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Supplemental care
and marketing tips: Almost no postharvest research
information has been published for this species, although numerous
unproven handling tricks have been proposed such as dipping cut
stem ends in salt to prevent stem splitting. Until research can
support these tricks, recommending them would be foolish. The so-called
"mini-callas" have fewer postharvest problems and are generally
easier to handle and use because of their smaller size.
Botanical name:
Zantedeschia spp
Genus pronunciation: zan-tee-DES-ki-a
Common relatives: Philodendron, aglaonema,
caladium, anthurium and Jack-in-the-pulpit
Botanical fun facts:
Botanical fun facts: Genus is named for Francesco
Zantedeschia who wrote about Italian plants around 1825. Often referred
to as calla lily, however, it is not related to lilies.
Ethylene sensitive:
Calla is not ethylene sensitive, although some
positive effects of STS treatments have been measured. Contrary
to popular belief, callas do not produce significant quantities
of ethylene.
Storage temperature
(three days or fewer): 36-38 degrees Fahrenheit
*
Storage temperature (more than three days): Not
recommended. *
* The optimum storage temperature is not documented
sufficiently by research. Estimations are based on plant origin,
storage temperature information of similar species and general observations.
Purchasing hints:
Spadix (a thick, protruding flower cluster) should
be visible at the time of purchase. If cut too tight, flowers will
usually not open properly.
End-user life:
4 - 8 days
Special concerns:
Watch for bruising due to packaging. You also will
find occasional and undesirable regreening of the spathe (bract
or modified leaf) is possible, which can't be prevented with present
technologies.
Care and Handling
information is from the "Flower and Plant Care Manual",
Written by George Staby, Ph.D., Used with the permission of publisher,
The Society of American Florists, 1601 Duke St., Alexandria, VA.
22314-3406.
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