S25 - Session P3 - Potential of Peppermint Essential Oil to Extend Vase Life of Cut Dendrobium Orchids 'White Sanan'

Authors: Montinee Teerarak *, Kanjana Saetiew, Chamroon Laosinwattana

The vase life of orchid cut flowers is improved greatly by preservative solution containing silver compounds. However, silver compounds are toxic and silver thiosulphate require careful handling and disposal. Nowadays, trend to application of natural materials such as plant essential oils as biodegradable, eco-friendly, and safe preservatives for vase life enhancement and for maintaining the postharvest quality of cut flower increased. The objectives of this investigation were to study effect of glucose and essential oil of peppermint in emulsion form as a holding solution for substitution of synthetic chemicals on vase life and postharvest quality of cut Dendrobium orchid 'White Sanan'. Dendrobium orchids 'White Sanan' were held with preservative vase solutions of distilled water or 4% glucose + 0.005-0.02% peppermint essential oil. Vase solution containing 0.005 % peppermint essential oil gave maximum vase life for 19.7 days. The water uptake and fresh weight had the greatest values with those orchids kept in solution containing 4% glucose + 0.005% or 0.01% peppermint essential oil followed by 4% glucose + 0.02% peppermint essential oil and distilled water. In trial using 4% glucose + 0.005% or 0.01% peppermint essential, Dendrobium orchid 'White Sanan' promoted bud opening, and also delayed the time to opened and unopened floret senescence, compared to control. The results indicate that 4% glucose + 0.005% or 0.01% peppermint essential oil has potential as a vase-life extender for cut Dendrobium orchid cv. 'White Sanan'.