Postharvest management of gladiolus

Studies were conducted to find out the effect of some solutions and storage durations on keeping quality of gladiolus spikes. Among seven chemicals listed either singly or in combination in vase solution, singly at 25 ppm and in combination with sucrose (4%) + A1₂(SO₄)16H₂O 300 ppm recorded significantly better vase life during first and second year of study. The latter treatment also improved the longevity of opened florets, floret size and percentage of opened florets. With increase in storage duration from 2–6 days, there was decreased in days taken for the basal floret to open, longevity of opened florets, vase life and floret size.