• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.110-115
• /
• 2011

To examine the availability of onggi (earthenware) as a floral vase, we compared the vase life of cut gerberas (Gerbera jamesonii) with generally used vases made of glass and porcelain. After holding cut gerbera 'Honeymoon' and 'Golden Time' in vases made of glass, porcelain, and onggi containing holding solution (tap water or preservative solution), vase life, fresh weight, and water uptake of cut flowers, and total number of microbes in holding solution were collected. In onggi vase, vase life of both the cultivars was longer than the other vases and floral preservative prolonged vase life compared with tap water. Cut gerberas applied with preservative solution in onggi vase maintained their ornamental value for more than 14 days. Cumulative water uptake by cut gerberas was greatest in onggi vase, where 'Honeymoon' and 'Golden Time' absorbed water by 19.2 and 15.8 mL, respectively, for 10 days. Fresh weight of cut flowers in onggi vase was greater than those of the others, and the preservative solution delayed the reduction of fresh weight compared with tap water. Especially, onggi vase with preservative solution maintained 89% of the initial fresh weight at the 8th day of the treatments due to smooth water uptake with comparison with 71% in porcelain. Total number of microbes in the holding solution was smallest in onggi vase. At the 8th day, microbes number in onggi vase was 435 cfu/mL, that was 20-30% level of those of glass and porcelain vases. In conclusion, onggi vase inhibited microbial proliferation in holding solution, maintained water uptake by cut flower, and delayed bending of flower stalks due to vascular blockage, and then prolonged vase life in gerbera. Therefore, onggi with numerous micropores will be a good material for flower vase and preservative solution can improve its function.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.59-66
• /
• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of vase material and floral preservative treatment over time on flower color, leaf color and flower size of cut flowers Rosa hybrida 'Aqua' and 'Corvernet', and Gerbera jamesonii 'Honeymoon' and 'Golden Time' stuck in a glass, porcelain, or onggi (pottery with a dark bronze glaze) vase containing either tap water or a floral preservative solution. The ${\Delta}E$ values in flower color of 'Aqua' rose at 8 days after treatment with a floral preservative in onggi and porcelain vases were low. The ${\Delta}E$ value of 'Covernet' rose treated with floral preservative in an onggi vase was the lowest and L value was the closest to that of petals of cut flowers at just before treatment (control). The ${\Delta}E$ value of 'Honeymoon' gerbera treated with a floral preservative in an onggi vase was the lowest and a value of 58.81 and b value of 34.29 were the closest to that of the control group as color of cut flowers in an onggi vase was similar to the color at the beginning of treatment. The ${\Delta}E$ value of 'Golden Time' gerbera treated in an onggi vase was significantly lower than that in a porcelain or glass vase and a value of -7.81 treated with a floral preservative solution in an onggi vase was the closest to the control and b value was high in an onggi vase as well. The L, a, and b values in leaf color of roses were similar to each value of the control and ${\Delta}E$ value of 3.25 measured in an onggi vase was lower than that in a porcelain or glass vase. Flower diameter of 'Covernet' and 'Golden Time' roses treated with a floral preservative in an onggi vase was greater than that in other treatments. From these results, the floral preservative applied to a holding solution is assumed to improve the quality and freshness of cut roses and gerberas by inhibiting microbes propagation and by promoting uptake of water and nutrients. The onggi vase with fine pores will promote the expression and maintenance of flower and leaf colors and may increase flower diameter by high air permeability.