The Effect of Floral Preservatives on the Vase Life of Alstroemeria Cut Flowers

Abstract

The short vase life of cut flowers of many ornamental plants, especially those shipped to distant destinations, is often a pressing problem in the florist industry and varies with plant species and their cultivars. Roses have been reported to last 5 days (SacaIis, 1973) while carnations lasted between 3 and 7 days (Sytsema, 1980). Various chemical additives have been used to enhance the keeping quality and longevity of cut flowers. Sucrose has been found to significantly prolong the vase life of many cut flower species, but its influence varies with different flowers. The vase life of cut roses and carnations was increased by 3 and 8 days respectively, when flower stems were kept in sucrose solution. Silver ions from silver nitrate solution extended the vase life of carnation cut flowers from 6 to 8 days (Kofranek and Paull, 1973). Silver thiosulphate was similarly reported by Veen and van de Geijn (1978) to prolong the vase life of carnation cut flowers, the effect being somewhat grater.in standard than spray cultivars. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of sucrose-and silver-containing chemicals on prolonging the longevity of AIstroemeria cut flowers. The short vase life of cut flowers of many ornamental plants, especially those shipped to distant destinations, is often a pressing problem in the florist industry and varies with plant species and their cultivars. Roses have been reported to last 5 days (SacaIis, 1973) while carnations lasted between 3 and 7 days (Sytsema, 1980). Various chemical additives have been used to enhance the keeping quality and longevity of cut flowers. Sucrose has been found to significantly prolong the vase life of many cut flower species, but its influence varies with different flowers. The vase life of cut roses and carnations was increased by 3 and 8 days respectively, when flower stems were kept in sucrose solution. Silver ions from silver nitrate solution extended the vase life of carnation cut flowers from 6 to 8 days (Kofranek and Paull,1973). Silver thio sulphate was similarly reported by Veen and van de Geijn (1978) to prolong the vase life of carnation cut flowers, the effect being somewhat greater in standard than spray cultivars. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of sucrose-and silver-containing chemicals on prolonging the longevity of AIstroemeria cut flowers.