Effects of air humidity on the growth and quality of cut flower of oriental hybrids lilies.

Oriental hybrids lilies ‘Star Gazer’ and ‘Bahia Blanca’ were cultivated in the greenhouse during autumn with treatments of 60%RH,75%RH and 90%RH. The results suggested that different RH had significant effects on the growth and development for both cultivars. High RH increased the leaf area, but it delayed the flowering time, reduced the vase life of cut flowers, accelerated leaf senescence as well. High RH promoted big stomata and reduced the stomatal density, improved the stomatal conductance and transpiration rate. The stomata closure of leaves grown in high RH reflected slowly after desiccation than low RH. The sap flow was also slow and the water absorption amount was also lower than the lily plants grown in low RH. The paper leaves of cut flowers which were grown under high humidity occurred during the vase period.