Effect of harvesting date and floral preservatives on vase life of tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) cut flowers during winter season

A study was conducted to study the importance of harvesting date and floral preservatives on vase life and quality of tuberose Cv. Double. The harvesting date significantly affected the vase life. Planting on 1st January (D6) was found best for long vase life, maximum fresh weight of spike and highest percentage of opened florets; 15th October (D₁) for minimum loss of water and loss-uptake ratio, whereas, 1st February (D₈) for maximum uptake of water. In case of floral preservatives, maximum vase life, fresh weight of spike, highest uptake of water and lowest loss-uptake ratio were significantly registered with 500 ppm aluminum sulphate + 4% sucrose (C₆), whereas, highest vase llfe and circumference of individual floret were noted in 400 ppm 8-HQS (C₄). Similarly, 400 ppm 8-HQS + 4% sucrose (C₈) was recorded for maximum percentage of opened florets as well as lowest percentage of neckbent florets. While, 50 ppm silver nitrate (C₃) resulted in minimum loss of water and 4% sucrose (C₁) for lowest percentage of abscised florets. For interaction effect, 1st January with 500 ppm aluminum sulphate + 4% sucrose (D₆C₆) was found superior for maximum vase life of spike, highest uptake of water and fresh weight of spike.