What are the indicators and signs of a cut flower that is dying or dead?

Question

By dying, I mean the stage where the cut flower has degraded to a point when it is no longer visually appealing and beautiful, and so the owner throws it away.

I know some examples are wilting, petals falling off etc, but this is for a science experiment, so I need some definite evidence that a cut flower's vase life has ended.

I am using White Carnations.

Thanks a lot. :D

Answer 1

Hi Iwubyoulongtime,

The indicators/signs that a cut flower is dying or dead are varied to a slight degree depending upon the plant.  

Actually, the first and obvious sign is the cut itself, because it cannot exist without its complete vascular system, which includes roots to supply the nutrients needed.

Generally, signs include: the wilting and then loss of its petals, sepals, and leaves.  With some plants, there is a loss of color in the petals of the flower.  The leaves also lose their brilliance as nutrients are used up and no longer being supplied.  Another sign is that the flower's stem/pedicel will also begin to wilt or sag, allowing the flower to drupe over.

Some flowers (such as Carnations and most Roses) with their multiple layers of petals are able to look aesthetically pleasing longer even while losing petals because they continue to look flower-like with their remaining petals.

Regarding the answer to the part of your question that states, "...where the cut flower has degraded to a point when it is no longer visually appealing..." that is really a personal choice, because there are many people who enjoy dried flowers and consider them quite beautiful.

One thing you can do to make your experiment more "quantitative" is to count the petals for each flower and determine that it is "dead" when it has lost a pre-established percentage of its petals.

If you support the flowers so that they stand straight up and do not rest on each other or their container, two other "measurements" you might take are the angle of the leaves wilt away from the stems and the angle at which the stems wilt/drupe from perpendicular (straight up and down).  These measurements would also require that you establish a predetermined angle beyond which you consider the plant "dead".

Best of luck with your experiment.

I hope this helps.

~Flower Power

Answer 2

Well if ya need some help here it is. with roses the otter petals begin to wilt. I break them off and the rose will look newer longer, you have to keep the water clean and fresh with a few drops of bleach. Yes bleach. And cut the stems about an inch every few days, and do this under running water with a knife not scissors. Also, cut at an angle.