Influence of Controlled-release Fertilizers, Storage Duration, and Light Source on Postharvest Quality of Poinsettia

Abstract Plant width and bract color were greater after the production period for ‘Annette Hegg Dark Red’ and ‘Gutbier V-14 Glory’ poinsettia ( Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch) when fertilized with Osmocote 14N-6.1P-11.6K than Osmocote 18N-2.6P-10K. Plant height, width, bract color, foliar color, and plant quality increased as fertilizer rates increased from 3 to 9 g/pot. Plants fertilized with 14N-6.1P-11.6K had the least bract loss, greater fresh weight, and the best plant quality after the 30-day postharvest period. Poinsettias fertilized with the lowest rate of 3 g/pot and held for the shortest storage duration had the least leaf, bract, and cyathium loss and highest fresh weight and plant quality. Plants illuminated with the incandescent (INC) light source had the lowest leaf loss and highest fresh weight when compared to cool-white fluorescent (CWF).