Applicability of commercial carnation [Dianthus caryophyllus] cultivars to bud anthesis acceleration (BAA) method

The applicability of commercial carnation cultivars (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) to Bud Anthesis Acceleration (BAA) method was investigated. Six standard type cultivars and five spray type cultivars were placed in BAA solution containing 5% sucrose, and kept at temperature of 25 deg C (75%RH), light intensity of 1 klx and 12 h photoperiod. Harvesting at the small bud stage promoted calyx splitting and petal wilting in all cultivars. In the range of available bud diameter without causing damage on flower, the BAA treatment shortened the recommended days to shipping in all cultivars. Flower diameter was decreased by the treatment in 'Pleasure' and 'Roland'. Petal color pigmentation was inhibited in 'Opera', 'Riccard' and 'Lavender Tessino'. Vase life was shortened in 'Pleasure', 'Saleya', 'Lavender Tessino' and 'Roland'. Although most of these problems were solved by harvesting at large bud stage, petal color pigmentation in 'Lavender Tessino' and flower diameter and vase life in 'Roland' could not be improved by modification of BAA treatment since these cultivars have a high sugar concentration in the petal. It was concluded that 'Lavender Tessino' and 'Roland' were unsuitable for BAA method.