Question
I am a national floral buyer for a market chain, and am looking for a concise and definitive document on the post harvest care and handling of cut-flowers and flowering potted plants, which we could use as a reference tool. Can you suggest such a document to me, any help you could extend would be greatly appreciated? (J.F.)
Answer
In addition to the Produce Facts: Recommendations for Maintaining Postharvest Quality of found as PDF's on our website, I would recommend that you could also use the cut flower section of the new Handbook 66 as a possible reference: The table of contents is at
In addition, you might wish to sign on to www.chainoflifenetwork.org which includes information on a wide range of crops and also provides references to much of the scientific literature on postharvest handling of floricultural crops.
If you are interested, I would be delighted to talk with you about postharvest handling of floricultural crops. In my opinion, you are in a unique position to improve the quality of cut flowers and potted plants by insisting on proper postharvest care during the distribution chain. I have worked with the producers here in California and around the world for many years in an effort to improve postharvest handling (particularly temperature management) and have come to the conclusion that it will be more effective to work with purchasers, who have the interest and incentive to ensure quality and freshness of the products that they are buying. Regards,