Commercial Floriculture

Harvesting and Storage of Corms

• It generally takes 6-8 weeks after harvesting of spikes fro the corms to become mature and ready for lifting.
• Plant growth stops at this stage.
• Irrigations should normally be withheld at least 2-3 weeks before harvesting of corms.
• In India, lifting of corms is carried out manually with small garden forks or ‘khurpas’.
• After lifting the corms from the soil, the upper leafy portions should be removed by twisting and breaking the stalk.
• The old withering mother corms attached to the bottom of the newly-formed corms should also be removed similarly with the thumb.
• The cormels should also be separated simultaneously and handled separately.
• The corms usually get damaged or bruised during harvesting and cleaning operations.
• The corms should be cleaned, dipped for 30 min in 0.3% Captan 50 WP and shade-dried at an aerated place for about 15 days.
• Corms are then packed in crates or in net bags and cold-stored at 3-7^oC.
• From cold storage, these corms should be taken out one month prior to planting and kept at ambient conditions at an aerated place.
• The corms or cormels of different cultivars must be handled separately and labeling properly so that they do not get mixed up.
• Before planting, these are once again dipped for one hour in 0.3% Captan solution

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