Ethylene is a primary plant hormone involved in the senescence
of cut carnation flowers (Borochov and Woodson, 1989; Reid
and Wu, 1992). A large amount of ethylene is produced, mostly
in the petals, several days after full opening of the flower
(Woodson et al., 1992). The increased ethylene production
promotesthe in-rolling of petalsresulting in wilting ofthe flower.
The time of onset of ethylene production and the amount of
ethylene produced in the flowers varywith the carnation cultivar,
and thus influence their vase life (Nukui et al., 2004).