Alkylethoxylate surfactants for rehydration of roses and Bouvardia flowers

The rate of water uptake of cut rose and Bouvardia flowers, following a period of dry storage, is often low, and this results in a short vase life. Surfactants, applied prior to dry storage, drastically increase the rate of water uptake and the length of vase life. The slightly biodegradable Agral-LN has previously used in practice for pulsing. In Rosa, cultivar Sonia, and Bouvardia, cultivar Artemis Jowhite, we compared the effects of some rapidly biodegradable alkylethoxylates with Agral-LN, and with Atlas G 2130, a mixture of alkylethoxylates. The chemicals were applied as a 24 h pulse (at 20 degreesC). Flowers were then held dry for 24 h at 20 degreesC prior to placement in water at 20 degreesC. The alkylethoxylate apolar chain length was varied between 10 and 18 carbon atoms, and the polar chain between 2 and 8 ethoxy (EO) units. Good results were obtained with 10 or 14 carbon atoms in the apolar chain, combined with 5 or 8 EO units. Atlas G 2130 also had a good effect. The toxicological data are briefly discussed. It is concluded that some (mixtures of) alkylethoxylate surfactants are well suited for practical application. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.