Standardization of pulsing and holding treatments to improve the vase life of godetia (Clarkia amoena)

The influence of different pulsing and holding solutions was assessed during 2020-2021 in the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture at Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan. The spikes of Godetia (Clarkia amoena), harvested at the bud opening stage, were placed in pulsing solutions consisting of different combinations of sucrose (4 %). The cut stems placed in pulsing solution including sucrose (4 %) + 8-hydroquinoline citrate (300 mg/L) + benzyl adenine (15 mg/L) for 6 hr exhibited a longer vase life (14.20 days), larger floret (6.27 cm), earlier floret opening (3.87 days) and ultimately better overall presentability (87.91 score out of 100) of godetia cut flowers. In this respect, holding solutions were also used in various combinations, including sucrose (2 %), 8-hydroquinoline citrate (100 and 200 mg/L) and benzyl adenine (5, 10 and 15 mg/L), along with three de-leafing treatments. Among all these treatments, holding solution of sucrose (2 %) + 8-hydroquinoline citrate (100 mg/L) + benzyl adenine (10 mg/L) was found to be the best in terms of longevity (15.33 days), flower diameter (6.43 cm) and good overall presentability (88.37 score out of 100) of godetia cut flowers. Moreover, after 15 cm from the top, the de-leafed cut stems were found best, with the longest vase life (14.31 days) and better presentability (87.12 score out of 100) of godetia cut flowers. This study demonstrates that optimized pulsing and holding solutions can significantly extend the vase life and quality of godetia cut flowers, benefiting florists, exporters, and retailers by reducing post-harvest losses and increasing commercial value.