#$%^&*AU2014100848A420140828.pdf#####ABSTRACT The present invention provides a floral preservative comprising a mixture of aqueous cellobiose and cellodextrans including cello-oligomeric glucan chains of 2-30 P(1--4) linked D-glucose units and a method of applying the preservative as a floral preservative and/or oxygen barrier film to one or more cut flowers via stem conduction or foliar spray.