Quantification of Emboli by Visualization of Air Filled Xylem Vessels

Between harvest and vase life the cut surface of most cut flowers is exposed to air for a longer or shorter period. It was hypothesized that under normal harvest and transport conditions air only enters the cut open vessels and does not move to non-cut vessels. The vessel length distribution of chrysanthemum stems was analyzed with the latex particle method and compared to the distribution of air embolisms in 5øw/w) desiccated stems, visualized using cryo-scanning electron microscopy. It was concluded that by moderate desiccation all cut open vessels are completely air-filled and that intact vessels are not embolized.