A recent study conducted by the Chain of Life Network
looked at different post-harvest techniques that can be used on roses
and the effect these techniques have on vase life. The results show
that proper flower food care at the retail and consumer level is one of
the most important factors in determining how long that rose will live.
As part of the study, roses were recut in air, the bottom foliage was removed and the roses were placed in different hydration or flower food solutions for 10 hours at 1 C. The roses were then transported to a variety of flower food solutions and held at the same temperature for 44 hours. The last stage of the experiment had the flowers placed in flower food solutions and kept between 20-22 C. The findings were:
• A rose lasted for 7.1 days on average after being held in various combinations of hydration and holding solutions followed by normal flower food solutions.
• If held in various combinations of hydration and holding solutions and then placed in a flower food solution designed specifically for roses, a rose will last an average of 9.5 days.
• The vase life decreased to seven days when the rose was held in combinations of hydration and holding solutions and placed in another brand of flower solution designed specifically for roses.
Through this study, the Chain of Life Network concluded that flower food designed specifically for roses is an important factor that helps to increase vase life for roses. Different brands produce different results, so florists should run tests using different kinds of rose flower foods to see which produces the best results. Using the proper brand of rose flower food is more important than using a combination of hydration, holding and normal flower solutions.
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