y lil a a me Gy Product: , Gymea lily, Giant lily : Doryanthes excelsa

Quality specifications for Australian wildflowers species are less suitable for the the for suitable less are species Doryanthes Gymea leaf and flower and leaf Gymea In the wild, often grow at high densities, and and densities, high at grow often plants wild, the In water providing as such management, intensive quality. improve will fertiliser, and Other cut-flower market. cut-flower region: season Flowering with some Mostly September, June to to spikes April flowers and late from round. all year available Leaves February. life: vase Typical a have Leaves 4 weeks. up to Flowers Export 2 weeks. can of over vase life especially if the the vase life, reduce transport the not cold, conditions are product dries out or transport takes too long. Growing conditions are important in in important are conditions Growing quality. leaf and flower determining by improved greatly usually is Quality irrigation. and fertiliser shade, light bruised. easily is head flower large The Each globular flower head can be up to 70 cm 70 to up be can head flower globular Each flowers red of mass a of composed is It across. green by characterised and across cm 10 each flower undeveloped The anthers. the on pollen floristry the for demand in also are spikes market. these making long, m 4 to up grows stem The displays. corporate for popular flowers massive m 2 to up be may leaves sword-shaped The Those floristry. for versatile very are and long quality. better of are shade under grown the region, Sydney the to native Although of range a in successfully grow will lily gymea will It Perth. to Brisbane from climates coastal flowers the but environments, cooler in grow While frost. heavy to susceptible are foliage and diseases, and pest to resistant relatively is it and stems the on problem a be can bugs mealy flowers. of tolerant and tough extremely is The the at needed is watering although drought, growth good for and stage establishment early requiring feeders gross are plants The rates. fertilising. regular but develop, to years 20 to 5 take can plant A can bushfires simulate to burning of system a flowering. synchronised encourage botanical (the tepals before spikes Harvest or alike are which petals and sepals for term production, nectar copious avoid to split fused) is latter The insects. of entry and escape pollen markets. export for important especially wild-grown both to applies specification This native state’s your Consult plants. cultivated and whether determine to plans management flora required. is lily gymea sell or grow to approval are called tepals). Also shows an unopened bud with tepals tepals with bud unopened an shows Also tepals). called are enclosing clasping and (left), bracts the beyond extending is pollen the – stamens green bright the Note flowers. centre Also clothing. stain can and parts other onto off rubbed easily flower. the of centre the in nectar gel-like of pool the note C lose up of floret showing open flower (the petal-like segments segments petal-like (the flower open showing floret of up lose Gymea lily plants are grown both for for both grown are plants lily Gymea heads flower spectacular huge, their leaves. green flat large, their for and

Product: Doryanthes, Gymea lily, Giant lily Botanical name: Doryanthes excelsa Product: Gymea lily STAGES OF OPENING

The stages shown apply to the product at market entry. Pay attention to the weather, time of year, and mode and duration of transport, because the flowers will continue to open during transport. You must consult with your target market to ensure that the flowers arrive at the desired stage. Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Immature stage, Spear stage, preferred Prime stage for domestic and unacceptable to markets. by selected markets, e.g. export markets: tepals emerged export markets: bracts red, from bracts but not yet split open. tepals not emerged. Cmnd om o eFECTS

Common defects to avoid at market entry – flowers n T oo many individual flowers open n W ater damage on bracts n S unburn ( browning) on flowers or flower stem n G ravity response of flowers Water damage on Early-stage bract browning Overmature and wilting bracts – do not – do not market flowers with bract browning n M ealy bugs on leaves and flowers, market – do not market particularly at base of sheathing leaves along stem n B ruised flowers Common defects to avoid at market entry – leaves n S unburn n Immaturity (manifests as physiological breakdown) n L eaves dried out n Insects such as mealy bug on leaves, particularly at base of sheathing leaves along stem Left: leaf too immature (mature Physiological breakdown InsectMechanically damage leaf on right); light green of leaf – discardweak poor-quality leaf (bent) – do not market foliage– discard Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6 Later stage, unaccepted by many Overmature stage: many tepals split. Very overmature stage: most tepals markets but suitable for some Not accepted by most markets, but have split. Do not market. domestic markets: a few tepals may suit local markets or immediate have split. end users.

Overmature and wilting Gravity response of flower Browning of Sunburn on leaves Mechanical damage flowers (but no bract (caused by flower being stored sheathing leaves on – discard (to tip) – trim before browning) – do not market on side) – avoid by holding stem – do not market marketing or discard if stems upright if severe severe

Mechanically weak leaf (bent) Top: curled leaf Mealybug on leaves Insect webbing Blackening of cut end – discard (normal leaf at bottom) – disinfest before – clean before – do not market – do not market marketing marketing Product: Gymea lily FLOWERS Contamination Free of grit and soil, live insects or spiders, webbing.

