Vase Life Solutions Study

 How vase solutions are maintained?

Vase life, which refers to the phenomenon of retaining the appearance of cut flower itself in a vase; is the most concerned matter for post harvest handling of cut flowers. Vase life is most important parameter for selling the flowers economically. There are several factors that determine the vase life of flowers.  Thereby, vase solutions fills the quality factors like longevity and potentiality of the marketing over long distance. The point of termination of vase life varies from first sign of wilting to the total deaths  of flowers .So, one must be aware of the proper care and vase solutions to be provided to them.  

                                   

Temperature of 20-23 degree celsius,relative humidity of 40-80 percent, and continuous 12 hours daily light at 18.5-46.3 umoles m2s1 (1000 to 2500 lux) are most suitable factors to be maintained during the vase period . Plants with long vase life are preferred than those with short vase life, as longevity of cut flowers is the necessary factor in consumer preference.

While preparing vase solution, we must keep an energy source  like sucrose or sugar as the solution preference. This is because when stems are cut ,the energy chain is cut off; but the energy is still required by the living tissues like leaves ,stem and specially the developing flowers.The quality of water in vase solution also determines the vase life of flowers .Boiled tap water or deionized water is used as it reduces blockage by reducing air content.These water have also no free ions  and cannot react with chemical components of the solution . Hence, they do not precipitate out. We should also keep in mind that changing water in a vase everyday is necessary. 

Different kinds of organic acids  like citric acid, benzoic acid ,etc are also used in vase solutions which reduces the pH in the solution .This is very beneficial as it inhibits the microbial growth, improves water balance and reduces plugging. Besides this, various  non toxic mineral salts like calcium, boron, zinc, copper, nickel, silver , aluminium ,etc. are also used. These helps in the increment of osmotic concentration and the pressure potential of  petal . This helps in improving the water balance of the petal cells. If we can individually see their effects ; it is as follow: an aluminium ion acidifies the holding water reducing bacterial growth and improving water uptake. Boron delays the senescence of isolated petals.  Nickel acts as a germicide( an agent for killing germs or micro-organisms) and mainly as an inhibitor of ethylene production. Generally , copper and zinc also acts as germicide.

Most bacteria and fungi contaminates the water on the vase  and also breed on plant tissue or debris. This causes the blockage as  as the micro-organisms produce substances like tannins that block the conducting vessels.So, silver is used ,mostly in the form of STS( Silver thiosulfate) for increasing the vase life of flowers. Silvers are also  known as ethylene scrubber and decreases the ethylene production .

In a nutshell, these are some tips to increase the vase life of flowers by maintaining proper vase solutions.