Description

Contents

Preface vii

Metabolic and biochemical processes 1

Photosynthesis 1

Respiration 2

Transpiration 3

Factors affecting growth and flowering 4

Temperature 4

Lighting 9

Humidity 20

CO2 21

Phytohormones 24

Nutrient Fertilization 26

Propagation as a key business practice 33

Seed 34

General 34

The seedling production unit 35

Geophytes – Underground organ (UGO) 39

Bulbs 39

Corms 40

Fibrous roots 40

Rhizomes 42

Tubers 42

The biological cycle of geophytes 43

Culture of UGOs (corms and rhizomes) 44

Storage of UGOs 46

Cold treatment of UGOs 48

Cuttings 49

General 49

Mother plantation 51

The rooting process 51

Tissue culture 53

Grafting 59

Grafting of rose – a characteristic example 59

The importance of preserving genetic material 64

Introduction 69

Fungi and modes of attack 69

Most important diseases of the above-ground parts 70

Soil diseases 83

Rotting of underground organs (bulbs, corms, rhizomes) 89

Bacterial diseases 92

Erwinia (Dickeya and Pectobacterium) 93

Xanthomonas 95

Pseudomonas 95

Viruses 96

Integrated disease management 97

Cultural measures 97

Chemical control 99

Control with biological agents 101

Parasitic insects (animal enemies) 107

Aphids 107

Whiteflies 109

Scale insects and mealybugs 110

Insect larvae 111

mites (spider mites) 112

Thrips 113

Integrated management of insect infestations 114

Cultural measures 116

Chemical control with insecticides 118

Biological agents 118

Basic principles of post-harvest management and quality of flowers and foliage 129

Introduction 129

Metabolism and metabolic pathways after harvest 130

Morphological and biochemical changes during aging 130

Water potential and water loss during wilting 134

Blockage of the vessels of flowering stems 136

Pre-harvest factors in the post-harvest preservation of flowers 138

Fertilization 138

Seasonality 139

Solar radiation 140

Relative humidity 141

Carbon dioxide (CO2) 141

Temperature 141

Genetic factors – varieties 142

The effect of ethylene 143

Post-harvest infestations by microorganisms 145

Bacteria causing blockage of vessels in flowering stems 147

Technology for preserving cut flowers and foliage 149

Harvesting stage, sorting, and packing 149

Storage at low temperatures 153

Preservation techniques 158

Preservation solutions 162

The basic components of preservation solutions 165

Inhibitors of ethylene action (1-MCP AOA AIB Boric acid) 177

Qualitative classification criteria 180

Marketing and movement of flowers and foliage 199

Introduction 199

The Greek market of cut flowers 199

Historical overview – current situation 199

Production sales 204

Promotion and marketing system 206

Greek imports and exports of flowers and foliage 207

EU and international trade 208

Production and marketing of cut flowers in the Netherlands 213

E-commerce 222

Cultivation and management of the most commercially important floriculture species 225

Rose (Rosa hybrida) 225

Historical – origin 225

Botanical characteristics – species and varieties 225

Cultivation – environmental conditions 226

Propagation 228

Post-harvest 229

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) 233

Historical – origin 233

Botanical characteristics – species and varieties 233

Cultivation – environmental conditions 233

Propagation 238

Post-harvest 238

Tulip (Tulipa sp.) 240

Historical – origin 240

Botanical characteristics – species and varieties 240

Cultivation – environmental conditions 241

Propagation 241

Post-harvest 241

Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) 243

Historical – origin 243

Botanical characteristics – species and varieties 243

Cultivation – environmental conditions 244

Propagation 244

Post-harvest 245

Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) 247

Historical – origin 247

Botanical characteristics – species and varieties 247

Cultivation – environmental conditions 248

Propagation 249

Post-harvest 249

Freesia (Freesia hybrida L.) 252

Historical – origin 252

Botanical characteristics – species and varieties 252

Cultivation – environmental conditions 252

Propagation 253

Post-harvest 253

Lily (Lilium sp.) 255

Historical – origin 255

Botanical characteristics – species and varieties 255

Cultivation – environmental conditions 255

Propagation 257

Post-harvest 257

Iris (Iris sp.) 259

Historical – origin 259

Botanical characteristics – species and varieties 259

Cultivation – environmental conditions 259

Propagation 260

Post-harvest 260

Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus) 262

Historical – origin 262

Botanical characteristics – species and varieties 262

Cultivation – environmental conditions 262

Propagation 263

Post-harvest 263

Anemone (Anemone coronaria) 265

Historical – origin 265

Botanical characteristics – species and varieties 265

Cultivation – environmental conditions 265

Propagation 266

Post-harvest 266

Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) 268

Historical – origin 268

Botanical characteristics – species and varieties 268

Cultivation – environmental conditions 269

Propagation 271

Post-harvest 271

Gypsophila (Gypsophylla paniculata) 273

Historical – origin 273

Botanical characteristics – species and varieties 273

Cultivation – environmental conditions 274

Propagation 275

Post-harvest 276

Eustoma (Eustoma grandiflorum) 277

Historical – origin 277

Botanical characteristics – species and varieties 277

Cultivation – environmental conditions 278

Propagation 279

Post-harvest 280

Alstroemeria (Alstromeria aurea) 281

Historical – origin 281

Botanical characteristics – species and varieties 281

Cultivation – environmental conditions 281

Propagation 282

Post-harvest 282

Dahlia (Dahlia hybrids) 284

Historical – origin 284

Botanical characteristics – species and varieties 284

Cultivation – environmental conditions 284

Propagation 285

Post-harvest 285

Statice (Limonium sinuatum) AND Limonium HYBRIDS 287

Historical – origin 287

Botanical characteristics – species and varieties 287

Cultivation – environmental conditions 288

Propagation 289

Post-harvest 290

Narcissus (Narcissus sp.) 291

Historical – origin 291

Botanical characteristics – species and varieties 291

Cultivation – environmental conditions 292

Propagation 292

Post-harvest 293

Calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) 294

Historical – origin 294

Botanical characteristics – species and varieties 294

Cultivation – environmental conditions 294

Propagation 295

Post-harvest 296

Delphinium (Delphinium hybrids) 297

Historical – origin 297

Botanical characteristics – species and varieties 297

Cultivation – environmental conditions 297

Propagation 298

Post-harvest 298

Violet (Matthiola incana) 300

Historical – origin 300

Botanical characteristics – species and varieties 300

Cultivation – environmental conditions 301

Propagation 303

Post-harvest 303

Goldenrod (Solidago hybrids x solidaster) 306

Historical – origin 306

Botanical characteristics – species and varieties 306

Cultivation – environmental conditions 306

Propagation 307