flower and leaf fall as well as leaf yellowing can be the result. Treat with an anti-ethylene product. Both MCP and STS work well. However, when no external ethylene is present, STS and MCP add little if any vaselife. Treating for 12 hours with 10 ppb MCP at 35 or 68F resulted in ethylene protection for 2 and 4 days, respectively. In contrast, treating with 0.5 millimolar STS for the same 12 hours and the same 35 or 68F resulted in 10 days of protection.
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	Remove bottom leaves if present, recut stems under water and place into a fresh flower food solution. The addition of potassium chloride at 750 ppm to vase solutions can help to extend vaselife, probably through improvements in internal water balances. Dry storage and/or shipping induced water stresses can induce ethylene formation and the resulting ethylene-induced damages. Therefore, proper hydration steps must be taken and anti-ethylene treatments can reduce water stressed induced problems. Ethylene absorbing packets placed in boxes can reduce flower and leaf fall during transit.
Storage Specifics :	At 32-34 F, up to 2 weeks, treat with fungicide to prevent Botrytis. The presence of Botrytis during transport can greatly accelerate premature flower fall.
Preharvest & Harvest Factors:	Low nitrogen fertilization during production results in poor leaf color and contributes to leaf fall during transit while optimum nitrogen levels can increase vaselife. Depending on species and cultivar, harvest when 25-80% of the flowers are open.
Tidbits :	Chamelaucium: Greek for dwarf and white. The specific epithet name "uncinatum" means hooked at the point. Often grown in Australia and shipped to the US floral industry. Excellent filler for bouquets. This family is important economically for many edible fruits including guava, rose-apple, spices such as allspice and cloves, timber (eucalyptus) and many ornamental species. Water stress symptoms often appear on leaves before flowers. See More at Hoogasian Flowers A to Z: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html

Flowers A to Z - Vanda Orchid

Vanda Orchid

Botanical Name :	Vanda spp.
Common Name :	Vanda Orchid
Product Use :	Cut Flower
Pronunciation :	VAN-da
Family Roots :	Member of the Orchidaceae (orchid family). Native to Asia and Malaysia. Common relatives include Cymbidium, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum and Cattleya.
Personality :	Flowers flat, 2-4 inches across, lip reduced, in groups of up to 15 flowers on a stem. Stems leafless, 24-32 inches long. Plant is an epiphyte, classed as a monocotyledon, leaves mostly parallel veined. Some flower fragrance.
Availability :	Year-round.
Flower Color :	Blue, orange, yellow, pink and white, often spotted.
Decorative Life :	7-14 days.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	High
Ethylene Comments :	Treat with an anti-ethylene product.
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	Recut stems under water and place into a fresh flower food solution or water as flower foods seemingly offer few benefits. To reduce flower fading during transport, flowers can be held for 2-3 days under low oxygen (1.0-2.5%) and high carbon dioxide (1.5-2.0%) before shipment and shipped using normal procedures. Chilling sensitive, avoid damaging the pollen cap as this begins the rapid color loss and wilting processes.
Storage Specifics :	They can be stored at 55F for 5 days with no loss in quality but flower life is reduced by about 1/3 if stored for 10 days.
Preharvest & Harvest Factors:	Has a very high respiration rate compared to most other flowers and plants used by florists.
Tidbits :	Vanda coerulea has blue flowers, hybrids of V. teres and V. tricolor are white or yellow-orange, variety called 'Miss Joaquim' is lavender with a blue center. Orchids have long been highly sought after, probably for the unusual beauty of their design. Orchid hunters in the nineteenth century collected them by the ton, and chopped down as many as four thousand trees at one time for the Orchids growing on them. As an epiphyte, it is a plant in its native habitat that grows upon other plants but is not parasitic. It obtains its moisture from air. Vanda is an Indian name for this genus. Chilling injury or ethylene damage appears as translucent or dried patches on petals and sepals. One famous vanda is V. coerules (Blue Orchid) that comes from Northern India. Also, many Vanda orchids have been reclassified into other genera such as V. teres to Papilionanthe teres, a flower used extensively in the floral trade. See More at Hoogasian Flowers A to Z: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html

