Effects of Ethylene on Carnation Flowers(Dianthus Caryophyllus)Cut at Different Stages of Development

SummaryCarnation flowers cut at various stages of development became increasingly sensitive to ethylene as they aged. Ethylene (e.g. 1 vpm for 24 h) caused irreversible wilting of open flowers but had little or no effect on the youngest flowers (buds), provided they were opened in a sucrose-germicide solution. The tolerance of flowers to exogenous ethylene or propylene was inversely related to their capacity to produce endogenous ethylene. Ten vpm ethylene for 24 h induced elongation and often an increase in the fresh weight of the petals of the youngest flowers and, after eight days, there was enlargement of the gynoecium: in contrast, older buds failed to open and mature flowers wilted. The implications of thk work are discussed in relation to the marketing of carnation flowers.