Progress 11/01/99 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Work was ceased on this project in April 2003. Data was collected on this project for eight years. While some single and Japanese type peonies were identified for use as cut flowers, other flower varieties showed consistent results of non-marketable wilting when preservatives were used. The intent of this project was to identify cultural varieties of peonies and other speciality fresh cut flowers that would expand this non-food plant market.
Impacts
This project of identifying which peony cultivars performed best as cut flowers using different treatments to extend storage and vaselife would aid the industry with more choices enhancing sales.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Work was ceased on this project in April 2003. Data was collected on this project for eight years. While some single and Japanese type peonies were identified for use as cut flowers, other flower varieties showed consistent results of non-marketable wilting when preservatives were used. The intent of this project was to identify cultural varieties of peonies and other speciality fresh cut flowers that would expand this non-food plant market.
Impacts
This project of identifying which peony cultivars performed best as cut flowers using different treatments to extend storage and vaselife would aid the industry with more choices enhancing sales.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Spring 2002 was the 8th data collection season for this project. Bud and marketable flower counts were less again this year. Research continued on the single and Japanese flower type peonies and their use as cut-flowers. Preliminary work is showing that some single and Japanese flower type peonies, which have not been seen in the trade, are showing promise as cut-flowers. Further postharvest evaluation of cultivars with this type of flowers merit furthers investigations to identify which cultivars will be the best. The preservative trials have remained consistent in how the flowers died using the preservatives. The flowers held in water continued to die with petal drop and the flowers held in preservatives wilted. Harvesting practices is an area that will need continued studies.
Impacts
This research project has been identifying which peony cultivars perform best as cut flowers and which treatments extend storage life, vase life, and minimize storage disease incidences, and developing protocols for determining the optimum bud maturity stage for harvest for different cultivars. These studies are essential in determining harvest and handling practices for specific cultivars, so growers and packers can supply a consistently high quality product to their customers. The identification of new cultivars will allow the industry with more choices and will increase sales.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
Spring 2001 was the 7th data collection season for this project and peony planting. Bud and marketable flower counts were less this year. Initial vaselife evaluations included new cultivars and replication of others to provide sufficient data for recommendations. Preliminary work is showing that some single and Japanese flower type peonies which have not been seen in the trade are showing promise as cut-flowers. Some cultivars were also evaluated in floral preservative. The greatest difference in using floral preservative was how the flowers died. Flowers held in water usually died by petal drop, whereas flowers held in floral preservative wilted. Bud maturity series evaluation research initiated in New Zealand while on sabbatic leave was continued to replicate work with some cultivars and to add new cultivars. The results of the bud maturity series studies indicate that some peony cultivars require greater skill in determining when they are sufficiently mature enough
for harvest. Their range of degree of maturity where flowers will open satisfactorily for the buyer is very small and will require better education of pickers and handlers about the cultivar. More study is needed as this is the first step in defining harvest and handling practices of this crop so a consistently high quality product is supplied to the marketplace. Long-term cold storage pre-treatments showed little benefit for most cultivars.
Impacts
This research is identifying which peony cultivars perform best as cut flowers and which treatments extend storage and vase life, and minimize storage disease incidences. Bud maturity studies are essential in determining harvest and handling practices for specific cultivars, so growers and packers can supply a consistently high quality product. Also, identification of new suitable cultivars of different and unique flower types will provide growers, retail florists and consumers with more choices.
