Planting date affects quantitative and qualitative traits of freesia flower stems
Melisa Santilli | Santiago Sebastián Bas-Nahas | Norma Nelly Medrano
The cut flower freesia (Freesia x hybrida Klatt) is highly demanded in the international market. Planting date determines the environmental condi- tions during crop development and can significantly influence flower stem quality. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of five planting dates on the quantitative and qualitative traits of flower stems in two freesia varieties, Blue Bayou and Yvonne, under high tunnel conditions. Plants were harvested at the opening of the first basal floret of the primary inflorescence. The longest flower stems were recorded in plants planted on the first and second dates. Inflorescence length was shortened with delay of planting date; the last date yielded inflorescences of 7.30 ± 0.25 cm in length. The number of inflorescences and the number of florets per inflorescence decreased with delay of planting date; on the last day, Yvonne exhibited 6.02 ± 0.19 florets per inflorescence. Fresh and dry weight of flower stems showed the same trend, decreasing with delay of planting date. Vase life of flower stems obtained from the first and last planting dates was 10.50 ± 0.13 and 8.04 ± 0.12 days, respectively. More than 50% of flower stems from Blue Bayou exhibited injuries under late planting. The best flower stem quality was obtained from the earliest planting dates. These results highlight the importance of planting date selection to synchronize reproductive development with favorable environmental conditions and maximize commercial stem quality.
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