International Journal of Horticulture, 2026, Vol.16, No.3, 141-148 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 147 conditions over a limited period and does not account for long-term storage or transportation factors affecting vase life. Based on the findings from this study it is recommended to study other cultivars of zinnias to see if they produce the same results using these treatments as well as other cut flower grown by small regional growers such as cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus), sunflowers (Helianthus), marigolds (Tagaetes), celosia (Celosia argentea) to investigate if other specialty cut flower species respond in a similar manner. Authors’ contributions Lauren Baskin and Cole Etheredge were the principal researchers who conceptualized the research idea, collected, and analyzed the research data, and prepared the manuscript. James DelPrince, Tongyin Li, and Myles Landers assisted in analysis, verification, editing, and proofreading of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors declare that they have no competing interests. References Aalifar M., Aliniaeifard S., Arab M., Mehrjerdi M.Z., Daylami S.D., Serek M., Woltering E., and Li T., 2020, Blue light improves vase life of carnation cut flowers through its effect on the antioxidant defense system, Frontiers in Plant Science, 11: 511. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.00511 Ahmad I., and Dole J.M., 2014, Homemade floral preservatives affect postharvest performance of selected specialty cut flowers, HortTechnology, 24(3): 384-393. https://doi.org/10.21273/horttech.24.3.384 Asrar A.W.A., 2012, Effects of some preservative solutions on vase life and keeping quality of snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus L.) cut flowers, Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences, 11(1): 29-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssas.2011.06.002 Balestra G.M., Agostini R., Varvaro L., Mencarelli F., and Bellincontro A., 2005, Bacterial populations related to Gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii L.) stem break, Phytopathologia Mediterranea, December 2005: 1000-1009. https://doi.org/10.14601/Phytopathol_Mediterr-1798 Byczynski L., and Wimbiscus R., 2013, The flower farmer: an organic grower’s guide to raising and selling cut flowers, 2nd edition, Chelsea Green Publishing. Carlson A.S., Dole J.M., Matthysse A.G., Hoffmann W.A., and Kornegay J.L., 2015, Bacteria species and solution pH effect postharvest quality of cut Zinnia elegans, Scientia Horticulturae, 194: 71-78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2015.07.044 Chen Y.H., Miller W.B., and Hay A., 2023, Postharvest bacterial succession on cut flowers and vase water, PLoS One, 18(10): e0292537. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0292537 Clark E.M., Dole J.M., Carlson A.S., Moody E.P., McCall I.F., Fanelli F.L., and Fonteno W.C., 2010, Vase life of new cut flower cultivars, HortTechnology, 20(6): 1016-1025. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH.20.6.1016 Da Silva J.T., 2003, The cut flower: postharvest considerations, Journal of Biological Sciences, 3(4): 406-442. https://doi.org/10.3923/jbs.2003.406.442 Darras A., 2021, Overview of the dynamic role of specialty cut flowers in the international cut flower market, Horticulturae, 7(3): 51. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7030051 Dixon M.A., and Peterson C.A., 1989, A re-examination of stem blockage in cut roses, Scientia Horticulturae, 38(3-4): 277-285. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-4238(89)90075-7 Esringü A., Ekinci M., and Turan M., 2022, Effects of different growing media on growth parameters of Zinnia (Zinnia elegans), Yuzuncu Yıl University Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 32(1): 175-185. https://doi.org/10.29133/yyutbd.1034425 Fitzpatrick E., Voye H., Barnes A.R., and Lang K., 2024, Growth and quality of four Zinnia cultivars grown in eastern South Dakota, HortTechnology, 34(5): 585-593. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05452-24 Han S.S., 2003, Role of sugar in the vase solution on postharvest flower and leaf quality of oriental lily ‘Stargazer’, HortScience, 38(3): 412-416. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.38.3.412 Iqbal D., Habib U., Abbasi N.A., and Chaudhry A.N., 2012, Improvement in postharvest attributes of Zinnia (Zinnia elegans cv. Benarys Giant) cut flowers by the application of various growth regulators, Pakistan Journal of Botany, 44(3): 1091-1094. Jones R.B., and Hill M., 1993, The effect of germicides on the longevity of cut flowers, Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science, 118(3): 350-354. https://doi.org/10.21273/JASHS.118.3.350
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