Product: Flannel flowerProduct botanical name: Actinotus helianthi

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Quality specifications for Australian wildflowers

Product: Flannel flowerBotanical nam

e: Actinotus helianthi

The flannel flower is one of the most recognizable Australian native flowers, with attractive white flowers and grey-green foliage with a flannelly texture.

They have long, straight stems and terminal flowers, making them popular as a cut filler flower on both domestic and export markets.

Most flannel flowers marketed today come from cultivated plants. In the past they have largely come from bush-picked material, which varied greatly in flower form and quality. Selection of better clones has produced plants with longer stems flowering over longer periods. Given the relatively short period from planting to harvest, they have the potential to provide an excellent return from a small land area.

Flannel flowers are generally treated as a biennial crop, although they can grow well in cultivation for up to 4 years. More flowers are produced in the second and third years, after which stems tend to become shorter.

Two types of flannel flowers are now being grown:

n All-year-round flowering cultivars can be grown intensively in greenhouses in artificial media. This allows aeration and drainage to be managed more easily and assists in controlling soilborne diseases. Stems tend to have a single terminal flower.

n Spring-flowering flannel flowers are usually grown in field plantings and generally have longer and thicker stems. The flowers tend to be borne in multiple heads – three or more branches (each with a bloom at the tip) per stem are needed to maximise market appeal, especially in Japan.

Browning of the flower tips seems to be related to stress caused by heat, drought or salinity, or to pesticide burn.

Prolonged exposure to flannel flowers can cause allergic reactions similar to those caused by kangaroo paws and grevilleas. This is due to the fine hairs on the leaves and flowers. Dipping (to protect against botrytis) usually removes most of the free hairs. Sensitive workers, especially those handling large quantities of undipped flowers, should wear protective clothing, especially on the forearms and hands, and perhaps a dust mask.

As flannel flowers mature and the flower passes its prime, the petal-like bracts close up again. This can make it difficult to judge the correct stage of opening to harvest (see flower chart: stages 2 and 6 are easily confused).

Flowering season: August to January with a peak in spring (field-grown flowers); all year round (but limited volume at times) for selected cultivars grown in greenhouses.

Typical vase life: 14–21 days. Export can reduce the vase life, especially if the transport conditions are not cold, the product dries out, or transport takes too long.

Typical bunches look like this.

STAGES OF OPENING

Multiple flower heads resulting from

earlier damage to developing shoot tip

Botrytis damage causing bracts to shrivel – do not market

Very immature. If the head still droops

slightly it is too immature to harvest

Earliest to market (export). The flower

needs to be partly open to ensure that the stem

at the neck is strong enough to support it

Ideal to market (export and domestic)

Too mature for export, but still suitable for

domestic market

All flowers overmature (equivalent to stage 5

on chart)

Bract browning due to spray burn

Bract browning due to heat damage

Bract damage due to insect feeding – discard

Flower greenish rather than white

Overmature (‘blown’) flowers in centre of bunch

Common defects to be avoided at market entry:

n Petal (bract) browning

n Insect damage

n Leaf damage due to insects or nutritional problems

n Poorly coloured or undersized flowers

n Deformed flowers

n Overmature flowers

n Bent or marked flower stems

n Poorly assembled bunches

Product: Flannel flower

The stages shown apply to the product at market entry. Pay attention to the weather, time of year, and mode and duration of transport, because the flowers will continue to open during transport. You must consult with your target market to ensure that the flowers arrive at the desired stage.

