Effect of Stem Length and Stage of Harvest on Vase-Life of Cut Flowers in Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) Cv. Double

A study was carried out to explore the effect of length of stem and stage of harvest on vase life and display quality of tuberose. As regards stem length, 90 cm stem length (L₄) had longest vase life, maximum uptake of water, minimum loss-uptake ratio, maximum fresh weight and percentage of opened florets, and, lowest percentage of abscised floret; whereas, 60 cm stem length (L₂) enhanced longevity of individual florets. In the case of stage of harvest, significantly high vase life, least loss of water, minimum loss-uptake ratio and lowest physiological loss of weight were recorded in two-florets open stage (S₃). Maximum percentage of opened florets and lowest percentage of abscised florets were observed in three-florets open stage (S₄), whereas, maximum uptake of water and fresh weight of spike were seen in one-floret open stage (S₂). Interaction effect of stem length and harvest stage was also found to be significant showing that 75 cm of stem length with one-floret open stage (L₃S₂) was superior for maximum vase life of spike as well as lowest physiological loss of weight.