An update about the chemicals to help control microbes associated with floral crops

Chemicals to help control bacteria and/or fungi (microbes) during the postharvest handling of floral crops are numerous.? Some are purchased and may or may not be registered for the intended use or may not require registration based on label claims, while others are used in home brews and are therefore likely not registered or do not require registration. The purpose of the article ?Which chemicals do you use to help control microbes associated with floral crops, regardless of application method (spray, drench, gas, and/or uptake solution)??, available at Chain of Life Network,? is to present an overview of some chemicals reportedly being used to help control microbes associated with floral crops after harvest by various segments of the floral industry.? The products considered are sodium hypochlorite (common household bleach), slow release chlorine (swimming pool type) compounds, bleach in the form of hydrogen peroxide, Chlorhexidine and chlorhexidine, Electrolyzed water, Chlorine dioxide as a gas, chlorine dioxide as a liquid, Peracetic acid and other peracids, 8-Hydroxyquinoline (citrate or sulfate form), Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats), Ozone, Kathon (isocil), and Aluminum sulfate. Further to the article itself, Chain of Life contents include specific articles about the above products, available at the Postharvest and Marketing Library Database search section. The article ends remembering that regarding cut flowers, none of these chemicals by themselves will replace flower food solutions, since the food component (sugar) is needed for proper flower opening, growth, color development, and/or acceptable vase life for most flower species. ? ?