Commercial Floriculture

General points to be considered for improvement of vase life of cut flowers

1. Ensure that the flowers are harvested at right stage.
2. Use always clean tools to cut the flowers.
3. Immediately after harvesting and after transport place stem end in water or hydrating solution (citric acid 300ppm).
4. Discard damaged, bruised flowers and leaves from the stem to prevent ethylene production and infection with pathogens.
5. Use always clean vases, change vase water daily.
6. Remove basal leaves submerged in vase solution and give basal re-cut to avoid microbial growth and plugging of xylem.
7. Flowers like dahlia and narcissus release milky fluid and mucilaginous substances which spoil vase solution. Therefore, keep them in water for 24 hours before using along with other flowers.
8. Adding sucrose and biocide to vase solution increases vase life of cut flowers.
9. Keep vases away from source of heat, fan and near windows

Means to Extend Vase Life of Cut flowers:
Harvest high quality flowers.

Cleaning.

Pulsing, spray, dipping or gazing treatments.

Preservatives, sucrose, surfactants, plant growth regulators, ethylene inhibitors.

Cooling chain from packing to consumer.

Vase solution (sucrose, preservatives).

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