Effects of Temperature and Holding Solutions on Vase Life of Arenaria juncea M. Bieb., a New Ornamental Plant

This study investigated the optimum temperature and holding solutions for the storage of cut flowers of Arenaria juncea M. Bieb. to facilitate their introduction as a new ornamental plant. We examined the effects of different holding solutions on the water uptake, vase life, and fresh weight of five branches of A. juncea. After harvest, cut branches were stored at 4, 15, 20, and 25°C. To study the effect of the holding solutions, the cut branches were treated with a combination of sucrose (1% and 3%), 8-hydroxyqunoline sulfate (8-HQS: 10, 50, and 100 mg·L-1), and commercial preservative solutions Chrysal and Floralife. At a storage temperature of 4°C, the vase life was 29 days, which was significantly longer compared to room temperature, where the vase life was 7.8 days. Thus, a lower temperature was more effective at extending the vase life. A combination of 1% sucrose and 100 mg·L-1 8-HQS prolonged the vase life by approximately two weeks compared to the control. The effect of both Chrysal and Floralife was similar to the effect of the holding solutions composed of sucrose and 8-HQS. Moreover, rapid reduction of water uptake and fresh weight resulted in a shorter vase life.