Big time flower production

Have you noticed the floral sections located usually near the entrance of grocery stores?  Lots of flowers and rather reasonable in price too.  This was more common in Europe, but now has become commonplace here in the states.  If Kroger is doing it, that's a clue.  At any rate such large scale operations are quite mind-boggling, and this video is worth watching no matter what you think of such practices.  And of course posted just in time for Valentine's Day.  TPP is not a huge fan, but finds the operation quite interesting and they are so well automated, so huge!  Hate to think about the pesticides & fungicides being sprayed around.  

Why do cut flowers smell so bad?

A reader asks: “I've noticed that after flowers have been picked, they start smelling differently. For a long time I thought roses at the store smelled horrible. Then I noticed that the lilacs I pick will start smelling the same way a couple of days after I pick them. They change to the wonderful smell of lilacs to a horrible stench. Do flowers give off a death pheromone? Thanks.”
This is an interesting question, and the Phactor is uncertain he knows the answer. Floral scents are complex, and they often wane after being picked, and the most likely reason is simply they do not have as much water in their xylem stream, water under as much push-pull force to create as much scent after being cut. However, the transformation you describe from lovely to horrible stench is not something personally experienced. But no, there is no “death pheromone”, although decomposition does smell bad, and the cut end of bouquets can get pretty “ripe”. Perhaps some of my knowledgeable readers can suggest some alternatives.