STORAGE OF FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND FLORISTS' STOCKS 43 



color appearance during storage, especially under dark storage con- 

 ditions. The use of artificial light to retard this color change has 

 been demonstrated experimentally (4&)- 



Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum hortorum Hort.) and gladi- 

 oluses (Gladiolus spp.) may be stored at 35° F. for 2 weeks and usually 

 remain very salable. Longer storage is possible, though frequently 

 not practicable. These flowers are usually tied in bunches of 12 and 

 25, respectively, but are not wrapped when placed in storage. Pom- 

 pons, however, are sold in bunches of various sizes. 



As a rule the proper cutting stage for the large-flowering types 

 of chrysanthemums is just after the green color in the center of the 

 flower has disappeared. No general rule can be given for pompons, 

 since several varieties, especially some of those in the anemone group, 

 need more development on the plant than the single varieties. 



Gladioluses should be cut when three or four of the lower buds 

 are partly opened. For distant shipments before storage the flowers 

 should show color but should be in the tight-bud stage. 



Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum Thunb.), Speciosum lily (L. speci- 

 os-um Thunb.), Regal lily (L. regale Wils.), goldband lily (L. auratum 

 Lindl.), common peony (Paeonia officinalis L.), and Chinese peony 

 (P. albiflora Pall.) can be held at 35° F. for comparatively long 

 periods, although 30 days is usually the maximum storage period. 

 The lilies in this group should be cut for storage when the corolla is 

 about one-half opened or just before the tips begin to reflex. Lilies 

 forced at relatively high temperatures should be kept at a temperature 

 of about 50° for a preliminary period of about 24 hours before being 

 put at 35°. Peonies showing color in the tight-bud stage may be 

 stored at 35° for 3 to 4 weeks, but they seldom give satisfaction for 

 decorative purposes without special handling; in the loose-bud stage 

 they may be held satisfactorily for 10 to 14 days. 



The cut blooms of common and golden callas (Zantedeschia aethi- 

 cpica (L.) Spreng. and Z. elliottiana (Knight) Engl.) may be stored 

 when fresh for as long as 10 days at 40° F. and will be in good condi- 

 tion upon removal. Calla blooms should be gathered just before the 

 spathe shows signs of curling downward. Callas that have been sub- 

 jected to hard forcing should be held for about 24 hours at a tempera- 

 ture of 50° previous to storage at 40°. When the blooms are gathered 

 they should be pulled, not cut, otherwise the stems will split at the 

 cut ends and curl after a few days in storage. The pulling method 

 separates the stem from the rhizome, leaving no useless appendage. 

 Although the blooms are sometimes removed from the plant by cutting, 

 the stub left on the plant will probably rot and thus may serve as a 

 place of entrance for disease organisms. Pulling, however, is much 

 easier with potted callas than with those planted in beds or benches. 

 Callas intended for storage should be tied at the bottom and also 

 loosely tied below the blooms. They are usually put up in lots of 

 one dozen. 



Lupine (Lupinus), clarkia (Clarkia sp.), common stocks (Mathiola 

 incana R. Br.), candytuft (Iberis), delphinium or hardy or perennial 

 larkspur (D. formosum Boiss. and Huet. and hybrids), cornflower 

 (Centaurea cyanus L.), feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium 

 Pers.), common snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus L.), blue laceflower 

 (Trachymene caerulea R. Grah.), English daisy (Bellis perennis L.), 