Appearance Clear vibrant red. Some white and pink variants exist. RECOMMENDED HANDLING AT HARVEST Flower head fully formed and at final size; symmetrical. Size (diameter) and length must be proportional to stem Flowers Minimise drying out and exposure to heat – pick when it is length. cool, preferably straight into buckets of clean potable water, and hold in the shade. Flower head follows in a straight line from the stem (and is not offset from the stem at >15°). Move cut stems promptly to a cool, shaded packing area.

When to Spear: Flower head undeveloped; no tepals showing. Bracts Leaves Minimise exposure to heat – pick when it is cool, preferably are reddish. straight into buckets of clean potable water, and hold in the harvest shade. Mature flower head:Flower head fully formed. Tepals emerging from the bracts but no individual flowers opened, Do not leave in sun, as this can cause leaf blackening. as nectar and pollen can cause serious transport problems. Move cut leaves promptly to a cool, shaded packing area. Avoid harvesting when flower is wet. GR ADING AND BUNCHING – flowers Flower length About 1.8 m (from cut end to top). Grading Reject any contaminated stems. Damage No asymmetrical, deformed or damaged blooms. No folding, creasing or ripping of bracts. Individual flowers Bunching Flowers are marketed as single stems. not blemished, bruised or broken. No wilting. Stem length Marketed in 4 categories depending on diameter and Minimal noticeable bract browning. maturity of inflorescence (ignore outlying clusters of flowers in measurements – see photos). No chilling injury (apparent as discoloration and watery breakdown of the bracts; critical temperature unknown but likely to be <0 °C). Category Description

Contamination Product free of grit and soil, weeds or weed seeds, living Spear Undeveloped flower (tepals not or dead insects, and signs of insects or spiders, such as emerged) with red developing on webbing. bracts. Usually <11 cm in diameter

Pests and No apparent pest or disease damage. The very large and Mature 11–25 cm diameter complex flower head makes insect disinfestation difficult. inflorescence with 25–35 cm diameter diseases tepals emerging Discard any poor-quality product or stems with insects or 35+ cm diameter fungal infections. GR ADING AND BUNCHING – leaves Stems Straight. Free of disfiguring marks, pest injury or other blemishes (e.g. sunburn, frost damage). Generally marketed in 3 lengths: Neatly cut end. Grading • Short (minis): up to 60 cm No live or dead insects or other animals present (e.g. mealy bugs in the base of the sheathing leaves along the stem). • Regular: 60–140 cm • Tall: >140 cm levs a e These are a separate product from the blooms. Bunching The number of leaves per bunch varies, and is determined Appearance Crisp and medium to dark green. Not dull or wilted. by their size and by market and buyer requirements. Smaller leaves (minis) are marketed in bunches of 7. At harvest Fully mature, not soft. Other sizes are sold in bunches of 5. Straight and relatively flat (not curled); clean. Cut straight across base.

Damage No evidence of pests, disease or blemishes such as sunburn, frost damage or mechanical damage. Leaves entire (no insect feeding damage). Minimum discoloration (<2% by area and affecting <10% of leaves); no yellowing Free of visible chemical residues. No black or rubbery areas, which indicate drying out or overheating. Leaves are commonly trimmed at Brown tips and slight margin damage can be trimmed to the tips to remove dead material: remove blemish. Trim tip to a tapering point, not straight untrimmed (left) and trimmed (right) across (see photo opposite). HOLDING AND STORAGE L ABELLING AND DOCUMENTATION

Cooling Effective cooling soon after harvest is important to Label boxes and buckets as recommended in Postharvest Manual* retaining quality and maximising vase life. or as required by customer. The recommended option is to cool as soon as possible Ensure box contents are exactly the same as specified in the documentation after harvest and hold in clean potable water. This will stop and on the end of the box. the flowers from continuing to open.

