Effects of Harvest Time and Peduncle Strength on Flower Opening and Vase Life after Dry Transport of Cut Rose

摘要

In cut rose flowers, long-lasting cultivar 'Vital' was compared with relatively short-lasting cultivars 'Noblesse' and 'Suplesse' with regard to their vase life, water relation, and peduncle strength depending on varied harvest time and simulated drytransport. Change in fresh weight initially showed rapid increase until 4 days after the vase life followed by gradual decrease at all treatments. Initial increase in fresh weight was higher for the flowers harvested at stage I (harvested when any sepalwas not detached from the flower bud) compared with those harvested much later. Water balance of the flower stem steadily decreased with time elapsed, leading to negative value after 4 days of the experiment. Total water uptake of 'Vital' flowers was significantly higher than that of 'Noblesse' and 'Suplesse' flowers, irrespective of dry transport. When harvested at stage I, water uptake of 'Noblesse' and 'Suplesse' flowers were prominently affected by dry transport. Peduncle thickness and strength of 'Vital' flowers were thicker and stronger than those of the other cultivars, especially when harvested at stage I. In all cultivars, flower width decreased by dry transport harvested at all stages. The decrement of vase life by dry transport varied among7, 19, and 12% in 'Vital', 'Noblesse', and 'Suplesse' flowers, respectively.