Commercial Floriculture

Post harvest handling

• Dutch packing puts few Anthuriums in a box to make sure that the Anthurium spathes do not bruise.
• Within each box flowers are of a uniform grade and generally of the same colour.
• Individual flowers are packed with water vials filled with water with preservative solution.
• Flowers are packed so as not to touch each other or the ends of the box.
• White foam rubber cushions are used to support the spadix.
• If flowers are layered, 4cm thick plastic sheeting is inserted between the layers.
• White cellulose shredding is used around the ends, particularly in the winter, when foam peanuts or other white foam pieces may be included in the box for insulation.

Packing



Anthurium packaging is into boxes of white surfaced corrugated cardboard,
• The lids which have been printed with 3-colour logos and lettering.
• European Carton Sizes-100x20x10cm, 100 x 40 x 12 cm and 100 x 40 x 14.5 cm
• In Hawaii standard master cartons are 43 x 23 x 11 inches and contain smaller boxes inside, called trays.

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Storage and Vase Life
Anthurium can be easily stored at 13oC for 2-3 weeks.
The flowers, which are harvested when ¾th of the length of the spadix colour changes, last longer than the other flowers which are harvested either early or late.
The average vase life depends upon life of flowers ranges between 12-24 days depending upon the cultivars.

Post Harvest Quality requirement
The size, shape, colour and texture of the spathe gets prior consideration.
A heart-shaped symmetrical spathe with overlapping or fused lobes is desirable.
The spathe should be free from any kind of damages and infestation.
Straight and sturdy flower stems with shorter internodes are preferred.

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