Picking, Packing and Shipping Carnation Flowers 



water to have stiffened the foliage and petals, so that the blooms are fre- 

 quently a third larger than when first put in the cool room. At this time 

 they will be ready for shipment, and if properly packed and handled, will 

 reach the stores in the best possible condition. 



One of the things to be avoided in picking carnations is to allow the 

 flowers to lie around until they have become slightly wilted, or until the 

 end of the stem has become seared to such a degree that it will not take up 

 water readily. I would especially emphasize the importance of getting the 

 flower stems into water as soon after they are severed from the plant as 



Bunch of Carnations with Name Tag 



may be possible. It is probable that many of the complaints regarding flowers 

 going to sleep in the hands of storekeepers and consumers are due to im- 

 proper usage, either at the greenhouses, before packing, in the commission 

 house, or in the hands of the storekeeper. Carnations that are taken from 

 the plants in the afternoon, upon a hot, bright or windy day, when the plant 

 as well as the flower is in a somewhat wilted, flabby condition, and placed 



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