Symptoms of extreme temperature damage vary according to species and can appear several days after plants are out of the boxes on destination. Mums and poinsettias benefit if fertilizers with a high ammonium to nitrate ratio are replaced by a fertilizer high in nitrate nitrogen. High ammonium levels during growth result in leaf yellowing and reduced mum post-production life. Poinsettias and azaleas last longer if fertilization is reduced a couple of weeks before shipping. Treat ethylene sensitive plants with ethylene blockers.
Some chemicals have the ability of blocking both internal and external ethylene.
Cost estimates run between 1 - 2 cents per pot. Achimene, African violet, begonias, caladiums, carnations, geraniums, impatiens, kalanchoes, marigolds, Easter lily, orchids, petunias, primula, salvia, snapdragons, sunflowers. Ageratum, alstroemeria, azalea, bouganvillea, calceolaria, celosia, cineraria, coleus, cyclamen, dahlia, fucshia, hibiscus, ivies, oriental and asiatic lilies, poinsettia, pothos, roses, streptocarpus, vinca.