Re: OT -- CUT FLOWER LIFE
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: OT -- CUT FLOWER LIFE
- From: J* I* J* <j*@ix.netcom.com>
- Date: Wed, 2 Apr 1997 00:20:21 -0700 (MST)
Kathleen Shinners wrote:
>
> On Tue, 1 Apr 1997, rimat wrote:
>
> > John I Jones wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Rima... some time ago I read on this VERY list that irises will last longest
> > > > if you actually put them in a mixture of citrus and sugar... IOW - Sprite!
> > >
> >
> > Does this literally mean lemon or orange or grapefruit juice?
> > Rima terra@catskill.net
> >
> Actually, I think it's the CO2. At a NE greenhouse conference I attended
> a postharvest care seminar, and this is what the speaker said, and that
> the effects would only last about 10 hours. He also said that any of the
> other home-style remedies (aspirin, pennies, etc.) had little effect if
> any. His conclusion was that using a commercial preservative such as
> Chrysal was the way to go. There are certain flowers that benefit from
> other lesser-known treatments, such as silver thiosulfate (Argylene), but
> I'm not sure if it benefits irises. It seems to be indicated for blooms
> with a tendency to shatter.
If no one else has it I will see if I can find the original post on the
research.
The short answer is yes actual lemon juice with some sugar, but I find
having a bottle of Sprite handy is much more expedient. Dissolved CO2 I
think creates an acidic environment (not sure) so it might function as
the citric acid does. As far as Chrysal is concerned I think it is
primarily citric acid and sugar. (not sure so if someone knows please
post)
John | "There be dragons here"
| Annotation used by ancient cartographers
| to indicate the edge of the known world.
John Jones, jijones@ix.netcom.com
Fremont CA, USDA zone 8/9 (coastal, bay)
Max high 95F/35C, Min Low 28F/-2C average 10 days each
Heavy clay base for my raised beds.
