South and Central America Cut Flower surveys on the cut flower industries of South and Central America. The pur- Production and Postharvest Survey pose of the current study is to assess the major production and postharvest is- sues that affect the cut flower industries Cristian E. Loyola1, John M. Dole1, and Rebecca Dunning1 in South and Central America. This work will provide a guide for industry and academic researchers regarding the ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. carnation, chrysanthemum, diseases, hydration, insects, rose, temperature, timing most important issues to be addressed.
SUMMARY. Imports of cut flowers into the United States have doubled in the last 20 Materials and methods years and come mainly from Colombia and Ecuador. We surveyed the cut flower industry in South and Central America, focusing on Colombia and Ecuador, to A questionnaire was constructed determine their production and postharvest problems. We received a total of 51 in both Spanish and English and de- responses, of which 62% of the respondents had 100 or more employees. The most livered using online software (Survey commonly grown or handled crops were rose (Rosa hybrids), carnation (Dianthus Monkey, San Mateo, CA), as done by caryophyllus), chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum ·grandiflorum), alstroemeria Loyola et al. (2019). The question- (Alstroemeria cultivars), gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii), and hydrangea (Hydrangea naires were emailed to the members species), in order of ranking. The most significant production problem was insect of Asociacion Colombiana de Expor- management, with disease management and crop timing the next most important tadores de Flores (Asocolflores) in issues. The most important species-specific issues in production were phytosanitary Colombia by Asocolflores (number problems, disease (causal organism not specified), leaf miner (Lepidoptera, Sym- phyta, or Diptera), and thrips (Thysanoptera). The main overall postharvest distributed is unknown); to 128 problem was temperature management, followed by hydration and flower food members of Expoflores in Ecuador; management and botrytis (Botrytis cinerea). In regard to on-farm postharvest to 25 members of Agexport in Gua- handling, damage to the flowers was the most mentioned issue. For the postharvest temala; and to 20 members of during storage and transport phase, temperature management, air transport, Asociacion de Productores y Expor- damage, and botrytis were the most important problems. The most mentioned tadores de Flores de Chile (APEF). customer complaints were damage, botrytis, and phytosanitary problems. The re- The survey asked the business loca- sults of this survey can be used by researchers to focus their work on topics of most tion, approximate size (based on need. Improved production and postharvest handling will support the continued number of full-time employees) and growth of the cut flower industry. type of business, crops produced and/or handled, and production oday’s cut flower industry is Cut flowers are a highly perish- and postharvest problems across all globalized. In the United able commodity, which are often crops and specifically for each of 21 TStates, imports of cut flowers traded over long distances because crop species. Data were collected began in the 1960s (Conlon, 2016). the centers of production are located from Apr. to May 2018 in Colombia Over the last 20 years, cut flower mostly near the equator—while the and from June to July 2018 in the rest exports have more than doubled in size main consumers are in Europe and of the countries. fromabout$4billionin1995tomore North America (Dehnen-Schmutz Respondents were provided lists than $8 billion by 2015 (Simoes and et al., 2010; van Liemt, 1999). The of 11 production and 8 postharvest Hidalgo, 2011). The cut flower indus- United States currently is the biggest issues and asked to select the most tryishighlydynamic;thecultivars, importer of cut flowers in the world, important issues for their business production techniques, markets, and obtaining the majority of its flowers andscorethemfrom1to5,with1 retailers are continuously changing. from producers in nearby countries: representing the most important This dynamism challenges the adaptive 81% from South American countries problem (most severe) and 5 repre- abilities of producers and postharvest and 9.5% from North and Central senting the least important problem handlers involved in this business (van American countries (Simoes and for their business. Out of the 51 Liemt, 1999) and demands more re- Hidalgo, 2011; van Rijswick, 2016). respondents, 55% of respondents search and development. Rose (Table 1) is the most important completed the production problems cut flower imported into the United question, and 61% answered the States, followed by carnation, chry- postharvest issues question. We also Received for publication 9 Aug. 2019. Accepted for publication 3 Sept. 2019. santhemum, alstroemeria, and baby’s asked the respondents their specific Published online 21 October 2019. breath, in order of importance, by production challenges, postharvest 1Department of Horticultural