The present work was carried out to evaluate the influence of temperature and wet-versus-dry storage on longevity, respiration and ethylene production during storage of E. ibaguense flowers. The inflorescences were harvested and stored at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40ºC, in water or dry, until complete senescence. Respiration increased when inflorescences were treated with wet or dry storage. The Q10 factor for this flower, at temperatures ranging from 5 to 40ºC, was similar to most fresh horticultural products, varying between 1.2 and 3.31 depending on storage temperature. Production of ethylene by the inflorescence was maximal at 20ºC for flowers maintained in water, and at 35ºC for those flowers kept dry, followed by a sharp drop in both treatments. A maximal shelf life for cut flowers was obtained when the inflorescences were stored wet at 10ºC. Symptoms of chilling were observed in flowers stored in water after six to seven days at 5ºC, showing petal wilting and necrosis of the labellum. At 40ºC, flowers stored dry showed severe petal wilting and darkening of bud petals less than one day after harvest.
storage; Q10 factor; chilling symptoms
