50 CIRCULAR 2 78, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



to be caused by the ethylene gas given off by the ripening fruit. Roses, 

 carnations, snapdragons, stocks, and daffodils have been shown to 

 be affected in this way by the emanations from ripening fruit (4'/, 

 58) . Since ethylene gas is used at times to defoliate rose bushes and 

 is known to cause premature dropping of foliage from cut sprays of 

 holly, it may also affect such greens as mountain-laurel and huckle- 

 berry. Greens therefore should not be stored near the fruits 

 mentioned. 



Many kinds of pigmented flowers fade, discolor, or develop an off- 

 color appearance during storage, especially under dark storage con- 

 ditions. The effectiveness of artificial light in retarding this color 

 change has been demonstrated experimentally (59) . 



Chrysanthemums (Oh?ysanthemum hortorum) and gladioluses 

 (Gladiolus) may be stored at 35° F. for 2 weeks and usually remain 

 very salable. Longer storage is possible, though frequently not prac- 

 ticable. These flowers are usually tied in bunches of 12 and 25, respec- 

 tively, but are not wrapped when placed in storage. Pompons, 

 however, are sold in bunches of various sizes. 



As a rule the proper cutting stage for the large-flowering types 

 of chrysanthemums is just after the green color in the center of the 

 flower has disappeared. No general rule can be given for pompons, 

 since several varieties, especially some of those in the anemone group, 

 need more development on the plant than the single varieties. 



Gladioluses should be cut when three or four of the lower buds are 

 partly opened. However, for distant shipments before storage one 

 or two of the lowest florets should show color but should be in the 

 tight-bud stage. Gladiolus spikes should always be shipped and 

 stored in a vertical position (105) . 



Easter lily (Lilium longijiorum) , Speciosum lily (L. speciosum) , 

 Regal lily (L. regale), goldband lily (L. auratum), common peony 

 (Paeonia officinalis), and Chinese peony (P albiflora) can be held 

 at 35° F. for comparatively long periods, although 30 days is usually 

 the maximum storage period. The lilies in this group should be cut 

 for storage when the corolla is about one-half opened or just before 

 the tips begin to reflex. Lilies forced at relatively high temperatures 

 should be kept at a temperature of about 50° for a preliminary period 

 of about 24 hours before being put at 35°. Peonies showing color in 

 the tight-bud stage may be stored at 35° for 3 to 4 weeks, but they 

 seldom give satisfaction for decorative purposes without special han- 

 dling; in the loose-bud stage they may be held satisfactorily for 10 

 to 14 days. 



The cut blooms of common and golden callas (Zantedeschia aethi- 

 opica and Z. elliottiana) may be stored when fresh for as long as 10 

 days at 40° F. and will be in good condition upon removal. Calla 

 blooms should be gathered just before the spathe shows signs of 

 curling downward. Callas that have been subjected to hard forcing 

 should be held for about 24 hours at a temperature of 50° previous 

 to storage at 40°. When the blooms are gathered they should be 

 pulled, not cut, otherwise the stems will split at the cut ends and curl 

 after a few days in storage. The pulling method separates the stem 

 from the rhizome, leaving no useless appendage. Although the 

 blooms are sometimes removed from the plant by cutting, the stub 

 left on the plant will probably rot and thus may serve as a place of 

 entrance for disease organisms. Pulling, however, is much easier 



