carnations

[maitre d']

daughter bought the missus some carnations for mother's day.  They were quite tightly budded, just the tip of the petals showing.  They've so far failed to open, any ideas how to get them to?

[smudge]

I would leave it Mother Nature - they will open soon.

[smudge]

Or: Carnation buds can be opened in a solution containing 7% suscrose & 200 ppm physan.

Also, when I have carnations, I always pinch off the tiniest heads that are underdeveloped & will never open. This makes for a nicer display, either in a vase or in an arrangement. Good luck maitre d'.

[smudge]

*sucrose

(Too early in the day for me!).

[Clanad]

Try a tablespoon of sugar (smudge's sucrose) and a tablespoon of lemon juice in about two pints of water and placce the vase in sunlight...

[smudge]

I forgot to mention sunlight! I assumed you live in England & have the central heating on!