27 Jun Post Harvest Management of Anthurium Cut-Flowers
एन्थूरीअम कट पुुुुष्पों का कटाई उपरांत प्रबंधन Anthurium (Anthurium andreanum) is an evergreen, tropical, perennial herbaceous plant grown for showy cut flowers valued for colorful, long lasting, cylindrical spadix subtended in large heart shaped spathe and unusually attractive foliage. Anthurium, commonly called as Flamingo flower or Flamingo lily, is ideal for beds, borders, pots and suites very well for floral arrangements. The spathe and spadix are brilliantly colored ranging from scarlet, red, salmon, orange, pink and white but red is the most preferred colour. Anthurium cut flowers are highly perishable, prone to post-harvest losses and necessitate utmost care. Anthurium cut flowers survive without much deterioration for about two weeks by nature. However, quality of cut flowers depends on stage of harvest, pre-harvest factors and post-harvest handling. Post harvest management involves the steps for the improvement in keeping quality of the flower to the consumer. Factors affecting the post-harvest quality are pre-harvest factors viz. genetical, environmental (temperature, relative humidity, light), nutrition, irrigation and other cultural practices contribute to 70 per cent and remaining 30 per cent is determined through the post harvest management viz. stage, time and method of harvest, pre-cooling, bunching, packaging, storage and use of floral preservatives. Pre-requisites for post-harvest quality of anthurium cut flower The size, shape, colour and texture of the spathe A heart...