The new solution brings joy to flower growers.

Master's degree holder Bui Thanh Liem, Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Cho Lach District, Ben Tre Province, and Associate Professor, Doctor Le Van Be, Can Tho University, were honored at the closing ceremony of the 4th Ben Tre Provincial Science and Technology Innovation Competition for their solution in preparing a compound to prevent flower petal shedding.

Accordingly, a mixture containing triacontanol, boric acid, calcium chloride, and additives is prepared in a fixed ratio before being dissolved in water and sprayed evenly onto apricot blossoms, orchids, bougainvillea, etc., when the plants begin to bloom.

This solution helps extend the flowering period, preventing petal drop for 7-10 days longer than usual.

Mr. Le Van Em, a farmer specializing in growing apricot blossoms in Vinh Thanh commune, Cho Lach district, said that normally, apricot blossoms begin to wither within about 3-4 days of blooming. Spraying this compound helps to double the time the flowers stay fresh, so his family feels very reassured.

According to him, the weather has been very unpredictable in recent years, causing great concern among farmers growing flowers for Tet, especially those growing apricot blossoms.

The reason is that this type of flower is very "sensitive" to the weather; an unseasonal rain shower or an unusually cold spell of just a few days can cause the flowers to bloom at the wrong time for Tet. If the flowers bloom 2-3 days too early or too late, the growers will be in dire straits.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Vung, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Ben Tre province, the above solution has very high applicability.

In Ben Tre province alone, millions of Tet flowers are supplied to the market annually. The solution of extending the flowering period has resolved one of the biggest difficulties faced by farmers.

A pilot program conducted on 170 farming households in several communes of Cho Lach district over two years (2011-2012) has proven the practical effectiveness of this product.

According to the Southern Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology