Vase life

Vase life is a term used by the floristry industry that describes the period during which a cut flower or cut foliage retains its appearance in a vase. This is a major consideration in identifying plant species suitable for use in floristry, as plants with a long vase life are far more desirable than those with a short vase life.[1]

Vase life can be affected by pre-harvest factors, such as growing conditions or genetic makeup, or post-harvest factors, such as mechanical damage, bacteria or fungi. [2] Keeping flowers in cooler temperatures, usually via refrigeration, can extend their vase life, as can hydrating them, preferably with soft water.[3]

Vase life also varies across plant species and cultivars. Cut flowers with a short vase life, of less than 5 days, include dahlias, irises, daffodils, and delphinium; flowers with a medium vase life (6 to 14 days) include marigolds, snapdragons, orchids, and roses; and flowers with a long vase life (2 to 4 weeks) include tulips, carnations, and chrysanthemums.[2]

Chemical treatments that extend vase life are a major component of floriculture research. These include:

  • Bud opening development, where buds are harvested early in development then kept in a solution of sucrose, plant hormones, and germicides before they open.
  • Pulsing, where flowers are treated with increasing concentrations of sucrose for 16-20 hours at a time.
  • Holding or vase solutions, which treat flowers with a mixture of carbohydrates (generally sugar), plant growth regulators, germicides, ethylene inhibitors, mineral salts, and organic acids.[2]
  1. ^ Buchmann, Stephen (21 July 2015). The Reason for Flowers: Their History, Culture, Biology, and How They Change Our Lives. Scribner. p. 134. ISBN 9781476755540. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Nguyen, Toan Khac; Lim, Jin Hee (19 October 2021). "Do Eco-Friendly Floral Preservative Solutions Prolong Vase Life Better than Chemical Solutions?". Horticulturae. 7 (10). doi:10.3390/horticulturae7100415.
  3. ^ Dole, John M.; Schnelle, Michael A. "The Care and Handling of Cut Flowers". Oklahoma State University Extension. Retrieved 26 March 2023.