Effect of Chemical Floral Preservatives on Vase Life of Cut Flowers of Gerbera cv. Suncity

Gerbera cv. Suncity was subjected to twelve different treatment combinations against control to evaluate vase life and quality. Treatment with 200ppm Aluminum sulphate + 4% sucrose + 200 ppm 8-HQS + 100ppm Silver thiosulphate showed significant beneficial effect in extending the vase life of the cut flower to 10 (9.5) days, as against 7 (7.47) days of vase life in control. Presence of microbes (Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonos spp.) was also recorded less on treated cut flower stems over control.