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Product: , Button Bush Botanical name:

Quality specifications for Australian wildflowers is is is less popular and and popular less is species and selections are are selections and species Berzelia Berzelia belongs to the family , one one Bruniaceae, family the to belongs grow- or grow-through display may has a comparatively long vase life life vase long comparatively a has white. Flowering Flowering white. life. vase shorter a has Berzelia to endemic are that families few the of Cape Western the and kingdom floral Cape the related closely The Africa. South of trade. cut-flower the for grown also woody evergreen, compact, a is plant The rot root to susceptible very is that the inside leaves the of Browning diseases. high to related be may and common is bush humidity. Berzelia grow tip stem the at shoots the where past, head. flower the through published little very be to appears There product. this on information of number A flower individual larger have Some marketed. red have others while across), cm (>1 heads red-tinged or stems, flowering the on wax heads. flower June to November. season: June to Flowering (green 14–21 days life: vase Typical stage). Export (white stage); 7 days can especially if the the vase life, reduce transport the not cold, conditions are product dries out or transport takes too long. Other productsthis which to specification can be generally applied: Other varieties and selections nysna, B. galpinii, B. of Berzelia lanuginosa, B. and Brunia species. squarrosa T the at clustered densely flowers have forms Some extending flowers have others while stems, the of tops tips. stem the from down further (right) product (flowering) White (left). product Green this: like look bunches ypical Berzelia deep in stems Hold stage. green the at avoid to solution postharvest or water is ‘pea’ each of top the When out. drying not should and old is product the brown, marketed. be is a distinctive distinctive a is at a range of of range a at Berzelia maturities, ranging from small individual individual small from ranging maturities, still-green to across) mm (3 heads flower across). mm (>5 heads expanded fully individual matures, head flower each As form to emerge flowers white to cream the accept markets Some ball. fluffy a stage intermediate the or product, white are some and green are balls some when It is typically sold when the terminal terminal the when sold typically is It are heads flower spherical of masses much looking green, and closed still pea-like Each peas. green of masses like short a of end the at sits head flowering are heads flowering the Below branch. foliage. conifer-like of shoots side wispy leaves needle-like mid-green, small, The stem. the up going whorls in massed are heads flower the have forms Some others while tips, stem the at positioned some extending heads flower have stem. the down distance use Florists A are available, including this one with red red with one this including available, are heads. flower the underneath wax Berzelia of selections different of number Berzelia lanuginosa Berzelia and versatile product. product. versatile and

Product: Berzelia, Button Bush Botanical name: Berzelia lanuginosa Product: Berzelia, Button Bush 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. Both green product (round flower heads partly to fully sized but not open) and white product (individual florets making up the Stage 1 Stage 2 flower ball have opened) Immature stage, acceptable in some Prime stage for green product, suitable are marketable, but please markets: each flower head is the size of a for both export and domestic markets: ask your customer which small pea each flower head is the size of a pea product is expected.

Cmnd om o eFECTS

Common defects to be avoided at market entry: n F lower heads at various stages of maturity on same stem n B rowning of tips, stem or foliage Shoot grow-through Sparse flowering on stem n S parse flowering – check buyer preferences and put more stems in bunches n D eformed or ‘untidy’ flower heads (e.g. too many vegetative shoots) n G row-through n Insect contamination (e.g. scale insects) n P ale or yellowish foliage n W ilted or dried-out product n C urved stems n O ld product

Too many leafy shoots on Tip browning, flower masses flowering stem and not enough poorly arranged – discard flower heads – discard STAGES OF OPENING

Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5 Transition stage from green to white Latest stage for picking white product Overmature, significant grow through, product (individual florets opening): (fluffy, creamy-white flower balls open): flower balls turning brown, centre of preferred by only some markets preferred by only some markets flower light brown: unaccepted

Deformed flower heads Curved stem – discard Bunch containing dried-out stem Asymmetrical bunch – avoid by keeping all stem ends – fix before marketing in deep water

Burnt flowers Leaf and stem browning Insect contamination (webbing Dried-out stem (most likely due to frost) – discard caterpillar) – discard; avoid by (product looks dull) – discard managing insects in the field – do not market before harvest Product: Berzelia, Button Bush

FLOWERS RECOMMENDED HANDLING AT HARVEST

Appearance Masses of deep-green, pea-like flower heads at During harvest, minimise drying out and exposure to heat – pick stem tips or along upper sections of stems. when it is cool, and place straight into buckets of clean potable Multi-headed stems may reach a head diameter water. Move cut stems promptly to a cool, shaded packing area. of 7–8 cm. No grow-through of vegetative shoots. GRADING AND BUNCHING

When to Masses of flower heads large, partly to fully Processing Reject any contaminated stems. harvest expanded, depending on market demand, but Remove any flower heads retained from previous with each pea-like flower head at least 5 mm year. across (the size of a small pea). Sort stems according to flower maturity, length The market accepts a broad range of maturities, and thickness. from green to white (fully flowering), but ensure Prepare bunches to buyer requirements. buyer requirements are met. Recut stems. Avoid harvesting when flowers are wet. Tie bunches. Carry out postharvest disinfestation (dipping) if Damage No asymmetrical, deformed or damaged flower required. heads. Add sleeves if required. No apparent pest or disease damage. Pack. Avoid spindly stems; stems with sparse flower Return packed bunches to cool room. heads or few flowering branches; poorly arranged, damaged or aborted heads; and Stem length According to market demand. stems with large volume of foliage in relation to flowering heads. Bunching The number of stems per bunch varies, and is No wilting. determined by their size, the stem diameter, and market and buyer requirements. Contamination Product free of grit and soil, weeds or weed There is no prescribed stem diameter in relation seeds, living or dead insects, and signs of insects to the length of the stem. However, presentation or spiders, such as webbing. is important, so for example if 5 stems make a thin-looking bunch, then increase bunch size. Stay Pests and No insects (especially scale insects and aphids). consistent for the grade and make all bunches the same. diseases No sooty mould (caused by fungus growing on the honeydew excreted by scale insects or Number of ties: 2. aphids). Especially for export, line up the flower heads so Discard any affected product. they are even across the top of the bunch. Stems should be approximately the same diameter LEAVES within a bunch, with the cut ends aligned and tied firmly near the base.

