Carbohydrate traffic during opening of gladiolus florets

The opening of gladiolus florets was accompanied by a substantial increase in fresh and dry weight and carbohydrate content of the perianth. The principal soluble carbohydrate was fructose, with substantially lower concentrations of glucose and sucrose. Although stored carbohydrate, apparently starch, disappeared during floret opening, its contribution to the total carbohydrate content of the open flower was minor. Removal of basal florets from the fresh-cut spike substantially reduced the dry weight of the opening upper young buds. During development of the inflorescence it appears that there is a transfer of carbohydrate from the senescing lower florets to those developing acropetally.