Due to the economical and social importance of production and export of flowers for Colombia, it is necessary a better advantage of the total production of these flowers. It has be en found, that during the postharvest process there is a big quantity loss of stems due to a deficient mechanical handling, decreasing, in fact the capacity of the enterprises to supply intemational markets. The six varieties studied were: Tineke, Madamme Delbard, Charlotte, Aalsrneer s Gold, Classy y First Red. To do this research, a tracking was kept on six predetermined operations that are part of the production postharvest system, those are: cut in the field, reception at the postharvest area, classification, take off petals, take off leafs and thorns, and bunching. In this operations the number ofstems handled were analyzed, and from them, the number of losses, which would obtain the following indicators: unrecoverable losses (totalloss of the stem) and losses due to sale of the stem in the national market. When the percentage of losses due to mechanical handling during postharvest and the economical equivalent are known, there are judging elements that will determine whether to invest in the improvement of the process. The study attempted to determine, due to mechanical mishandling, which phases of the process resulted in the larger amount of losses. In fact, was found that the six varieties have diffcrent levels of endurance to the handling. The farms where the study took place have made decisions necessary to decrease the percentage oflosses due to mechanical damage, taking as starting point this research. Although this percentage is not too high, it does represents high economical losses to the company. ; Debido a la importancia económica y social de la producción yexportación de flores para Colombia, se hace necesario un mayor aprovechamiento de la producción total de estas. Se ha encontrado que durante el proceso postcosecha se presenta gran cantidad de pérdida de tallos debido a deficiencias en las operaciones del proceso, ...