Appearance Fresh mid-green. Stem length No. stems per Stem length No. stems Minimum severe foliage discolouration (<5% by Stems per (cm) for export bunch (cm) for per domestic area). bunch export (av. 350 g domestic bunch (av. bunch) market 350–400 g No brown foliage on marketed stem. bunch)

Damage Minimum evidence of pests, disease or other 100 5–10 70 (400 g) 10 blemishes (<5%). 80 (usual 5–10 60 (400 g) 10 Free of visible chemical residues. length) 60 (usual 5–10 50 (350 g) 10–15 STEMS minimum for export)

Appearance Rigid and strong enough to support blooms. 50 5 30–40 (300 g) 15–20 Bend <15°. 40 5 Neatly cut end. No tip dieback. Sleeves Sleeves are optional but may help to maintain No rusty-brown discoloured stems. quality by improving product appearance and making it easier to pack. Select the sleeve size to Harvest Remove leaves from at least the lower 10–15 cm suit the bunch size. or one third of the stem. HOLDING AND STORAGE TRANSPORT

Cooling Effective cooling soon after harvest is important Refrigerated vehicle at 2–4 °C. to retaining quality and maximising vase life. There are two options: COMMON POSTHARVEST PROBLEMS • Cool, process, cool – for example, remove field Refer to Postharvest Manual* for general advice. heat by cooling flowers immediately on entry into shed to 10 °C in buckets of solution, process JN: 9782 • Layout by Wild Poppy Design • Edited Stevens, by Editing, Matthew ScienceScape Sydney Use preharvest fungicide sprays during wet flowers (bunch, grade), and then cool to 2–4 °C Disinfestation: weather, which favours development of botrytis. by either forced-air cooling (if boxed) or holding Fungal decay overnight in a cool room in postharvest solution. Use preharvest insecticide sprays to reduce the in storage due pest population at harvest. • Process within 1 hour of cutting, and then cool to botrytis to 2–4 °C by either forced-air cooling for 20–30 (grey mould) Dip flowers that are to be packaged and held minutes (if boxed) or holding overnight in a cool for any significant length of time (export) in a room in postharvest solution (if in buckets). Insects registered fungicide and insecticide solution Forced-air cooling of packed flowers is ideal for (for export) with added wetting agent for not less than 1 large volumes of product. minute, then dry naturally for 2 hours to ensure thorough disinfestation. Temperature Hold in a high-humidity cool room (95%) at OR and humidity 2–4 °C until ready to process, for at least 12 hours Fumigate flowers with a registered product or preferably overnight. before dispatch. Berzelia is very sensitive to Another way of achieving high humidity is to methyl bromide (leaves go brown). cover the flowers with plastic sleeves or plastic Shake treated bunches gently before packing to sheeting. dislodge any dead insects. If necessary, hold in cool room at 2–4 °C for up to 2 days. Yellowing and Avoid packing too much product in the box, as overheating in the fine leaves will turn yellow if the product gets Postharvest Hydration solution: Clean potable water. Avoid transit too hot in transit. solutions sugar. Postharvest solution: Same as hydration solution. Ethylene Unknown. No extra treatments are recommended. sensitivity To increase water uptake and improve hydration it may be worth holding the stems in deep water (e.g. 20 cm). Messages for importers and wholesalers n Recut stems and place into fresh water containing a registered biocide, and Longer-term If necessary, hold at 2–4 °C for up to 7 days. avoid adding sugar. storage If holding for longer, you may need to treat with a n To increase water uptake and improve hydration it may be worth holding the fungicide to protect against botrytis. stems in deep water (e.g. 20 cm). n Cool product before marketing or sending on and keep it cool (2–4 °C). PACKAGING n Maintain good hygiene and keep containers clean. Pack bunches of the same stem number together. Messages for retailers Put bunches of similar length together, and ensure all bunches n meet this specification. Recut stems and place into fresh water containing a registered biocide. n Pack bunches with flower heads at each end of the box and stems Use clean buckets and containers for displays. in the middle to avoid damaging flower heads. n Do not display flowers in areas that are exposed to full sun, draughts, Pack bunches firmly but ‘springy’ so the product will not move and high temperatures or vehicle exhausts, and do not display near fruit and be damaged. Do not pack too tightly, owing to the high risk of leaf vegetables. Use refrigerated displays if possible. yellowing if product overheats. n Tell the customer how to care for the flowers and emphasise the need for fresh As Berzelia is a very heavy product, use smaller boxes. clean water and clean vases. Cool packaged flowers to 2–4° C before transport. Messages for consumers n Keep vase filled with fresh clean water. Check daily, as flowers can use a lot LABELLING AND DOCUMENTATION of water. Change the water at least every second day. Always use clean vases and clean water. Label boxes and buckets as recommended in Postharvest Manual* n Do not display in areas that are exposed to full sun, draughts or high or as required by customer. temperatures. Keep as cool as possible without freezing. Ensure box contents are exactly the same as specified in the documentation and on the end of the box.

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: Bettina Gollnow and Dr Ross Worrall. Photographs by: Lowan Turton and 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 978-1-74254-009-2. RIRDC Publication No. 10/036. 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. 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.