How does Maynooth keep baby's breath fresh? How to extend the storage period of baby's breath?

Baby's breath is a delicate and charming flower that adds a touch of elegance to any floral arrangement. Maynooth, known for its exceptional floral care methods, has some effective ways to keep baby's breath fresh and extend its storage period. Let's explore these in - depth.

Proper Harvesting

In Maynooth, the first step to keeping baby's breath fresh starts at the harvesting stage. Farmers in Maynooth harvest baby's breath at the right time. Usually, it is best to cut baby's breath when about one - third of the tiny flowers are in full bloom. This ensures that the remaining buds have the potential to open fully later. Sharp and clean pruning shears are used to make a clean cut, which minimizes damage to the stem and reduces the risk of bacterial infection. Harvesting early in the morning or late in the evening, when the temperatures are cooler, also helps to maintain the flower's freshness as it is less stressed during these times.

Water Treatment

Immediate water treatment is crucial after harvesting. Maynooth growers plunge the cut stems of baby's breath into a bucket of clean, lukewarm water. The lukewarm water is absorbed more readily by the stems, which helps to re - hydrate the flowers quickly. To further enhance the water's ability to keep the flowers fresh, a floral preservative can be added to the water. The preservative contains nutrients to feed the flowers, acids to lower the water's pH to a level more conducive to water uptake, and biocides to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi that can clog the stems and cause the flowers to wilt prematurely.

Storage Environment

When it comes to storing baby's breath, Maynooth growers understand the importance of the right environment. The storage area should be cool, with a temperature between 33°F - 36°F (0.5°C - 2.2°C). This low temperature slows down the metabolic processes of the flowers, including respiration and transpiration, which helps to preserve their freshness for a longer time. The storage area should also have high humidity, around 90 - 95%. This can be achieved by using a humidifier or placing a tray of water nearby. High humidity prevents the baby's breath from drying out, which can lead to brittle stems and wilting flowers. Also, the storage area should be well - ventilated to prevent the build - up of ethylene gas, which is a natural plant hormone that can cause flowers to age and wither more quickly.

Preventing Physical Damage

Maynooth takes measures to prevent physical damage to baby's breath during storage. The flowers are stored in containers or boxes that are large enough to prevent over - crowding. Over - crowding can cause the stems and flowers to rub against each other, leading to bruising and damage. Soft packaging materials, such as tissue paper or foam, can be used to cushion the baby's breath and protect it from jostling during transportation or storage.

Regular Inspection

Regular inspection is another key practice in Maynooth. Growers check the baby's breath regularly for any signs of decay, disease, or pest infestation. Any damaged or infected flowers are immediately removed to prevent the spread of problems to the rest of the batch. Changing the water in the holding containers every two to three days also helps to keep the flowers in good condition, as it removes any build - up of bacteria and provides fresh nutrients to the flowers.

Questions and Answers

1. When is the best time to harvest baby's breath in Maynooth?

The best time to harvest baby's breath in Maynooth is when about one - third of the tiny flowers are in full bloom. Harvesting is preferably done early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler.

2. What should be added to the water for baby's breath after harvesting?

A floral preservative should be added to the water. It contains nutrients to feed the flowers, acids to lower the water's pH for better water uptake, and biocides to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi.

3. What is the ideal temperature and humidity for storing baby's breath in Maynooth?

The ideal temperature for storing baby's breath is between 33°F - 36°F (0.5°C - 2.2°C), and the ideal humidity is around 90 - 95%.

4. Why is regular inspection of baby's breath important during storage?

Regular inspection helps to detect any signs of decay, disease, or pest infestation. Removing damaged or infected flowers immediately prevents the spread of problems to the rest of the batch, thus helping to keep the entire collection of baby's breath fresh.