Publications
- Gast, Karen, 2001. Methyl Jasmonate and Long Term Storage of Fresh Cut Peony Flowers. Acta Horticulturae 543:327-330. KSU-AES no. 00-130- J Gast, Karen L.B., 2001. Storing Peonies Disease Free. GPN 11(1):18- 20 KSU-AES no. 01-248-T
- Gast, Karen L.B. and Rebecca Inch, 2001. Foliage Fillers from the Garden. The Cut Flower Quarterly 13(3):34-35 KSU-AES no. 01-445-T
- Gast, K., McLaren, G., and Kampjes, R., 2001. Identification of Bud Maturity Indicators for Fresh-Cut Peony Flowers. Acta Horticulturae 543:317-325. KSU-AES no. 00-167-J
- Inch, Rebecca and Karen Gast, 2001. Postharvest Life of Selected Fresh-Cut Flowers and Greenery. HortScience 36(3):598. Abstr. No. 335
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
Spring 2000 was the 6th data collection season for this project and peony planting. Bud and marketable flower counts were less this year. Failure to supply support staff to do necessary cultural practices to manage the planting resulted in greater disease incidence. Botrytis was very prevalent in the buds and flowers. Initial vaselife evaluations included new cultivars and replication of others to provide sufficient data for recommendations. Preliminary work is showing that some single and Japanese flower type peonies which have not been seen in the trade are showing promise as cut-flowers. Some cultivars were also evaluated in floral preservative. The greatest difference in using floral preservative was how the flowers died. Flowers held in water usually died by petal drop, whereas flowers held in floral preservative wilted. A study was run to determine whether open flowers performed worse than those cut in the bud stage. Flowers harvested when open perform as well
as those harvested in the bud stage. Their market is limited due to the fragility of the open petals. Bud maturity series evaluation and storage disease incidence studies, research initiated in New Zealand while on sabbatic leave was continued to replicate work with some cultivars and to add new cultivars. These studies included disease incidence in cold storage, replicating 6 cultivars from last year and 2 new cultivars using 3 prevention treatments, and a bud maturity series evaluation replicating 6 cultivars from last year, and 2 new cultivars. Research results of this year and last are summarized in the 2000 and 1999 KSU-AES Reports of Progress. The bud maturity series studies results indicate that some peony cultivars require greater skill in determining when they are sufficiently mature enough for harvest. Their range of degree of maturity where flowers will open satisfactorily for the buyer is very small and will require better education of pickers and handlers about the
cultivar. More study is needed as this is the first step in defining harvest and handling practices of this crop so a consistently high quality product is supplied to the marketplace. Disease incidence results were varied as to response to fungicide treatment. Some cultivars performed better with one fungicide and not the other. More study is needed for consistent results. Long-term cold storage pre-treatments showed little benefit for most cultivars. Vaselife evaluations of other flowers have also been published in a KSU-AES Report of Progress. Many of these are common garden flowers overlooked by both farmers' market flower vendors and retail florists for their potential as cut flowers.
Impacts
This research is identifying which peony cultivars perform best as cut flowers and which treatments extend storage and vase life, and minimize storage disease incidences. Bud maturity studies are essential in determining harvest and handling practices for specific cultivars, so growers and packers can supply a consistently high quality product. Also identification of new suitable cultivar of different and unique flower types will provide growers, retail florists and consumers with more choices.
Publications
- Chen W., Gast, K.L.B. and Smithey, S., 2000. The effects of different freeze-drying processes on the moisture content, color, and physical strength of roses and carnations. Scientia Horticulturae 8(2000):321-332. Contribution no. 97-345-J.
- Gast, Karen L.B., 2000. 1999 Production and postharvest evaluation of fresh-cut peonies. KSU-AES Report of Progress SRP 864 . Contribution no. 01-194-S.
- Gast, Karen L.B., 2000. 2000 Production and postharvest evaluation of fresh-cut peonies. KSU-AES Report of Progress SRP 866. Contribution no. 01-210-S
- Gast, Karen L.B., 2000. Disease incidence in fresh-cut peony flowers after long-term cold storage. HortScience 35(3):405, Abstr. No. 096.
- Gast, Karen and Rebecca Inch, 2000. 2000 Evaluation of postharvest life of selected fresh cut-flowers and greenery. KSU-AES Report of Progress SRP 859. Contribution no. 01-156
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