POTENTIAL USE OF 1-METHYLCYCLOPROPENE (1-MCP) TREATMENT TO REDUCE BUD AND FLOWER ABSCISSION IN MOKARA ORCHIDS

Mokara ‘Oriental Red’ and ‘Chao Praya Pink’ cut orchids were treated with or without 10 ppm 1-MCP for 4 h at 25°C. All samples were then exposed to 1 ppm ethylene for 16 h and placed in sugar solution at 25°C. In Mokara ‘Oriental Red’ cut orchids, 20-80% of the floral buds and 0-20% of the open flowers abscised within 1 week. However, in 1-MCP-treated samples, all floral buds and all open flowers were maintained during vase life in the first week, and abscised within 2 weeks of treatment. In Mokara ‘Chao Praya pink’, the 1-MCP pre-treatment also extended the vase life from 14 days in control to 21 days in treated samples. 1-MCP treatment also reduced ACC oxidase activity in ‘Chao Praya Pink’ cut orchid. Mokara ‘Oriental Red’ and Mokara ‘Chao Praya Pink’ cut orchids appear to respond well to 1-MCP pre-treatment, but further studies are required to confirm that effect.