Difference between revisions of "Sunflower"
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The tendency for sunflowers to wilt prematurely in the vase can be avoided by pre-treating flowers for 15 to 30 min with clean water containing 0,02% detergent, such as Tween-20, Triton X-100, or dishwashing detergent.<br> | The tendency for sunflowers to wilt prematurely in the vase can be avoided by pre-treating flowers for 15 to 30 min with clean water containing 0,02% detergent, such as Tween-20, Triton X-100, or dishwashing detergent.<br> | ||
====Storage Conditions==== | ====Storage Conditions==== | ||
| − | Sunflowers can safely be stored at 0°C to 1ºC. | + | Sunflowers can safely be stored at 0°C to 1ºC.<br> |
| − | ====Packing | + | ====Packing==== |
| + | Sunflowers are normally packed in standard horizontal flower boxes.<br> | ||
====Special Considerations==== | ====Special Considerations==== | ||
Sunflowers are also somewhat sensitive to gravity. If held horizontal at warmer temperatures the flower heads will be permanently bent down, so it is important to maintain cool temperatures during transport and storage. | Sunflowers are also somewhat sensitive to gravity. If held horizontal at warmer temperatures the flower heads will be permanently bent down, so it is important to maintain cool temperatures during transport and storage. | ||
Revision as of 16:01, 16 August 2013
| Infobox on Sunflower | |
|---|---|
| Example of Sunflower |  |
| Facts | |
| Origin | - |
| Stowage factor (in m3/t) | - |
| Humidity / moisture | - |
| Ventilation | - |
| Risk factors | See text |
Sunflower
Contents
Description / Shipment / Storage / Risk factors
Scientific Name and Introduction
Helianthus annuus. In recent years, smaller cultivars of sunflower have become a very popular florist item, and a range of forms and colours are now widely available. Helianthus is derived from the Greek “helios,” the sun, and “anthos,” a flower.
Quality Characteristics and Criteria
Sunflowers are normally harvested when the petals (the outer flowers or ligules) have unfolded and are at least vertical. For local market, flowers are harvested with ligules fully expanded and horizontal. No yellow, wilted leaves should be present. Storage-life is often determined more by leaf yellowing or desiccation than by flower problems.
Grading and Bunching
Quality sunflowers are of uniform maturity, free from defects, have straight stems, and good quality foliage. Smaller-flowered cultivars may be bunched in groups of 10 or 12, and large-flowered types are normally packed individually.
Ethylene Sensitivity
Prolonged exposure of sunflowers to low concentrations of ethylene results in abscission of ligules.
Pretreatments
The tendency for sunflowers to wilt prematurely in the vase can be avoided by pre-treating flowers for 15 to 30 min with clean water containing 0,02% detergent, such as Tween-20, Triton X-100, or dishwashing detergent.
Storage Conditions
Sunflowers can safely be stored at 0°C to 1ºC.
Packing
Sunflowers are normally packed in standard horizontal flower boxes.
Special Considerations
Sunflowers are also somewhat sensitive to gravity. If held horizontal at warmer temperatures the flower heads will be permanently bent down, so it is important to maintain cool temperatures during transport and storage.
Sources used
BMT De Beer’s Consolidated Manual on (Dutch) Flower Bulbs, cut flowers/greens and potted plants