Flowers A to Z - Umbrella Tree

Umbrella Tree

Botanical Name :	Schefflera actinophylla (Brassaia actinophylla)
Common Name :	Umbrella Tree or Plant, Australian Umbrella-Tree
Product Use :	Foliage Plant
Pronunciation :	shef-LER-a ak-tin-o-FIL-uh
Family Roots :	Member of the Araliaceae (aralia or ginseng family). Native to Queensland. Commonly referred to as Brassaia actinophylla. Relatives include aralia, false aralia, ginseng, English ivy and fatsia.
Personality :	Classed as a dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined. Has leaves with long stalks, divided into 7-16 leaflets up to 12 inches long, radiating out like umbrella ribs.
Availability :	Year-round.
Flower Color :	Not applicable.
Decorative Life :	Years.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	Varies
Ethylene Comments :	Confusing data in the literature because some say that it is very sensitive while others the opposite. For example, only when ethylene levels were very high at about 5 ppm was there damage after exposure for 3 days at 74F. To be safe, may want to treat with MCP just prior to shipment.
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	Continuous leaf wetness for over 10 hours can greatly increase the chances of plant disease. Leaves may exhibit oedema, a disorder characterized by small bumps (pimples) on leaves that can take on a corky appearance. Oedema is thought to be caused by excessive water and/or humidity imbalances. Continuous lighting may result in lighter green to yellowish leaves. Water stressed plants are more susceptible to red spider mite attacks. Thus, do not allow the plants to wilt. Aphids can be a problem, especially on new growth.
Storage Specifics :	Chill sensitive, store above 50F. However, in one test series it was shown that this species could be stored at 45-55F for 28 days. Plants stored for 30 days in the dark at 64F exhibited a temporary reduction in plant quality upon removal from storage but plants recovered in about 3 weeks when placed in a reasonable environment. These differences in recommended storage temperatures might be due to cultivar and/or preharvest growing conditions. It is also reported that the foliage can turn grayish when growing media temperatures go below 60F for any extended period.
Preharvest & Harvest Factors:	Postharvest quality is not affected by the nitrate to ammonium nitrogen fertilization practices used during production. Plants grown under reduced light intensities often develop reduced light compensation points thus explaining why low light grown plants generally can do better under subsequent low light levels often encountered in homes and offices. By definition, the light compensation for a given plant is the minimum light intensity required when food respired equals food produced. However, in one test, plants grown under high light levels looked better after 3 months under interior conditions compared to those grown under lower light levels. Using growth retardants often produces more saleable plants.
Tidbits :	Named after J. G. Scheffler (1722-1811), a physician in Danzig. The presence of stem roots often means that there are problems with the normal roots. The cultivar 'Amate' does well under interior conditions and is fairly tolerant of red spider mites. While it is often treated as a low light loving plant, this species would prefer some direct sunlight, especially in fall and winter. If grown in Florida, plants should have been produced under 40-60% shade. Grown under lower light levels, plants are better adapted for the commonly encountered lower light levels when placed indoors. See More at Hoogasian Flowers A to Z: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html

