UN/ECE STANDARD H-7

concerning the marketing and commercial

quality control of fresh cut

GLADIOLI

moving in international trade between and to

UN/ECE member countries

I.	DEFINITION OF PRODUCE AND SCOPE

This standard applies to fresh cut gladioli of varieties (cultivars) of genus Gladiolus, suitable for ornamental purposes.

II.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING QUALITY

The purpose of the standard is to define the quality requirements of fresh cut gladioli at the despatching stage, after preparation and packaging.

A.	Minimum requirements

In all classes, subject to the special provisions for each class and the tolerances allowed, all parts of the flower spicke must be:

-	fresh

-	free from parasites of animal origin

-	one bud at least must show some characteristic colour.

The development and condition of the cut gladioli must be such as to enable them to withstand transport and handling and ensure that they reach their place of destination in a satisfactory condition.

B.	Classification

The flower spikes are classified into three classes as defined below:

(i)	Extra class

The gladioli in this class must be of superior quality. They must have the characteristics of the species and of the variety (cultivar) and not have more than one open flower bud.

All parts of the gladioli must be:

-	whole

-	free from damage caused by parasites of vegetable origin

-	free from bruising

-	free from development defects or malformation

-	free from extraneous matter affecting the appearance of the produce.

In addition, the stems must:

-	be quite rigid and straight

-	have at least ten flower buds, except for colvillii and nanus cultivars, which need only have a minimum of seven 1

-	have at least four leaves.

(ii)	Class I

The gladioli in this class must be of good quality. They must have the characteristics of the species and of the variety (cultivar).

All parts of the gladioli must be:

-	whole

-	practically free from damage caused by parasites of vegetable origin

-	practically free from bruising

-	practically free from development defects or malformation.

They may show:

-	slight traces of extraneous matter where this does not affect the appearance.

In addition, the stems must:

-	be rigid and straight

-	have at least seven flower buds; for colvillii and nanus cultivars, also a minimum of five 2

-	have at least two leaves.

(iii)	Class II

This class comprises gladioli which do not meet the requirements of the higher classes but satisfy the minimum requirements specified above.

They may show:

-	slight malformation

-	slight bruising

-	slight damage caused by parasites of animal or vegetable origin or by hail.

The following are also allowed in this class:

-	stems from which the tops have been removed

-	slightly curved stems, provided they are prepared separately, in uniform batches.

The defects permitted must not impair the keeping quality, appearance or utility of the produce.

The flower spike must have at least five flower buds, except for colvillii and nanus cultivars, which need only have a minimum of three 3 .

The stem must have at least two leaves.

III.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING

Sizing must comply with the following scale:

Code	Length

30	30-40 cm

40	40-60 cm

60	60-80 cm

80	80-100 cm

100	100-120 cm

120	more than 120 cm

These lengths are measured from the base to the top of the flower spike.

The difference between the maximum and minimum lengths of flowers contained in any one unit of presentation (bunch, bouquet, box and the like) must not exceed 10 cm.

IV.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES

The following quality tolerances are allowed in respect of produce not meeting the requirements of the class indicated.

A.	Quality tolerances 4

The following quality tolerances are allowed in respect of each unit of presentation (bunch, bouquet, box and the like).

(i)	Extra class

Three per cent of gladioli by number not meeting the requirements of this class but meeting those of Class I, except that ten per cent of gladioli by number may have curved stems.

(ii)	Class I

Five per cent of gladioli by number not meeting the requirements of this class but meeting those of Class II, except than ten per cent of gladioli by number may have curved stems.

(iii)	Class II

Ten per cent of gladioli by number not meeting the requirements of this class, nor the minimum requirements but free from:

-	decay

-	pronounced bruising

-	withered or malformed buds.

In no case must these defects impair the utility of the produce.

B.	Size tolerances

The following size tolerances are allowed:

In all classes, ten per cent of the flower heads may vary from the length requirements of the length code.

V.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING PRESENTATION

A.	Uniformity

Each unit of presentation (bunch, bouquet, box and the like) must contain gladioli which are of the same quality and have reached a uniform stage of development.

However, it is permissible to mix gladioli of different varieties or mix them with other species of flowers or with foliage, provided that the mixture consists of produce of the same quality, that the goods are marked accordingly.

B.	Packaging

The produce must be packed in such a way to be properly protected.

If the gladioli are packed, they must be held inside the package either by a binding or by appropriate packing material in order to prevent knocks.

The materials, and particularly the paper used in direct contact with the flower spikes, must be new and clean. Newsprint, where used, must only be on the outside, so that it does not come into direct contact with the produce.

C.	Presentation

A unit of presentation (bunch, bouquet, box and the like) must contain 5, 10, 15 or a multiple of 10 pieces.

VI.	PROVISIONS CONCERNING MARKING

(i)	The following particulars must accompany the goods either in the form of a label on the package or in the form of an invoice easily accessible to the control service.

A.	Identification

Packer	)	Name and address or

and/or	)	officially issued or

Dispatcher	)	accepted code mark.

B.	Nature of produce

-	genus

-	variety (cultivar) for the Extra class and Class I

-	colour (optional)

-	Where appropriate, the word "mixture" (or equivalent term).

C.	Origin of produce

-	country of origin and, optionally, district where grown or national, regional or local place name.

D.	Commercial Specifications

-	class

-	size (code) or length

-	number of stems, or number of bunches and number of stems per bunch.

E.	Official control mark (optional)