A term paper on
POST HARVEST HANDLING AND FACTORS AFFECTING POST
HARVEST LIFE OF GLADIOLUS FLOWER
Submitted to:
Asst. Prof. Arjun Kumar Shrestha, Ph.D.
Department of Horticulture
Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU)
Rampur Chitwan, Nepal
Submitted by:
Asmita Khanal
Roll No. HRT-05-M-2013
Department of Horticulture
Agriculture and Forestry University
Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal
August 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
S.N.
Contents
1.
2.
3.
4.
4.1
4.1.1
4.1.1.1
4.1.1.2
4.1.1.3
4.1.1.4
4.1.1.5
4.1.2
4.1.2.1
4.1.2.2
4.1.3
4.1.3.1
4.1.3.2
4.1.3.3
4.1.3.4
4.1.3.5
4.1.3.6
4.1.3.7
4.1.3.8
4.1.3.9
4.2
4.2.1
4.2.2
4.2.3
4.2.4
4.2.5
4.2.6
4.2.7
4.2.8
4.2.9
4.2.10
4.2.10.1
4.2.11
5.
6.
7.
INTRODUCTION
OBJECTIVES
RATIONALE OF THE STUDY
LITERATURE REVIEW
Factors affecting the post harvest life of Gladiolus
Pre-harvest factors
Variety
Environment
Irrigation
Fertilizer application to soil
Corm size
Harvest factors
Stage of harvest
Time of harvest
Post harvest factors
Temperature
Relative humidity
Food supply
Light
Water relation
Ethylene
Growth tropism
Mechanical damage
Disease
Post harvest handling of gladiolus
Harvesting
Conditioning or hardening
Pulsing or loading
Impregnation of cut ends with chemicals
Bud opening solutions
Grading
Bunching
Precooling
Packing
Storage
Storage methods
Transportation
METHODOLOGY
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES
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1. INTRODUCTION
Gladiolus (Gladiolus L.), a member of the family Iridaceae, is one of the most popular
ornamental bulbous plant grown commercially for its enhancing flowers. It is known as
‘queen of bulbous flowers’. The name gladiolus has been derived from the Latin word
gladius, meaning a sword as its leaves resemble the shape of sword (Makhijani, 1973).
In international cut flower trade, gladiolus crop occupies fourth place and it is next to rose,
chrysanthemum and carnation (Bose and Yadav, 1989). The demand of this crop is increasing
day by day in both internal and international market (FAN/AEC, 2007). Among the several
flowering bulbous plant species in ornamental horticulture, gladiolus is very popular for its
attractive flower spikes.
Gladiolus is very popular and is the most important cut flower in the Nepalese cut flower
industry. It is the first commercially grown cut flower crop in Nepal. It ranks number one in
terms of production and consumption in Nepal (Pun, 2004). The production of cut flowers in
Nepal is mainly centered in Kathmandu valley. Outside valley, Gunjanagar, Divyanagar,
Tandi and Parsa of Chitwan, Hetauda of Makawanpur, Banepa of Kabhre are potential sites
of cut production (Gaire, 2007). There are 635 active flowers and plants growers in 35
districts who have 120 ha of land and have invested about 3.5 billion. These farms and their
networks altogether give employment to about 40000 people; more than 60% of them are
women. The study has identified 14 districts with 7million population having prospects for
floriculture production in Nepal. Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Dhading, Chitwan and
Makawanpur are the major cut flower producing districts.
Nepalese nurseries supply limited number of cut flowers and cut foliages on the seasonal
basis. The flori products produced in Nepal can meet only 40% of the domestic demand and
60% demands are being met by the supplies from India (Upreti, 1998; FAN, 1995; Regmi,
2000).
The flower business was limited to vendor sale till 1991/1992 in Nepal. The flowers are used
only to worship deities in some occasions and causal ceremonies. The first cut flower sale
shop was opened in hotel Woodland, Dynasty plaza in 1992 and sales were recorded as Rs.
