4. package
Flowers used for consumption after precooling should be packaged. The purpose of packaging is to minimize mechanical damage or water loss during transportation, and to maintain an optimal fresh state. The selected packaging should be as suitable as possible for the product, transportation method, and market. Whether the packaging is ideal, that is whether the product is better protected to meet the transport, processing and storage requirements determine the success of its commercial operations.
Ornamental plants are living tissues and experience limited life periods. Cut flowers, in particular, are less resistant to damage than potted plants. The mechanical damages associated with transportation, processing and loading are: impact, drop, compaction and vibration. Packaging should minimize damage and negative effects.
In recent years, many flower producing countries have strengthened their research on packaging materials and dimensions. According to the variety of flowers, storage and transportation methods, using a variety of packaging facilities and packaging methods. In general, various packaging purposes should minimize mechanical damage or water loss during storage and transportation. Keep the best bulge pressure to prevent mechanical damage. There are two common storage methods: dry storage and wet storage. Wet storage is to immerse the stem of flowers in a container full of water or protective liquid, which can maintain sufficient moisture in flowers, but it is difficult to transport. This method is suitable for short-term storage and transportation, can maintain the form of flowers and prevent mechanical damage. However, transportation requires more equipment and costs more. Some cut flowers (Carnation, Lily, Gerbera, Snapdragon) can be stored for several weeks in wet storage. Can not be applied in mass transportation in actual transportation.
In actual production, the most widely used is dry storage. Various types of packaging boxes are used for dry storage or transportation of cut flowers, and proper dry packaging can prevent the loss of moisture in flowers. The humidity of the package is ensured by the wax layer packed in the box or by providing various types of foil film. Most of the packaging materials are suitable for soft plastics, mainly low-density polyethylene plastic film, high-density polyethylene plastic film and polypropylene plastic film. Tests have shown that high-density polyethylene plastic film works best and lasts for the longest time. If the bag is filled with O2 absorbent or coolant (ice), the preservation effect will be better. The dry storage method is often used for long-term storage, such as carnations, chrysanthemums, and it has a better effect than wet storage during flowering, and it has a longer shelf life. After storage, flower bud opening requires proper promotion of flowering solution. It can also be stored well in gas-tight polyethylene bags. In these packages, flower breathing creates a controlled atmosphere (MA). The O2 concentration is decreased and the CO2 concentration is increased, which prolongs the storage period.
The size of the packaging box should also be considered to save both storage and transportation space, but also to ensure adequate ventilation to prevent flower failure. Many foreign flower manufacturers have improved the size of the packing box, such as Israel. The packing box as shown in the figure can not only allow cold air to pass through the packing box, but also save the transportation space (such as the use of right-angled boxes, ventilation, and the need for containers. At a distance).
Packing box shape and placement
Packaging Economic considerations should also consider the direct or indirect economic costs of ancillary equipment. Such as packaging should consider whether to adapt to product size, ventilation method and stability; selection of packaging materials and other protection facilities. Because there are many kinds of ornamental plants and different types have different characteristics, it is unrealistic to achieve high standardization of packaging, but it is important to keep in mind the technical and economic advantages of standardization. Standardized developers should be encouraged to develop clear and reasonable standards.
Some importing countries may have a preference for packaging and special requirements, sellers should understand this requirement, and often think that packaging is also a “silent salesmanâ€, especially at retail, packaging plays an important role in increasing sales. Factors related to packaging include: package size, product placement method, bouquet of flowers, color and label of the package. In addition, the package also has a robust and suitable transport function.
Where possible, the following aspects should be marked on the product with a label or invoice to facilitate after-sales service. Such as identification marks (including packers or distributors, producer names, addresses or official identification marks), product characteristics (variety and adaptability, etc.), country of origin (country of origin, production area), commercial characteristics (grade, size) Wait).
5. Cut flowers during storage and transportation
The packaged flowers can be used for storage and transportation. The storage of cut flowers and their green tissues allows plants to adjust the supply of flowers according to market requirements, while also extending the supply period of flowers. Even through post-harvest treatment and simple management, the loss of plant tissue is reduced, making it possible to transport a large number of products over long distances.
The quality of protection during storage and the length of the storage period depend on several factors, such as genetic characteristics, respiratory rate, moisture loss, ethylene content and activity, number of bacteria and fungi, in order to reduce the decline of physiological and pathological changes in cut flowers during cold storage and transportation. It is important to properly handle the flowers before and during cooling. Including the most appropriate period of harvest, appropriate chemical treatment, rapid pre-cooling before packaging, it is also necessary to maintain a stable storage temperature, optimal relative humidity, ventilation and good photosynthetic physiological conditions.
1) Preservation solution
The quality and vitality of cut flowers during storage and transportation can be improved by fast treatment with preservatives before storage or transportation. The most common compounds in this solution are sugars (mostly sucrose), bactericides (citric acid, 8-hydroxyquinoline citric acid (8-HQC) or 8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate (8-HQS) and sulphuric acid Al), ethylene activity inhibitor (STS) and growth regulators (mainly BA, NAA and GA) and other substances.
2) Sucrose
Add sucrose to supplement the endogenous respiratory depletion of sucrose during storage and transportation. It can also delay the appearance of symptoms of aging, such as the degradation of proteins, lipids, and RNA. Loss of membrane integrity and degradation of mitochondrial structure and function also delayed the arrival of ethylene peaks. Sucrose also increased water balance and caused stomatal closure.
3) Disease Control
Disease control can prevent the loss of post-harvest quality of flowers, and flowers that are stored and transported should be kept away from visible infestations, such as the infection of gray mold causing large losses of stored flowers. In order to reduce the diseases of flowers, in addition to reducing the temperature of storage and transportation, fungicides are also widely used for spraying and advanced treatment.
(to be continued)