Effects of cold storage on cut Grevillea 'Sylvia' inflorescences

Grevillea 'Sylvia' is a novel cut flower of sub-tropical to tropical origin. Cut inflorescences were dry-stored at 0, 5 or 10 degrees C for 3, 6, 9 or 12 days. Inflorescences stored at 0 degrees C for 3 or 6 days maintained a post-storage vase life of 7 days, which was similar to that of non-stored (control) inflorescences. There was no evidence of chilling injury even after 12 days at 0 degrees C. Stems stored at 5 or 10 degrees C for periods of 9 or 12 days suffered significant loss in vase life. Shortened longevity was associated with increased levels of flower and perianth abscission. Respiration rates of inflorescences stored at 0, 5, 10 or 22 degrees C fell markedly with decreasing temperature. Temperature quotients (Q(10)) estimated for 0-5, 5-10 or 10-22 degrees C intervals were 2.1, 3.8 and 3.4, respectively. Inflorescences stored dry at 0 degrees C for 6, 12 or 18 days maintained vase lives about 1 day longer than those stored wet. Vase lives after 6, 12 or 18 days dry storage were 8, 6 and 4 days, respectively. To simulate non-refrigerated export by aircraft, inflorescences were held wet or dry for 2 days at 22 degrees C. Vase life of stored inflorescences was shortened by 1 day compared to non-stored control inflorescences. There was no difference in inflorescence vase life between wet versus dry transport simulation. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.