Abstract
Freshly harvested roses, Rosa hybrida ‘Better Times’, held in acid (pH 3) solutions had longer life than flowers held in less acid (pH 5-7) solutions. Increased flower longevity was due to inhibition of vascular blockage and increased water absorption in acid solutions. Increase in water absorption produced an increase in fresh weight. Sucrose supressed water absorption. Although sucrose-treated roses absorbed less solution, they gained more weight than roses held in water. Increase in fresh weight was apparently caused by stomatal closure and increased moisture retention induced by sucrose. Eight-hydroxyquinoline citrate reduced the incidence of vascular blockage and increased water absorption and flower longevity. Eight-hydroxyquinoline citrate was more effective in reducing vascular blockage in a solution at pH 4 than at pH 6. The role of 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate in inhibiting vascular blockage cannot be wholly ascribed to pH effects.

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