Abstract

                                Blooms of "Etoile De France" a cultivar of rose were treated with vase-solutions containing several proven floral preservative chemicals at various concentrations. Highest water uptake (9.50g) was recorded with distilled water. The total water loss was recorded maximum (9.97g) when placed in distilled water, however it was minimum (2.96g) with the vase solution containing Sucrose (4%) + Silver nitrate (100ppm). The enhancement in the fresh weight was recorded highest (0.70g) in Sucrose (4%)+Silver nitrate (100ppm) treated vase solution. Holding solution containing sucrose (4%) + 8- HQC (300ppm) was proved beneficial for the earliest opening of the flowers (1.00 day) and longer duration of prime beauty (3.50 days). The "bent neck" was recorded minimum with Sucrose (4%) + Aluminium sulphate (0.5%). However the vase- solution treated with Sucrose (4%) + 8-HQC (300ppm) showed the longest post- harvest life (4.50 days) of cut rose flowers.

Key words : Rose, Post-harvest behaviour, Vase-life