Optimization of flowering and post-harvest conservation of some cut flower species of interest to the Riviera Ligure di Ponente (OTTIPROGRAM)

RDP 2014-2020 Measure 16.01

Goals

To increase the profitability of three important cut-flower crops: viburnum Snowball, buttercup and peony grown in the Riviera Ligure di Ponente.

Members

Florcoop Sanremo sca
DiSAAA-a University of Pisa
DISAA University of Milan

Project duration

01/03/2021 – 30/11/2022

 

The project: flowering optimization

The objectives are as follows:

  • Develop and test thermal and chemical protocols to anticipate and postpone flowering of the viburnum shrub Snowball
  • Develop protocols for forcing ranunculus rhizomes, through application of high/low temperature cycles in combination with chemical treatments to promote the breaking of flower bud dormancy
  • Develop and test protocols for growing potted peonies placeable in climatic cells for flowering forcing
  • Develop and test protocols to improve the quality and durability of ranunculus, peony, and Snowball viburnum post-harvest

Download the article published in Protected Crops no. July 7 2021

Download the slides of the seminar “Strategies to improve the post-harvest quality of cut flowers” of November 21, 2022

Download the final project brochure

Download the article published on Frontiers in Horticulture

Download the article published on Italus Hortus

Download the poster of the presentation at the AKIS conference on October 26, 2023

Demonstration visit

At the Florcoop farm, a hands-on meeting was held on July 22, 2022, to illustrate the protocol tested to anticipate the flowering of Viburnum Snowball. This species naturally blooms in April but the market also demands this product in the winter season and in June and September especially for weddings.

The economic aspect is always to be considered in this process because the costs of cooling the cold room and heating the greenhouse affect the final cost of the product.