EFFECTS OF WETTING AGENTS AND CUT FLOWER FOOD ON THE VASE LIFE OF CUT ROSES.

Owing to a lack of water for long periods of time during long distance transport, roses often do not open completely or show bent-neck. These effects are mainly caused by a deficient water absorption as a result of a combination of air embolism and blockage of the wood vessels by bacteria.

The efficacy of post-harvest treatments and flower food added to the vase water in overcoming these effects was investigated during one year, using ten of the economically most important rose cultivars in Holland. The test included several commercial preparations and some pure non-ionic surfactants with or without the addition of 0.8 g/l aluminium sulphate (Al2 (SO4)3) to reduce bacterial growth. The flowers were placed in one of the solutions for 24 hours at 2 °C followed by dry storage at 20 °C for 24 hours. Thereafter the flowers were placed in tap water and daily observations were carried out to determine vaselife. Good results were achieved with the commercial preparation Agral LN (I.C.I., nonyl-phenol-polyglycol ether). This product in combination with aluminium sulphate increased vase life by 40% on average.