Postharvest characteristics of gladiolus spikes as affected by quality and stages of harvest

Spikes of gladiolus harvested at S2 (when colour was visible in 4–5 florets) exhibited early opening of the basal floret, higher vase life as well as per cent opening of florets than those harvested at S1 (when colour was visible in 1–2 basal florets). The A category spikes exhibited an accelerated opening of the basal floret and maximum percentage of floret opening. Spikes harvested at S1 exhibited high starch content but low total soluble and reducing sugar contents in the tepals. Reverse trends were, however, observed in case of spikes harvested at S2. The A category spikes also exhibited maximum contents of starch, total and reducing sugars in tepals. The contents were, however, minimum in C category spikes.