Handling tulips correctly after harvest is crucial for maintaining quality and extending their vase life. The primary goals are to keep the flowers dry, cool them rapidly, and protect them from damage and disease, particularly Botrytis.
Immediate Post-Harvest Steps
Upon harvesting tulips, the initial handling significantly impacts their condition. Based on recommended practices:
- Keep the crop dry: This is a critical first step to minimize the risk of fungal diseases like Botrytis.
- Rapid Cooling: Place the harvested flowers in a cooler as soon as possible. The ideal temperature range is 33°F to 35°F.
- Maintain High Humidity: The cooler should have a relative humidity of more than 90%.
Why These Steps Are Important
Following this process provides several key benefits:
- Reduce Botrytis Occurrence: Keeping the flowers dry and cooling them quickly in a high-humidity environment significantly lowers the chance of Botrytis, a common fungal disease that attacks cut tulips.
- Prevent Mechanical Bruising: Placing the flowers in a cool environment quickly causes the petals to close up. This helps to reduce mechanical bruising that can occur later during handling and bunching.
By implementing these post-harvest handling techniques, you help ensure your harvested tulips remain healthy, beautiful, and ready for further processing or display.
