Silver solution can effectively extend the lifespan of flowers

Freshof flowersIt is common knowledge that flowers have a short lifespan. Generally, flower lifespans vary: some last only a few hours or 1-2 days,orchidscan be considered among the longer-lived flowers. Usually Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, large-floweredCymbidiumand others, if well managed, also have a lifespan of 1-2 months.Orchids' lifespan is also affected by different seasons and temperature highs and lows. Usually when temperatures are high, flower lifespan is short. For example: among Chinese orchids, summer-blooming summerCymbidium5-6 days;Four SeasonsOrchidflowers also last 7-10 days; autumn-blooming autumn orchids last 10-15 days; while winter-blooming BaosuiOrchidlasts slightly longer, about half a month to over 20 days. Ethylene can cause flowers to wilt People sometimes see some blooming orchids and other flowers suddenly wilt, and after 1-2 days wither and fall off. Research has shown this is caused by ethylene. It is already a fact that ethylene gas can cause flowers or fruits to abscise from the parent plant, which cannot but arouse scholars' concern and research. In 1963, foreign scholars Akenmi et al. researched: Vanda, due to removal of the pollen mass from the flower, pollination on the stigma or application of indoleacetic acid and other growth substances, was found to produce trace amounts of ethylene gas, causing the flowers to wither. Similarly, some found that on Phalaenopsis, if insects remove or dislodge the pollen mass, or if its pollen is crossed onto other orchids, trace amounts of ethylene are likewise produced, causing the flowers to wilt and fall off. Silver solution can eliminate ethylene How to prevent ethylene from causing flowers to wilt and fall off? British biologist Nichols et al. discovered: using a solution containing silver thiosulfate (i.e. STS Solution) to soak cut flower stems for half an hour, then placing them in water for cultivation, can extend the cutflowers'lifespan. In 1976, American scholar Bayer discovered that spraying a solution containing silver ions on orchidflowers'blooms can eliminate ethylene damage, and the effect is remarkable. The above demonstrates that solutions containing silver salts can eliminate flower withering and abscission caused by ethylene. They can also keep cut flowers fresh. Currently, flower farms in the Netherlands have already adopted STS solution treatment for cut flowers. However, due to commercial competition, formulas and ingredients differ among countries, and all are "confidential" and "patented". Moreover, in the Hong Kong, China market, no silver-containing preservative solution has been seen for sale. Developing a new compound silver solution In 1994, the chemist behind Red and Green Flower Fertilizer and other series products in Hong Kong, China also conducted research on a new silver solution. Based on years of research experience and after many setbacks, a silver-containing "new compound spray solution" was finally successfully produced. According to preliminary disclosure: besides containing a silver complex that can prevent ethylene damage, this solution also contains anti-aging agents and preservatives for plant flowers, and has multiple functions such as repelling insects and protecting flowers from aging. The newly formulated solution is clear and bright, and can be used both for spraying orchids and for soaking cut flowers. However, it must be pointed out: any solution containing silver salts still has the weakness of instability. The new compound silver solution has a short stability period, so quality should still continue to be improved or a more stable substitute sought (for example, someone has tried aminooxyacetic acid, i.e. Amino Oxy-Acetic acid, also called aminooxyacetic acid, as a substitute). Whether it can further extend the flower lifespan of orchids blooming in pots, and for how long? This still awaits people's research and horticultural experimental exploration.