Cut Flower Preserving Devices and Method

Abstract

A device and method that uses the application of light to retard the wilting and spoilage of cut flowers. The lamps used can direct focused illumination in the targeted wavelengths known to positively and optimally affect the viability of different types of cut flowers, hi the most preferred embodiment, an LED light source is positioned to direct light upwardly toward the flowers, either from a base structure upon which a vase holding the flowers and having a transparent bottom surface is placed, or from a position within an opaque vase holding flowers that is substantially below the flower stems. Optionally, light can be directed from the side or overhead, but such a configuration is not optimal. Side-by-side testing confirms that flowers exposed to the light lasted more than a week longer than those not having the added illumination.

1 . A cut flower preservation lighting device comprising a wavelength-selectable or selected energizable light source and a housing therefor, said housing being adapted to direct light from said light source onto the stems of cut flowers in a water-containing vase and said light source including red light having an intensity of at least 0.12 mW/cm 2  of stems area into which the light is directed. 
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing is immersible in water and includes a battery holder for at least one battery for energizing said light source. 
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the housing is integral with said vase. 
   
   
       4 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the housing is a stand for the vase and directs light upwardly into the vase. 
   
   
       5 . The device according to  claim 3  wherein the housing includes a battery holder for at least one battery for energizing said light source. 
   
   
       6 . The device according to  claim 3  wherein the housing includes an electrical connector for connecting the light source to an external source of electricity. 
   
   
       7 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the light source is a red light source. 
   
   
       8 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the light source includes at least one color other than red. 
   
   
       9 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein said intensity is at least 0.24 mW/cm 2 . 
   
   
       10 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein said intensity resides in the range of 600-725 nm. 
   
   
       11 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the source of red light is at least one red LED. 
   
   
       12 . A method for preserving the useful life of cut flowers with stems by shining red light onto said stems. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein light other than red light is also shone onto said stems. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the stems are contained in a water-containing vase having a light transmitting bottom, and the light is shone upwardly through said bottom. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said red light has an intensity of at least 0.12 mW/cm 2  of said bottom. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said red light has an intensity of at least 0.24 mW/cm 2  of said bottom. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the intensity is measured in the range of 600-725 nm wavelength. 
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the light source is a fluorescent source. 
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the light source is an LED light source.