Effects of Earthenware Vase on Vase Life of Cut Gerbera Flowers and Microbial Multiplication

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.