Effects of colloidal silver on vase life of cut chrysanthemum

In this study, the efficacy of colloidal silver in extending the vase life of cut chrysanthemum ‘Feeling Green’ inflorescences was evaluated. Three concentrations of colloidal silver were used: 0.01%, 0.02 % and 0.04%. Control inflorescences were kept in water. Colloidal silver treatments at all concentrations extended the vase life of cut chrysanthemum. The 0.02% colloidal silver treatment produced the longest vase life (25 days), while the control resulted in the shortest vase life (18 days). In addition, the less weight loss were observed in the inflorescences exposed to the solution of colloidal silver. The greatest solution uptake was observed in the variant with colloidal silver at 0.02%. Leaf greenness index was the highest in the chrysanthemums placed in 0.04% silver solution.