Get the longest life out of your cut flowers by applying the correct postharvest treatment to each variety. Published by the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, Postharvest Handling of Cut Flowers and Greens is an essential, practical guide for all commercial growers, wholesalers and retailers.
“Plants are magic… give someone a bouquet of flowers and experience the joy you create. Even the relatively simple marketing system of selling fresh flowers and greens at farmers markets necessitates that they be harvested at the right stage, properly treated after harvest, and stored in a cool or cold location. Regardless of who buys our flowers and greens or how we get them to our customers, proper postharvest handling is necessary to make this magic last as long as possible.”
Authors John M. Dole, Robert H. Stamps, Alicain S. Carlson, Iftikhar Ahmad and Lane Greer conducted extensive trials of popular floriculture crops, addressing the primary issues of post-production care: sanitation, water, temperature, carbohydrates, disease and ethylene.
In addition to providing crop-specific practices and demystifying the science behind postharvest treatment, Postharvest Handling of Cut Flowers and Greens provides valuable insight into how each stage of the flower supply chain accomplishes postharvest care to achieve maximum flower quality and vase life.
“Postharvest performance of floriculture crops has emerged as one of the most important issues in floriculture. The poor performance of cut flowers and “greens” (a.k.a. cut foliages, though many are not green or foliage) is increasingly viewed as depressing sales relative to that of other floriculture crops and gift items. Every incidence of poor product performance reduces future sales by the purchaser and anyone else they tell about the product.”
Increasing your flower quality is the most effective way to increase your profits, and correct postharvest handling is key to achieving your best flower quality. Become known as the grower with the longest-lasting, most beautiful blooms and turn new customers into loyal fans.
Order Postharvest Handling of Cut Flowers and Greens on the ASCFG website, and consider becoming a member if you aren’t already. In addition to a deep library of educational resources, the ASCFG provides networking with your fellow growers, both online and in person at their annual conference. Learn more about the ASCFG here.
Want to level up your flower quality and maximize vase life for your customer? Watch Bailey and expert guest Scott Shepherd of The Flower Podcast talk everything Quality in this video recording from May 10, 2023, originally broadcast on Instagram Live. Get even more free, educational videos for flower farmers on our YouTube Channel.
We welcome your flower growing questions, and suggestions for future Live topics. Leave a Comment with your question or ideas below, or email info@farmerbailey.com.