Tips
What factors determine the vase life of flowers?
Flower development and its duration, in connection with climatic conditions and other factors, are different for each flower type and cultivar. Deviations from the optimum care will of course lead to a shorter vase life for the consumer.
- Growing conditions: light, temperature, relative humidity, fertilization and crop protection have a marked effect on the quality of flowers once they have been harvested.
- Post-harvest conditions: temperature and humidity in particular, determine whether the cut flower will be delivered to the consumer in good condition after the harvest. Higher temperatures promote flower development. Humidity plays a direct role in the condensation process and wide fluctuations in this and temperature promotes the growth of the fungus Botrytis. Using the most suitable post-harvest treatment for each flower type is one of the measures needed to get the flowers through the distribution chain intact.
- Hygiene: poor hygiene measures promote the development of micro-organisms, which cause the vase water to become cloudy, dirty and ultimately four smelling.
- Distribution / transport time: Cut flowers come from all corners of the world and are shipped across huge distances, whether by road, air or sea. Climate control, good packaging, appropriate post-harvest treatments and speed are very important in conserving the quality of cut flowers and foliage.