Longest Vase Life Research Articles

Postharvest water quality affects vase life of cut Dendranthema, Dianthus, Helianthus, and Zinnia

Water quality can have a significant impact on the vase life of cut flowers. The effects of vase solution pH and electrical conductivity (EC) on the vase life and postharvest characteristics of Dendranthema L. ‘Naru Lavender’, Dianthus L. ‘Burgundy Sangria’, Helianthus L. ‘Sunbright’, and Zinnia L. ‘Benary's Giant Scarlet’ were investigated. Vase life of Dendranthema increased to 14.6d in acidic solutions from 6.1d for distilled water. Solution uptake of cut Dendranthema was also greater in acidic solutions (94mL) compared to distilled water (76mL). There was no significant difference in vase life of Dendranthema when solution EC ranged from 0.50dSm−1 (21.7d) to 4.00dSm−1 (19.3d) of NaCl; however, all solutions with NaCl resulted in a longer vase life than distilled water. For Dianthus the use of buffers to alter pH reduced vase life from 24.4d for the non-buffered control to 19.9d for the citrate buffered solutions, but no effect of actual pH was noted. Additionally, increasing the EC from 0.00 to 4.00dSm−1 decreased vase life by 10d. Cut Zinnia stems were not influenced by solution pH, but as EC increased from 0.00 to 4.00dSm−1 vase life decreased from 10.6 to 6.8d. Helianthus vase life was not affected by EC, but decreasing pH increased vase life by 1.1d when stems were held in acidic solutions compared to basic solutions. The use of commercial holding solution reduced the negative effects of high EC on salt-sensitive Dendranthema, Dianthus, and Zinnia and increased solution uptake. For Dendranthema vase life was 24.6d when held in preservative at an EC of 2.50dSm−1, while it was reduced to 17.4d without preservative at the same EC. For Helianthus, solutions with preservative had a solution uptake 10mL greater than solutions without preservative. In general, stems with longer vase lives also had a high incidence of necrotic leaves and petals, petal wilt and bent neck. In conclusion, each species had unique reactions to the vase solution treatments, but the general effects were consistent: high solution pH or EC or the use of buffers either had no effect or reduced vase life and the use of floral preservatives increased vase life.

Interaction Effect of Sucrose, Salicylic Acid and 8-hydroxyquinoline Sulfate on Vase-life of Cut Gerbera Flowers

The effects of salicylic acid (SA), 8-Hydroxyquinoline sulfate (8-HQS), and sucrose on cut gerbera was studied. SA (0, 100 and 150 mg l-1), 8-HQS (0 and 200 mg l-1), and sucrose (0 and 30 g l-1) and their combinations were tested as preservative mixture. This study was conducted in a factorial experiment with complete randomized design. SA increased vase life and reduced stem curvature at the concentration of 100 mg L-1. SA at 150 mg L-1 increased mean absorbed preservative solution. 8-HQS increased vase life, dry weight, wet weight, flower diameter, mean absorbed preservative solution, and quality score. 8-HQS also decreased the stem curvature. Sucrose decreased vase life, flower diameter, and quality score, whereas increased dry weight. The treatment containing 8-HQS (200 mg L-1) had vase life of 12.9 days which was not significantly different from the combination of SA (100 mg L-1) + 8-HQS (200 mg L-1)which resulted in the longest vase life of 15.6 days. The results show that SA could increase vase life in combination with 8-HQS.

