Determination of vase life of some woody flowering shrubs for use in cut flower

Cut flowers are flowers that are cut and gathered and used in arrangements such as bouquets, baskets or wreaths. These products, favoured by people for special occasions, are among the most sold and traded ornamental plants in the world. When analysing the production, consumption and trade of cut flowers on a global scale, rose and chrysanthemum species are the most important, while in Turkey carnation is the most important, followed by gerbera, rose and chrysanthemum. Although new varieties are introduced to the market by breeding existing species in the cut flower sector, there is also a need for different plant diversity. The cultivation of traditional cut flowers such as roses, carnations and chrysanthemums requires controlled conditions for year-round production. This situation is costly in terms of installation, sustainability and energy. For this reason, growers are trying to grow some decorative woody flowering plants to offer their customers a variety of products and to make production more sustainable. In this study, the vase life of some woody flowering species, such as Forsythia intermedia (Golden Dish), Chaenomeles japonica (Spring Branch), Syringa vulgaris (Lilac), Philadelphus coronarius (Philadelphus coronarius), grown in the open field, was investigated in different solutions and their potential for providing diversity in cut flower production and for more sustainable production was evaluated. According to the results of the study, the longest vase life was observed in the species Forsythia intermedia (Golden Bell) and the most successful result was obtained in the control group with 11.7 days. However, there was a problem with abscission in this species. The second best result was recorded for Chaenomeles japonica (Spring Branch) with a vase life of 9.3 days and the best results were obtained from the silver nitrate and control groups. This was followed by Philadelphus coronarius (Filbahri) with 7.1 days and the best results were obtained with folic acid and control treatments. The lowest vase life was 3.7 days for Syringa vulgaris (Lilac) and silver nitrate and folic acid treatments gave better results compared to the control group.