The effect of sucrose,silver thiosulphate and 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate on the quality of Lilium inflorescences cut at the bud stage and stored at low temperature

A continuous supply of sucrose together with 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate to cut Lilium Asiatic hybrid ‘Prima’ inflorescences resulted in buds opening satisfactorily and increased their longevity. The best results were obtained using 30 g l^?1 sucrose. Cut Lilium inflorescences could be stored at 1°C for 4 weeks without a great loss in potential vase-life and decorative value when the inflorescences were pre-treated with silver thiosulphate + 100 g l^?1 sucrose for 24 h before cold storage, kept in a cold room in a solution containing 50 mg l^?1 silver nitrate, and after cold storage kept in a solution containing 30 g l^?1 sucrose and 200 mg l^?1 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate. Such treatment greatly improved bud opening, increased the diameters of individual flowers and prolonged their life.