Cut Flowers of the World: Identification, Production and Post-Harvest Handling

This full-colour photographic guide describes and illustrates more than 350 different species of commercially important flowers, foliages and potted flowers. The emphasis is on flowers that are commonly used in the cut flower industry and the book gives useful hints about the selection and handling of these flowers. Cut Flowers of the World is a comprehensive review and practical guide to the most important types of commercial flowers that are sold in florist shops every day. The book includes: Descriptions of more than 350 plant species and their close relatives. For each flower, the following information is given: description of the plant; geographical origin; historical overview; cultivation; cultivars; properties such as colours, scent and vase life; quality criteria (how to select for quality); and the proper care and handling of the flowers. More than 600 excellent full-colour photographs, showing the beauty, colour variation and diversity of the flowers. Important foliage plants and potted flowers are also included, making this a useful reference guide for florists. Introductory chapters on basic aspects such as cultivation methods, harvesting and shipping techniques, cultivar development, modern trends in marketing (including the role of colour in customer preferences) and perhaps most importantly, the basic principles of the selection, handling and use of flowers and foliage. A new section on production techniques and a quick guide and checklist of more than 1000 of the most important and well known cut flowers, potted flowers and foliage plants, listed according to scientific name but giving the common names, family name, region of origin, parts used, colour, fragrance, ethylene sensitivity and storage temperature. Separate common name indexes to the most familiar and well known cut flowers, foliages and potted flowers; a comprehensive scientific index to all the scientific and common names mentioned in the text; a glossary explaining specialist terms; and a list of references and further reading. Book jacket.