18000 in the first month. The wholesale market is selling cut flowers per annum at the rate of
Rs 6656661.18 and the main cut flowers are gladiolus, rose, chrysanthemum, carnation and
tuberose (FAN/AEC, 2007).
The development of flori business in Nepal seems to have a good prospect from which
farmers can earn good income, thereby improving the economy of the country especially
form gladiolus cut flower which is a recent development in cut flower production. The
demand of it is increasing every year, especially in the cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara,
Narayangarh etc.
Floriculture sector is experiencing rapid change in world over. Due to globalization and its
effect on income generation in different parts of the world, per capita consumption of flowers
is increasing in most the countries (Nijasure et al., 2004). Total transaction value of
floriculture sub sector grew recently with increasing demand and supply in the domestic as
well as foreign markets. The Nepalese floriculture industry therefore must strive to initiation
the existing standard and meet the future requirements, the different packages of practices,
pre and postharvest treatment, use of preservatives helps to maintain required export qualities
as well as maximum vase life.
In cut flower industry, the most important aspect is post harvest handling in order to maintain
flowers freshness and original color for longer period, normally gladiolus spikes last for 5-6
days when placed in water (Nijasure et al., 2004). The postharvest behavior of flowers is an
outcome of the physiological processes occurring in leaves, stem, the flower bud, the leafless
peduncle or scape connecting the bud to the stem. Some of these processes may act
independently to affect the senescence and vase life of cut flowers, but most of them are
1
interrelated and correlated. After detaching from the plant, the cut flowers carry on all life
processes at the expense of stored reserved food in the form of carbohydrates, proteins and
fats for their longevity for a few more days (Bhattacharjee, 1999). According to Halevy and
Mayak (1979) two distinct physiological phases have been identified in flowers:
 Bud growth and development to full opening and
 Maturation, senescence and wilting.
Extension of vase life of cut flower depends on their water relations and retarding rate of
senescence, which can be achieved by using right stage of cutting of flower and pulsing
treatment.
2. OBJECTIVES
Broad objective
 To know about the technique of post harvest handling of gladiolus.
Specific objectives
 To have an idea about the total loss from the improper post harvest practices.
 To know about the various factors affecting the post harvest life of gladiolus.
 To be familiar with the different management practices to increase the post harvest
life of gladiolus.
 To recommend the appropriate production and post harvest technology to growers.
3. RATIONALE OF THE STUDY
Cut flowers like gladiolus are the high value and priority commodities as envisaged in
Agriculture perspective plan (APP, 1995). It is an ornamental flowering crop becoming
socio-economically important, due to high returns per unit area in a short period. The demand
and cultivating area of gladiolus in 1992/93 was 100-150 sticks per day and 15 ropani now it
is increasing significantly and reached to 8000 sticks per day and area coverage 120 ha
respectively (FAN/AEC 2011). The major problem in gladiolus business is its post harvest
loss. The quality of flower is deteriorating by different pre harvest and post harvest factors.
This study helps in building an idea about the causes of deterioration and the total losses due
to this problem. Along with this the study was done for being familiar with the techniques of
post harvest handling. The proper harvest techniques and efficient handling practices become
guiding factors for increasing the economic return.
4. LITERATURE REVIEW
The relevant literature available under the post harvest handling of gladiolus has been
reviewed in this chapter under various sub heads.
4.1 Factors affecting the post harvest life of Gladiolus
Several factors at Preharvest stages including genetic or inherent, climatic or environmental
and management; harvest factors like stage, method and time of harvest, and postharvest
factors such as watering, rehydratiion, pre-cooling, storage environment, packaging
techniques, microorganisms etc influence the postharvest quality and longevity of cut
flowers (Bhattacharjee, 1999).
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4.1.1 Pre-harvest factors
4.1.1.1 Variety
A wide variation in the postharvest life has been reported on gladiolus cut flower due to
genetic and varietal factors (Bhattacharjee and Saxena, 1998). These variations have been
attributed to variation on cell wall thickening, levels of peroxidase and lignification,
production of Aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid (ACC) and ethylene forming enzymes
(EFE) as well as the genetic makeup of the cultivars (Gelder, 1998).
