Studies were conducted to determine the effects of ethylene and anti-ethylene treatments on postharvest life of cut "First Red" rose flowers. Effects of exogenous ethylene at 1, 10 and 100 ul l-1 for 48 h at 22 C on cut "First Red" rose flowers were investigated. Ethylene at different concentrations reduced postharvest life, with 100 ul l-1 having the greatest effect. Ethylene production measurements suggested that "First Red" rose is climacteric during senescence. Pre-treatment of "First Red" rose flowers with 0.5 mM silver thiosulfate (STS) for 2 h at 22 C increased vase life, but pre-treatment with 1 ul l-1 1- methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) did not. Pre-treatment of "First Red" rose with 0.5 mM STS and, to a lesser extent, 1 ul l-1 1-MCP for 2 h at 22 C, protected flowers from subsequent exposure to 10 ul l-1 ethylene. Maximum vase life in both ethylene-treated and non-ethylene-treated "First Red" rose flowers was obtained with 0.5 mM STS
