Detailed Explanation of Post-harvest Handling Techniques for Liatris

1. Main characteristics of cut flowers: The leaves deteriorate faster than the flowers. This cut flower is sensitive to gray mold. Liatris is suitable for making dried flowers.

2. Harvesting and cutting development stage: Generally harvested when about 1/2 of the florets on the upper part of the inflorescence have opened. Cut flowers harvested at the bud stage can develop and gradually open in a preservative solution.

3. Vase life: The vase life in a preservative solution is 7-12 days.

4. Preservative treatment methods

(1) Pulse treatment solution: Add 200 mg of 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate + 50 g of sucrose per liter of water.

(2) Bud opening solution: Add 1000 mg of 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate + 50 g of sucrose per liter of water.

(3) Vase holding solution: Add 360 mg of 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate + 15-25 g of sucrose per liter of water.

5. Storage and transport techniques

(1) Remove the lower leaf clusters of the cut flowers and hydrate them in clean hot water with a pH value of 3.5.

(2) Dry storage will reduce the vase life of cut flowers, while storage in a preservative solution can significantly extend the life of cut flowers; at a temperature of 0-2°C, cut flowers can be wet-stored in water for about 7 days, and dry-stored for about 5 days.

(3) Liatris suffers relatively little loss after normal transport and post-harvest handling. Cut flowers intended for long-distance transport should be harvested at the tight bud stage. After arriving at the destination, treat them with the bud opening solution.

6. Handling methods for retailers and consumers

(1) Re-cut the flower stems, remove the leaf clusters on the stems that would be submerged in the preservative solution, and then perform hydration treatment.

(2) At room temperature, treat the cut flowers with the pulse treatment solution for 24-72 hours, then transfer them to a vase holding solution.