Saini et al. (1991) have evaluated six gladiolus cultivars at Hissar, India and found variation
in varietal responses for different characteristics. Among the tested cultivars, Pusa Suhagain
had the longest vase life where as miniature had the shortest vase life.
Likewise, Leena et al., (1993) evaluated five gladiolus cultivars viz. Agnirekha, American
Beauty, Friendship, Mansoer red, and true Yellow over two seasons under Kerala, India
condition. They reported that among the tested varieties, American Beauty and Friendship
were found superior for cut flower yield where as Agnirekha and Mansoer were found best
for longer vase life.
4.1.1.2 Environment
Postharvest life of cut flower is heavily affected by preharvest environmental conditions
(Halevy and Mayak, 1979). Primarily the environmental factors such as temperature, light
intensity (Nowak and Rudnicki, 1990) and relative humidity (Mortensen and Fjeld, 1998)
have been found to influence postharvest life of flowers. It has been claimed that about 3070% of the potential postharvest life of many flowers is determined at harvest (Staby et al.,
1976).
Flowers produced during low light intensity, age more rapidly than those produced during the
period of high light intensity. Preharvest light and temperature conditions also affect the
pigmentation and coloration of flower petals as well as longevity. As temperature and light
intensity directly influence the photosynthate level in flower tissues, sugar level has been
known to be closely correlated with postharvest life of cut flowers. The lower carbohydrate
content in petals due to the low temperature and light intensity will result in shorter vase life
(Halevy and Mayak, 1979).
However, optimum night and day temperature for quality cut flower production of gladiolus
is 15 to 23oC (Bhattacharjee, 1999).
A high level of relative humidity (>80 % to 90 %) reduces postharvest life of cut flowers
(Mortensen and Fjeld, 1998) as the level of calcium content is adversely affected in such
condition. Calcium content in the tissue is attributed to influence the structure and function of
cell wall and membrane.
4.1.1.3 Irrigation
Gladiolus grown under low irrigation regime is reported better than wet and normal irrigation
in terms of flower vase life. Frequent irrigation regimes have been found to increase the
sensitivity to ethylene and resulted in a shorter flower life (Bhattacharjee, 1999).
4.1.1.4 Fertilizer application to soil
An appropriate soil nutrient level is known to improve the plant growth and development and
as a consequence the longevity of cut flower is affected. A greater longevity of cut flower
has been reported at low level of nitrogen that is associated with abscisic acid synthesis of
petal. High phosphorus and potassium fertilizer has been reported better for the flower
longevity. High salinity of soil markedly reduces longevity of flowers. High nitrogen
application causes a decline in postharvest life (13% variation in Anthurium spp.), and
increased postharvest life has been reported with K application (Paull et al., 1992).
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4.1.1.5 Corm size
The quality as well as quantity of flower spikes depends upon various factors, out of which
size of mother corm play important role (Sharma and Gupta, 2003). According to study
conducted by Joshi (2008) in gladiolus cv. American Beauty reported that larger corm size
(3.75-4.50 cm) performed better in relation to post harvest characteristics i.e. days to first
floret necrosis, days to last floret opening etc.
4.1.2 Harvest factors
The potential lasting of cut flower is predetermined at harvest. Certain harvest factors like
stage of harvest, method of harvest, cut flower stems and time of harvest influence the
keeping quality of the flowers (Bhattacharjee, 1999).
4.1.2.1 Stage of harvest
Stage of maturity has been known to influence flower postharvest longevity as harvesting at
tight bud stage of flowers has been found to be associated with longer vase life. Cutting
flowers in bud stage is preferable, when possible, since they are easier to handle and are less
susceptible to detrimental environmental conditions like high temperature and ethylene
(Maxie et al., 1973). Gladiolus should be harvested when flower buds show color. For the
immediate use, florets at the bottom of the upper 1/3 of the spike show color; lowermost
floret is fully open. While for storage it should be harvested at tight bud stage (Baustista,
1990).