POSTHARVEST HANDLING OF 'CUT RENAISSANCE', 'WINTER ROSE EARLY' AND 'JESTER' POINSETTIAS

Much work has been previously done on Euphorbia ‘Renaissance Red’ as a cut flower grown for its large inflorescence of curly red bracts. In the current studies ‘Renaissance Marble’, ‘Renaissance Peppermint’, and ‘Renaissance Pink’ had a consumer vase life of 20.1 to 35.0 days and a wholesale vase life of 5.8 to 11.3 days, which was comparable to ‘Renaissance Red’ when flowers were harvested and placed in vases filled with deionized water. ‘Renaissance Pink’ tolerated dry storage in floral boxes and/or 24-hours of 2°C storage, but ‘Renaissance Marble’ vase life was reduced by storage in water or 2°C storage. For ‘Renaissance Peppermint’ 2°C storage reduced the vase life; however, consumer vase life was still 16.6 to 19.7 days when foliage was removed. While Winter Rose Early (WRE) cultivars produced up to 1.6 more stems per pot than ‘Renaissance Peppermint’ and ‘Renaissance Red’ cultivars, the WRE stems were much shorter than the Renaissance stems. All of the WRE cultivars had a consumer vase life of at least 22 days in any of the treatments, which was not affected by storage temperature, storage conditions, or foliage removal. Wholesale vase life for all three cultivars ranged from 8.3 to 14.0 days and was generally reduced if the stems had leaves. When stored at 20°C for 24 hours in water, ‘Jester Red’ had the longest consumer vase life of the Jester cultivars, 23.9 to 30.0 days, while ‘Jester Marble’ and ‘Jester Pink’ had a shorter vase life of only 10.1 to 16.5 days. Wholesale vase life was much shorter for all three cultivars and varied from 2.0 to 4.8 days. Jester cultivars and ‘Renaissance Red’ flowers did not tolerate 2 or 4 weeks of 10°C dry storage. Jester and WRE cultivars were sensitive to chilling damage at 2°C.

Water quality effects on postharvest performance of cut calla, hydrangea, and snapdragon

Effects of water quality on water uptake, change in fresh weight, vase solution pH and electrical conductivity (EC) change, termination symptoms, and longevity of cut ‘Nicole Yellow’ calla (Zantedeschia L.), ‘White Extra’ hydrangea [Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) Ser.], and ‘Admiral Pink’ snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus L.) were studied. Calla was tolerant of high water pH (8.1); vase life varied only from 9.2 d for acidic solutions (pH 3.2) to 10.1 d for solutions with intermediate pH (6.3). Calla had the longest vase life at an EC of 0.75dSm−1, whereas addition of floral preservative (Floralife Professional, Floralife, Walterboro, SC at 10mlL−1) was ineffective. Low solution pH (2.9–3.3), increasing EC (up to 2.5dSm−1), and use of floral preservative increased vase life of hydrangea. Increasing EC increased vase life of hydrangea from a low of 7.3 d to a high of 15.4 d at 2.5dSm−1, when floral preservative was used and from a low of 3.5 d to a high of 5.7 d at 4.0dSm−1 in distilled water. Vase solution pH of snapdragon had no significant effect on vase life or water uptake. Increasing EC increased vase life to a maximum of 14.8 d at 2.0dSm−1 with preservative and to 9.7 d at 3.0dSm−1 without preservative. Each species had differing responses to varying pH and EC levels; however, solution pH should be low, as high pH solutions either had no effect or reduced vase life, such as with hydrangea. EC of vase water for hydrangea and snapdragon should be approximately 2.0–2.5dSm−1, when preservatives are used and 3.0–4.0dSm−1 without, which is higher than most recommendations. Addition of preservative to vase solutions extended vase life of hydrangea and snapdragon, but did not affect calla.

1-MCP improves the postharvest quality of cut spray carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) ‘Optima’ flowers

The aim of the present work was to study the role of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on vase life and other postharvest qualities of cut spray carnation flowers. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized factorial design composed of two factors: 1-MCP concentration at four levels (0, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 g·m−3) and a period of treatment at 2 levels (3 and 6 hours) with four replications. According to the analysis of variance, time duration, 1-MCP concentration and their interaction had significant effects on the vase life, ethylene production, anthocyanin concentration, and weight loss of cut flowers (P ≥ 0.01). The treatment for 6 hours was better than 3 hours in all concentrations of 1-MCP. The longest vase life (16.25 days) was obtained when 0.6 g·m−3 1-MCP was used for 6 hours. Ethylene production by freshly cut flowers in the treatment of 0.6 g·m−3 1-MCP for 6 hours was negligible as compared with the control. Applying 1-MCP at any dose significantly minimized the % weight loss as compared to the control on days 5 and 8. Interaction between 1-MCP concentrations and a period of treatment on chlorophyll content was not significant.