Flowers A to Z - Tulip

Tulip

Botanical Name :	Tulipa spp. or T. gesnerana
Common Name :	Tulip
Product Use :	Cut Flower
Pronunciation :	TEW-li-pa
Family Roots :	Member of the Liliaceae (lily family). Native from Central Asia to Mediterrean area. Family relatives include lily, hyacinth, Ornithogalum and asparagus.
Personality :	Has goblet-shaped flowers with 6 petals (tepals), varying from slender and pointed to broadly rounded, one flower per stem, can be doubled, semi-doubled, and/or fringed among other possibilities. Leafless flower stems (scapes) are 12-18 inches long, one or two long leaves originate at base. Plant is a herbaceous perennial from a bulb, classed as a monocotyledon, leaves mostly parallel veined. Flower fragrance is slight with some cultivars.
Availability :	Can be year-round but mostly available in the winter to spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
Flower Color :	Many including red, yellow, orange, pink, purple, white and bicolors.
Decorative Life :	About 4-8 days depending mainly on cultivar and harvest stage.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	Varies
Ethylene Comments :	Generally not ethylene sensitive but some cultivars like 'Apeldoorn' can be sensitive. Petal (tepal) fall is not ethylene mediated. However, in most cases tulips should not be treated with anti-ethylene products since postharvest flower stalk elongation can be enhanced which is most often viewed as a negative attribute. On the other hand, if stems are too short, treating with STS or MCP could be beneficial! In any case, anti-ethylene products will not increase flower life.
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	Leave sleeves on when hydrating after shipping to prevent stem bending, cut stems above lower white portion for better water uptake and hold in the upright position to prevent bending. Unless local tests have proven otherwise, using flower food solutions seldom do better than plain water in extending tulip vaselife. However, using a flower food made with the sugar trehalose extended flower life over water and other flower food solution treatments. At least one flower food developed especially for tulips actually includes an ethylene releasing chemical that can be very effective in preventing the stem (scape) elongation growth after harvest! Stems often elongate making them grow out of their place in arrangements. This can be reduced by either growers treating them with growth regulators before harvest or using special flower foods that contain elongation inhibitors. Ethylene gas itself can reduce this postharvest elongation.
Storage Specifics :	Store at 32-34F is preferred, up to 5 days wrapped, in water. If storing longer, place dry stems vertically. Flowers can be stored for up to 10 days if the bulbs are still attached. When they were held wet or dry between 32 and 50F, no difference in vaselife was noted between wet and dry at a given temperature. However, there was an advantage for wet holding when held at 55F. Therefore, dry storage/transport is recommended unless high temperatures (greater than 40F) are possible.
Preharvest & Harvest Factors:	Harvest at the 50% color stage for most cultivars. However, some cultivars and some growing conditions require that a more mature flower stage be harvested. For example, 'Monte Carlo', 'Kees Nelis', 'Cassini' and 'Rosella' lasted on average 12% longer when harvested mature verses immature when they were flowered in the Southern Hemisphere as so-called "ice tulips." Tulip flower color depends greatly on local growing conditions. Treating bulbs with MCP prior to shipment and/or planting results in lower ethylene-induced problems such as gummosis. The more the air movement in areas where this species is being grown, the shorter the stem (peduncle) length.
Tidbits :	The name tulip is the Latinized version of the Arabic word "dulband" (turban). Turkish men customarily wore tulips tucked in the folds of their turbans. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology lists this species as an allergy-safe pollen producing plant. During the 17th century in Holland, the popularity of tulips resulted in "Tulipomania" and bulbs were incredibly expensive and the subject of financial speculation. The most prized tulips were the "broken" or striped flower forms. This condition is now known to be the result of a virus infection in the bulbs. The many cultivars are divided into groups based on flower form including single rounded, double rounded, lily-flowered (pointed petals), parrot (fringed petals). The flat side of tulip bulbs will present the largest leaf upon forcing. With over 3000 species, the lily family includes many medicinal and food species in addition to ornamental species. According to Creasy (1999), fresh petals are edible. Can be used in salads (especially chicken or shrimp) or tea sandwiches. See More Flowers A to Z at: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html

