News » 30.06.2026 - How low temperature storage effects cut carnations

Cut flowers of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) cultivar 'Pink Donna' harvested at tight bud, cross bud, paint brush and fully open maturity stages and treated with bud opening solution, prior to storage for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 weeks at 2°C.

Preconditioning in a bud opening solution containing 10 per cent sucrose + 200 ppm HQS + 25 ppm AgNO 3 + 75 ppm Al 2 (SO 4) 3 enhanced the quality of flowers, opened after low temperature storage. Fully open flowers were stored in good condition up to 2 weeks, when preconditioned with the bud opening solution than untreated ones. Paint brush and cross bud stages were stored up to 4 and 6 weeks respectively. The quality of flowers deteriorated with the storage duration in terms of the intensity of colour, stem bending and physiological loss in weight, but the flower diameter was similar to freshly harvested flowers. Ethylene peak and rate of respiration increased with the storage duration and with the advancement of maturity. arnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) cut flowers are known for their excellent shape, umpteen vibrant colours, mild fragrance, long lasting blooms and strong stems making it a world class flower in the international flower market ranking among top three cut flowers. Steady development of floriculture industry created a glut in flowers and great loss of the produced flowers. The energy crisis, which occurred in the early 70s, resulted in great shift in cultivation of floriculture plants from relatively low temperature climates towards warmer climates, which in turn, required new methods of handling flowers.

The postharvest life of cut flowers also depends on the stage of harvest, holding solution and storage conditions in addition to the growing environment. Longley (1933) introduced the concept of long-term flower storage at low temperature and elevated CO 2 levels while the stems were placed in water. Fischer (1953) used this concept of long-term storage of flowers at near freezing-temperatures, without placing stems in water. Cold storage is the most common commercial method used for cut flowers. 'Wet' and 'dry' methods have been developed.
 

Source: www.floraldaily.com

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