Post-harvest longevity and ornamental value of cut inflorescences of Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora ‘Lucifer’ depending on flower food and storage conditions

Floral exchange markets drive steadily growing interest in ornamental plants sold as cut flowers. Unfortunately, vase life of some of these flowers remains unsatisfactory. Their ornamental value depends on their longevity and number of flowers, as well as overall appearance of the stem during its vase life. Our study determined the effects of storage conditions and Floralife flower food on vase life and ornamental value of Crocosmia ×crocosmiiflora ‘Lucifer’. Crocosmia inflorescences can be attractive cut flowers after meeting some basic requirements. Cutting the branched shoots when the first flower in the main inflorescence was fully open, the second was opening and the subsequent buds showed visible color allowed for maintaining their decorative value for an average of 18.8 days, irrespective of storage conditions and flower food. Vase life and ornamental value depend on storage conditions. Keeping the inflorescences in a semi-lit room (16.8 µmol∙m–2∙s–1), at 18–20°C, and relative humidity of 55–60% or in darkness, at 14–16°C, and relative humidity of 60–70% reduced the number of developed flowers, inflorescence weight and the amount of absorbed solution, and also declined inflorescence vase life. Application of Floralife 200 and Floralife 300 flower food increases the vase life by respectively 7.9 and 8.2 days vs. water, and improves the quality of stored inflorescences.