Movement of 14C in Cut Roses and Carnations After Uptake of 14C-Sucrose1

Movement of 14 C was studied in cut roses and carnations using a pulse of 14 C-sucrose and a distilled water chase. The label moved selectively to leaves and stems, but not to flower heads during the pulse. During the chase, however, 14 C moved from leaves and stems into the flower heads. Age had no effect on this movement into rose flower heads, but movement of 14 C into carnation flower heads diminished as cut carnations aged. It was established by girdling cut rose stems that assimilates are translocated from leaves and stems to flower heads via the phloem.