Understanding the dynamics of flower development during postharvest in Ornithogalum saundersiae Baker.: anthochron and floral stem longevity

Abstract Among cut flowers, Ornithogalum saundersiae is relatively new in the Brazilian flower market and little is known about the dynamics of flower development and longevity of its floral stems during postharvest. The objective in this study was twofold: to determine the anthochron during postharvest in Ornithogalum saundersiae and to determine the longevity of floral stems in Ornithgalum saundersiae using both calendar days and thermal time considering different postharvest management practices. A postharvest experiment was conducted from 03/05/2022 to 22/07/2022. Three treatments of postharvest management practices were used: Static tap water = tap water with no replacement, Tap water changed = tap water replaced every 3 days, and Tap water changed and stem recut = tap water and cutting 2cm at the base of the floral stem every 3 days. Seven replications were used and each replication was a 1 l plastic bottle filled with 5 cm of tap water and one floral stem. Floral stems with 3 to 5 opened flowers on the raceme and 70cm in length from a commercial farm were used. The anthochron did not differ between postharvest management treatments, with an average of 0.9 days flower-1 and 9.4 °C days flower-1, respectively. The longevity of floral stems was not affected by postharvest management treatments, with an average of 45 days and 497 °C day. It was concluded that tap water with no need of periodically replacing the water nor cutting the base of the floral stem maintain the longevity of floral stems of Ornithogalum saundersiae.