Postharvest physiology of cut flowers

The longevity of cut flowers is limited by their ephemeral nature and by multiple stresses. Impairment in water uptake, depletion?of stored carbohydrates, increases in both respiratory activity and ethylene production are signatures of flower senescence. A wide?range of techniques is available to extend flower preservation, including the use of flower preservative solutions, ethylene action?inhibitors, growth regulators, and control of temperature and flower dehydration. The use of sucrose in pulsing solution, or as?a component of vase solution, extends the vase life of flowers by either improving water balance and energy or delaying the?senescence via reductions in ethylene biosynthesis. Inhibitors of ethylene production and action affect the longevity by extending?the vase life of some ethylene-sensitive flowers. Flowers have intense respiratory activity, which may deplete the limited reserves?of carbohydrates in the tissues. Lower temperatures markedly reduce both carbon dioxide concentration and ethylene production?as well as its action. However, chilling-sensitive flowers, such as bird-of-paradise, heliconia, orchid, and ginger, cannot be stored?below 10 to 13?C due to the intense development of tissue discoloration.The papper discusses following matters:Postharvest treatmentsWater relationsRespirationGrowth regulators (Ethylene, Gibberellins, Abscisic acid, Cytokinin)CarbohydratesTemperature.Figure is Figure 3 of the original paper, Visual aspects of gladiolus florets submitted to treatments with abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellic acid?(GA3?), and fluridone (an abscisic acid inhibitor). Source Costa et al. (2016) SourcePostharvest physiology of cut flowersLucas Cavalcante daCosta, Fernanda Ferreira de Araujo, Wellington Souto Ribeiro, Mirelle Nayana de Sousa Santos & Fernando Luiz FingerOrnamental Horticulture, V. 27, No. 3, 2021 p.374-385https://ornamentalhorticulture.emnuvens.com.br/rbho/article/viewFile/2372/1811?