Abstract: An apparatus is provided for sorting flowers which includes a conveyor positioned in an endless conveyor chain having attached thereto, at predetermined intermediate distances, forks movable between at least two positions, a transport position and a hang-in position. The apparatus has at least a single detection station for determining at least a single corresponding characteristic of each flower, and a computer for recording the characteristic. In accordance with the characteristic, the apparatus delivers each flower at discharge stations. The apparatus further comprises at least a single hang-in buffer conveyor with an endless buffer transport element having buffer forks attached thereto, from which the flowers hanging therein are taken over by the forks, which the passing speed of the forks, Nv, and that of the buffer forks, Nb, meet Nv>Nb. In one form, the conveyor chain and the buffer transport element are driven, mutually coupled, with a control element.