Abstract
The effects of long term storage of Freesia hybrida Hort. 'Cote d'Azur' cormlets at 30°C and the combination of 30°C and 2°C were investigated on flowering time and cut flower quality. Irrespective of when cormlets had stored at 2°C, chilling induced pupation, poor sprouting, and limited shoot growth after planting. Large cormlets (2.6g), which had been stored in a netted bag at 30°C from mid-July to February, retained their potential for sprouting and developing vigorous shoots, whereas small cormlets (0.7g) became desiccated and died. Cormlets stored at high temperature produced late, but longer and heavier cut flowers than did the cold stored ones. The improved quality of cut flowers with delayed flowering time is attributed to the increased number of leaf primordia at planting and subsequent prolonged juvenile phase as indicated by the decreased apex size of the cormlets. High-temperature storage of medium to small sized cormlets in a perforated polyethylene bag ensured planting until early February ; this is an effective way to prevent them from desiccation. When these cormlets were planted on February 1, they produced marketable flowers by early to mid-June.