4.1.2.2 Time of harvest
Experiments carried out in gladiolus cultivars revealed that flowers harvested in the
afternoon, lasted for longer duration, recording maximum flower expansion in vase (Rogers,
1963).
4.1.3 Post harvest factors
The metabolic process that continues after flower harvest is heavily affected by
environmental factors (Koyana and Uda, 1994). These include temperature, relative humidity
and light intensity. Besides, postharvest life of cut flowers is mostly correlated and affected
by water relation, carbohydrate metabolites, ethylene sensitivity, micro-organisms as well as
the physical and mechanical exertion during postharvest period.
4.1.3.1 Temperature
High temperature reduces postharvest life of most cut flowers. It is closely related to water
balance and metabolic process of cut flowers, and thereby adversely affect the longevity of
flowers. The most important metabolic process is respiration that increases with increase in
temperature (Pun, 2000). Similarly, water loss via transpiration and surface evaporation is
proportionately related with temperature as increased temperature causes increased water
loss, and resulted in shorter vase life of the cut flowers.
Respiration of cut flowers, an integral part of growth and aging, generates heat as by-product,
furthermore, as the ambient temperature rises, the respiration rate increases. For example, a
flower held at 850F (290C) is likely to respire (and therefore age) up to 45 times as fast as a
flower held at 350F (20C).
4.1.3.2 Relative humidity
High relative humidity and little or no air movement in the holding atmosphere are beneficial
for prolonging the vase life of cut flower during postharvest (Doi et al., 2000). The effect of
relative humidity has been closely related with the water content of cut flower. The high
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surface to volume ratio and thin cuticle of flower petal make them highly susceptible to
desiccation, even under low temperature conditions. Water loss, due to transpiration mostly
though stomata, correlates directly to the decline of the fresh weight of flowers. Hence, high
RH of 90-95% is recommended and is especially important in long term storage (Hardenburg
et al., 1986). For short term storage (1-2 days), RH at 80 or above is sufficiently safe in
retarding wilting from moisture loss and is commonly used in practice.
4.1.3.3 Food supply
Starch and sugars stores in the stem, leaves and petals provide much of the food needed for
cut flower opening and maintenance. These carbohydrate levels are highest when plants are
grown in high light and with proper cultural management. Carbohydrate levels are, in fact,
generally highest in the late afternoon after a fully day sunlight.
The quality and vase life of gladiolus can be improved by pulsing them after harvest with a
solution containing sugar. Pulsing is done by standing the cut flowers in solution for a short
period, usually less than 24 hours, and often at low temperature. Immersing cut spikes in a
solution of high sugar concentration (20%) for 20 hrs at 20˚C improved the opening and
longevity of flower spikes (Mayak et.al 1973).
4.1.3.4 Light
Light intensity during flower storage has been found to have very little effect on the vase life
of flowers (Nowak and Rudnicki, 1990). However, flowers in low light intensity in the
storage without sugar treatment have been shown to have reduced sucrose, glucose and
fructose content in petal cells (Van Doorn et al., 1991).
4.1.3.5 Water relation
Water relation in cut flowers is one of the main factors affecting vase life. Transpiration rate
and the capacity of the flower tissue to retain water, as well as the water uptake rate and
transport, determine the water balance in cut flower (Halevy and Mayak, 1981). Water
relation has been known to be influenced by high vapor pressure deficit (VPD) by hastening
the transpiration rate, and subsequently by high temperature raising the osmotic potential,
which is partly caused by the consumption of respiratory substrate (Doi et al., 2000).
Water movement is adversely affected under the hard water containing alkaline mineral.
Higher concentration of sodium (Na +) ions exert toxic effect and similar effect of fluoride
(1-2 ppm) has also been reported in gladiolus (Reid, 1992). Plugging of xylem vessel
elements of cut flower is reported by the cause of metabolism occlusion, microbial origin,
microbial contamination and the presence of air emboli in the vascular system (Parups and
Molnar, 1972).