Science, North Caro- production volume. challenges, and customer complaints lina State University, 2721 Founders Drive, Raleigh, The authors completed surveys of for 21 individual crop species. The NC 27695-7609 the cut flower industries in the United species-specific postharvest problems This paper is a portion of a thesis submitted by C.E.L. States and Canada (Loyola et al., 2019) were further divided into postharvest in fulfilling the Masters of Horticultural Science de- gree requirement. and noted the need to do similar problems on the farm, problems J.M.D. is the corresponding author. E-mail: jmdole@ ncsu.edu. Units This is an open access article distributed under the CC To convert U.S. to SI, To convert SI to U.S., BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). multiply by U.S. unit SI unit multiply by https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04484-19 ( F – 32) O 1.8 F C( C · 1.8) + 32
898 • December 2019 29(6) Table 1. Taxonomic classifications of organisms discussed in this article about Table 2. Respondents to the 2018 South and Central American cut flower production and postharvest issues. survey regarding South and Central America cut flower production and Common name Taxonomic nomenclature postharvest issues were asked to Diseases report their job position with their Botrytis Botrytis cinerea company (n = 51). Downy mildew Peronosporaceae Job position Respondents (%) Erwinia Erwinia species Fusarium Fusarium oxysporum General manager 45 Mildew (see downy mildew and powdery Owner 12 mildew) Production manager 8 Powdery mildew Erysiphales Postharvest manager 8 Sigatoka Mycosphaerella fijiensis Sales representative 8 White rust Puccinia horiana Floral designer 4 Insects and related organisms Agronomist 2 Leaf miners Lepidoptera, Symphyta, Diptera Other 13 Spider mite Tetranychus species Thrips Thysanoptera Whitefly Aleyrodidnae Ecuador, 4 in Chile, 1 in Guatemala, Plants and 1 in Peru. Alstroemeria Alstroemeria cultivars Most respondents, 58%, reported Anthurium Anthurium hybrids producing or handling only one crop Aster Aster hybrids species, and only 7% reported grow- Baby’s breath Gypsophila elegans ing six or more crops (Fig. 1). In Bird of paradise Strelitzia reginae contrast, cut flower businesses pro- Calla Zantedeschia cultivars duce and handle a much broader Carnation Dianthus caryophyllus array of crops in the United States · Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum grandiflorum and Canada (Loyola et al., 2019). Of Cockscomb Celosia argentea var. cristata the 210 respondents in the Loyola Daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus et al. (2019) survey, only 9% Delphinium Delphinium hybrids reported producing 1 to 3 crops; Freesia Freesia hybrids 5% produced 4 to 6 crops; while Garden roses Rosa cultivars 86% of respondents produced or Gerbera Gerbera jamesonii handled 7 or more crops, with almost Hydrangea Hydrangea species one-third growing 13 to 18 different Liatris Liatris spicata crops. Lily Lilium hybrids The three most commonly pro- Oriental lily Lilium Oriental hybrids duced crops were carnation, chrysan- Rose Rosa hybrids themum, and rose, which also had Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus numerous production and posthar- Statice Limonium cultivars vest issues reported due to the large Stock Matthiola incana number of responses (Tables 3 and Sunflower Helianthus annuus 4). The less commonly produced Tulip Tulipa gesneriana crops and those with less than five Zinnia Zinnia violacea respondents per species were grouped together for the presentation of the production and postharvest issues (Tables 3 and 5). Of the top 10 during storage and transportation, representatives, 8% were postharvest crops—alstroemeria, aster, bird of and customer complaints. managers, 8% were production man- paradise, carnation, chrysanthemum, agers, and 19% were other categories, gerbera, hydrangea, daffodil, rose, Results and discussion which included floral designers, and statice—in the South and Central We received a total of 51 re- agronomists, breeders, quality con- American survey, only hydrangea and sponses. Thirty-seven percent of the trol managers, and human resource statice were among the top 31 crops respondents had 200 or more em- representatives (Table 2). In contrast, grown by U.S. and Canadian growers ployees, 25% had 100 to 199 em- the cut flower industry respondents (Loyola et al., 2019). Rose was also ployees, 16% had 50 to 99 employees, for the U.S. and Canadian survey were among the top 31 crops in the United 10% had 1 to 9 employees, 10% had comprised predominantly (95%) of States and Canada, but producers in 10 to 19 employees, and 2% had 20 to small businesses with nine employees those countries mainly grow field- 49 employees. Forty-five percent of or less and the respondents were pri- grown garden roses, while producers the respondents were the general marily owners (71%) (Loyola et al., in South and Central America mainly managers of the company, 12% 2019). Twenty-seven of the respon- grow hybrid tea roses under cover were the owners, 8% were sales dents were located in Colombia, 17 in (Dole et al., 2017; Hamrick, 2003).
