Abstract
The leaf water conductance of cut, flowering stems of Chrysanthemum morifolium was measured by diffusion porometry. The stems were placed in solutions of chemicals which have commonly been used in flower preservatives, or which might be expected to affect the physiology of the leaves. In the environmental conditions of our experiments (18° C; 0.8 kPa; 5 W m −2 visible radiation for 8 h) sucrose (6 %) and abscisic acid (0.001 %) lowered leaf water conductance. Silver nitrate (0.003 %) or 8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate (0.02 %) either had no effect or increased leaf water conductance. We conclude that the latter two substances increase the vase life of cut flowers by affecting the physiology and pathology of the stem rather than the stomatal physiology of the leaf. The leaves of stems standing in high concentrations of sucrose accumulated sucrose and were frequently damaged as a result. The results are discussed with regard to the water relations of the cut flower and the possible use of anti-transpirants.
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