Articles
LONGEVITY OF CUT FLOWERS AS INFLUENCED BY WATER QUALITY AND FLORAL FOAM
Article number
482_10
Pages
77 – 82
Language
Abstract
The influences of water quality and a commercial flower preservative on longevity in the media floral foam and vase (control) were examined in three experiments conducted either with Rosa x hybrida ‘Holland Dream’ or Alstroemeria x hybrida ‘Victoria’ Different blends of tap water (pH 7.5; EC 642 μS · cm-1; 3.51 mmol · L-1 of total hardness; 5.63 mmol · L-1 acid capacity at pH 4.3) and decarbonized water (pH 4.0; EC 236 μS · cm-1; 0.44 mmol · L-1 of total hardness; 0,0 mmol · L-1 acid capacity at pH 4.3) were used to demonstrate water quality effects.
Increasing amounts of NaCl in combination with various water qualities were used to influence the EC-value. "Chrysal professional" was tested as a commercial cut flower preservative.
The following results were obtained: Various water blends used with the floral foam had no significant effect on water uptake, leaf chlorosis, petal drop, and longevity of the cut flowers.
The use of decarbonized water significantly prolonged flower life in vases for 1.5 days.
Also, increasing EC-values did not result in big differences of longevity in foams.
Regardless of water quality, increasing amounts of "Chrysal professional" prolonged flower life in the foam and influenced other parameters of senescence significantly.
By the combination of flower preservative and decarbonized water the recommended "Chrysal" concentration of 10 ml · L-1 could be reduced by 50 % to 5 ml · L-1.
Increasing amounts of NaCl in combination with various water qualities were used to influence the EC-value. "Chrysal professional" was tested as a commercial cut flower preservative.
The following results were obtained: Various water blends used with the floral foam had no significant effect on water uptake, leaf chlorosis, petal drop, and longevity of the cut flowers.
The use of decarbonized water significantly prolonged flower life in vases for 1.5 days.
Also, increasing EC-values did not result in big differences of longevity in foams.
Regardless of water quality, increasing amounts of "Chrysal professional" prolonged flower life in the foam and influenced other parameters of senescence significantly.
By the combination of flower preservative and decarbonized water the recommended "Chrysal" concentration of 10 ml · L-1 could be reduced by 50 % to 5 ml · L-1.
Authors
D. Neumaier, H.-P. Haas, R. Roeber
Keywords
Alstroemeria, Rosa, preservative, quality
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