Abstract:
The effect and optimum concentration of Jatropha curcas, Psidium guajava and Andrographis paniculata
single leaf extract (SLE) and double combination leaf extracts (DCLE) on postharvest performance of cut
Mokara Red orchid flowers was studied. The 15 mg/L DCLE of P. guajava and A. paniculata containing floral
preservative solutions had the stable pH (initial pH 3.0) compared to the pH of SLE floral preservative
solutions, resulting in extended vase life of the cut flowers. Moreover, flowers in the above preservative
solutionstreated flowers retained better petal colour than the colour in the other treated flowers. Thus, 15
mg/L DCLE-Pg+Ap was used in subsequent experiments to evaluate the long vase life of cut flowers based
on higher rates of preservative solutions uptake. The all-preservative solutions contained two groups of
bacteriaand three fungi. The 15 mg/L DCLE-Pg+Ap had lower bacterial populations compared to the 15
mg/L DCLE-Jc+Ap, except in fungal growth. Therefore, DCLE-Pg+Ap had the potential as a natural
preservative solutions to extend the 3 days more vase life of orchid flowers compared to the control
containing 8-HQC (8-hydroxyquinoline citrate). Future research needs to examine which microbes are
responsible for xylem blockage and their effects on the postharvest performance of cut flowers