COmmON dEFECTS

Poor-quality bunch: twisted

stems

Bent stem Leaf burn in close-up

Iron-induced chlorosis

Caterpillar webbing

Stage 0 Immature stage: small, closed, green ‘bud’; unacceptable to markets

Stage 1 Immature stage: opening green ‘bud’; the head still droops naturally, as the stem is not yet strong enough to hold it upright

Stage 2 Early stage: open ‘bud’, bracts still small and green, florets <10 mm; preferred by only a few markets, e.g. export. Among certain cultivars (e.g. all-year-round flowering), partly opened buds will fully open during shipping to export markets

The stages of opening for flannel flowers can be defined as follows:

Stage 3 Flower open, held upright on stem; bracts fluorescent white; centre of flower light green

Stage 4 Flower open; latest stage for picking; centre of flower light green. Prime stage for domestic markets

Stage 5 Overmature: centre of flower light brown

Stage 6 Closing: unaccepted by many markets

Stage 7 Bracts closed

Stage 8 Finished: seeds formed, bracts open or reflexed backwards

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8Stage 3 or 4 is the optimum stage to market

Stages in flannel flower development

FLOWERS

Appearance Clean white bracts with green tips (length of green tip depends on cultivar).

Minimum size is 3 cm (or the size of a 50 cent coin).

The most mature flower on the stem must be fully developed, with the petal-like bracts mostly or fully reflexed (bent back) and the central dome at full size. Individual flowers in the central dome are open or about to open. No browning of central flower mass (which indicates ageing).

When to harvest

For domestic market: when 1 flower is fully open (stage 2 or 3).

For export: when 1 flower is at stage 1 or 2.

Avoid harvesting when flowers are wet.

Damage No obvious damage to bracts.

No obvious blemish (sunburn, wilting of individual flowers).

Minimal noticeable bract browning or other blemishes.

Contamination Product free of grit and soil, weeds or weed seeds, living or dead insects, and signs of insects or spiders, such as webbing.

Pests and diseases

No insects, insect damage or disease.

LEAVES

Appearance Fresh grey-green; not wilted.

Remove from lower 1/3 of stem.

Damage Free of evidence of pests, disease or other blemishes, including mechanical damage.

STEMS

Appearance Rigid and strong enough to support blooms.

Relatively straight with <20° bend.

Not damaged by removal of leaves.

Neatly cut end.

Length As long as possible, but never cut into the oldest part of the stem (or plants lose vigour).

RECOMMENDED HANDLING AT HARVEST

Minimise drying out and exposure to heat – pick when it is cool, preferably straight into buckets of clean potable water. Do not add sugar.

Hold cut stems in the shade.

Move cut stems promptly to a cool, shaded packing area.

GRADING AND BUNCHING

Grading Discard any poor-quality product.

Size is proportional to stem thickness or weight, e.g. larger flowers on thicker stems.

Bunching The number of stems per bunch varies, and is determined by their length and by market and buyer requirements. However, presentation is important, so for example if 5 stems make a thin looking bunch, increase bunch size in lots of 5 stems, i.e. go to 10 or even 15 stems per bunch. Stay consistent for the grade and make all bunches the same. Aim for symmetrical bunches.

Ensure stems are held firmly so the bunch remains tight. Use 2 ties, 1 at the base and another further up the bunch and looser; or use 1 tie at the base plus a sleeve to support the bunch. Some growers use 3 ties on long-stemmed bunches.

Especially for export, stems should be approximately the same diameter within a bunch, with the ends aligned.

Stem length Stem length (cm) Av. no. of stems per bunch

70 cm + 5–10

60 10

40–50 10–15

<40 10–20

Sleeves To maintain quality, sleeve bunches (mandatory for export, preferred for domestic markets). This improves product appearance, reduces drying out and makes it easier to pack. Select the sleeve size to suit the bunch size. Microperforated sleeves are recommended, as they reduce the formation of condensation. The sleeve should extend well past the top of the bunch to prevent drying out.

Product: Flannel flower

HOLDING AND STORAGE

Cooling Effective cooling soon after harvest is important to retaining quality and maximising vase life. There are two options:

• Cool, process, cool – for example, remove field heat by cooling flowers immediately on entry into shed to 10 °C in buckets of solution, process flowers (bunch, grade), and then cool to 2–4 °C by either forced-air cooling (if boxed) or holding overnight in a cool room.

• Process within 1 hour of cutting, and then cool to 2–4 °C by either forced-air cooling for 20–30 minutes (if boxed) or holding overnight in a cool room (if in buckets).

Forced-air cooling of packed flowers is ideal for large volumes of product.

