Water uptake by snapdragon inflorescences cuts after cold dry storage

The goal of this research was to evaluate the effect of different solutions on rehydration and longevity of snapdragon inflorescences after dry cold storage. The stems were harvested with 6 to 7 open flowers and after 24 hours in water, they were wrapped in kraft paper, placed in perforated plastic bags and stored at 5 degrees C for 2, 4 or 6 days. After the cold storage period, the stems were placed in jars containing 400mL of (1) deionized water, (2) Flower (R) (Ecoplanet, SC) or (3) 20g L-1 sucrose+150mg L-1 citric acid+200g L-1 8-HQC. The solutions were replaced every 48 hours when the base of the stem was cut (2cm). The end of the vase life was determined when the inflorescences presented 50% of abscission or flower wilting. The longevity of the inflorescences differed with the storage time and vase solution used. The longest vase life was obtained when the stems were stored for 2 days and placed in a solution of sucrose+citric acid+8-HQC afterwards. The solution of Flower (R) allowed gain of fresh mass and increase of relative water content of the petals during the rehydration. The use of deionized water was inefficient in maintaining the inflorescences quality, possible due to the occurrence of vascular occlusion.