FAQs on Cutflowers - the Indian Perspective
Having spent nearly 25 years with fresh cut flowers (Production+Marketing in India and exports to nearly 12 countries outside India), I have come across many who have a basic interest in flowers, but do not know where to ask the questions to get right answers..
I have printed out a leaflet, which I distribute to students in Horticulture (B.Tech or B.Sc or M.Sc), Agriculture (B.Sc or M.Sc), Botany / Management grads (UG and PG), at Institutions where I am a Guest Faculty or in places where I just deliver a guest lecture or key note address, to all gathered (Faculty, Trainers, Housewives and all the business people who would like to invest in Floriculture in India)...
The most commonly asked questions and the answers are:
What to do when you get presented with a flower gift (bouquet/flower basket)?
Thank the giver or sender, of course !
Then, take out the flowers from the bouquet wrapping or basket, transfer them to a container (vase or cup) with clean, fresh water, after cutting the stems by 1 cm at the bottom (cut end). They will stay fresh and add value to (brighten-up) the place.
How to extend the vase life (shelf life=Non-Perishables) of flowers?
You can add a pinch of sugar to the water in the vase or cup, which will serve as food to the stem, which has been cut off from the mother plant( to be eligible to be present in your flower gift)
You can also add old tablets (expired/valid) tablets like aspirin / dispirin to the water (to avoid traspirational or water loss from leaves and petals)
Change water as frequently as possible
You can also use old/expired capsules of antibiotics (any medication that ends with a 'mycin' in its name) to act as bactericides in the vase solution. The naturally occuring bacteria, in the water used, will soon seal the fresh cut end which stands exposed in water, so the stem ends gets to be slimy and sealed, preventing water uptake from the container). Cut the ends once in 2 days to keep the water going to the flower.
What is the vase life of Natural cut flowers in normal room temperatures in Indian conditions?
Filler flowers (asters, daisies and the like): 2-3 days
Roses/Gladiolus : 3-5 days
Carnation : 4-6 days
Lilies : 6-8 days
Anthurium : 8-10 days
Orchids : 10-12 days
(normally in airconditioned rooms in India, with 23 Deg C +/- 2 Deg C, the flowers last for more time, which again depends on flower type and care taken)
All flower spikes (long stems with row of florets or flowers) like tuberose, gladiolus, orchids etc open from the lower most (bottom) to top. Which flower opend from top first?
Only one: Liatris calilepsis
Which opens on the sideways?
Freesia
Is there really a black rose?
No. Only deep red roses. Ofcourse, all red roses become black, when they dry up. The deepest red rose (like Rojale or Royale or Black beauty) look like black roses in full maturity. The inners are always silky red in colour.
Is there a blue rose?
Yes. With introduction of the gene responsible for production of blue pigments (delphinidins), by recombinant DNA technology, there are blue rose varieties available from American and Japanese rose breeders.
If you have anymore questions on flowers, please mail me on vallie@123india.com
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Director-Alagu's FLOWER VALLEY,
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