Efficacy of GA4+7 + BA or Commercial Pulsing Solutions on Postharvest Longevity, Quality and Leaf Chlorosis of Cut Lilium and Gladiolus

Effects of pulsing during cold storage with different concentrations of gibberellins (GA₄₊₇) plus benzyladenine (BA; Fresco) or commercial preservatives, Chrysal BVB or Chrysal Bulb Flower Food, were studied on postharvest performance and quality of cut lilies (Lilium L. hybrids) and gladiolus (Gladiolus L. hybrids). Pulsing of cut stems of lilies with GA₄₊₇ + BA at 5 or 10 mg L^-1 or Chrysal BVB for 20 h at 3 ± 1°C extended the vase life and controlled leaf yellowing of ‘Cobra’ Oriental lily and ‘Cappuccino’ and ‘Dot Com’ Asiatic lilies. Cut ‘Orange Art’ Asiatic lilies performed best when pulsed with GA₄₊₇ + BA at 10 mg L^-1 or Chrysal BVB. For cut gladiolus, use of GA₄₊₇ + BA at 5 or 10 mg L^-1 extended the vase life of ‘Alice’, ‘Mammoth’, ‘Passion’ and ‘Scarlet’. Chrysal BVB was also effective for vase life extension and controlling leaf chlorosis of gladiolus.  However, Chrysal Bulb Flower Food had no effect on vase life extension or lowering leaf yellowing of lilies and was less effective than Chrysal BVB on gladiolus.  The former product was intended as a pulse treatment and the latter as a vase solution. Gladiolus cultivars had no leaf yellowing during postharvest handling. In summary, overnight pulsing with GA₄₊₇ + BA or commercial preservative, Chrysal BVB, proved beneficial for vase life extension and inhibiting leaf yellowing and can be used by growers and wholesalers for maintaining quality of cut lilies and gladiolus.