Quality Matters
Why is post harvest care of cut flowers important?
To increase shelf life.
Which of the following best describes respiration?
Process by which energy stored from photosynthesis is converted to energy for the plant to use.
Why should flowers be cut at a 45 degree angle?
To decrease stem blockage.
Process of plants losing water through stomata in their leaves.
Transpiration
Process of converting nutrients, water, carbon dioxide and sunlight into foods for plants.
Photosynthesis
Which of the following is NOT a reason to use floral preservatives?
Raise the pH of the flower.
Why do plants transpire more rapidly during the day?
Transpiration rate increases in higher temperatures.
Why should cut flowers be stored in a cooler?
To slow respiration, bacterial growth, deterioration and transpiration.
Prevents the stem from sealing to the bottom of the container.
Re-cutting Stems
Process in which cut flowers and foliages have been tested to extend their freshness.
Conditioning
Used to extend the shelf life of the flowers by lowering the water pH.
Floral Preservative.
Light intensity is NOT affected by which of the following?
Plant Decay
Why is removing foliage and thorns below the water level, the first in processing flowers.
For handling purposes as well as to prevent decay.
Citric acid solution which causes flowers to rapidly take up water to prevent dehydration after flowers have been dry packed.
Hydrating Solution
Shipment of flowers out of water; also referred to as dry stored.
Dry Pack
Chemical compound most commonly found in a gaseous state which decreases the shelf life of cut flowers by causing them to wilt rapidly.
Ethylene
Leaf burn can be caused by which of the following
Food sources which are higher than ten percent sugar.
Mary has a cooler full of flowers in which foliage is wilting and the flowers are dying very quickly. Which of the following is mostly likely Mary’s problem?
Presence of ethylene.
Division of the one bacterium in to two daughter cells; increases when foliage is present below the water level.
Bacterial Growth
Inability of water to enter the stem; also referred to as stem blockage.
Bent Neck
Supplies, methods, and materials which designers used to place and hold flowers and foliage in an arrangement.
Mechanics
Amount of light received on a plant surface.
Light Intensity
Cell process in which stored food reserves are converted to useful energy for the plant.
Respiration
Cutting flowers stems properly and providing proper treatment at any stage of the distribution process.
Processing
Length of life of cut floral materials after being received by the customer.
Vase Life