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schedules and possibly missing peak sales periods. Temperature management, in- sufficient demand, and poor-quality propagation materials were ranked as the least important issues (Fig. 2). However, six respondents reported temperature management and insuffi- cient demand as their most important issue (a ranking of 1). Controlling temperature is related to crop timing and is important in ensuring a contin- uous supply and a sufficient produc- tion for important holidays, such as the production of roses for Valentine’s Day. Of course, product demand is central to any business, and fluctuating demand can be a major issue for some businesses. The remaining produc- tion issues were of intermediate Fig. 1. Respondents to the 2018 survey regarding South and Central America cut importance. flower production and postharvest issues were asked to mark the number of crops The most significant species-specific they produced. The graph shows the number of different crops produced by each production problems were phytosa- respondent as a percent of total responses (n = 43). nitary, disease, leaf miner, and thrips (Tables 4 and 5). For the three most commonly grown crops, phytosani- Table 3. Respondents to the 2018 PRODUCTION ISSUES. The two tary problems were an issue in the survey regarding South and Central America cut flower production and most important overall production production of rose (21% of the re- postharvest issues were provided issues were insect and disease man- spondents), carnation (20%), and with a list of 21 cut flower crops and agement (Fig. 2). Pest management is chrysanthemum (17%). Phytosani- asked to mark those species that they not only critical for production of tary problems refer to the contamina- produce. Crops are ranked in order high-quality cut flowers, but also the tion of the flowers with pathogens, from most commonly to least presence of pests can cause flowers to insects, or other substances. The commonly grown (n = 51). be rejected by inspectors in importing Agreement on the Application of Species Respondents (%) countries or subjected to costly fumi- Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures gation treatments [U.S. Department of the World Trade Organization Rose 47 of Agriculture (USDA), 2009]. In- exists to protect the human, animal, Carnation 20 sects and diseases are universal; not or plant life or health during the trade Chrysanthemum 16 surprisingly, they were reported as the of goods (World Trade Organization, Alstroemeria 14 first and third, respectively, most im- n.d.). Due to this agreement, flowers Gerbera 12 portant issues by U.S. and Canadian cannot enter the United States if Hydrangea 12 producers as well (Loyola et al., they are contaminated and could Bird of paradise 6 2019). harm a local human, animal, or Statice 6 Crop timing was the third most plant. The regulations are admin- Aster 4 important issue for South and Central istered by USDA. Daffodil 4 American respondents and second Disease management was a Delphinium 4 most important issue for the U.S. species-specific problem in the pro- Baby’s breath 4 and Canadian industry (Loyola duction of chrysanthemum (17%) and Liatris 4 et al., 2019). South and Central rose (16%) (Table 4). In roses, re- Lily 4 American producers tend to grow spondents mentioned botrytis as Snapdragon 4 crops continually during the year, re- a common disease (16%), as well as Sunflower 4 quiring consistent production, large downy and powdery mildew (5% Anthurium 2 peaks for holidays, and specific dates each) (Table 4). In chrysanthemum Calla 2 for harvest. However, South and production, multiple other diseases Freesia 2 Central American producers often were mentioned, including fungus, Stock 2 use structures with limited environ- Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), Tulip 2 mental control mechanisms; this viroids, and white rust, while fusa- method reduces their ability to re- rium was reported for carnation. Dis- spond to high or low temperatures ease (unspecified) was also mentioned Alstroemeria, aster, chrysanthemums, (Mercurio, 2007). Thus, changing as an important problem in the pro- and daffodil were grown by small environmental conditions may cause duction of alstroemeria and hydran- numbers of producers in the United crops to be ready for harvest too soon gea by one respondent for each States and Canada. or too late, interrupting weekly species (Table 5).