Flowers A to Z - Snapdragon

CLOSE

Snapdragon
Botanical Name :
Antirrhinum majus
Common Name :
Snapdragon
Product Use :
Cut Flower
Pronunciation :
an-ti-RYE-num MAY-jus
Family Roots :
Member of the Scrophulariaceae (figwort family). Native to Southwestern Europe and the Mediterranean region. Common relatives include foxglove, veronica, penstemon and calceolaria.
Personality :
Flowers are tubular, 1/2 long with rounded upper and lower petals. Stems leafy, 24-36 inches long. Plant is an annual, classed as a dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined. Slight fragrance, depending on cultivar.
Availability :
Year-round.
Flower Color :
A wide range of colors including white, pink, yellow, orange, red, burgundy and rose.
Decorative Life :
5-8 days.
Ethylene Sensitivity :
High
Ethylene Comments :
Flower shattering is the common response to ethylene exposure, with some newer cultivars being resistant. This species also produces high amounts of ethylene. Should be treated with an anti-ethylene product. As will be noted below, treating with an anti-ethylene product will also reduce stem bending when these flowers are placed horizontally.
Post HarvestCare Opportunities :
Remove bottom leaves if present, recut stems under water and place into a fresh flower food solution. However, be careful not to remove too much foliage as excessive foliage removal can promote premature flower drop. Stem tip breakage can occur during harvesting and subsequent handling and is related to both flower color and cell wall chemistry. In particular, red flowered cultivars break higher on the stem compared to yellow ones, which break lower. At this time there is no known cure other than preventative care by handling stems carefully. Stems are geotropic, tips bend up if stems held horizontally. Laying on a table for less than an hour may cause permanent bending. Therefore, store upright or if they have to be held horizontally, hold them at 32F to reduce or stop bending. Experimental calcium chelating solutions designed to prevent stem bending have been developed but not yet available commercially. However, treating with anti-ethylene products like STS, MCP, or AVG can greatly reduce stem bending.
Storage Specifics :
Store at 32-34 F, 1-2 weeks in water, longer in floral preservative. Best if stored dry. When stored wet, flower color will be better if they are exposed to some light in the cooler. Also, upright storage is preferred so as to reduce stem bending. Flowers stored at 32F for 5 days lasted 11 days in a vase compared to 6 days for those stored at 45F. In another study, flowers were held dry at 31F for 6 weeks with little loss in vaselife.
Preharvest &Harvest Factors:
Treating with an anti-ethylene product shortly after harvest can also reduce geotropic bending of the stems when they are placed horizontally for storage and/or transport. Harvest when flowers on the lower 1/4-1/3 of the spike are open. Another author states that they should be purchased when at least two to five flowers are open per stem.
Tidbits :
Called a calve s snout for the flower s snout-like shape, the botanical name Antirrhinum is Greek for like and nose. The specific epithet name majus means large. Favorite flowers in the earliest English gardens, research indicates that snapdragons were grown more for their beauty than for their medicinal usefulness. When grown as a garden plant, treat them as annuals although some may respond as perennials depending on cultivar and climate. The flower can be made to snap shut after separating and releasing the two-lipped corolla (united petals). The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology lists this species as an allergy-safe pollen producing plant. Some references say removal of the top bud helps to deter the stem's geotropic bending. Suitable for drying. Do not remove more leaves than needed as this can stimulate flower fall. Many species in this 3000 plus species family are grown for ornamental and medicinal purposes including slipperwort, speedwell, mullein, bearded-tongue, foxglove, snapdragon, toadflax, monkey-flower, cape-fuchsia, coral-plant, nemesia, and blue-lips. The common snapdragon for gardens with winter protection may remain perennial in all but the coldest parts of the country. Short-lived cultivars have from 40-110% (~400,000-1,000,000) more stomata per flowering stem than long-lived ones.