Holding temperature and humidity

If necessary, hold at 2–4 °C (but not colder) in high relative humidity (≥95%) for up to 3 days.

Postharvest solutions

Pulsing solution: Not required.

Postharvest solution: Use high-quality water. Do not add sugar.

Holding solution: Same as postharvest solution.

Longer-term storage

For longer-term storage, store dry and in final packaging. Seek professional advice and test in the market before committing product.

PACKAGING

Pack bunches of the same size (stem number, weight or thickness) together.Put bunches of similar length together, and ensure all bunches meet this specification.Pack bunches firmly so the product will not move and be damaged.Pack boxes according to customer requirements.Use boxes with holes to allow forced-air cooling.Minimise water loss, especially for long-distance domestic shipping, by lining boxes with plastic.If shipping overseas into high summer temperatures, check with the overseas customer about whether to use sleeves or paper liners.After packaging, cool flowers to 2–4 °C before transport.

LABELLING AND DOCUMENTATION

Label boxes and buckets as recommended in Postharvest Manual* or as required by customer.

Ensure box contents are exactly the same as specified in the documentation and on the end of the box.

TRANSPORT

Refrigerated vehicle at 2–4 °C for long-distance transport.

COMMON POSTHARVEST PROBLEMS Refer to Postharvest Manual* for general advice.

Fungal decay in storage due to botrytis (grey mould)

Insects (for export)

Use preharvest fungicide sprays during wet weather to reduce the risk of botrytis disease.

Use preharvest insecticide sprays to reduce the pest population at harvest.

Dip flowers that are to be packaged and held for any significant length of time (export product) in a registered fungicide or insecticide solution with added wetting agent for not less than 1 minute, then dry naturally for 2 hours to ensure thorough disinfestation.

Browning of flower tips

Minimise pre- and postharvest stress due to heat, drying out or salinity.

Test pesticides before use to avoid phytotoxicity – some have been associated with tip browning.

Ethylene sensitivity

Flannel flowers do not appear to be susceptible to ethylene.

Messages for importers and wholesalersn Recut stems and place into fresh water containing a registered biocide.n Cool product before marketing or sending on and keep it cool.n Maintain good hygiene and keep containers clean.

Messages for retailersn Recut stems and place into fresh water containing a registered biocide.n Use clean buckets and containers for displays.n Do not display flowers in areas that are exposed to full sun, draughts,

high temperatures or vehicle exhausts, and preferably do not display near fruit and vegetables. Use refrigerated displays if possible.

n Tell the customer how to care for the flowers and emphasise the need for fresh water and clean vases.

Messages for consumersn Keep vase filled with fresh clean water. Check daily, as flowers can use

a lot of water. Change the water at least every second day. Always use clean vases and clean water.

n Ensure there are no leaves below the water line.n Do not display in areas that are exposed to full sun, draughts or high

temperatures.

Authors: Dr Ross Worrall and Bettina Gollnow. Photographs by: Dr Ross Worrall and Lowan Turton. This publication is one of a series of Quality Specifications for Australian Wildflowers. ISSN 1440-6845. ISBN 978-1-74254-001-6. RIRDC Publication No. 10/028. www.rirdc.gov.au *The Postharvest Manual is the manual ‘Postharvest Handling of Australian Flowers from Australian Native Plants and Related Species’, 2nd edition, 2010. ISBN 978-1-74254-000-9. RIRDC Publication No.10/027.Both publications were developed by RIRDC Project No. PRJ-000331.

SUPPORTING INDUSTRY PARTNER: The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable regions. You must not rely on any information contained in this publication without taking specialist advice relevant to your particular circumstances. The Commonwealth of Australia, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the authors or contributors expressly disclaim, to the maximum extent permitted by law, all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any act or omission, or for any consequences of any such act or omission, made in reliance on the contents of this publication, whether or not caused by any negligence on the part of the Commonwealth of Australia, RIRDC, the authors or contributors.© 2010 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. This publication is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. Requests concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the RIRDC Publications Manager on phone 02 6271 4165.

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