Maturity and Quality
Holly is harvested when the fruits are already fully red. Avoid purchasing holly in packages when condensation is visible. This indicates poor temperature management and possible fungal growth and ethylene production. Also, avoid ones where berry or leaf fall has occurred.
Grading and Bunching. Quality holly branches have uniform dark green leaves, free of blemishes, and bright red berries. They are seldom gathered into bunches but may be grouped and placed in polyethylene bags.
Postharvest Handling and Storage
Holly should be stored at 0-1°C, and may even be held for longer periods at lower but non-freezing temperatures.
Exposure to ethylene results in the loss of berries and leaves, and is a common problem in holly handled through mass-market outlets.
Pretreatments
Because of its ethylene sensitivity, holly should be pretreated with STS or 1-MCP, which prevents bud and leaf loss during marketing.
Packing
Holly may be packed in hampers or horizontal boxes. In the past, the branches were treated with various solutions (containing naphthalene acetic acid, NAA) to reduce their sensitivity to ethylene, and were therefore sometimes packed (wet) in wax-treated cartons. The use of 1-MCP should greatly simplify the marketing of this product.
Special Considerations
There are major differences among holly types in their sensitivity to ethylene. For example, ‘Burford’ is essentially insensitive to ethylene, while Chinese and English types are very sensitive. Therefore, know the type of holly being marketed. Some producers will dip holly into various solutions in an attempt to reduce fruit and leaf fall and/or package the product in such a way as to extend life. However, at the wholesale or retail level there is presently no product that will retard fruit loss, other than STS. Treating with STS does reduce fruit and leaf fall. Do not pre-green arrangements with holly, as it will not last.
Disorders
Description
Ilex spp. Evergreen shrubs, hedges, and small trees are prized for their holiday-season dark green leaves and bright red fruits. The plants carry female and male flowers on separate trees, and are therefore termed ‘dioecious’. Thus, only the female plants are harvested for specimens possessing fruit.