Preservatives and packaging material have an impact on the post-harvest longevity of cut Rosa hybrida L. ‘Kardinal’ flowers

SummaryWe studied the effects of various preservatives (sucrose, ascorbic acid, salicylic acid, and acetylsalicylic acid) alone, or in various combinations, on the post-harvest performance of cut Rosa hybrida L. ‘Kardinal’ flowers. The effects of packaging material, including boxes (used boxes without vents), newspaper, butter paper (a waxy paper used to avoid moisture loss), craft paper (a thin, less-waxy paper used for wrapping floral bunches), cellophane paper, single cardboard boxes with or without a cellophane lining, and standard double cardboard boxes with or without a cellophane lining, were also studied. Among the preservatives, 4% (w/v) sucrose alone, or combined with 100 mg l–1 acetylsalicylic acid, 200 mg l–1 salicylic acid, or 600 mg l–1 ascorbic acid resulted in longer vase-lives (7.1, 5.6, 5.5, or 5.3 d, respectively). Individual or combined applications of ascorbic acid and/or salicylic acid had no effect on vase-life. Stems in deionised (DI) water or 4% (w/v) sucrose alone had larger petal areas and flower diameters compared to all other preservatives. Pulsing with 0.5 mM silver thiosulphate (STS) for 2 h at room temperature further extended the vase-life, maintained flower diameter, increased petal area, and increased the uptake of vase solution during the first 2 d of the vase period. Stems packed in double-cardboard floral boxes lined with cellophane, or cellophane alone, gave a longer vase-life than newspaper, butter paper, or the spent boxes used by growers in the study area. Packaging in single or double cardboard floral boxes, with or without a cellophane lining, maintained flower quality, increased flower diameter, and increased ion leakage from petals (possibly due to the longer vase-life) more than spent boxes, craft paper, butter paper, or newspaper. By increasing the duration of storage from 2 d to 8 d, vase-life and ion leakage decreased from 4.2 d to 2.6 d, and from 102% to 85%, respectively, while subsequent flower diameter increased to 0.61 cm from a decrease of 0.16 cm.

Psidium guajavaandPiper betleLeaf Extracts Prolong Vase Life of Cut Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) Flowers

The effect of leaf extracts of Psidium guajava and Piper betle on prolonging vase life of cut carnation flowers was studied. “Carola” and “Pallas Orange” carnation flowers, at bud stage, were pulsed 24 hours with a floral preservative. Then, flowers were placed in a vase solution containing sprite and a “germicide” (leaf extracts of P. guajava and P. betle, 8-HQC, or a copper coin). Flowers treated with 8-HQC, copper coin, and leaf extracts had longer vase life, larger flower diameter, and higher rate of water uptake compared to control (tap water). The leaf extracts of P. guajava and P. betle showed highest antibacterial and antifungal activities compared to the other treatments. Both showed similar effects on flower quality as the synthetic germicide, 8-HQC. Therefore, these extracts are likely natural germicides to prolong vase life of cut flowers.

Realising added value of investing in cold chain management in cut flower supply chains: an overview

Cold chain management in cut flower supply chains is now of major importance due to markets which are far apart. This paper provides an overview of possible ways to realise the added value of investing in cut flower cold supply chains. The paper suggests that in addition to the external quality parameters currently being used in the grading system at flower auctions, internal quality attributes such as vase life should be considered. It is assumed that considering internal quality attributes such as vase life will result in the realisation of the value of investing in cold chain management. Flowers from a well-managed cold chain are likely to have a longer vase life and also likely to attract higher prices. The paper suggests the use of predictive modelling to predict vase life and three predictive models that have been put forward in literature are discussed.

