New solution brings joy to flower growers

Master Bui Thanh Liem, Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Cho Lach district, Ben Tre and Associate Professor, Doctor Le Van Be, Can Tho University were recently honored at the closing ceremony of the 4th Ben Tre Province Science and Technology Innovation Contest with the solution to prepare a compound to prevent petal loss.

Accordingly, a mixture of Triacontanol, Boric Acid, Calcium Chloride and additives is prepared in a fixed ratio before being dissolved in water to be sprayed evenly on apricot flowers, orchids, bougainvillea... at the time the plants begin to bloom.

This solution helps prolong the blooming time of flowers, helping to prevent petals from falling off for 7-10 days longer than normal.

Mr. Le Van Em, a farmer specializing in growing apricot flowers in Vinh Thanh commune, Cho Lach district, said that normally, apricot flowers start to fade after only 3-4 days of blooming. Spraying this compound helps to double the time the flowers stay fresh, so his family is very assured.

According to him, in recent years the weather has been often complicated, so Tet flower farmers are very worried, especially apricot farmers.

The reason is that this type of flower is very “sensitive” to the weather. An unseasonal rain, or an unusually cold weather for a few days, the flower may not bloom on time for Tet. If the flower blooms 2-3 days early or late, the grower will be “in trouble.”

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.

Ben Tre province alone supplies millions of Tet flower products to the market every year. The solution to extend the blooming period has solved one of the biggest difficulties for farmers.

Through pilot implementation in 170 farming households in some communes of Cho Lach district in 2011-2012, the practical effectiveness of this product has been proven./.

According to Southern Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology