The ower buds were transported in 50 mL Falcon tubes containing 30 mL of cold sterile distilled H 2 O to the laboratory where they were disinfected using a commercial bleach solution at 50% (v/v) (2.5% hypochlorite sodium) for 10 minutes, followed by 70% ethanol (2 minutes). A second disinfection method using 1% calcium hypochlorite (20 minutes) was also used. After 10 days the results of contamination and necrosis were evaluated.