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Flowers A to Z - Rose

Rose

Botanical Name :	Rosa spp. and hybrids
Common Name :	Rose, Hybrid Tea, Sweetheart, Spray Roses
Product Use :	Cut Flower
Pronunciation :	ROW-za
Family Roots :	The most famous member of the Rosaceae (rose family). Native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere. Common relatives include almond, cherry, apple, raspberry, spirea, cotoneaster, firethorn, hawthorn, service-berry, quince, blackberry, Geum, prune, plum and pear.
Personality :	Flowers with many (~40-60) petals, 2-6 inches across at ends of stems or branchlets. Stems thorny, leafy, cut generally to 18-36 inches long. Plant is a deciduous shrub, classed as a dicotyledon. Flower fragrances go from none to various such as tea-like, spicy, musky, fruity or citrus.
Availability :	Year-round.
Flower Color :	Many including white, pink, yellow, orange, red, lavender and lots in between.
Decorative Life :	From 4-16 days.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	Varies
Ethylene Comments :	Some cultivars are sensitive to ethylene, with premature petal fall of malformed flowers the result. Therefore, one may want to treat with an anti-ethylene product.
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	Remove bottom leaves if present, recut stems under water and place into a hydration solution followed by flower food or directly into a fresh flower food solution. In very recent research (Reid, et al., 1998), it was shown that using a hydration solution is not an advantage and that roses can be placed and stored in flower food solution for best overall results. Consider testing postharvest fungicide dips or sprays if Botrytis is a continuing problem. One recommended dip treatment is using Ornalin-50WP at 1.5-3.0 pounds per 100 gallons of water or Phyton-27 at 10-12.5 ounces per 100 gallons of water. Some cultivars respond well to the addition of a wetting agent, especially if they are to be (or were) dry stored. One wetting agent that works well is Agral-LN as well as many types classified as alkylethoxylates. The presence of hooks will only reduce flower life if held in water. The highest flower respiration rate is before the flowers are harvested, when the calyx is reflexing away from the flower bud. Using flower foods can help overcome some of the negative effects of chemicals leaching out of rose leaves when they are below the water line in vases and buckets. Botrytis fungal infection appears as brown blotches on petals or fuzzy gray patches on stems or leaves. To reduce chances of infection, maintain relative humidity below 94% and keep foliage and flowers dry. It is also important to know that some cultivars are less susceptible to Botrytis such as 'Escimo', 'Sugar Baby', 'Frisco', 'Mercedes', 'Lambada' and 'Tina'.
Storage Specifics :	Best at 32-34F, wet or dry for 1-2 weeks. When 'Ambiance' was held wet or dry between 32 and 50F, no difference in vaselife was noted between wet and dry at a given temperature. However, there was an advantage for wet holding when held at 55F. Therefore, dry storage/transport is recommended unless exposure to high temperatures (>40F) is possible. Controlled atmosphere (low oxygen and/or high carbon dioxide) storage of 'First Red' either was of no benefit or was detrimental
Preharvest & Harvest Factors:	Harvesting flowers just one day too soon can result in ~37% less water going through the region right below the flower thus greatly increasing the chances for bent neck. Cultivar and root stock decision can greatly influence postharvest characteristics. If irrigation water is used that is at a lower temperature than the production air temperature, stomata development can be altered and thereby result in flowers that do not last as long a vaselife compared to plants irrigated with water at or above the production air temperature. Flowers produced under warmer night temperatures (~63F) opened better after harvest than those grown cooler night (~55F) night temperatures. Flowers grown in greenhouses with air movement of 30 feet (9.1 meters) per minute or more will develop about half the Botrytis infection compared to no air movement. At about 18 feet (5.5 meters) per minute infection is reduced by about 15%. The vaselife of 'Garnette', 'Zorina' and 'Bacarra' decreased as growing temperatures decreased. The best vaselive was obtained when flowers were grown at 70-75F. Vase solution uptake is improved for warmer grown flowers. For example, roses grown at 75F took up about twice as much vase solution as ones grown at 54F. Roses grown under low temperatures can have more chemicals in their leaves that can reduce flower live when they leach out of leaves that are below the water line in vases or buckets compared to roses grown at higher temperatures.
Tidbits :	Cut flowers sold in several forms: hybrid tea (large, one flower per long stem), sweetheart (smaller, one flower per shorter stem), spray (several small flowers on branched stem). Even in the Middle Ages, when most plants were grown solely for practical or medicinal purposes, the rose was cultivated for its beauty alone. Yet, the rose "hip" or flower base has been known for many years as a source for vitamin C. Today there are hundreds of rose cultivars. With names like Ingrid Bergman, Movie Star, Lipstick , Sexy Rexy and Vogue, we are reminded of what the image of the rose evokes feelings of romance, passion, enchantment and fascination. You cannot go wrong making a loving statement with roses. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology lists this species as an allergy-safe pollen producing plant. According to Creasy (1999), fresh petals are edible. Can be used in jellies, rose water, vinegars, honey, syrups, salads and sorbets. Rose cultivars are often known to consumers because this is nearly the only flower sold by florists that retain their cultivar names. Common ones include Madame Delbard and Visa (red), Osiana (peach), Aalsmeer Gold (yellow), Eskimo (white), Tango and Mercedes (orange) and Peckabo and Sonia (pink). More non-red cultivars should be marketed based on consumer research. Problems and cultivar examples include bent neck (Cara Mia), improper opening due to ethylene (Royalty) or too many petals (Classy), petal drop due to ethylene (Lovely Girl), breaking at upper leaf node (Visa), petal blackening (Royalty) and entire flower fall (Osiana).
Recent Research Findings :	Using 'Scarlet Pimpernel', Williamson et al. (1995) showed clearly that relative humidity above 94% stimulated Botrytis development on petals within 24 hours at 60F, even when no free water was present on the petals! This finding goes against the common belief that free water had to be present for the disease to develop. Using 'Sonia', de Stigter (1980) showed that ~50% of the water loss of a cut rose is via the petals with the remaining ~50% via leaves. Using 'Sonia', Ferreira and de Swardt (1981) showed that flowers with all leaves removed lasted 12 days in flower food and 10 days in deionized water. However, with 4 leaves remaining, those in flower food lasted 16 days and 6 days in deionized water. The end result is to make sure that at least 4 leaves remain on every stem and flower food is utilized. See More at Hoogasian Flowers A to Z: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html

