An experiment was undertaken in two consecutive seasons of 2003-04 and 2004-05 to understand the physiological and biochemical events leading to senescence and the role of chemicals in advancing the longevity of cut tulip. Standard grade of tulip bulbs cv. 'Apeldoorn' were grown in the open field conditions following the recommended package and practices. Tulip scapes were harvested at bud colour break stage and placed in conical flasks (250 ml) containing vase solution comprised of sucrose (Suc) 2.0 per cent and 4.0 per cent plus aluminium sulphate (AS) 200 and 300 ppm, and citric acid (CA) 1000 and 2000 ppm. Distilled water without any chemical was served as control. The flasks were kept in the laboratory at a room temperature of 20±2°C with a relative humidity of 70±5% under cool light of 2000 lux (12 h). Floral preservatives significantly influenced the different physiological attributes and improved the quality and vase life of cut tulip by about 4 days. Holding solutions comprised of Suc 4%+AS 200 ppm resulted in maximum fresh weight gain of scapes (30.22%), leaf chlorophyll content (0.41 mg g^-1 f.w.), leaf and petal relative water content (RWC) (64.5% and 58.7%), petal membrane stability index (MSI) (53.7%) and leaf and petal sugar (29.35 mg g^-1 d. w. and 38.3 mg g^-1 d. w.) and protein (18.55 mg g^-1 d. w. and 28.9 mg g^-1 d. w.). Similar treatment also recorded the highest scape length (29.80 cm), tepal diameter (8.96 cm) and vase life (11.66 day).