900 • December 2019 29(6) Table 4. Respondents to the 2018 survey regarding South and Central America Leaf miners was a species-specific cut flower production and postharvest issues were asked to identify their problem in the production of carna- production challenges with 21 crop species, of which the top three species tion (20%), chrysanthemum (17%), [carnation (n = 10), chrysanthemum (n = 8), and rose (n = 25)] are listed in this and baby’s breath for one respondent table (see Table 5 for remaining species). The number listed is the percentage of (Tables 4 and 5). Thrips were an respondents who reported the issue for each species. Some respondents reported multiple production issues for a species. important issue in the production of rose (11%), chrysanthemum (17%), Issue Carnation Chrysanthemum Rose and gerbera for one respondent (Ta- Respondents reporting production challenge (%) bles 4 and 5). Thrips can be especially Affordability of labor – – 5 damaging because they transmit vi- Availability of qualified labor – – 11 ruses such as TSWV. Spider mites Blind shoots – – 5 were a production problem men- Cost – – 5 tioned across multiple species but Disease (did not specify disease) – 17 16 only in rose from the most commonly Botrytis – – 16 produced crops (16%) (Tables 4 and Downy mildew – – 5 5). Other crops on which this prob- Fungus – 17 – lem was mentioned were aster, ger- Fusarium 20 – – bera, and hydrangea. Powdery mildew – – 5 POSTHARVEST ISSUES. The most Tomato spotted wilt virus –17–important overall postharvest issue Viroids – 17 – was temperature management (Fig. White rust – 17 – 3). Cut flowers must be cooled rap- Fertilization – – 5 idly to reduce respiration rate, which Insects (did not specify insect) – 33 – diminishes metabolic activities, pre- Leaf miner 20 17 – serves carbohydrates, and extends Spider mites – – 16 postharvest life for most cut flowers Thrips – 17 11 and foliage. Precooling is an espe- Labor 40 – – cially important step as it rapidly Labor work ethic – – 5 lowers the temperature before stor- Low productivity – – 5 age and transportation. Most cut Low quality – – 5 flowers and foliage should be held Phytosanitary 20 17 21 between 2 to 3 C. Exceptions would Productivity – 17 – be for those susceptible to cold dam- Pruning – – 5 age, such as tropical species, which Small heads 20 – – should be held above 12 to 16 C; Thin stems 20 – – and cockscomb, oriental lilies, and Timing – – 16 zinnias, which should be held at 4 to None 0 0 0 7 C (Dole et al., 2017; Sun and No response 0 0 5 Brosnan, 1999). Respondents reporting on-farm postharvest challenge (%) Hydration and flower food man- Availability of labor 20 – – agement was the next most important Availability of qualified labor – – 5 issue (Fig. 3) and was similarly ranked Botrytis – – 11 second by the U.S. and Canadian cut Damage 20 17 16 flower industry (Loyola et al., 2019). Disease (did not specify disease) 20 – 5 Treating cut flowers with proper Harvest – – 11 postharvest solutions is critical after Hydration – – 11 harvest and as the flowers move Labor – – 21 through the marketing chain. Hydra- Low quality – – 5 tion solutions are used to promote Pests – – 5 water uptake and reduce microbial Processing 20 – – growth. Flower foods provide a car- Storage – 17 – bohydrate source to encourage flower Temperature management – 67 5 and bud opening, color development, Variability in response to fertilization – 5 and vase life extension (Bosma and Weather – – 16 Dole, 2002; Cho et al., 2001). None 20 0 11 Botrytis was the third most im- No response 20 17 0 portant postharvest issue. The moist Respondents reporting postharvest challenge during storage and transport (%) environment within boxes packed Air transport (handling) – 17 21 with flowers is conducive to botrytis Availability of qualified labor – – 5 development, which can occur rapidly Botrytis – 17 11 if the flowers warm up at any time during the storage and shipping (Continued on next page) process.
