Water uptake and vase life of cut Gardenia jasminoides flowers

Gardenia jasminoides Ellis is an evergreen flowering shrub plant with its shiny green leaves and heavily fragrant creamy white summer flowers, which is mostly used as a bride flower without stem after harvest. In this study, we investigated the effects of some chemical spray treatments on the postharvest performance and the possibility of using Gardenia jasminoides as a cut flower. Cut flowers were harvested from a commercial greenhouse, transported to the lab within 4 h, and were immediately used in the experiments. Stems were recut to about 30 cm under water before placing them into the vase solution. Measurements of longevity, water uptake (WU) and relative fresh weight (RFW) during vase life were carried out. Spray treatments of thidiazuron (TDZ) or a commercial plant growth regulators (PGRs) solution, containing equivalent portions (1.8% w/w) of 6-benzyladenine and gibberellic acid₄₊₇, significantly increased the vase life of flowers to about four days, by increasing their WU and thereby maintaining the RFW. Our results suggest that nice smelling gardenia with a long stem could be used as cut flowers in our vases by using PGRs to extend their longevity.