FLOWERS, CUT: Making Them Last Longer

Orchid Doctor

by Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler)

Originally published in The Orchid Doctor in 1980 and 1988

Posted by Sys Admin almost 8 years ago.

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Cattleyas should be open three to five days before they are cut, cymbidiums one to two weeks; cut early in the morning using sterilized knives; place stems immediately in cool water; locate in draft-free area overnight; in arrangements change the water once or twice and trim the stem ends; a good floral preservative in the water is reccommended; refrigerate at temparature of 45 deg.F.;cutting the stems under water helps. C69-37+; OD68-211
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Flowers, Cut Comments
FLOWERS, CUT: Abnormalities Problems which arise after delivery to the florist; white cattleyas deteriorate; a consideration of virus disease; storage at the wrong temperature; temporary abnormalities; cool storage; ethylene given off by calla lilies and others in the same area; refer to A63-713+ 0
FLOWERS, CUT: Extending Their Freshness Most flowers keep best at between 45 deg.F. and 50 deg.; when too cold flowers turn brown and glassy; phalaenopsis can be put in tubes of water, placed in a flat box enclosed in polyethylene film then into a refrigerator. A73-908; OD78-42 0
FLOWERS, CUT: Extending Their Keeping Qualities Keep at low temperature, 50 to 55 deg.F.; no preservative solution used now in the flower trade serves to extend orchid life. A64-227; A69-130Once placed in water, do not cut the stems afresh; do not use preservatives; do not change the water; source unknown "Making flowers last and last". RMH 0
FLOWERS, CUT: How to Keep Them the Longest Cymbidiums keep best at 47 to 48 deg.F.; cattleyas colored keep best at 48 to 50 deg.F.; cattleyas white keep best at 48 to 50 deg.F.; keep the stems in water and provide humidity of 50%. A68-811 0
FLOWERS, CUT: Prolonging Their Life with Physan 20 As a bactericide if Physan is used at 1 tpg. it prevents growth of bacteria and fungi in the water transport system of the stems. A80-254 0
FLOWERS, CUT: Shelf Life Improved Oncidium Golden Showers were sprayed with boric acid at lOOOppm. which significantly increased their shelf life; placing the stems in solutions of 250ppm boric acid extended their life by five days; or, by the standard 8HQC solution. Hort. reviews, v.5-300The effects of foliar sprays on oncidiums of Aluminium chloride, Ammonium molybdate and Boric acid tabulated to show the effects of different strengths of concentration to induce short term beneficial effects; refer to OR82-264; scientific analysis, see W11-255 0
FLOWERS, CUT: To Prolong Life Place them in a container with a mix of half water and,half lemonade; the sugar and carbon dioxide provide readily assimilated nutrients. AU87(l)-23; see also F80-164 0
FLOWERS, CUT: When to Cut Them Most are not mature when they open, so wait for three or four days; for lots of plants use different coloured golf tees to indicate the days of the week; add a mix to the vase water of one-third 7-Up and two-thirds water, to make the flowers last longer. F85-117 0

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