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Table 4. (Continued) Respondents to the 2018 survey regarding South and overpacked to allow for good air Central America cut flower production and postharvest issues were asked to circulation (Kader, 2002). It is es- identify their production challenges with 21 crop species, of which the top three pecially difficult to maintain the species [carnation (n = 10), chrysanthemum (n = 8), and rose (n = 25)] are listed in this table (see Table 5 for remaining species). The number listed is the cold chain over long distances, be- percentage of respondents who reported the issue for each species. Some cause the flowers must be moved respondents reported multiple production issues for a species. between vehicles and storage facili- ties, which provides opportunities Issue Carnation Chrysanthemum Rose forproblemstoarise. Damage 40 – 16 Other problems in the produc- Hydration – – 5 tion of carnation were disease (species Packaging – – 5 not specified) (20%), labor (20%), and Paperwork – – 5 processing (20%) (Table 4). One re- Processing 20 – 5 spondent selected availability of labor Temperature management 40 67 47 as a problem for carnation and rose, as None 0 0 5 harvesting and grading are especially No response 20 0 5 labor intensive. Respondents reporting customer complaint (%) Storage was mentioned as a prob- Botrytis 20 17 47 lem with chrysanthemum (17%) and Burning of stem – 17 – tulip for one respondent (Tables 4 Damage/broken stems 60 50 53 and 5). Chrysanthemum stems can be Disease (did not specify disease) – – 5 stored at 0 to 4 C for up to 2 weeks Failure to open – 17 – without flower decline; nevertheless, Harvest – – 5 the foliage can turn yellow before the Hydration – – 5 flowers deteriorate, and the severity of Leaf drop – – 5 this problem varies by cultivar (Dole Low quality – – 16 et al., 2017). Tulips are best stored Packaging – – 11 with the bulbs attached. If stored with Phytosanitary 20 – 16 bulbs, stems can last for 2 weeks at Thrips 20 – 5 0to2 C; without the bulbs attached Vase life – – 5 they can last only for 5 d (Dole et al., None 0 0 0 2017). No response 20 17 0 Labor (21%), harvest (11%), and Total respondents with issues (no.) 5 6 19 hydration (11%) were other problems mentioned in the postharvest han- dling of rose (Table 4). One of the issues about labor was the work ethic The issues ranked least impor- alstroemeria by one respondent of the employees. Rose harvest varies tant were customer care of product, (Table 5) As previously mentioned, by market and cultivar, but a good lack of profitability, and affordability producers in South and Central stage to harvest red and pink roses is of qualified labor (Fig. 3). However, Americaexportmostoftheircut when the sepals have flexed outwards three respondents reported lack of flowers to North America (Simoes and one to two petals have unfurled; profitability and five respondents re- andHidalgo,2011;vanRijswick, yellow roses should be harvested port affordability of qualified labor as 2016). Because damage may cause slightly earlier, and white roses their most important issue (a ranking flowers to be unmarketable, they are slightly later. Roses should be placed of 1). The latter two issues affect packed in bunches, sleeved, and put in water immediately upon harvest. profitability, and responses would in boxes that reduce movement and Use hydration solutions with a pH of likely vary with the market conditions possible damage during transport 3, and recut stems before hydrating and may have ranked higher in this (Reid, 2006). (Dole and Wilkins, 2005; Dole et al., survey if it had been conducted dur- Temperature management was 2017). ing an economic downturn. The a major issue in the postharvest of POSTHARVEST ISSUES DURING remaining postharvest issues of avail- chrysanthemum (67%) (Table 4). STORAGE AND TRANSPORT. The post- ability of qualified labor and insect Temperature management is the harvest issues during storage and trans- management were of intermediate most effective way to increase post- port were similar to those mentioned importance. harvest life of cut flowers and is for postharvest on the farm (Tables 4 POSTHARVEST ISSUES ON THE most effective if the crops are im- and 5). Postharvest issues during stor- FARM. The most common species- mediately cooled after harvest and if age and transportation included tem- specific postharvest issue on the the low temperature is maintained perature management, air transport, farm was damage, which was men- throughout processing and trans- damage, and botrytis. Temperature tioned for carnation (20%), chry- portation (maintaining the cold management was a problem for chry- santhemum (17%), and rose (16%) chain). Transit vehicles must be santhemum (67%), rose (47%), and (Table 4). Damage refers to me- cooled before the loading of prod- carnation (40%). Temperature man- chanical deterioration of the prod- uct to avoid temperature increases, agement was also mentioned for aster, uct. Damage was also mentioned in and the product should not be gerbera, baby’s breath, hydrangea,
