HUMBLE YET MIGHTY!

Native to Asia, and northeastern Europe, Pompons belong to one of the biggest plant families, Asteraceae. Cultivated in Japan as early as the 8th century, many flower forms and colors have been developed there. In fact, chrysanthemum flowers feature heavily in Japanese culture.

Native, or wild forms of chrysanthemum flowers are much simpler than their cultivated siblings, with smaller daisy-like flowers or more decorative blooms, resembling buttons or pompons, hence their common name.

Their natural form is to develop as a multi-branched ‘Spray’ stem, and traditionally, to grow a single large headed stem required careful cultivation and pruning. Nowadays, many cultivars have been developed to lessen or eliminate the need for special cultivation techniques to grow single headed stems.

In addition to large single headed varieties, breeders have been working on increasing the color range, and developing new flower forms to attract a new audience of consumers. Which is encouraging, as these flowers truly are the workhorse of the floral industry. So versatile, long lasting, and relatively sturdy when properly handled, they really do give value for money and are beautiful to boot!

PURCHASING

Choose stems with heads showing full color, and ¾ to fully open.

HYDRATION AFTER HARVEST

• Start processing with a clean bucket, sanitized with D.C.D.® cleaner.
• Cut stems about 1 – 2 inches before placing in a hydration solution such as Floralife® HydraFlor® 100.
• Remove any leaves that are below the hydration solution.
• Hydrate in chilled solution in the flower cooler (34 – 38° F).
• Limit the time between harvest and placing in the cooler to less than one hour.

SHIPPING AND STORAGE

• Shipping and storage temperatures should be 34- 38° F.
• Dry storage is best, but only if temperatures are maintained between 34 to 36F.

RE-HYDRATION AT STORE LEVEL AND STORAGE

• Store flowers dry at 34 to 36F for as long as possible (until flowers are needed for wet case display at store/wholesale level).
• Start processing with a clean bucket, sanitized with D.C.D.® cleaner.

VASE CARE

• Remove any leaves that might be below the vase solution.
• If flowers are dry packed, cut approximately 1” or more off stems. Use clean, sanitized clippers or knife, and treat with Floralife® Quick Dip.
• Immediately place flowers in vase solutions containing Floralife Crystal Clear® or Floralife® Express 300.

COMMON DEFECTS

• Botrytis can develop in bloom. Always maintain the correct temperature and humidity levels during storage.
• Flowers shattering due to rough handling.
• Foliage yellowing
• Foliage browning
• Dehydration