Abstract Vibrations of 0.02 gravitational force (g) at 4.1 cycles per second (cps) were applied to Begonia ‘Medora’ and Schefflera arboricola (Hayata) Merrill during 6 days of simulated transit. Vibration caused leaf abscission, necrotic leaf areas, and severed stem tips. Silver thiosulfate (STS), applied as a previbration foliar spray (0, 0.28, 0.56, 1.12, mM silver), increased leaf abscission of begonias but not scheffleras during simulated transit. Ethylene emanation from stem tips of both species increased as STS concentration increased. Ethylene emanation from stem tips was not affected by vibration. During 4 weeks of simulated retail holding, STS decreased begonia leaf abscission.