Why do flowers, leaves and buds drop? |
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Ethylene
Flowers, leaves and buds drop basically to protect the flower i.e.from desiccation. The most well-known reason for flowers,leaves and buds to drop is the result of exposure to ethylene, from inside the flower or outside sources. As a reaction to cutting / harvesting, the process of ageing starts in the flower. The ageing plant growth regulator produced in the flower is ethylene. In order to fulfil its task of continuation of the species, the flower regenerates as quickly as possible by producing higher concentrations of ethylene. Especially when circumstances become sub-optimal, which they do in the post-harvest period, the flower starts to produce excessive amounts of ethylene. If ethylene is supplied from an outside source, the process of ageing is accelerated too. The flower absorbs this outside ethylene, which in its turn acts as an accelerator of the internal ageing process. At high concentrations it becomes killing to the flower. In addition, petal drop, leaf drop and shrinking flowers are symptoms of exceeding the acceptable ethylene concentrations in the flower. |
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(source: “Snijbloemen in de afzetketen”, Sprenger Instituut, 1986)
What can you do to prevent ethylene damage?
Products based on silver thiosulphate (STS), like Chrysal AVB, protect ethylene-sensitive flowers against the negative effects of ethylene. This product should be used at grower level. When correctly applied, the flowers are protected throughout the whole floral chain. Also important is the use of Chrysal Clear Professional at trade level and Chrysal Clear cut flower food at consumer level to keep the flowers in optimal condition and thus less susceptible to ethylene damage. 
No leaf drop if treated with Chrysal AVB.
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