Capacity of rehydration and influence of cut on the recovery of water flow in inflorescences of Epidendrum ibaguense

Abstract

This study had the goals to evaluate the effect of the dry storage length on the occlusion and rehydration of E. ibaguense inflorescences, and the influence of the cut at the basis of the stem on the recovery of water uptake. The inflorescences were harvested patronized to 30 cm, long, followed by dry storage at 24ºC for 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours. At the end of each stress period, the inflorescences returned to the water for 24 hours, and during this period, it was determined the alterations on the fresh mass and the relative water content (RWC) of petals, followed by the length of vase life. In another experiment, the inflorescences were dry stored for 36 hours, and after it was done cut at the lower base of the stem with lengths varying from 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 cm, and then placed in deionized water. The inflorescences dry stored for 12 hours recovered the fresh mass and RWC when placed in water, but there was no recovery when the inflorescences had 24, 36 or 48 hours of water stress. Regardless the length of the dry storage, there was reduction of flower vase life compared to inflorescences without water stress. The 0.5 cm cut at the base of the stem after 36 hours of dry storage, did not affect the vase life, but cuts of 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 or 4.0 cm increased the vase life compared to control flowers without any cut. Cuts of 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 or 4.0 cm at the base of the stem enhanced the water uptake, lowering temporarily the rate transpiration: water uptake of the inflorescences.