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POSTHARVEST STUDIES ON ASTILBE, CHRYSANTHEMUM, GERBERA AND ROSE FLOWERS TO IMPROVE WATER UPTAKE |
| Assoc.Prof.Dr.Fisun G. ÇELİKEL _ Ersin AKSU _ Kamil ERKEN _ M. S. REID |
SUMMARY Water stress due to vascular occlusion in Astilbe, Rose, Gerbera and Chrysanthemum flowers is a main cause of early wilting. The objective of this work was to study the effect of different pretreatments and vase solutions to overcome the stem plugging and thus improve water uptake. Studies on Astilbe ‘Amethyst’ flowers were resulted in Environmental Horticulture Department of UC Davis. Pretreatment with a wetting agent, Agral and a commercial preparate (CC, Chrystal Clear) in vase overcame the stem plugging developed immediately after harvest. The other 3 cut flowers were grown in the greenhouses belong to the Institute. The cultivars studied were Yellow Snowdon, White Shoesmith and Cremon as standard type, and Flamingo Dark, Pink Gin, Pink Impala and Daymark as spray type in Chrysanthemum; Kristel, Simone, Rambo, Linda, Genesis and Antalia in Gerbera; Dallas, Atena and Osiana in Rose.Pretreatment with Triton X-100 + citric acid, and vase solution with sucrose + HQC were suggested for Chrysanthemum flowers. In Gerbera, a pulse treatment with AgNO3 and bleach in vase prolonged the vase life. A pretreatment with a wetting agent and sucrose with a bactericide (HQC) or a commercial preservative (CC) in vase were suggested for rose flowers. |
| Key words: Astilbe, Chrysanthemum, Gerbera, Rose, Vase Life |