Use of organic and inorganic solutions for extending the vase life of cut Heliconia 'Golden Torch' flowers

The use of organic solutions as floral preservatives for extending the vase life of cut flowers has been found to be a cheaper and ecofriendly alternative as compared to inorganic solutions. This study was carried out to investigate the use of Aloe vera (Aloe vera barbadensis) and moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) solutions, compared with calcium chloride and salicylic acid solutions, for improving the postharvest longevity of cut Heliconia 'Golden Torch' flowers. The experiment was carried out in the plant physiology laboratory, at the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan, Nigeria. The treatments, applied as preservative solutions, included: control (CON); moringa solutions at 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5% (ML 1-3); Aloe vera solutions at 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5% (AL 1-3); moringa solutions at 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5% + 4% sucrose (MLS 1-3); Aloe vera solutions of 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5% + 4% sucrose (AS 1-3); calcium chloride solution 350 µL L^-1 (CA); calcium chloride solution 350 µL L^-1+ 4% sucrose (CAS); and calcium chloride solution 200 µL L^-1 + salicylic acid 150 µL L^-1 + 4% sucrose (CSS). All treatments improved the vase life of cut Heliconia flowers compared to the control, except of the moringa solutions, which resulted in the highest wilted bracts at day 10. Flowers treated with solutions of Aloe vera at 5.0% combined with 4% sucrose showed the best water uptake, percentage of maximum increase in open bracts (67.4%), and the highest relative water content (RWC) (78.9%). The quality and vase life of cut Heliconia 'Golden Torch' flowers was extended significantly beyond 14 days with Aloe vera gel solutions, followed by calcium chloride/salicylic acid solutions compared to control.