Air entering into xylem vessels of cut stem end at the time of harvest and transport strongly
inhibits water uptake (Van Meeteren and Van Gelder, 1999). The benefits of low pH of vase
water have long been recognized. The effect of low pH is attributed to a reduction of
microbial population in vase water and increase water conductivity (Durkin et al., 2001).
Tap water in vase solution is resulted in shorter vase life and influences efficacy of chemicals
used in the solution (Rogers, 1973). On the contrary, distilled water as the vase solution is
common practice in postharvest studies of cut flowers (Reid and Kofranek, 1980).
4.1.3.6 Ethylene
Levels of ethylene above one hundred parts in one billion parts of air (100 ppb) in the
vicinity of most cut flowers can cause damage and therefore should be avoided. Storage and
handling areas should be designed not only to minimize contamination of the atmosphere
with ethylene, but with adequate ventilation to remove any ethylene that does occur.
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4.1.3.7 Growth tropism
Certain responses of cut flowers to flower to environmental stimuli (tropisms) can result in
quality loss. Most important are geotropism (bending away from gravity) and phototropism
(bending towards light). Geotropism often reduces quality in spike flower crops like
gladiolus and snapdragon, because the flowers and spike bend upward when stored
horizontally. These flowers should be handled upright whenever possible.
4.1.3.8 Mechanical damage
Bruising and breakage of cut flowers should be avoided. Flowers with torn petals, broken
stems or other obvious injuries are undesirable for aesthetic reasons. Disease organisms can
more easily infect plants through injured areas. Additionally, respiration and ethylene
evolution is generally higher in injured plants, further reducing storage and vase life.
4.1.3.9 Disease
Flowers are very susceptible to disease, not only because their petals are fragile, but also
because the secretions of their nectaries often provide an excellent nutrient supply for even
mild pathogens. To make matters worse, transfer from cold storage to warmer handling
areas can result in condensation of water on the harvested flowers. The most commonly
encountered disease organism, gray molds (Botrytis cinerea); can germinate whenever free
moisture is present. In the humid environment of the flower head, it can even grow at
temperatures near freezing. Proper management of greenhouse hygiene, temperature control,
and the minimizing of condensation on the harvested flowers all reduce losses caused by this
disease.
4.2 Post harvest handling of gladiolus
Systems for harvesting and marketing cut flowers vary according to individual crops,
growers, production areas, and marketing systems. All involve a series of steps- harvesting,
grading, bunching, sleeving, packing, pre-cooling and transportation – not necessarily in that
order. Management system should be selected so as to maximize post harvest life of the
flowers, a goal which usually require prompt pre-cooling and proper temperature
management thought out the harvesting chain.
4.2.1 Harvesting
Harvesting is normally done by hand using shears or a sharp knife. Traditional harvest in
California is done at the stage when the bottom two or three florets on the spike are showing
color. For long distance transportation, an even earlier harvest stage can be recommended if
it is combined with pulsing to ensure proper opening of the flowers at their destination. Local
market flowers are cut when the first floret is open. The optimum harvesting stage of
gladiolus was when the first floret was fully open (Song et al., 1992).
Harvesting is carried out so as to leave as many as leaves on the plant as possible. A knife is
run down between the leaves with the back of the knife down. When the knife blade is as low
as the cutter believes it should go, it is pulled upward and out, severing the stem, which can
then be pulled out of the leaves.
4.2.2 Conditioning or hardening
The main purpose of this treatment is to restore the turgidity of the cut flowers by saturating
them with water after they have suffered from water stress during handling in the field,
greenhouse or grading room or during storage and transport. Conditioning normally was
done initially with warm water at room temperature and then overnight in the cooler (Rogers,
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1963). Conditioning is preferably done with deionised water containing a germicide, but no
sugar (Lancaster, 1975).
