Effect of storage temperature and wrapping material on postharvest life of gladiolus cultivar Her Majesty

The cut spikes of gladiolus cv. Her Majesty were kept in various wrapping materials packet such as polyethylene, cellophane, butter paper, newspaper and were packed in CFB boxes. The box was stored at 4°C, 10°C and in ambient condition for 2, 4 and 6 days. After storage, the postharvest life of spikes was studied keeping the spikes in solution of sucrose 4% + A12(SO4)3100 ppm + 8-HQS 200 ppm. At 2 DAS (days after storage), the cellophane packed spikes stored at 4°C produced the largest first and fifth florets while at 4 DAS, cellophane and butter paper packed flowers stored at 4°C were at par for floret size. But at 6 DAS butter paper packed flowers stored at 4°C produced largest first and fifth florets. However, both cellophane and butter paper packed flowers stored at 4°C packed in cellophane for 2 days, in cellophane or butter paper for 4 days and in butter paper for 6 days were proved to be the best to increase the postharvest life of gladiolus cv. Her Majesty cut spikes.