Tools to improve gardenia flowers shelf life as cut flower

The authors investigated the postharvest physiology of Gardenia jasminoides, and a range of postharvest treatments that might permit its use as a cut flower. The effects of different vase solution treatments, containing a range of biocides, acidulants, carbohydrate sources and/or growth regulators on the postharvest performance of cut gardenia flowers were studied by measuring water uptake (WU), water loss (WL) and relative fresh weight (RFW) of the flowers during vase life. In deionized (DI) water, gardenia flowers wilted after 2?3 days. Pulse treatment with silver thiosulfate (STS) to inhibit ethylene responses had no effect on vase life. However, abscisic acid (ABA) treatment increased vase life to 5 days by reducing WL and maintaining RFW. Vase solutions containing a commercial flower preservative, or combining citric acid, sucrose and aluminum sulfate also doubled the vase life of gardenia flowers. The results suggest that improving water uptake is important for extending the vase life of cut gardenia flowers, and that acidification of the vase solution is an effective tool.SourcesPostharvest physiology of cut Gardenia jasminoides flowersFisun G. ?elikel, Michael S. Reid, Cai-Zhong Jiang. 2020 Scientia Horticulturae 261https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta. 2019.108983Picture by?Jardiner?a Ourense