Flower
CAre
Diseases Due To Lack of Post Harvest Care
Botrytis
This is an air-borne fungal disease that can affect all Flower, fruit
and vegetable tissues. It loves temperatures below 62 degrees Fahrenheit,
and must have water to germinate its spores. Initially it shows as raised
pinpoint spots. These develop into blotches of tan-coloured spots and
if allowed to develop further, will eventually show as hairy mould.
Botrytis fungus feeds on dead and decaying tissue, as well
as on living tissue. To minimize botrytis:
- Keep your Flowers dry.
- Clean off infected Flower petals. This will keep botrytis from spreading
to the rest of the Flowers in a bundle.
- Do not spray water or allow water to drip onto the Flower heads.
- If condensation builds up in the Flower sleeve or wrap, open the bunch,
wipe moisture off of wrap, fluff up the blooms and allow them to dry
a bit before re-wrapping.
- Keep good air circulation in your display and work areas.
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