Its maximum potential vase life, although acceptable in the marketplace, is short. There are many impinging forces that can interact to reduce fresh-flower vase life. As an industry, we need to be more successful in preserving the potential life of fresh flowers. However, there are well-known solutions for the bulk of this problem. First, we need to take a look at why there is such a decline in the vase life of fresh flowers.
Light intensity is very important.
A crop grown under low light, such that light is a limiting factor for photosynthesis, will be low in carbohydrate content. Respiration continues after the flower is harvested, but little photosynthesis occurs, because light is limited in the packing house, florist shop, and consumer's home. Optimum light intensity during growth of the crop is very important to vase life. Temperature also influences photosynthesis and respiration, which in turn influence carbohydrate accumulation. During hot periods of the year, crops sensitive to high temperatures, have shorter vase lives because flowers contain low carbohydrate levels.