After flowering the ripening of the seed capsules begins. Ethylene is a hormone that affects the ripening and flowering of many plants. Climacteric fruits undergo a number of changes during fruit ripening. During fruit ripening, gluconeogenesis also increases. Ethylene removal can be helpful in slowing the ripening of mature-green fruits. During this season, the plums are ripening, hence the name plum rain. Long, hot summers are required for proper ripening of the fruit. Other chemicals are used commercially in artificially ripening persimmons or delaying their ripening. After fertilization, the female cone is termed "fruit", which undergoes "ripening" (maturation). Pod shatter during seed ripening and harvesting might be a difficulty under certain conditions. The ripening of strawberries marks the spring festival. There is an early ripening and a late ripening Cluster cultivar. Plants cannot continue the natural ripening or aging process.