The synthesis of novel oxime ethers and their effects on the senescence of cut carnation flowers

The high levels of ethylene in plants are involved in a range of harmful effects, such as the senescence of plants and the rotting of fruits. A series of novel oxime ethers were synthesized to counteract the ethylene effects. Their structures were characterized by IR, MS, and 1H NMR, and their effects on the senescence of cut carnation flowers were investigated. The results show that all of the target compounds extended the vase life of cut carnation, especially for compound 3i, which prolonged the vase life of cut carnation flowers to about 11 days, nearly 75% longer vase life compared to the control groups. Most of them were more effective than AgNO3 and aminooxyacetic acid.

Evaluation of ethylene production by ten Mediterranean carnation cultivars and their response to ethylene exposure

Vase life is one of the most important characters of postharvest cut flower quality. The onset of ethylene production and the amount of ethylene produced by flowers vary with the carnation cultivar, and thus influence their vase life. In the present study, differences in ethylene production and the response to exogenous ethylene among carnation cultivars were evaluated. Ten different cultivars: ‘Baltico’, ‘Domingo’, ‘Exotica’, ‘Famosa’, ‘Kiro’, ‘Madame Augier’, ‘Master’, ‘Mundo’, Pilar’ and ‘Reina’were studied. Five flowers for each cultivar were exposed for 8 hours to 1 μL L–1 exogenous ethylene concentration. Ethylene production, fresh weight and water uptake was measured daily throughout theexperiments. The 10 different cultivars studied showed clear differences in vase life, ethylene production, onset timein ethylene production and response to exogenous ethylene. The shortest vase life was for ‘Exotica’ flowers which wasonly 11.6 days, while ‘Baltico’ and ‘Pilar’ lasted 2.5-3 times longer than ‘Exotica’. Most of the investigated cultivarsshowed notable increases in the amount of ethylene. However, ‘Baltico’ and ‘Pilar’ flowers produced only a traceamount of ethylene and had the longest vase life. Results showed that cultivars with a long vase life (‘Baltico’ and‘Pilar’) display high ethylene responsiveness and, in contrast, cultivars with a short vase life (‘Exotica’ and ‘Mundo’) present low responsiveness. The decline in fresh weight of cut flowers observed in the last phase of their vase life occurred earlier in short-lived cultivars than in the longer-lived ones.

Reidratação de inflorescências de boca-de-leão após o armazenamento refrigerado e seco

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes soluções sobre a reidratação e longevidade de inflorescências de boca-de-leão após armazenamento refrigerado a seco. As hastes foram colhidas com seis a sete flores abertas e, após 24 horas em água, foram embaladas em papel-craft, acondicionadas em sacos plásticos perfurados e armazenadas a 5°C por dois, quatro ou seis dias. Após o período de armazenamento a frio, as hastes foram colocadas em recipientes contendo 400mL de (1) água desionizada (controle), (2) solução de Flower® (Ecoplanet, SC) ou (3) solução preparada com 20g L-1 sacarose + 150mg L-1 ácido cítrico + 200mg L-1 de 8-HQC. As soluções foram trocadas a cada 48 horas, quando foi realizado o corte a 2cm na base da haste. Foi estabelecido o fim da vida de vaso quando as inflorescências apresentavam 50% de abscisão ou murcha das flores. A longevidade das inflorescências diferiu com o tempo de armazenamento e com a solução de vaso utilizada. A maior vida de vaso foi obtida quando as hastes foram armazenadas por dois dias e, posteriormente mantidas em solução de sacarose+ácido cítrico+8-HQC. A solução de Flower® propiciou ganho de massa fresca e aumento do teor relativo de água das pétalas durante a reidratação. O uso apenas de água desionizada não foi eficiente em manter a qualidade das inflorescências de boca-de-leão, possivelmente pelo bloqueio dos vasos xilemáticos.

