Effect of Holding Solutions on Vase Life and Postharvest Performance of Cut Inflorescences of the Cretan Endemic Species Campanula pelviformis and Petromarula pinnata (Campanulaceae)

Attractive local endemic plant species of biodiversity hotspots represent promising candidates for the introduction of novel horticultural crops, as the floricultural industry continuously seeks new ornamental products with unique features. This study investigated the postharvest performance of the cut inflorescences of Campanula pelviformis and Petromarula pinnata (Campanulaceae), two single-island endemic plants (Crete, Greece) with well-documented ornamental potential. Fifteen replicate cut inflorescences per treatment from two different populations of C. pelviformis and one population of P. pinnata were placed individually in vases containing three holding solutions (1% sucrose, FloraLife®, and deionized water). Vase life (VL) longevity and floral development were monitored daily, whereas inflorescence fresh weight and remaining solution percentage were recorded every two days. In addition, petal color parameters were assessed at three time points during the experimental period. The FloraLife® solution significantly increased VL (20.40 ± 0.87 days), fresh weight, and reduced remaining solution percentage in C. pelviformis, whereas untreated inflorescences resulted in the greatest VL in P. pinnata (19.87 ± 0.26 days), while increased fresh weight and decreased remaining solution percentage were observed by the 1% sucrose treatment. Flower open rate (FOR) final values and flower fall rate (FFR) values were higher in the untreated cut inflorescences of C. pelviformis (90.3% and 51.37%, respectively), while no significant effects were observed in those of P. pinnata (>78% and >41.37%, respectively). Over time, a gradual increase in FOR occurred in inflorescences of C. pelviformis with FloraLife® solution and in untreated ones of P. pinnata, while increases in FFR were also observed in the same treatments. Minimal changes in petal colour parameters were recorded in C. pelviformis inflorescences during the experimental period. These findings provided first-time evidence into the postharvest handling of the inflorescences of these local Cretan endemics, thus paving the way to their further valorization for the diversification of Mediterranean floriculture with unique phytogenetic resources.