902 • December 2019 29(6) Table 5. Respondents to the 2018 survey regarding South and Central America snapdragon, and tulip. As was previ- cut flower production and postharvest issues were asked to identify their ously discussed in the Postharvest Is- production challenges with 21 crop species, of which those species with fewer sues on the Farm section, temperature than five responses are listed in this table (see Table 4 for remaining species). management becomes difficult to Some respondents reported multiple production issues for a species. maintain over long shipping distances Species (no. of responses) Issue and, thus, is more noticeable during Production challenges this part of the marketing chain. Alstroemeria (3) Cost Similarly, long shipping dura- Disease (not specified) tions resulted in complaints about Insects (not specified) the handling provided during air Anthurium (1) Temperature management transportation for rose (21%) and Weather chrysanthemum (17%) (Table 4). Air Aster (2) Insects (not specified) transport was also an issue for alstroe- Scorching merias and gerbera (Table 5). The Spider mites respondents specifically mentioned Baby’s breath (1) Fungus that air transport companies break Leaf miner the cold chain and do not handle the Bird of paradise (2) Weather product with care, which damages the Lack of supply flowers. Calla (1) Lack of demand Damage was an important post- Low sales price harvest problem during storage and Delphinium (1) Germination transport for carnation (40%), rose Gerbera (2) Botrytis (16%), alstroemeria, and bird of Fungus paradise (Tables 4 and 5). This Spider mites problem was previously discussed Thrips in the Postharvest Issues on the Hydrangea (4) Disease (not specified) Farm section. Lack of demand Botrytis was an important post- Low technification harvest issue for chrysanthemum Powdery mildew (17%), rose (11%), gerbera, and hy- Pruning drangea (Tables 4 and 5). Botrytis is Spider mites a common disease in cut flowers that Temperature management can occur at any stage of production Liatris (1) Fungus or marketing. It develops most Lily (1) Crop rotation quickly under warm temperatures Flower bud abortion and high humidity, which is why it Snapdragon (1) Timing tends to be a problem during storage Statice (1) Fungus and shipping (Williamson et al., Sunflower (1) Fungus 2007). Tulip (1) Temperature management CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS. The Humidity customer complaints most mentioned On-farm postharvest challenges across various crops were damage, Alstroemeria (3) Damage botrytis, and phytosanitary issues (Ta- Plant burglary bles 4 and 5). Damage was again No response mentioned in the customer complaints Anthurium (1) Cost section for carnation (60%), rose (53%), Aster (2) Foliage decay chrysanthemum (50%), bird of para- Disease (not specified) dise, calla, gerbera, and hydrangea. Pests Carnation stems tend to break at the Baby’s breath (1) Botrytis nodes, and damage when carnations Hydration are received by the consumer may be Bird of paradise (2) Insects (not specified) related to improper postharvest han- Sigatoka dling of the crop during transport. Calla (1) Fungus Phytosanitary problems were Delphinium (1) Crooked stems mentioned for carnation (20%) and Gerbera (2) Packaging rose (16%) (Table 4). As previously Hydrangea (4) Hydration discussed, phytosanitary problems Low technification can result in the product being Powdery mildew destroyed or subjected to costly fu- Processing migation by importing countries. Bo- Spider mites trytis was an issue for carnation (20%), chrysanthemum (17%), rose (17%), (Continued on next page) delphinium, and hydrangea. Thrips
