Ethylene: The Aging Molecule Behind Flower Damage
Jose Martinez
How the 1-MCP Molecule Helps Keep Fresh-Cut Flowers Beautiful Longer
1-MCP, which stands for 1-methylcyclopropene, is a special gas that helps keep fresh cut flowers looking beautiful for a longer time. It works like a protector that slows down the aging process of flowers after they are harvested.
When flowers are cut, they continue to produce a natural gas called ethylene. This gas acts like a signal that tells the flower to age — making petals drop, leaves turn yellow, and the bloom fades. Even small amounts of ethylene, from nearby fruits or other flowers, can cause cut flowers to wilt faster.
1-MCP helps block the effect of ethylene. It attaches to the same “receptors” inside the flower that ethylene would normally use to send its ripening or aging signals. When 1-MCP is present, the flower cannot respond to ethylene, so the aging process slows down. This means the flowers stay fresh, colorful, and open longer.
Flower farms, exporters, and florists use 1-MCP to protect blooms during storage, shipping, and display. It is especially helpful for flowers that travel long distances or need to stay fresh for special occasions. Popular flowers such as roses, carnations, lilies, alstroemerias, and chrysanthemums benefit greatly from this treatment.
In simple words, 1-MCP acts like a “pause button” for flowers. It keeps them from getting old too fast, helps reduce waste, and ensures that people enjoy fresh, beautiful bouquets for more days. Thanks to this technology, cut flowers can travel from farms to stores — and still look as if they were picked that very morning.
Chrysal’s Recommended Solutions
Chrysal offers a comprehensive range of products specifically developed to prevent Ethylene collateral effects:
Chrysal Ethylene Buster® sachets
Ethylene Buster® sachets are a smart and simple way to keep your flowers and plants fresh for longer. They are specially made to protect delicate, ethylene-sensitive flowers, tulip bulbs, and pot plants.
Each sachet contains a gentle powder with 1-MCP (1-Methylcyclopropene) that blocks the effects of ethylene. By stopping ethylene from working, Ethylene Buster® helps your flowers stay colorful, fresh, and beautiful during storage and transport.
These small sachets are easy to use following some simple activating steps and are safe for all kinds of flowers and plants.
Chrysal Ethylene Buster® Truck Kit
Ethylene Buster® Tablets are a simple and effective way to protect ethylene-sensitive cut flowers and potted plants. These yellow-green tablets use 1-MCP (1-Methylcyclopropene) to block ethylene.
Why buyers love them:
Longer freshness: Flowers stay vibrant and healthy for more days.
Extended vase and shelf life: Perfect for storage, shipping, or display.
Less waste: Reduces spoilage and keeps products market-ready.
Easy to use: Just place the tablets in the container and inside the truck with your flowers or plants
Safe for delicate plants: Ideal for sensitive cut flowers and pot plants without using silver.
Chrysal Ethylene Buster® Sheets
Ethylene causes petals to fall, leaves to yellow, and buds to shrink, making flowers lose their charm too soon.
Ethylene Buster® Sheets are an easy, silver-free solution that protects flowers from ethylene. It blocks the effects of ethylene both inside the flowers and from the environment. This helps flowers stay fresh, vibrant, and healthy for longer. They prolong vase life, improve bud opening, and prevent premature shrinking or dropping of buds, leaves, and petals.
Using Ethylene Buster® Sheets is simple. Just place a sheet inside a closed box, ideally with a plastic liner, during transport. They are perfect for growers, bouquet makers, and transporters.
With Ethylene Buster® Sheets, flowers arrive looking fresh, and beautiful, keeping customers happy and reducing waste along the way.
This product is available and sold in Colombia and Ecuador.
Chrysal Transport Stickers
Chrysal Transport Stickers are an easy, humidity-activated solution that helps protect cut flowers during transport. When humidity rises above 60%, the stickers gradually release SO₂, helping maintain flower quality, reduce waste, and extend vase life.
They are simple to use: just place the sticker inside a closed flower box or inside a FreshLiner. The stickers are compact, made from recyclable LDPE, and are ideal for growers, bouquet makers, and transporters looking to safeguard flowers during distribution.
Transport Stickers help flowers arrive fresher and healthier, supporting better quality throughout the supply chain.
This product is available and sold in Colombia and Ecuador.
In Summary
1-MCP is one of the most effective tools available for preventing ethylene damage. By protecting flowers during transport and storage, Chrysal’s Ethylene Buster® range helps:
Reduce waste
Extend vase and shelf life
Ensure flowers arrive fresh and beautiful
Support every part of the floral chain
With the right ethylene management, flowers can reach customers looking just as stunning as the day they were harvested.
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Jose V. Martinez - North America Senior Technical Manager - Chrysal Americas
Originally from Colombia, José has worked closely with growers, bouquet makers, and retailers worldwide, helping them improve quality, reduce waste, and get the best performance from their flowers.
His background spans post-harvest physiology, quality management, logistics, and large-scale operational projects, giving him a deep understanding of the journey flowers take from farm to consumer.
At Chrysal, José is dedicated to guiding customers with practical, science-based solutions that keep flowers fresher, longer — and to supporting the entire floral chain with technical excellence and genuine passion.