Presenting

E ver heard of ethylene? No doubt, many of you have, but for those who haven't, it's the silent killer of fl owers, and it saps profi ts. e more you know about ethylene and how it aff ects the life of many fl owers, the more you can do to prevent it and prolong the beauty of your blooms. Understanding the fundamentals of ethylene will improve your bottom line and ensure that your customers are satisfi ed with the fl owers and plants from your shop. What is ethylene? ere are many gases that aff ect the longevity, appearance and performance of fresh cut fl owers and potted fl owering and foliage plants. e most damaging gas—ethylene—is odorless and colorless. Ethylene is often referred to as the ''wound hormone" because it is produced naturally by plants and fl owers when they are stressed by elevated temperatures or vibration during transport. Fruits and vegetables also produce ethylene as they ripen, and ethylene is often used commercially to hasten the ripening process. Ethylene is also a byproduct of combustible engines such as gasoline-powered vehicles, propane-powered fl oor buff ers and lawnmowers. No matter the source, ethylene is equally damaging to fl owers and plants. How can a retailer test for ethylene? Ethylene gas in the air can be measured. Gas samples can be taken in retail and wholesale fl orists' coolers and design/display rooms and in mass- market distribution centers. ese measurements must be analyzed using a sophisticated gas analysis machine because ethylene may be harmful at concentrations as low as one hundred parts per billion. ese measurements refl ect only atmospheric ethylene and cannot detect ethylene produced within fl owers themselves. Ethylene- sensitive Cut Flowers and Potted Plants Cut Flowers Alstroemeria Baby's-breath Bouvardia Carnations Delphinium Eustoma/Lisianthus Freesia Lilacs Lilies, hybrids (varies from not sensitive to very sensitive) Lilies, Easter Limonium Orchids (most are very sensitive) Roses (many are sensitive) Snapdragons NOTE: Many other cut fl owers are slightly sensitive to ethylene gas. Potted Plants African violets Azaleas Begonia, Rieger Crotons Dieffenbachia Dracaena Ficus Geraniums Kalanchoe Orchids (most are very sensitive) Roses (many are sensitive) Scheffl era BEWARE OF THE SILENT FLOWER KILLER By American Floral Endowment Design 40 July | 2022

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