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Table 5. (Continued) Respondents to the 2018 survey regarding South and customer complaints (Table 4). As Central America cut flower production and postharvest issues were asked to previously discussed, appropriate pack- identify their production challenges with 21 crop species, of which those species aging is very important to maintain crop with fewer than five responses are listed in this table (see Table 4 for remaining species). Some respondents reported multiple production issues for a species. quality by minimizing movement and increasing air flow to allow faster cool- Species (no. of responses) Issue ing. Additionally, quality also depends Lily (1) None on a variety of other factors, such as stage Snapdragon (1) None of harvest, insects, and diseases. Further- Tulip (1) Storage more, some rose cultivars are ethylene Postharvest challenges during storage and transport sensitive (Dole et al., 2017; van Doorn Alstroemeria (3) Air transport and van Meeteren, 2003). Damage Conclusions None Anthurium (1) Packaging The most commonly grown or Processing handled crops were rose, carnation, Aster (2) Temperature management chrysanthemum, alstroemeria, ger- Baby’s breath (1) Temperature management bera, and hydrangea, in order of Bird of paradise (2) Damage ranking. The three crops with the Lack of demand most responses for species-specific Calla (1) Erwinia issues were carnation, chrysanthe- Gerbera (2) Air transport mum, and rose. This finding suggests Botrytis that research should be primarily fo- Temperature management cused on these three crops. For car- Hydrangea (4) Humidity nation, labor requirements, mechanical Hydration damage, and temperature manage- Labor intensive ment were the most important Processing issues; and for chrysanthemum, tem- Temperature management perature management and mechani- Botrytis cal damage were most commonly Lily (1) None mentioned. The major issues with Snapdragon (1) Humidity rose were phytosanitary issues, me- Temperature management chanical damage, temperature man- Tulip (1) Processing agement, and botrytis. Temperature management The most important overall Customer complaints production problems were insect Alstroemeria (3) Lack of supply and disease management, with crop Anthurium (1) Flower size timing as the next most important Aster (2) Temperature management issue. The most commonly reported Baby’s breath (1) Petal browning species-specific production prob- Bird of paradise (2) Damage lems were phytosanitary problems, Calla (1) Damage disease (not specified), leaf miner, Rot and thrips. Delphinium (1) Botrytis The main overall postharvest Gerbera (2) Damage problem was temperature manage- Hydrangea (4) Damage ment, followed by hydration, flower Humidity food management, and botrytis. The Temperature management major postharvest problem on the Botrytis farm was damage. The major post- Lily (1) None harvest problems during storage and Snapdragon (1) Humidity transportation were temperature man- Hydration agement, air transport, damage, and Tulip (1) Vase life botrytis. The most important cus- tomer complaints were damage, bo- trytis, and phytosanitary problems. was a major problem with carnations they may not develop or open prop- Literature cited (Table 4). erly (van Doorn and Kamdee, 2014). Another customer complaint for If flowers are received in the bud Bosma, T. and J.M. Dole. 2002. Post- chrysanthemums was failure to open stage, they are generally treated with harvest handling of cut Campanula (17%) (Table 4). Cut flowers har- flower foods after receipt to encour- flowers. HortScience 37:954–958. vested in the bud stage tolerate han- age flower opening. Cho, M.C., F. Celikel, and L. Dodge. dling and transportation better; but if For rose, low quality (16%) and 2001. Sucrose enhances the posthar- the flowers are harvested too early, packaging (11%) were also listed in vest quality of cut flowers of Eustoma
904 • December 2019 29(6) Specialty Cut Flower Growers, Oberlin, OH. Hamrick, D. 2003. Ball redbook, crop production. Vol. 2. 17th ed. Ball Publ., Batavia, IL. Kader, A.A. 2002. Postharvest technol- ogy of horticultural crops. 3rd ed. Univ. California, Agr. Natural Resources Com- mun. Serv., Oakland, CA. Loyola, C.E., J.M. Dole, and R. Dunning. 2019. North American specialty cut flower production and postharvest survey. HortTechnology 29:338–359. Mercurio, G. 2007. Cut rose cultivation around the world. Schreurs, De Kwakel, The Netherlands.
Fig. 2. Respondents to the 2018 survey regarding South and Central America cut Reid, M.S. 2006. Air transport of cut < flower production and postharvest issues were asked to select the most important flowers. 1 Sept. 2019. https://ucanr.edu/ > production issues for their business and rank them from 1 to 5, with 1 being the datastoreFiles/234-1373.pdf . most important. Numbers in the bars are the number of times the ranking was Simoes, A.J.G. and C.A. Hidalgo. 2011. recorded for each production issue (n = 28). Note that no respondents rated the The economic complexity observatory: issue of insect management a three. An analytical tool for understanding the dynamics of economic development. 1 Sept. 2019.
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