Peony as the Newly-Emerged Queen of the Field-Grown Ornamentals
A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Postharvest Biology, Quality, Safety, and Technology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (22 August 2021) | Viewed by 4371
Special Issue Editor
Interests: Postharvest physiology of flowers and florists’ green; micropropagation; perennials; abiotic stresses in ornamentals
Special Issue Information
Dear colleagues,
Peony is now as a new queen: it has become the first lady among field-cultivated cut flowers. Its recent career is dazzling worldwide. Whilst it was popular in the second half of the 19th century, it finally found its way back into consumer hearts in the 21st century. Amazingly, many old cultivars are still appreciated, and with impressive statistics. The most popular ‘Sarah Bernard’ is 115 years old and still beats all other cultivars combined. Cut peonies in six flower shapes and different colors are fragrant, have elegant foliage and good keeping qualities. Their ability to withstand long cold storage and transport increased commercial interest, allowing a more even distribution and a global turnover. As they are now cultivated in both hemispheres, their cut flowers are available all year round. The work performed in the last 20 years expanded production even to the subtropics. Winter dormancy can be overcome in Africa or north Australia. Sometimes “a nose of a professional” may provide a little push that decides the future of an entire region. A visitor from Oregon turned the attention of Alaskans to their exceptional conditions for peony cultivation and two million stems are predicted to be cut in Alaska in 2022, although the first trial gardens appeared there only in 2004. With its growing importance, peony is now a model plant for senescence and for developing methods to improve the postharvest behavior of cut flowers. Various preservatives with standard or new biocides, such as nanosilver, and timing of harvest, require an individualized approach as cultivars’ responses vary. Studies on storage conditions opened new horizons in the postharvest physiology of cut flowers: sub-zero temperatures or Ultra Low Oxygen (ULOonditions extend the storage period to 14 weeks. There are many challenges left to be solved, such as stem bending in certain cultivars. Perhaps it can be solved by altering lignin accumulation, due to gene manipulation. Peony foliage as the florists’ green would be an interesting avenue, if excessive leaf harvest does not hamper the flower bud formation; the autumn foliage tinting begs for attention. Dreams come from reality and with peony, sky is the limit. I would like to invite you to contribute a research article, a review, short notes or an opinion letter to our Special Issue “Peony as the Newly-Emerged Queen of the Field-Grown Ornamentals”.
Keywords
- bud opening
- longevity
- senescence
- cold storage
- flower preservatives
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