IMPROVING KEEPING QUALITIES OF NERINE CUT FLOWERS WITH PRESERVATIVES

Results of three-year trials have shown that cut Nerine flowers generally have good vase life and use of a preservative solution containing a germicide and 4% sucrose or conditioning with 20% sucrose has more impact on inflorescence quality than on its longevity.
Increase in umbel diameter was due to pedicel elongation as well as to a flatter arrangement of the florets in the inflorescence.
The presence of GA₃ (50 mg l^-1) in the holding solution stimulated pedicel elongation thus increasing umbel diameter.
Ethephon at 10 mg l^-1 hastened bud opening but negatively affected vase life and other inflorescence characteristics.
Results of reducing sugar determinations show that sucrose from the preservative was mainly translocated to ovaries but not to tepals which can explain its small effect on floret longevity.
GA₃ in the holding solution promoted translocation of exogenous sugar into the florets: a nearly two-fold increase in reducing sugar content (mg per organ) was observed in tepals and ovaries as compared with the preservative alone.

VII International Symposium on Flowerbulbs

A.J. Lukaszewska

Nerine, post-harvest performance, pulse, GA₃, ethephon

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1997.430.72