AUSTRALIAN WILDFLOWER QUALITY SPECIFICATIONS - WHAT CAN THEY DO FOR INDUSTRY?

B. Gollnow, L. Turton, R. Worrall, J. Faragher
To maintain and build industry reputation and market share, wildflower products from Australian and South African species need to meet buyer expectations. Australian grown wildflowers have been variable in their quality and market presentation, and may not have received the appropriate postharvest care required to ensure maximum vase life for the end customer. To assist in overcoming these issues, detailed quality specifications for 32 wildflower products have been developed to help everyone in the supply chain know what to look for when harvesting, marketing or purchasing flowers originating from Australia and South Africa. Of the 32 products, half are members of the Proteaceae family. Each specification is presented as a full-colour A4 6-page brochure. A full product description covers the flowers, leaves, stem and stages of opening, and is supported by high quality photos to illustrate stages of flower opening from immature to over-mature. Other photos highlight common defects to be avoided at market entry. There are charts describing the attributes of each product, at what stage stems should be harvested, with details on bunching, harvest and postharvest treatments, as well as packaging. There is even advice on how to handle the product for exporters, importers, wholesalers and the consumer. Extensive consultation with industry members and workshops to collect information and test draft specifications ensured the information is commercially relevant. These quality specifications are designed to be used in many ways. Growers and their workers can follow the advice to market consistently good quality flowers that have been given the appropriate postharvest treatments. Exporters, importers, wholesalers and florists, will find information on how to handle these products and how to select and purchase product that will have the optimum vase life. Lastly, everyone in the supply chain, as well as consumers, can learn what is unique about wildflowers.
Gollnow, B., Turton, L., Worrall, R. and Faragher, J. (2014). AUSTRALIAN WILDFLOWER QUALITY SPECIFICATIONS - WHAT CAN THEY DO FOR INDUSTRY?. Acta Hortic. 1031, 109-118
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2014.1031.12
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2014.1031.12
Proteaceae, postharvest, vase life, maturity stages, Australian and South African flowers, supply chain
English