Postharvest life of Bird-of-Paradise inflorescences

The postharvest life of Bird-of-Paradise (Strelitzia reginae Ait., Strelitziaceae) inflorescence is reported to range from 6 to 16 d. The objective of the experiments reported here was to determine what factors influenced postharvest life. Inflorescences were harvested at different stages of development and subjected to different prepacking and post packing treatments to extend postharvest life. Treatments included a simulated shipping period of 2 d at 22 °C. More mature inflorescences with a pronounced orange knuckle on the upper side of the unopen bract or just emerged first floret at harvest had longer vase lives, developed a higher number of florets and the florets had more color development. Stem length had a significant effect on postharvest life of mature inflorescences; the longer the stem, the greater the postharvest life. Overnight treatment of Bird-of-Paradise inflorescences prior to packing with 20 or 40% sucrose, 250 or 500 mg L−1 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate (8-HQC) plus 150 or 300 mg L−1 citric acid or silver thiosulfate for 10 min and gibberellic acid overnight increased postharvest life from 10 to about 13 d. Inflorescences held in 10% sucrose and 200 mg L−1 8-HQC with 10 mg L−1 silver nitrate after unpacking had 1.2 times longer postharvest life than the deionized water control. Packing in a carton and holding for 2 d at 22 °C did not increase postharvest life, except when the inflorescence was treated with 5% sucrose before packing. Similarly, a wet sponge on the stem during the pack period, sodium hypochlorite (50 and 100 mg L−1), 200 mg L−1 8-HQC, or 25 mmol L−1 aminooxyacetic acid in the holding solutions did not increase postharvest life. The results obtained suggested that Bird-of-Paradise inflorescences should be harvested when the first floret was just about to emerge from the boat, pulsed with 5% sucrose overnight then shipped and upon unpacking held in 10% sucrose, 200 mg L−1 8-HQC and 10 mg L−1 silver nitrate.