Abstract
In an experiment to identify how growing conditions influence the postharvest life of potted Rosa hybrida ‘PoulprimaN’ (Purple Parade®) plants, response surface analyses were conducted on the effects of six factors: NH4+ and Ca concentrations in the nutrient solution, addition of lime to the peat medium, plant spacing, air humidity, and use of capillary mats on the benches. At the end of production, the buds and flowers were analysed for Ca and total N, and three weeks later, postharvest life was evaluated, determined by flower wilting and leaf abscission. With increasing Ca concentration in the nutrient solution the ratio of wilted flowers decreased, and at low concentrations of NH4+ (<3.5 mM) the Ca concentration in buds and flowers increased. This indicates a negative correlation between Ca concentration in buds and flowers and wilting. Furthermore, the ratio of wilted flowers and number of abscised leaves was lower when lime addition to the peat was high and the NH4+ concentration in the nutrient solution low. At the optimal NH4+ concentration of approximately 0.6 mM, calcium concentration in the buds and flowers was not influenced by lime addition. However the ratio of wilted flowers decreased with increased lime, demonstrating that factors other than calcium are important in flower wilting.
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