Sucrose and aluminium sulfate affect longevity and water relations of selected cut foliage species

Cut foliage stems of Alpinia zerumbit, Asparagus densiflorus, Canna indica, Cyperus alternifolius, Dracena marginata, Iris pallida, Murraya exotica, Phoenix rubellini, Syngonium podophyllum, Ruscus hypophyllum, and Thuja orientalis were evaluated for their postharvest performance. Stems were subjected to various pulse and vase solutions of sucrose supplemented with 100 mg L^‑1 aluminium sulfate, after which longevity (vase life) and water relations, including relative fresh weight (RFW) and vase solution uptake (VSU) were quantified. Among all tested species, Ruscus hypophyllum, Thuja orientalis, Phoenix rubillini, and Syngonium podophyllum had an acceptable vase life of greater than 7 days, while the others had only 5 days. Ruscus hypophyllum and Thuja orientalis had the longest vase life (38.6 and 26.8 d, respectively) when kept in a vase solution of 2% sucrose supplemented with 100 mg L^‑1 aluminium sulfate. The majority of the tested species had a higher VSU when placed in 2% sucrose supplemented with 100 mg L^‑1 aluminium sulfate, while stems placed in solutions containing 100 mg L^‑1 aluminium sulfate alone had higher RFW during the vase life period. In summary, Ruscus hypophyllum, Thuja orientalis, Phoenix rubillini, and Syngonium podophyllum were considered highly desirable as cut foliage due to their longer vase life and attractive appearance, and treating stems with 2% sucrose supplemented with 100 mg L^‑1 aluminium sulfate in the vase will extend their vase life compared to non-treated stems.