Abstract: In our previous work, 17 commercial cultivars of cut rose (Rosa hybrida) were classified into three levels of tolerance to water deficit by measuring the vase life decrease after 24 h water deficit, at 22- 25 ℃and 40% - 60% relat ive humidity. In this paper, Samantha, a cultivar with strong tolerance to water deficit, and a weak one, Gabriella, were used to determine their vase life, fresh mass loss, water potential of flowers and leaves, leaf stomatal resistance, relative electrolyte conductance, flower ethylene product ion, SOD and POD
activities of petals and leaves under water deficit. The results showed that as prolonging the t ime of water deficit, the decreased percentage of vase life, fresh mass loss, relative electrolyte conductance and flower ethylene
production increased, while water potentials of flowers and leaves decreased in both cultivars; andmore remarkable changes were obtained in cv. Gabriella than in Samantha. SOD and POD act ivities of petals and leaves were higher
in medium range of water deficit than in light and heavy ones. And no remarkable difference of leaf stomatal resistance was found between the two cultivars. Samantha showed a higher abilities to recover from the same water
deficit than Gabriella during vasing period. Finally the relationships were discussed between the test parameters of petals and leaves and water deficit tolerance of cut roses.

Key words: Rose, Cut rose, Postharvest, Physiology, Water deficit