EFFECT OF WATER TEMPERATURE ON REHYDRATION AND VASE LIFE OF GERBERA 'CALCUTTA ORANGE'

In case of Gerbera, scape bending (bent neck) in the vase is the main constraint for local varieties. During storage and transportation, generally low temperature and relative humidity of 95-98% are maintained and after completion of storage, at retailer’s level, there is a tendency to keep flowers in warm water. However, very little work has been done to compare the practice with its physiological implications. Grown in the field of Horticulture Research Station, Mondouri, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (BCKV) situated at 9.75 m above mean sea level, 23.5°N and 89°E, Gerbera ‘Calcutta Orange’ was chosen for this experiment. Interactions among different factors (viz., storage duration, storage condition, packaging materials and water temperature) were studied by following a different analytical tool namely - Principal Component Analysis (PCA) that enabled the reduction of a large number of variables to a smaller, more coherent set of variables. The study revealed that irrespective of storage duration, storage condition and packaging materials, cold water resulted in maximum vase life. Though gain in fresh weight during initial hours was more in case of flowers dipped in hot water yet they exhibited minimum vase life, as weight loss was also fastest in hot water treatment. On the other hand, cold water helped to maintain a steady fresh weight throughout the vase life. Thus cold water was found to be the best medium for rehydration, irrespective of packaging materials and storage condition, that resulted in better rehydration, maintenance of steady fresh weight, better color retention, less bent neck and longer vase life.

Postharvest handling procedures of Matthiola incana ‘Vivas Blue’

Cut stems of stock [ Matthiola incana (L.) R. Br.] ‘Vivas Blue’, a new cultivar, were harvested when at least one floret was open for postharvest testing. Stems were unaffected by exogenous ethylene or by the application of the anti-ethylene agents silver thiosulfate and 1-methylcyclopropene. Stems had a longer vase life when stored dry, as compared to being stored in water, for no more than 2 weeks. Stems held at 2 °C had a significantly longer vase life, 13.3 d, than stems that were not stored in the cold, 9.9 d. No significant differences in vase life, number of open buds, or termination criteria occurred when stems were pulsed with 0, 10, or 20% sucrose. Stems had a longer vase life, 20.3 d, when placed in foam and a 2% sucrose solution with a bactericide as compared to 0 or 4% sucrose in water with a bactericide. Additionally, stems held in foam and 2% sucrose or in 4% sucrose without foam, but with a bactericide, developed a deep purple color over time. Bud opening increased as sucrose concentration increased regardless of floral foam use. Various commercial preservatives did not result in significant differences in vase life, number of open buds, or termination criteria. Vase life was longer, 12.1–13.0 d, when solutions were made from deionized water than when the solutions were made from tap water, 11.3 d.

DETERMINING OPTIMUM PH AND EC LEVELS FOR EXTENDED VASE LIFE OF CUT ROSA 'FREEDOM', 'CHARLOTTE', AND 'CLASSY'

Cut Rosa L. 'Freedom', 'Charlotte', and 'Classy' stems were subjected to solutions of various pH and electrical conductivity (EC) levels. Increasing solution pH decreased vase life. Solutions with an initial pH of 3.1 to 4.0 produced the longest vase life, averaging 13.2 days, when the buffers citrate-borate-phosphate, bis-tris propane-citrate, or their individual components were combined with HCl, NaCl, or NaOH. Solutions with an initial pH of 6.1 to 6.3 produced a vase life averaging 11.6 days and those with a pH of 7.3 to 8.2 produced a vase life averaging 9.8 days. Despite the use of buffers, the solution pH increased by an average of 1.5 at termination of vase life when HCl was added, decreased by 0.7 when NaOH was added, and decreased by 0.5 when NaCl was added. A 2 hour treatment in high pH solutions had no effect on vase life. Increasing pH was correlated with reduced water uptake. The overall solution that produced the longest vase life had a low pH, 3.1 to 4.0, and an EC of 1.0 to 1.3 dS·m -1 . Although 'Freedom', 'Classy', and 'Charlotte' responded differently to the various treatments, the optimum solution composition was nearly the same. In solutions where both initial pH and EC varied, initial pH accounted for 30 to 54% of variation in vase life (average 44%) and initial EC accounted for 18 to 48% of variation (average 36%). In all cases, final pH and EC were not as strongly correlated with vase life as initial pH and EC.

