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Whenever there is a need to process flowers,
three stem cutting choices are possible: not to recut, recut
in air or recut under water. Since not to recut flowers
often results in significant (~ 40-60%) flower life reductions,
we need only to concern ourselves with the two cutting procedures.
Possible results of these recutting procedures are:- If
equal groups of flowers are cut in air or under clean water,
the ones cut underwater almost always take up water faster
(as noted above) and therefore can be conditioned and used
sooner.
- If two groups of flowers (cut in air
or underwater) hydrate properly, no difference in flower
life is the common result. It is estimated that this occurs
most frequently in the commercial world.
- If flowers are overly dry, cutting
underwater can be more beneficial than cutting in air. This
response may also be true for flowers that seemingly never
wilt (like carnations) but can respond negatively to water
stress as measured by increased ethylene production. Thus,
the water stress itself and/or increased ethylene levels
can reduce flower life. To what extent this occurs commercially
is unknown.
- If the water/solution in the underwater
cutter is allowed to become contaminated with excessive
levels of microorganisms, dirt/debris and/or juices from
stems being cut, then the life of flowers recut in this
water can be reduced (but not always). How often this happens
commercially is also unknown.
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