Flowers A to Z - Queen Anne's Lace

Queen Anne's Lace, Wild Carrot

Botanical Name :	Daucus carota
Common Name :	Queen Anne's Lace, Wild Carrot
Product Use :	Cut Flower
Pronunciation :	DAU-cus ka-ROT-a
Family Roots :	Member of the Apiaceae or Umbelliferae (parsley) family. Native to Europe, North Africa and Asia. Related species include parsley, dill, fennel, anise and parsnip.
Personality :	Tiny white flowers occur in flat "lacy" clusters at the ends of stems. Leaves are finely cut and divided and stems are up to 3 feet long. Plant is a biennial, classed as a dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined. Flowers have no fragrance.
Availability :	Most of the year.
Flower Color :	White to yellowish.
Decorative Life :	3-7 days.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	High
Ethylene Comments :	Yes, flower fall is the result. Treat with an anti-ethylene product.
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	Remove bottom leaves if present, recut stems under water and place into a fresh flower food solution. Or, place into a bleach solution made from about 20 drops (1/4 teaspoon) in a quart of water. Flower fall due to ethylene and/or water stress is a common problem.
Storage Specifics :	Store at 32-38F in high humidity.
Tidbits :	Widely naturalized weed in North America. Roots are somewhat similar to carrot (D. Carota var. sativa) but not as big nor as bright orange. Ammi visnaga (false queen anne's lace or bisnaga) is sometimes confused with this species but this species has green flowers. Similar flowers often sold by florists are actually Ammi majus (Bishop's Weed). Because stems are easily water-stressed, it does not perform well in floral foam unless stems are cut short. Plants of this family often exhibit strong or pungent odors, many are grown for food, flavoring and medicinal reasons while some are also grown for ornamental purposes. See More at Hoogasian Flowers A to Z: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html

