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An experiment was conducted to quantify luminescence of white cut flower carnations after exposure to blue glow-in-the-dark powder. Powder was applied to the flowers as either dip (3, 6, or 9 g) or spray (3, 6, or 9 g) solutions in 240 mL of water for 4 seconds plus a control. Stem fresh weight, relative stem fresh weight, flower diameter, and overall solution absorption were greatest on day 4. Only the 6-g dip or spray had greater average flower quality ratings than the control, indicating reduced vase life, but there was no difference among powder treatments. Phosphorescence is possible with fluorescent light, but ultraviolet light increased the flower mean brightness an average of 75% across all treatments. No treatment differences were observed for the flower mean brightness with ultraviolet light, except on day 9; however, greater powder rates without ultraviolet light in general resulted in greater brightness.

Rose cut flowers are popular in everyday bouquets or for special occasions, and tinting of the flowers by means of color addition increases the flowers economical value and aesthetic appeal. This study evaluated red and white luminescent rose cut flowers, which was achieved by applying six persistent luminescent powders. Solutions of each color were prepared by mixing 6 g of powder and 240 ml of deionized water and sprayed four times around the flower head plus a control. Images were taken of the flowers before ultraviolet blacklight exposure and after exposure to be later analyzed with ImageJ software. Daily measurements were taken including vase weight, average floral diameter, and visual deterioration based on scale of 1 to 4. Overall measurements included mean brightness; red, green, and blue measured values; dominant wavelengths of emitted color; flower diameter change rate; relative water percent; solution uptake rate; and vase solution uptake rate. For luminescent brightness mean without ultraviolet, white rose with blue powder had the greatest value. For luminescent brightness after ultraviolet exposure, white rose with green powder had the greatest value. With ultraviolet exposure, white roses with green powder had the greatest value followed by blue, orange, and white. Red powder on white and red roses experienced little to no luminescence before or after ultraviolet exposure. Mean and mode varied in their calculated dominant wavelengths; therefore, it is recommended to use mean values because more similarities in matching of the powder color and the calculated dominant wavelength were reported. Ultimately, white roses are preferred because they seemed to have greater health and luminescence compared with red roses, and green and blue powder would be recommended for luminescent application for brightness.

Success of the floral industry lies in strengthening the fresh flower market with value-added products. An experiment was conducted to quantify luminescence of cut-flower white carnations after exposure to two fluorescent products (dye from a yellow highlighter or glow-in-the-dark spray paint). Single stems were placed in bud vases that were filled with 240 mL deionized water and 2 g floral preservative. Highlighter treatments were applied to the vase as either one drop, three drops, or half of the dye reservoir (half stick). Paint treatments were applied at 2-, 4-, or 6-second durations to the flowers. Combination treatments were applied as three drops of highlighter dye plus either 2, 4, or 6 seconds of paint application. Treatments were compared against each other and a nontreated control. There were five repetitions of three stems per treatment arranged in a completely randomized design. Measurements were taken daily on stem fresh weight, flower diameter, quality rating, flower maximum brightness, flower mean brightness, relative stem fresh weight percentage, overall solution absorption rate percentage, and daily solution absorption rate. Stem fresh weight, relative stem fresh weight percentage, flower diameter, and overall solution absorption rate were greatest on day 4. Flower maximum brightness without ultraviolet (UV) light was greatest 2 days after treatment (DAT), but still produced a detectable glow through 8 DAT. Among treatments before UV charge, the 6-second paint duration provided the greatest flower maximum brightness value. The half-stick highlighter treatment had the greatest vase mean brightness. All paint treatments reduced flower quality. For each treated flower, the UV charge increased the brightness values, which ranged from 53% to 206% greater than before the UV charge. White carnations can luminesce with spray applications of glow-in-the-dark spray paint or through the stem absorption method using yellow highlighter dye, with the latter being less detrimental to vase life but requiring a UV light source to glow.