Ethylene production and vase life of cut carnation flowers under high temperature conditions

Abstract

Cut flowers of carnation 'Excerea', treated with or without silver thiosulfate (STS) showed the same vase life as when kept in Misaki, a commercial preservative, or 1 to 2% fructose with germicide at 32°C. In-rolling of petals did not occur at 32°C until day 14, even though flowers were not treated with STS. However, flowers without STS treatment showed in-rolling on day 9 at 24°C. Flowers without STS treatment, reached a climacteric peak of ethylene during day 8 to 10 at 24°C, whereas flowers at 32°C produced very little ethylene. Flowers, kept at 32°C and then transferred to 24°C, showed a climacteric peak of ethylene, but the peak was lower than that at continuous 24°C. Flowers, kept at 24°C for 1-5 days and then transferred to 32°C, produced very little ethylene. These results suggest that high-temperature keeping conditions inhibit ethylene production in cut carnation flowers.