2 carnations achieve 34-day vaselife in tests

The University of Florida tested 24 carnation varieties for vaselife, and 14 lasted at least three weeks while eight lasted two to three weeks.

The longest-lasting varieties were ‘L.P. Candy’ and ‘Viola,’ which had a vaselife of 34 days. Other varieties that lasted up to four weeks were ‘Hermez,’ ‘Tundra,’ ‘Roma’ and ‘Stacatto.’

Varieties with a vaselife of three to four weeks were ‘Tropea,’ ‘Raggio DiSole,’ ‘Impulse,’ ‘Incas,’ ‘Parzifal,’ ‘ Havana,’ ‘Cherry’ and ‘Norman.’

Varieties with a vaselife of two to three weeks were ‘ Dakar,’ ‘Pearl,’ ‘Castellaro,’ ‘Dark Rendez,’ ‘ Delphi,’ ‘Nelson,’ ‘Dream’ and ‘Laura.’

The flowers were grown in Colombia and shipped to Florida four days after harvest. Flowers were stored at 35°F overnight, then cut dry and placed in flower food for two days at 35°F in the dark. Stems were recut and put in vases containing fresh flower food. Flowers were maintained at 70°F and 70 footcandles for 12 hours a day.

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For more: Terril Nell, University of Florida; (352) 392-1831, Ext. 377; tanell@ufl.edu.