155 pages ; Understanding optimal postharvest conditions and handling for a specific crop is essential to preserve quality. Some tropical and subtropical plants can be damaged by chilling injury (CI), a physiological response to low temperatures resulting in reduced quality. As a subtropical crop, the susceptibility of Gerbera jamesonii to CI has been speculated. This project aimed to evaluate the development of CI and variability in susceptibility across six Gerbera cultivars. Flowers were stored at 1, 5, or 10°C for 7 days and observed at 20°C. Vase life varied significantly among cultivars. However, 1°C storage resulted in similar, or improved, duration compared to storage at warmer temperatures (5 or 10°C). No evidence of CI was found, as visual symptoms typically associated with CI did not develop on flowers. Within a cultivar, flowers displayed consistent respiration patterns (generally, an increase from Day 0 to Day 1, followed by a decline from Day 1 to Day 2) regardless of storage temperature.A common postharvest disorder among cut Gerbera jamesonii is stem bending, where the scape curves under the weight of the flower head. Generally, the scape 10 to 15 cm below the capitulum is particularly prone to bending. A study was conducted to determine potential causes of stem bending, including water loss, lignification, and calcium deficiency. No clear correlations between bending susceptibility and the concentration of lignin or calcium were found. Preventing transpirational water loss and maintaining water uptake are essential to prolong gerbera vase life.