4.2.3 Pulsing or loading
This is a preshipment short term treatment by growers or shippers, the effect of which should
last for the entire shelf life of the flower, even when the flower are held in water (Halevy
1976; Halevy and Mayak,1974). Specific pulsing formulations have been developed for
different flowers and sometimes even for different cultivars (Halevy et al., 1978). Pulsing
was found to be of great value in prolonging life, promoting opening and improving the color
and size of petal in gladiolus (Kofranek and Halevy, 1976). The main ingredient of the
various pulsing solutions is sucrose, which is often used in concentrations that are several
times higher than those used in preservative formulations. However, the optimum
concentration varies from 20% sucrose and higher for gladiolus (Mayak et al., 1973).
Pulsing with 20% sucrose for 16 hour significantly improved floret opening, floret diameter,
water uptake, longevity of the first floret and vase life and decreased the weight loss of
flower spikes in white Echantress gladiolus (De et al., 1996). Among the different
chemicals used as holding solutions, sucrose (4%) + 8HQC(250ppm) was found most
beneficial for improving the postharvest life and quality of cut “high style” spikes (De et al.,
1996).
4.2.4 Impregnation of cut ends with chemicals
Sometimes the cut ends of the flower stems are impregnated for a short time with chemicals.
This treatment protects the blockage of water vessels in stem by microbial growth and stem
decay. This impregnation can be followed by sugar pulsing soon after treatment or even after
a few days of transport or storage (Halevy and Mayak, 1974). This was reported
advantageous for gladiolus (Bhattacharjee, 1999). The cut ends can be impregnated with
1000 ppm AgNO3 or NiCl2 solutions for 10 minutes. It has been demonstrated that when the
cut stems gladiolus are impregnated with high concentration of AgNO3 (1000 to 1200 ppm),
flower longevity was enhanced.
4.2.5 Bud opening solutions
Bud opening is a procedure for harvesting flowers at a stage earlier than that normally
considered as “cutting stage” and then opening the buds off the plant. The appropriate
development of small buds may be achieved only with continuous supply of nutrients. The
advantages that have been demonstrated and suggested are (Mayak and Halevy, 1980):
 Reducing the sensitivity of flowers to extreme temperature, low humidity and
ethylene during handling and transport,
 Saving space during shipment and storage,
 Extending the useful storage of flowers,
 Reducing the time the crop remains in the greenhouse or enabling a once over
harvesting of a crop,
 Improving the opening, size, color, and longevity of the flowers, mainly those grown
under poor light or high temperature condition, and
 Reducing the hazard of damage to the field grown flowers by adverse external
conditions like hail, storms, and extreme temperature as well as by pests and diseases.
A method for bud opening of gladiolus was described by Serek et al. (1994). The chemical
combination of sucrose (4%)+ Al2(SO4)3 (200 ppm) gave maximum beneficial effect on
opening of immature florets of early harvest spike, and increased longevity of cut spike
gladiolus cultivar “ White Enchantress” (De, 1995).
7
4.2.6 Grading
The designation of grade standards for cut flowers is one of the most controversial areas in
their care and handling. Objective standards such as stem length, which is still the major
quality standards for many flowers, may bear little relationship to flower quality, vase life or
usefulness. Straightness of stems, stem strength, flower size, vase life, and freedom from
defects, maturity, uniformity and color of petal are among the factors which should also be
used in cut flower grading. Quality factors for gladiolus include stem straightness and
strength, freedom from damage and disease, and maturity (Reid and Lukaszeski, 1994).
Mechanical grading systems should be carefully designated to ensure efficiency and to avoid
damaging the flowers.
4.2.7 Bunching
Flowers are normally bunched, except for anthyriums, orchids and some other specialty
flowers. The number of flowers in the bunch varies according to growing area, market and
flower species. Groups of 10, 12, and 25 are common for single stemmed flowers. Gladiolus
flowers are bunched by color and maturity in groups of 10 (Reid and Lukaszeski, 1994).