Aim to store in a high-humidity cool room (95%) at 2–4 °C TR ANSPORT JN: 9784 • Layout by Wild Poppy Design • Edited Stevens, by Editing, Matthew ScienceScape Sydney within 45 minutes of cutting to remove field heat. Flowers: Hold in cool room until ready to process, Short distance: in buckets. preferably overnight, or for at least 4 hours. Medium distance: wrapped in cardboard or packed in boxes. Leaves: Hold dry and loosely covered with plastic film in cool room until ready to process, preferably overnight, or Long distance: refrigerated vehicle at 2–4 °C. for at least 4 hours. COMMON POSTHARVEST PROBLEMS Temperature Hold in a high-humidity cool room (95%) at 2–4 °C for up Refer to Postharvest Manual* for general advice. and humidity to 5 days (flowers) and for up to several weeks (leaves). Another way of achieving high humidity is to cover the Fungal decay Use preharvest fungicide sprays during wet weather to flowers with plastic sleeves or plastic sheeting. Don’t do in storage due reduce the risk of botrytis disease. this if fluctuating temperatures cause condensation on Use preharvest insecticide sprays to reduce the pest the plastic. to botrytis population at harvest. (grey mould) Harvest and market flower heads before individual flowers Postharvest Postharvest solution: Hold in clean potable water with an have opened to minimise the entry of insects. added registered biocide. Insects solutions Fumigate flowers before dispatch to kill insects. Check Holding solution: Same as postharvest solution. (for export) flower heads for insects before packing (insects such as bees may be trapped in the flower head). Longer-term Flowers can be held dry, loosely covered with plastic OR wrap, for at least 2 weeks at 2–4 °C. It is essential that the Dip flowers that are to be packaged and held for any storage flowers not come in contact with moisture, to avoid loss significant length of time (export) in a registered fungicide of vase life. Store flowers upright to stop them bending and insecticide solution with added wetting agent for not themselves upwards, causing misshapen heads. less than 1 minute, then dry naturally for 2 hours to ensure thorough disinfestation. Leaves can be held dry and loosely covered with plastic film in a cool room at 2–4 °C for up to 6 weeks. Do not Avoid postharvest dips if any florets are open. pack tightly to avoid crushing or heat build-up. Leaves can be held in a bucket of postharvest solution for up to Ethylene Doryanthes does not appear to be susceptible to ethylene. 1 week. sensitivity For longer storage seek professional advice and test in the market before committing product. Messages for importers and wholesalers PK AC AGING n Recut stems and place into fresh water. n Cool product before marketing or sending on and keep it cool (2–4 °C). Pack only dry, cold flowers or leaves. n Maintain good hygiene and keep containers clean. Flowers: Owing to their size, gymea lily flowers are generally transported to local markets standing up in buckets of water, with the stem tied to an Messages for retailers upright support within the truck. For longer-distance transport and export, n Recut stems and place into fresh water containing a registered biocide. stems are packed in extra-long boxes and carefully secured within the n Use clean buckets and containers for displays. box with ties or export hooks so they will not move and be damaged. For long-distance transport, protect the heads with shredded paper or bubble n Do not display flowers in areas that are exposed to full sun, draughts, high plastic. temperatures or vehicle exhausts, and preferably do not display near fruit and Leaves: Transport in buckets of water to close markets. For longer distance, vegetables. Use refrigerated displays if possible. pack in boxes. The number of leaves per box varies, and is determined by n Tell the customer how to care for the flowers and emphasise the need for fresh clean the size of the leaf and by market and buyer requirements. The box should water and clean vases. contain leaves of similar size. Messages for consumers Use boxes with holes to allow forced-air cooling and to facilitate fumigation. n Keep vase filled with fresh clean water. Check daily, as flowers can use a lot of water. Minimise water loss, especially for long-distance shipping, by lining boxes Change the water at least every second day. Always use clean vases and clean water. with plastic. If the flowers will need forced-air cooling or fumigation, line only the long sides, tops and bases of the boxes, not the ends. n Do not display in areas that are exposed to full sun, draughts or high temperatures. Keep as cool as possible without freezing. Cool to 2–4 °C before transport. n Discard other flower types in the same vase when they reach the end of their vase life.

SUPPORTING INDUSTRY PARTNER: The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable regions. You must not rely on any information contained in this publication without taking specialist advice relevant to your particular circumstances. The Commonwealth Authors: Dr Ross Worrall and Bettina Gollnow. Photographs by: Dr Ross Worrall. of Australia, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the authors or contributors expressly disclaim, to the maximum extent permitted by law, all responsibility and liability to any person, This publication is one of a series of Quality Specifications for Australian Wildflowers. arising directly or indirectly from any act or omission, or for any consequences of any such act or omission, ISSN 1440-6845. ISBN 978-1-74254-032-0. RIRDC Publication No. 10/059. www.rirdc.gov.au made in reliance on the contents of this publication, whether or not caused by any negligence on the part of the *The Postharvest Manual is the manual ‘Postharvest Handling of Australian Flowers from Australian Native Commonwealth of Australia, RIRDC, the authors or contributors. Plants and Related Species’, 2nd edition, 2010. ISBN 978-1-74254-000-9. RIRDC Publication No.10/027. © 2010 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. This publication is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. Requests concerning reproduction and Both publications were developed by RIRDC Project No. PRJ-000331. rights should be addressed to the RIRDC Publications Manager on phone 02 6271 4165.