Up News Note - Flowers On Target To Meet The Market

Scheduling crops to target the markets for special occasions and to spread production, means maximum returns for growers. Current studies at HortResearch, Palmerston North, have been designed to investigate the effect of curing and various storage durations on the subsequent sprouting time of tubers. This information will have considerable relevance to calla growers who are adopting practices of both forcing and delaying development, to extend or manipulate the flowering season in an effort to satisfy export demands.

Flowering-size plants of Zantedeschia cultivars 'Treasure', 'Cameo', 'Black Magic' and 'Dominique' were harvested, cured at 25° C, then stored at 10° C for various durations from 0 to 12 weeks. Five harvests were carried out through the season, the first when 50% of the crop had flowered.

Irrespective of when harvested, on replanting immediately after curing, the tubers of 'Treasure' sprouted within 2-4 weeks. Storage had little effect in reducing or prolonging this time. 'Cameo' tubers from the early harvests also sprouted quickly with little or no storage. However, storage did serve to prolong the time to sprout at all harvests, with delays from between 6½ to 8 weeks. Storage of 'Black Magic' tubers after curing, on the other hand reduced the time to sprout. With a duration of six weeks' storage, sprouting time was reduced from more than 38 weeks to three weeks. Tubers of 'Dominique' had a variable response in sprouting time, with storage.

Data is still being collected on sprout vigour and flowering for all cultivars. In most cases where harvest was delayed until more than 90 days after 50% flowering, there was a decline in the ability of the tuber to sprout.

Results indicate that there are considerable differences in the sprouting response after storage, of the various cultivars used in this study. Practices of early lifting and storage of tubers must be carried out with a full understanding of the cultivars concerned.

For further information contact:
Liz Halligan
HortResearch
Palmerston North
Tel: +64-6-356 8080

Copyright © 1999 The Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of The Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Ltd is prohibited.