Effect of Stem Length and Stage of Harvest on Vase-Life of Cut Flowers in Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) Cv. Double

A study was carried out to explore the effect of length of stem and stage of harvest on vase life and display quality of tuberose. As regards stem length, 90 cm stem length (L4) had longest vase life, maximum uptake of water, minimum loss-uptake ratio, maximum fresh weight and percentage of opened florets, and, lowest percentage of abscised floret; whereas, 60 cm stem length (L2) enhanced longevity of individual florets. In the case of stage of harvest, significantly high vase life, least loss of water, minimum loss-uptake ratio and lowest physiological loss of weight were recorded in two-florets open stage (S3). Maximum percentage of opened florets and lowest percentage of abscised florets were observed in three-florets open stage (S4), whereas, maximum uptake of water and fresh weight of spike were seen in one-floret open stage (S2). Interaction effect of stem length and harvest stage was also found to be significant showing that 75 cm of stem length with one-floret open stage (L3S2) was superior for maximum vase life of spike as well as lowest physiological loss of weight.

LEUCADENDRON 'SAFARI SUNSET': POSTHARVEST TREATMENTS TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF CUT FOLIAGE DURING PROLONGED SEA SHIPMENT

Leucadendron 'Safari Sunset' is considered one of the most important cut foliage crops cultivated in Israel for export to Europe and the USA, with annual exports totalling more than 24 million stems. Profitable marketing of these stems requires the use of more cost efficient sea transport, currently an eight-day journey from Israel to Europe and between 21 to 28 days to the USA. Some of the major problems which limit the quality of L. 'Safari Sunset' cut stems are leaf blackening, foliage desiccation and pathogen development during storage. Carbohydrate depletion in leaves, occurring post-harvest and associated with the assimilate demand of the developing inflorescence, was suggested to initiate leaf blackening in proteas. Our results show that L. 'Safari Sunset' stems pulsed with either 5% sucrose or glucose before storage, followed by the inclusion of 2% sucrose or glucose in the vase solution, displayed a reduced incidence of leaf blackening and desiccation, which then resulted in a significantly longer vase life. Analysis of endogenous carbohydrates in various stem tissues showed that sucrose pulsing before sea transport is necessary to improve the carbohydrate balance in the cut stems, possibly through a manipulation of the sink-source relationships between the red inflorescence bracts and the green foliage leaves. Additional treatments in combination with sucrose pulsing included: dipping of stems in fungicides and bactericides, pulsing stems in a commercial preservative TOG-3 as well as the application of controlled atmosphere (CA) composing of 15% O 2 and 5% CO 2 during the sea transport to USA. All these treatments when used in combination significantly improved the quality of L. 'Safari Sunset' stems and enabled the prolonged sea shipment of this product from Israel to Europe or the USA.

Effect of 1-MCP and chemicals on the vase life of Rosa hybrida L. cv. 'Bordeaux'

