Effect of defoliation plus sucrose on the vase life and water relation characteristics of three greenhouse rose (Rosa hybrida L.) cultivars

This experiment was carried out to elucidate the importance of leaves on vase life of three greenhouse rose cultivars in Khorramabad, Iran, during 2010. Keeping leaves on cut stem or defoliation and inclusion of 0 or 4% sucrose in vase water in three rose cultivars (Coffee Break, Polar Star and Full House) were arranged factorially based on a randomized complete blocks design. Results showed that defoliation significantly increased water balance, relative fresh weight and vase life. Inclusion of 4% sucrose in vase water of cut stems having leaves caused leaf damage and decreased water uptake and water loss so that the trends of water uptake and water loss of these stems were the same as defoliated cut stems. Inclusion of sucrose while increasing total soluble solid in petals did not show any positive effect on vase life. Defoliated flower stems in vase water with 0% sucrose showed maximum vase life (11.33 d), following defoliated stems stored in 4% sucrose (10.27 d). Cut stems having leaves with 0 and 4% sucrose (8.87 and 9.07 d, respectively) showed minimum vase life.