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Antirrhinum majus
(an-tee-REE-num MAH-yus)
Common Name: Snapdragon
Family: Scrophulariaceae

Semihardy perrenial, treated as an annual. Native to the Mediterranean region. Legend has it that St. George slew a dragon whose drops of blood resulted in the appearrance of the dragon shaped flower. Avilable in a multitude of colors including, white, yellow, lavender, pink, red, orange, and other colors.

During production, bee pollination may occur which leads to premature senescence and petal drop. Double-flowered varieties are more difficult ot pollinate. Cut snapdragons are tolerant of widely varying water qualities. As much as 1000 ppm soluble salts in the holding solution does not reducee vase life. Flourid e levels must be as much as 3 ppm before flowers are injured.

Snapdragons are usually harvested for local markets when one-half to two-thirds of the f lowers on the spike have opened. Harvest flowers at a less mature stage (when one-third of the flowers are opened) for storage and shipping to distant locations.
Flowers held in plain water last 5 to 7 days. When treated with silver thiosulfate and placed in preservative solution, snapdragons can last 10 to 16 days.
Snapdragons are extremely sensitive to gravity. Spikes held for even a short period in a nonvertical position quickly turn upward, sometimes in a manner of minutes, assuming a permanent bend near their tips. This spike curvature is considered a serious reduction of flower quality.

Store snapdragons in a vertical position to prevent spike curvature.
Snapdragons held in preservative solution have a longer vase life than those held in plain water. Uptake of sugar causes stretching of spikes and separation of florets, somewhat reducing quality. Flowers in plain water have a reduced vase life when exposed to light levels of 200 fc (2.2 klux) or more. Light does not affect the longevity of flowers held in preservative solution and may enhance the color of opening buds. Pink or red flowers opened in darkness while held in plain water may develop faded florets, since the pigment synthesis requires light.
Snapdragons freeze at 30 F (-1 C).

Snapdragons are sensitive to ethylene, which causes rapid petal drop. Some newer cultivars have some ethylene tolerance, but significant levels will cause petal drop in all cultivars.
Recut stems. Hydrate flowers in clean warm water adjusted to pH 3.5. Immerse stems in an STS solution containing sucrose and HQC for 24 to 72 hours to improve vase life and flower quality. Allow a 2-hou r uptake of 30 ppm N-1-napthylphthalamate to reduce response to gravity and resulting spike curvature. Treat snapdragons with silver thiosulfate and sucrose to reduce the effects of ethylene. If snapdragons were treated previously (at wholesale), do not retreat them. Transfer bud-cut flowers to a preservative solution to reduce spike stretching caused by sugar, add 10 to 25 ppm n-dimethyl-ami no succinamic acid (alar,B-Nine) to the solution. If held in plain water store in darkness. Refrigerate snapdragons at 32F to 33F (0C to 1 C). Store in a vertical position-dry or in water-at 40F(5C) for no more than 3 to 4 days. To increase longevity by 7-10 days, wrap spikes in plastic film and place in water. Although snapdragons have been successfully stored for 3 weeks, poor bud development and faded colors frequently result.

Consumer Care: Recu t stems and remove foliage that will be below the water line. Place flowers in preservative solution in a cool place. Avoid heat and drafts. Maintain adequate water levels.