Harvesting and Fresh-keeping Methods for Fox Tail Asparagus Cut Foliage

[Other Chinese Names] Foxtail Asparagus, Myers Asparagus Fern, Sprenger's Asparagus Fern

[Family and Genus] Liliaceae, Asparagus

[Place of Origin] South Africa; this species is a horticultural variety.

[Plant Characteristics] Fox Tail Asparagus is a perennial herbaceous plant. The plant height is about 60 cm. The rhizome is short, and the stem is erect. The cladodes are fine needle-shaped.

[Cut Foliage Harvesting] The harvested part is the cladodes of Fox Tail Asparagus. During cultivation, cladodes that have turned dark green and are well grown can be cut at any time as needed. The operation can be carried out all day long. The product should first be temporarily placed in a cool place and pre-cooled as soon as possible.

[Grading] The harvested foliage should be graded on the premise that it has the typical characteristics of this species, is free from damage and contamination, and has a good visual effect: the length of grade-one cut foliage is about 50 cm; the length of grade-two cut foliage is about 45 cm; the length of grade-three cut foliage is about 40 cm. The length difference among cut foliage of the same grade should not exceed ±1.5 cm of the standard.

[Packaging] Bundle cladodes of Fox Tail Asparagus of the same grade in groups of 10 stems and secure them, then place them separately into ventilated corrugated cardboard boxes lined with film and marked with the product name.

[Fresh-keeping Management] The cut foliage can be stored in an environment with a relative humidity of 90%-95% and a temperature of 2-4°C. After opening the box, spray water to maintain moisture and insert it into water as soon as possible. If it can be placed in a place with indirect sunlight, this will help maintain the quality of the Fox Tail Asparagus foliage.

[Storage Period] Treated according to the above method, the cladodes of Fox Tail Asparagus can usually be stored for 7-10 days without affecting the decorative effect.

[Gardening Application] The Fox Tail Asparagus has a beautiful leaf shape, just like a fox's tail, and as a supporting foliage it can greatly enhance the color of flower arrangements.

[Marketing Tips] The supply period of Fox Tail Asparagus cut foliage is mainly concentrated from June to October each year.