New Research Offers Cost-Effective Solutions for Ethylene Problems

The tomato plant on the right has been exposed to ethylene.Ethylene is an odorless, colorless gas that plays a role in seed germination, fruit ripening, leaf yellowing, etc., but too much ethylene can lead to product loss via accelerated flower wilting, abnormal growth and other problems. Results from two new research reports by AFE-funded researchers Michelle Jones, Ph.D., and Nichole Edelman of The Ohio State University can help with ethylene concerns.“Ethylene can be very destructive in both production and post-production environments,” Jones said. “Research aimed at understanding plant responses to ethylene and how to prevent damage will benefit producers, wholesalers, shippers, retailers and consumers.”Epinasty in tomato ‘Tumbler’ treated with different concentrations of ethylene for 24 hours.Use of Indicator Plants to…

AFE Research Helps Address Common Gerbera Concern

Scape bending of ‘Testarrosa’ was eliminated when stems were supported during hydration (left).For satisfied floral customers, cut flowers need to have high quality and a long vase life, but bending of the scape (stalk) is a major postharvest issue that can leave flowers unmarketable and customers unsatisfied. AFE funded researchers from the University of Florida screened 14 gerbera varieties for scape bending, flower quality and vase life.Reducing Scape Bending in the Gerbera Daisy, Research Report #454 includes the following best practices to eliminate scape bending:Choose varieties that are less susceptible to scape bending or that easily recover. (Most susceptible varieties included Guarda, Fiction, Pink Elegance, Primrose, Sonata, Teresa and Testarrosa)Avoid storing cut gerbera and never store in boxes.Unpack immediately, cut…

Floriculture InfoSearch Puts Decades of Info at Your Fingertips

Industry members now have online access to a comprehensive floriculture library containing information that may have been previously unavailable. AFE has partnered with North Carolina State University (NCSU) to create the Floriculture InfoSearch Engine, a powerful search engine for convenient and comprehensive access to floriculture literature, videos and presentations.The website also contains a floriculture archive with materials from AFE, NCSU, scientific journals and trade publications, all of which is accessible and searchable through one website.“We want to thank a couple of floriculture pack rats, George Staby and Harold Wilkins, for opening their files to us and several industry groups and magazines for allowing us to scan and enter their articles,” project leader and NCSU Horticultural Science Department Head John Dole,…

Grow with AFE Resources!

AFE has a wealth of resources available to help students and established industry professionals alike. Did you know that AFE offers more than 150 online research reports for free to the industry? These research reports focus on important industry issues, like:Detecting and managing pests and diseases.Refining watering and nutrition practices.Notably improving plant and flower quality.Providing total management systems for air and soil borne floriculture crop diseases.You can use this website to find other tools too, like an extensive and continuously updated Impatiens downy mildew resource list.Additionally, AFE’s intern scholarship programs give the industry the opportunity to host pre-screened, competent students with a passion for production. While receiving knowledgeable students, you’ll be giving back by providing the hands-on experience necessary to…

New AFE Research Report: Enhancing the Quality of Fresh Cut Flowers

AFE has released a new research report: Innovative Packaging Technologies to Enhance the Quality of Fresh Cut Flowers, Research Report #452.This research—conducted by Thomas J. Gianfagna, Kit L. Yam and George J. Wulster from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey—demonstrates ways to optimize storage conditions for fresh cut flowers, like roses and snapdragons, and examines systems to prevent disease development. These improvements in post-harvest longevity could increase customer satisfaction and lower shipping costs without decreasing flower quality. Improvements in the distribution and packaging of fresh cut flowers would benefit everyone in the post-production chain.This website contains more than 150 additional free research reports covering other topics about fresh cut flowers and more:Disease ManagementInsect ManagementBreeding & GeneticsPost ProductionProduction TechnologySpecialty Research Consumer…

Social Media Guide for Floral Retailers and Wholesalers Just Released

AFE is announcing the release of the Social Media Guide for Floral Retailers and Wholesalers.This free guide is your one-stop destination for all things social media. Whether you want to brush up on your social knowledge or you are brand new to social media and don’t know where to begin – this information is a must-have! From written guidelines to videos, your online presence will benefit from these resources.The social media guide features content on:Social media marketing best practicesChannels, tools and techniquesOptimizing for mobileReal Industry Case StudiesLiterature AnalysesThis project was coordinated by AFE and funded by The Floral Marketing Research Fund (FMRF) and the Flower Promotion Organization (FPO).Visit the FMRF website and register to browse all of the documents and…

FMRF Social Media Guide for Retailers and Wholesalers

The Floral Marketing Research Fund (FMRF) has partnered with the Flower Promotion Organization (FPO) on a one-year project, A Social Media Guide for Floral Retailers and Wholesalers.This guide will analyze social media literature, best practices and case studies to develop a social media guide for the floriculture industry. The project will be conducted by Charles Hall, Ph.D., Texas A&M University, Bridget Behe, Ph.D., Michigan State University, and Chengyan Yue, Ph.D., University of Minnesota.“The FPO is pleased to partner with FMRF to fund this project that can help better position our industry to engage new and potential consumers of our products to increase consumption,” said Stan Pohmer, Executive Director of the Flower Promotion Organization.Many industries are successfully using social media as…

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