A series of experiments were conducted to find out an effective method to extend vase-life of cut roses (Rosa hybrida L. cv. Marina). Two experiments were conducted, in sequence, to find out the optimum number of leaves per stem and the appropriate method of stem cutting and stem-end treatment. Experiments were designed in such a way that the best result of previous experiment serve as the basis of next one.
The results obtained are summarized as follows:
1. The optimum number of leaves per stem was one. Flowers did not open normally when all leaves were removed. Retaining no or more than two compound leaves per stem exhibited more bent-neck and severe flower withering.
2. Methods of stem cutting and the stem-end treatment influnced vase-life of cut roses. The longest vase-life was observed at cutting in the air combined with stem-end burning. This was followed by cutting the stem in the air, cutting in the water, cutting in the air with stem-end crushing, and cutting in the air with stem-end boiling, in that order. To extend vase-life of cut roses, it is recommended that (1) a stem retain one compound leaf, (2) the stem-end be burned.
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