Calcium improves gerbera (Gerbera hybrida) vase life

Abstract

The vase life of Gerbera hybrida cut flowers is about two weeks. To prevent wilting, hypochlorite is widely used in vase water to control micro-organisms that may block xylem cells and restrict water uptake. In this study, three levels of calcium chloride (0, 12 and and 24 meq L−1), two levels of calcium hypochlorite (0 and 25 mg L−1) and two levels of hydrochloric acid (0 and 2 meq L−1) were factorially arranged, using three replicates in a completely randomised design. A single gerbera flower with a 450 mm stem in a glass bottle with 500 mL treated water was used as experimental unit. The trial was ended after 17 d in a room at 25 °C. The general appearance index of the stemmed flowers was significantly (p < 0.0001) correlated (r 0.81) with its mass-retention percentage. Calcium hypochlorite significantly improved water uptake as well as the mass-retention percentage. The highest CaCl2 level of 24 meq L−1 significantly improved the mass-retention percentage without significantly improved water uptake, an indication that cell walls of the xylem tubes could have been hardened, producing stronger flower stems. Indications of a positive effect with application of hydrochloric acid (HCl), only in the presence of optimum levels of hypochlorite and calcium, needs further investigation.