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Why Valentine’s roses wilt — and how scientists are trying to stop it
UT Arlington researchers test safer metal-based compounds to extend vase life of Valentine’s roses, aiming to reduce ethylene-driven wilting and food waste, with 250 million roses affected annually.
- Amid production of about 250 million roses, Rasika Dias and her lab at UT Arlington are testing non-volatile compounds to extend flower lifespan and reduce waste.
- Because the hormone speeds ripening and aging, the industry often uses 1-methylcyclopropene as an ethylene decoy, according to the industry source cited for handling guidance.
- In the lab, the team divides about 30 freshly cut flowers into untreated, commercial, and experimental groups, monitoring petal drop and wilting; metal-based compounds such as copper show promise.
- If successful, the research could reduce waste by lengthening bouquet vase life and slowing produce ripening, potentially easing food waste and economic problems worsened by shipping and storage.
- Because ethylene drifts through air, a ripe banana can speed ripening of nearby fruit such as bananas, avocados and pears, driven by starch-to-sugar transformation.
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21 Articles
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Total News Sources21
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center17Last UpdatedBias Distribution89% Center
Bias Distribution
- 89% of the sources are Center
89% Center
11%
C 89%
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