Lily is May Birth Month Flower

Lily of the Valley

Botanical Name :	Convallaria majalis
Common Name :	Lily of the Valley
Product Use :	Cut Flower
Pronunciation :	kon-va-LAH-ree-a mah-JA-lis
Family Roots :	Member of the Liliaceae (lily) family. Native to Europe. Related species include lily, tulip, asparagus, daylily.
Personality :	Nodding, bell-shaped flowers occur in loose, one-sided clusters at stem ends. Stems 8-10 inches long, bearing 6-8 clusters of flowers. Plant is a herbaceous perennial from a rhizome, classed as a monocotyledon, leaves mostly parallel veined. Flower fragrance is sweet, mild.
Availability :	Mainly spring but some year-round.
Flower Color :	White, pink.
Decorative Life :	3-6 days.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	More research needed
Ethylene Comments :	Likely to be ethylene sensitivity but unknown at this time. To be safe, treat with an anti-ethylene product.
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	Recut stems under water and place into a fresh flower food solution. Flowers tend to wilt quickly if exposed to heat or poor air circulation, green buds may not open.
Storage Specifics :	30-32F for 2-3 weeks if rhizomes still are attached, store cut stems at 32-34F in water or dry for up to 5 days. At 36-40F, unopened flowers turned yellow, pathogen growth increased and vaselife decreased.
Tidbits :	From the Latin "convallis" (a valley), referring to where the plant is found. The specific epithet name majalis means May, in reference to when it flowers. Flowers are used in the perfume industry, rhizomes have medicinal properties. With over 3000 species, the lily family includes many medicinal and food species in addition to ornamental species. Some references suggest placing stems on ice to revive if limp. Single and double flower forms are available. See More Birth Month Flowers: http://www.hoogasian.com/BirthMonthFlowers.html

Flowers A to Z - Nerine Lily

Nerine Lily

Botanical Name :	Nerine spp.
Common Name :	Nerine, Guernsey Lily, Spider Lily
Product Use :	Cut Flower
Pronunciation :	ne-REEN
Family Roots :	Member of the Amaryllidaceae (amaryllis family). Native to South Africa. Common relatives include agapanthus, alstroemeria, clivia and daffodil.
Personality :	Individual flowers are composed of 6 ruffled strap-shaped petals. Flower clusters are round, 4-6 inches in diameter, consist of 6-12 flowers and occur at the ends of stems. Stems leafless, 16-28 inches long. Plant is a herbaceous perennial from a bulb, classed as a monocotyledon, leaves mostly parallel veined.
Availability :	Most times of the year.
Flower Color :	White, pink, deep red.
Decorative Life :	10-14 days.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	Varies
Ethylene Comments :	Depending on the species and/or cultivar, ethylene sensitivity varies from none to moderate. To be safe, treat with an anti-ethylene product.
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	Recut stems under water and place into a fresh flower food solution. However, some data suggests that fresh flower food may not be necessary. Can be chill sensitive. Some cultivars are sensitive to fluoride levels normally found in drinking water.
Storage Specifics :	One research report indicates that 45-50F is best and that it can be stored dry for 4-5 days. Another researcher states that 37-41F is best for storage of 3-5 days but higher temperatures (up to 50F) can be used if stored less than 3 days. Everyone agrees that they are somewhat chill sensitive and therefore should not be stored in the low 30s. Dry storage is better, especialy for flowers that are not too open.
Preharvest & Harvest Factors:	Do not cut too tight as flowers (especially the youngests buds) will not open properly most of the time. A good time to cut is when just before the most mature bud opens, namely, full grown but not opened.
Tidbits :	After Nerine, a sea nymph and daughter of Nereus in Greek mythology. Species used for cut flowers include N. bowdenii (bright pink), N. flexuosa, N. sarniensis. Cultivars include 'Cherry Ripe', 'Pink Distinction', 'Pink Fairy', 'Radiant Queen', 'Salmon Supreme' and 'Virgo'. Similar to the genus Lycoris, namely, leaves are actually produced after the plant flowers, but not until the following spring, which to some means that leaves are produced first! See More Hoogasian Flowers A to Z at: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html

