This study was conducted in the laboratory of the Veget. and Flor. Dept., Fac.
of Agric., Mansoura Univ. during spring of 2002 and 2003 seasons on the cut rose
flowers (Rosa hybrida L.) cv."Eccentric" obtained from a commercial rose farm at EI-
Kanater area. It aimed to study the effect of the drinking tap water of Mansoura City
and four mineral drinking water types (Aqua, Baraka, Nestle, and Siwa) compared
with the distilled water on postharvest keeping quality of cut rose flowers. The results showed that keeping cut rose flowers in distilled water was best
for longest vase life, highest water uptake and fresh weight gain of the flowers in
addition to the best changes in weight throughout their vase life. Tap and Siwa water
types ranked second, followed by Aqua and Nestle, while Baraka water was the least
in all parameters. Water analysis revealed that the main effect of water type on vase life and
quality of cut roses was related mainly to the total dissolved solids in the water, since
the results showed that the lower the total dissolved solids (TDS) in the water, the
better was the keeping quality of cut roses and vice versa. It was concluded that the
retarding effect of Baraka water on the keeping quality of cut roses might be due to
the highest total dissolved solids (TOS), and the harmful effect of the highest sodium
(Na +) and bicarbonate (HC03) concentrations in this water type, compared with the
other water types.