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Supplemental care
and marketing tips: Many statice species can
be dried and used for years in permanent flower arrangements. Yet,
when used as a fresh-flower, they may last only a few days before
leaf yellowing (on statice only, not German statice) or Botrytis
infestation occurs. Because of Botrytis and other problems, even
short-term storage can greatly reduce life. Storing statice under
lights can retard leaf yellowing, but this can be hard to do in
the store.
Botanical name:
Limonium spp. and Goniolimon spp.
Genus pronunciation: li-MOE-ni-um and go-ne-O-le-mon
Common relatives: Leadwort, sea lavender,
armeria and thrift
Botanical fun facts:
Limonium is an ancient Greek name, probably derived
from the word "meadow." Additional names used in the trade for various
species include misty, latifolia, sea foam and caspia.
Ethylene sensitive:
It is not ethylene sensitive.
Storage temperature
(three days or fewer): 36-38 degrees Fahrenheit
*
Storage temperature (more than three days): 32-34
degrees Fahrenheit *
(* 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:
Avoid bunches which exhibit flowers with yellowing
stems and leaves, as well as bunches with fungal fuzzy growth (Botrytis).
Unfortunately, this field grown crop is generally sold at prices
too low to allow the investment in beneficial fungicidal and anti-yellowing
chemical treatments.
End-user life:
4 - 8 plus days
Special concerns:
Special concerns: Remove from shipping boxes and
get rid of field heat immediately. Also remove stem ties and separate
stems to improve air circulation.
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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