Flowers A to Z - Oriental Lily

Oriental Lily, Stargazer Lily

Botanical Name :	Lilium spp. (Oriental types)
Common Name :	Oriental Lily, Oriental Hybrids
Product Use :	Cut Flower
Pronunciation :	LIL-ee-um
Family Roots :	Member of the Liliaceae (lily family). Native to China and Japan. Common relatives include asparagus, lily-of-the-valley, daylily, hyacinth and grape hyacinth.
Personality :	Flowers cup-shaped to flat with recurved tips, up to 8 inches in diameter, usually pendant. Stems 24-40 inches long, 1-5 flowers per stem. Plant is a herbaceous perennial from a bulb, classed as a monocotyledon, leaves mostly parallel veined. Flower fragrances are often intensely sweet, may be overpowering.
Availability :	Year-round.
Flower Color :	White, pink, red; may be speckled and/or bicolor.
Decorative Life :	4-11 days, cultivars vary.
Ethylene Sensitivity :	Varies
Ethylene Comments :	Ethylene sensitivity depends on cultivar; leaf, bud and/or flower drop are results. For example. 'Stargazer' is not very ethylene sensitive but can benefit from anti-ethylene treatments. Best treatment would consist of an anti-yellowing solution (GA4,7) being used for sure possibly with an anti-ethylene treatment (STS or MCP) also included for potential added protection.
Post Harvest Care Opportunities :	As an insurance policy, may want to consider treating with an anti-ethylene product. Choose stems with at least 2 fully developed (but not opened) buds and the rest well-colored, remove bottom foliage, recut stems under water and use fresh flower food but avoid brands with high sugar for some cultivars as leaf yellowing can be made worse. Leaf yellowing can be due to low light or excess sugar in vase solution. Some markets sell anti-yellowing spray or uptake solutions that can be beneficial in delaying leaf yellowing. However, some anti-yellowing treatments may slow/inhibit bud opening and/or result in faded flower colors. Some cultivars are sensitive to fluoride levels normally found in drinking water.
Storage Specifics :	Store at 36-38 F (less than 3 days), 34-36 F (more than three days). Lower temperatures can cause chill related damage under some circumstances. With 'Stargazer', treating with MCP prior to storage can greatly reduce cold storage-induced bud drop.
Preharvest & Harvest Factors:	With 'Stargazer', any flower less than 2.8 inches (7.0 cm) long at the time of harvest is much more prone to aborting.
Tidbits :	Oriental hybrids are the results of crosses using L. auratum, L. speciosum, and L. rubellum. Well-known Oriental lily cultivars include 'Star Gazer' (rose), 'Casa Blanca' (white), 'Journey's End' (pink), 'Mona Lisa' (pink). Latin form of the Greek leiron (used by Theophrastus for the Madonna lily). Crosses between Easter Lily (Lilium longiflorum) and Asiatic or Oriental hybrids have produced the "LA" and "LO" hybrids, which often have little or no fragrance and improved leaf characteristics. In Ancient Greece, the lily was the flower of Hera, goddess of the moon, earth, air, woman's life, marriage and childbirth. In ancient Rome, it was the symbol of Juno, the goddess of light, sky, marriage and motherhood. Pollen sheds easily and stains whatever it touches. Removal of the stamens from the flower prevents this, but shortens vase life. With over 3000 species, the lily family includes many medicinal and food species in addition to ornamental species. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology lists this species as an allergy-safe pollen producing plant. With more than 100 species, the Lily genus has been in cultivation for centuries, and has acquired many religious and mystical associations. Known as the flower of the Virgin Mary, the Lily has long been thought to represent purity and innocence.
Recent Research Findings :	For maximum flower coloration and leaf quality, Han (2001) reported that Orientals should be harvested and then placed in a flower food solution and sprayed with a commercial mixture of benzyl adenine and gibberellin 4+7 according to label directions. See More Hoogasian Flowers A to Z at: http://www.hoogasian.com/FlowersAtoZ.html