Improving the Cold Chain for Cut Flowers & Potted Plants

An industry-wide crisis in floral cold chain management is having a chilling effect on the delivery and consumption of quality flowers and plants in the U.S., according to Dr. George Staby, president of Perishables Research Organization. Flowers and plants often are packed and shipped at temperatures that are too high, Staby said, resulting in increased shrinkage, shortened display life, disappointed customers and decreased profits for all industry segments.

To address these issues, Staby and Dr. Michael Reid, professor and postharvest horticulturist at the University of California, Davis, have co-authored "Improving the Cold Chain for Cut Flowers and Potted Plants." Staby and Reid discuss the impact that temperature, time, ethylene, moisture, disease and transportation issues have on flower quality and longevity. They also list their key recommendations for solving the crisis.