CCF Post-Harvest Care & Floral Preservation 3

Question 1

Which technique is most effective for reviving wilted soft-stemmed flowers such as tulips?

Accepted Answer

Re-cut stems and submerge the entire flower in warm water for 1-2 hours

Answer

Re-cutting stems and fully submerging wilted tulips in warm water maximizes the surface area available for rehydration, allowing rapid water uptake and recovery.

Question 2

What is the most reliable visible sign that a cut flower stem is suffering from bacterial blockage?

Accepted Answer

Stems appearing dark, slimy, or discolored near the cut end

Answer

Dark, slimy, or discolored stem tissue indicates bacterial colonization of the vascular tissue, which blocks water flow and causes the flower head to wilt.

Question 3

How is 'vase life' defined in floral post-harvest terminology?

Accepted Answer

The total number of days a cut flower remains attractive and usable in an arrangement

Answer

Vase life measures the period during which a cut flower remains visually attractive and marketable in an arrangement, and is the primary quality metric in post-harvest research.

Question 4

What is the purpose of 'hardening off' tropical flowers such as birds of paradise or anthuriums after cold transport?

Accepted Answer

Gradually acclimating them from cold transport temperatures to ambient room temperature

Answer

Tropical flowers are chilling-sensitive and can suffer irreversible cell damage if moved abruptly from cold transport to warm environments; slow acclimation prevents this injury.

Question 5

What is the correct storage temperature range for chilling-sensitive tropical flowers like orchids and anthuriums?

Accepted Answer

55-65°F (13-18°C)

Answer

Tropical flowers require warmer storage at 55-65°F because temperatures below 50°F cause chilling injury, unlike temperate flowers that thrive at 35-40°F.

CCF - California Certified Florist Practice Test

CCF - California Certified Florist Practice Test

CCF Post-Harvest Care & Floral Preservation 3