4.2.8 Precooling
After the flowers are harvested, fast removal of field heat is important before storing. Precooling flowers to optimum storage temperature also prevents moisture from condensing on
flowers, reduces the risks of botrytis infection. Pre-cooling is done either by room cooling or
by forced air cooling. The optimum temperature of pre-cooling for gladiolus is 4-5oC
(Bhattacharjee, 1995).
4.2.9 Packing
The most suitable package material for cut blooms is corrugated fibre board (CFB) boxes
since they have isothermic properties (Bhattacharjee, 1999).
Because of their response to gravity, gladioli are packed in tall “vertical hampers” clearly
marked for upright stacking to prevent geotropic curvature which reduces their acceptability
(Reid and Lukaszeski, 1994).
4.2.10 Storage
Storage of gladiolus is an essential part of the floriculture industry for orderly marketing.
Storage may enable extending the season, and delaying marketing in times of
overproduction. Appropriate method of storing flowers offer the possibility for long term
shipment. On the other hand, storage may reduce the retailer’s hazards resulting from the
unforeseen decline of demand. Storage may also permit growers to time their crops for
maximum production, designed for days of high demand, for example, at holidays. In terms
of long term storage, this may greatly reduce energy costs by decreasing or eliminating
winter production in countries in the temperate zone, especially of certain cut flowers. The
possible advantages of cut flower storage can be summarized as follows:
 Regulating the market flow
 Reducing loss-for demand decline
 Anticipating holidays
 Improving production efficiency
 Eliminating greenhouse production in deep winter
 Saving energy
 Making possible long term shipments
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4.2.10.1 Storage methods
 Refrigerated wet or dry storage
 Controlled atmosphere (CA) and modified atmosphere (MA) storage
 Low pressure storage (LPS)
4.2.11 Transportation
Preserving suitable market quality in flowers transported to long distances over long periods
of time require the application of modern methods for flower conditioning, cooling and
packing. Since gladiolus is sensitive to geotropic bending, it is transported in an upright
position. The RH of the air during shipment of cut flower is maintained at the level of 95 to
98%.
Shipments of flowers are usually done by truck, air and sea. For short distance and time
period shorter than 20hrs cut flower maybe transported in insulated struck without
refrigeration after pre-cooling and proper
packing(Bhattacharjee, 1999). In Nepal
transportation of flowers were done on the normal vehicles along with other accessories
which degrade the quality of flower.
5. METHODOLOGY
The materials required for preparing this term paper were collected from
 Following the books of library
 Internet surfing
 Different journals and articles
 Consulting seniors
6. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
The different post harvest handling practices which has being followed by the gladiolus
grower was known in brief. Proper harvesting of flower, conditioning of flower, pulsing or
loading, use of the bud opening solutions, chemical treatment, grading, bunching, precooling,
packing, storage and proper transportation were carried out for retaining the flower quality
and increase vase life. The developed countries followed this practice regularly and
thoroughly. In our context only few of these practices were on practice which is one of the
threats in floriculture business.
There is a great loss in gladiolus flower due to the improper practices. Quality of the flower
is highly reduced due to the rough handling causing more than 60% loss.
The pre harvest, harvest and post harvest factors are equally responsible for affecting the post
harvest life of gladiolus.
The management practices should be followed from the time of planting of gladiolus to its
post harvest operations. Planting of good quality of seed with good cultural practices
followed by clean harvesting and safe handling of gladiolus helps in increasing of post
harvest life of flower.
7. CONCLUSION
Gladiolus is the most important cut flower throughout the world. The attractive spike of the
gladiolus and its sequential flowering pattern makes it more popular and its demand is
increasing day by day. People are interested in this business but due to the greater loss in the
post harvest handling they are not greatly focused for its cultivation. The loss of flower
quality and less vase life is associated with the different factors i.e. pre harvest factors,
harvest factors and post harvest factors. By following the proper post harvest handling
techniques, we can retain the quality of flower for long day in storage condition and increase
vase life which ensures more economic return.
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REFERENCES
Bautista, O. K. 1990. Postharvest Technology for Southeast Asian Perishable Crops.
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