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What are the symptoms of ethylene damage? Ethylene symptoms vary depending on flower and plant type and variety. e most common responses to ethylene are reduced vase life, bud and petal drop, leaf abscission and failure of flowers to open (Figure 1). e sidebar on the opposite page lists of some commonly known flowers and plants that are sensitive to ethylene. It is also important to note that some flowers and plants are not particularly sensitive to ethylene. How can you protect flowers from ethylene damage? Several companies such as FloraLife and Chrysal have developed postharvest products that are proved to protect flowers and plants from the detrimental effects of ethylene. For example, roses treated with FloraLife® EthylBloc™ open and last longer than nontreated flowers (Figure 2). Ethylene is equally harmful to potted plants, such as Kalanchoe (Figure 3). FloraLife's EthylBloc™ Technology is 1-MCP based and is formulated to treat both cut flowers and potted plants, but the company also offers EthylGuard 100, an STS-based liquid for cut flowers only. Chrysal has two anti-ethylene products: Chrysal Ethylene Buster® (1-MCP based, for both cut flowers and potted plants) and Chrysal AVB (STS based, for cut flowers only). STS (silver thiosulfate)-based products require special care in disposal. Buy only from growers and shippers that treat flowers and plants with an anti-ethylene product. ese products not only protect against damage from atmospheric ethylene but also prevent the internal production of ethylene. It is best to have flowers and plants treated by the growers, so they are protected during transport, storage and display. So, ask for it! In this way, stress encountered during shipping and handling will not cause the internal production of ethylene. Also, cut flowers and potted plants are protected from ethylene in trucks and coolers throughout their entire journey from grower to consumer. Pretreatment with these products prevents the need for air purification in coolers, which may prevent damage from atmospheric ethylene, but they have no effect on internally produced ethylene. Why is it important to keep cut flowers cold? One of the most important reasons for keeping cut flowers cold is that they are significantly more resistant to ethylene at lower temperatures. Ethylene can kill your flowers, but it doesn't have to kill your profits. Take ethylene exposure seriously, and look for suppliers who monitor and treat for ethylene at every step along the supply chain. STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? Email us at afe@endowment.org. We'll follow up in an upcoming issue to answer more specific questions about ethylene. Figure 1. Failure to open in 'Freedom' roses is often due to ethylene. Figure 2. Roses on the left were treated with FloraLife ® Ethylbloc ™ while the roses on the right were not. Figure 3. The Kalanchoe on the left was treated with FloraLife ® Ethylbloc ™ , and the plant on the left was not. Extra Features and Video Online FloristsReview.com R E A D O N L I N E 41

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