Effect of Silver Thiosulfate Pretreatment on Vase Life of Cut Carnation Flowers after Truck Shipment

Abstract

The effect of pulsing solutions on vase life on cut carnation flowers was studied. Carnation flowers were pulsed in well water, 10% sucrose, Chrysal solution, 34 mg/1 AgNO₃ + 397 mg/1 Na₂S₂O₃.5H2O + 10% sucrose, 68 mg/1 AgNO₃ + 794 mg/1 Na₂S₂O₃.5H2O + 10% sucrose and 136 mg/1 AgNO₃ + 1588 mg/1 Na₂S₂O₃.5H2O + 10% sucrose for 18 hours at Chiang Mai production site, then packed dry and shipped by non-refrigerated truck to Bangkok Carnation flowers pulsed in the solution containing 68 mg/1 AgNO₃ + 794 mg/1 Na₂S₂O₃.5H2O + 10% sucrose had the longest vase life of 4.03 days while the control had vase life of 2.05 days. Inprovement wet having their stem bases wrapped with cotton during transit.