The effect of 1-MCP on rose cultivar 'Bordeaux ' was studied in combination with different preservative solutions. The flowers were treated with 1-MCP for 6 hours at 17 °C and for 18 hours at 4 °C. As for the diameter of flowers the best resu lts was achieved, when applying 20 gL- 1 sucrose + Clorox (2 ml L- 1), as well as preservative "Spring" ( I 0 gL-1) + 1-MCP ( 18 hours). Similar results were measured in the case of Spring + Clorox + 20 gL-1 sucrose with 1-MCP (6 and 18 hours). The longer MCP treatm ent gave better results as compared to the shorter ones, because the flowers were much more open.The condition of flowers was the best in the solution of Clorox + 20 gL-1 sucrose and Spring solution combined with the longer MCP treatment. and Clorox + 20 gL- 1, on the IQ1h day. The longest vase life ( 10,3 day) was observed in the case of Spring application combined with 18 hours of MCP treatment. ln this treatment the vase life was prolonged by 3,3 days. As regards the calculated ornamental values, the following sequence could be established :"Spring" + l-MCP ( 18hrs) 134 points, Clorox + 20 gL-1 sucrose + 1-MCP (l8h) with 129 point, and the third was the Clorox + 20 gL-1 sucrose with 1 19 point.

VARIATION IN VASE LIFE OF CUT ROSE CULTIVARS AND SOLUBLE CARBOHYDRATES CONTENT

Postharvest characteristics of 10 major Rosa hybrida cultivars grown in Iran were investigated. The way of flower opening varied among cultivars, the cut flowers of some cultivars did not open completely. The vase life was markedly cultivar specific; it was shortest in 'Black Magic' (5.6 d) and longest in 'Maroussia' (14.3 d). Factors affecting the cultivar-specific vase life of cut roses were evaluated. No correlation between vase life and transpiration was found. Treatment with sucrose plus 8-hydroxyquinoline (HQC) markedly promoted petal reflection and inhibited blueing. Concentrations of glucose, fructose and sucrose in petals of some cultivars with better longevity were much higher than in others. There was no difference among cultivars in soluble carbohydrate concentrations in stems. Ethylene production among cultivars was different and long-lived cultivars produced less ethylene than short-lived. The results suggest that the longer vase life of some cultivars may be attributed to higher soluble carbohydrate concentrations in petals and a low ethylene production of the flowers.

Cultivar differences in the deterioration of vase-life in cut-flowers of Anthurium andraeanum is determined by mechanisms that regulate water uptake

Vase-life, average daily water uptake rate and abaxial stomata density were evaluated in 17 anthurium ( Anthurium andraeanum Hort.) cultivars over two trials. There were significant cultivar differences for vase-life (14–49 days), 5-day average water uptake rate and abaxial stomata density, in both trials. A progressively stronger correlation coefficient between average daily water uptake rates during the period 25–50 days after initiation of experiment (DAI) and vase-life was observed, indicating that cultivars with longer vase-life were able to maintain above average water uptake rate over a longer period of time and hence delay symptoms of water stress. This was evident in the water uptake rate curves as an inflection, resulting in the levelling off of water uptake rates. The cultivars with long vase-lives achieved steady state water uptake levels faster, and maintained a high steady state water uptake rate for longer durations. The role of vascular occlusion and other senescence factors on water relations and vase-life is discussed.

Prolonging the Vase Life of Cut Carnation L. cv. Reina by Using Different Preservative Solutions

The effect of salicylic acid and other compounds on carnation cultivar ’Reina’ was studied in the case of different concentrations. The treatments were the followings: distilled water (DW) as a control solution, 10 gL-1 Spring, DW + 1,5 and 2 mlL-1 Clorox, DW + 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 200, 250 and 500 mgL-1 salicylic acid. As for SPAD values best result was achieved in the Spring and 250 mgL-1 salicylic acid solution. The highest diameter of flowers was obtained by using 125 and 250 mgL-1 salicylic acid solution. Similar results were measured in the case of 2 mlL-1 Clorox and 50 mgL-1 salicylic acid solution too. The condition (state) of flowers was the best at the treatment of 125 mgL-1 solution with 3.9 value. The longest vase life (11.1 day) was observed in the case of 125 mgL-1 salicylic acid solution. In this treatment the vase life was prolonged by 2.4 days. As regards the calculated ornamental values, the following result could be concluded: 125 mgL-1 salicylic acid solution with 141.9 points. As a final conclusion of the experiment it can confirmed, that with the use of 125 mgL-1 salicylic acid the vase life was significantly extended.