Abstract

Cut flowers are used to show appreciation, affection and to express emotion on various special occasions. The international trade of cut flowers has expanded in recent years and is expected to rise with the promotion and use of horticultural plants for their therapeutic benefits. Vase life quality of cut flowers is one of the most crucial factors for customer satisfaction and repeat purchase. Flowers grown for the ornamental market must be of high quality to extend cut flowers postharvest longevity and increase marketability and commercial value. Cut flowers are living actively metabolizing organs and therefore, highly perishable.Four major factors during both production and postharvest stages that influence vase life are water relations, carbohydrate status, ethylene and pathogens. The key goals of the use of many natural products such as essential oils, lemon juice, apple and fruit extracts are to find suitable alternatives to synthetic chemical vase solutions that are equally efficacious and environmentally friendly.This review highlights some of the influential factors affecting cut flower postharvest longevity, aesthetics and metabolism. The recent development and use of organic vase solutions are also highlighted.

Keywords

therapeutic benefits, glycine and germicides, essential oils, lemon juice, apple and other fruit extracts, antimicrobial properties, aesthetics and metabolism, influential factors, length of florets, nutrient solution, temperature and water relations, plant material, membrane permeability