Vaselife Evaluations of Autumn Sedum, Lobelia, Hardy Amaryllis, Oregano, and Blue Spirea

Abstract

Specialty cut flowers have come of age. In 1996, the value of domestic fresh cut roses, carnations and mums were $195 million while the value of “other” flowers was $251 million. As consumers acquire a taste for more new and different flowers, postharvest information is needed to determine what growers, vendors and consumers can expect for vaselife from these flowers and how the vaselife can be best extended. The vaselife of autumn sedum, lobelia, hardy amaryllis, oregano, and blue spirea was evaluated with and without pretreatments of STS and holding solutions of floral preservatives or water. Results were varied among the different species for the best handling procedures. Lobelia, blue spirea and autumn sedum flowers benefitted from the use of STS. The longest vaselife for oregano was 8.5 days, for blue spirea was 11.3 days, for lobelia was 14 days, for hardy amaryllis was 7 days and for autumn sedum was 32.5 days.