Jaemsai W.Konthong A.Kunyamee S.Mahidol University2026-05-312026-05-312026-05-01Acta Horticulturae Vol.1455 (2026) , 287-29405677572https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/117010Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is an aquatic plant widely cultivated in Thailand. Its flower buds are harvested and are mostly used for religious purposes and the demand for cut lotus flowers is progressively increasing. However, after harvesting, lotus flowers have a short vase life because of the development of petal blackening. Adding plant growth regulators to pulsing solutions or holding solutions can extend the vase life of lotus flowers by delaying petal blackening. However, plant growth regulators are expensive. This study investigated natural materials to be used as components in holding solutions to delay petal blackening of cut lotus flowers. The natural materials included coconut water, white radish juice, crude extract of Mentha cordifolia leaves, crude extract of Eryngium fetidum leaves, and crude extract of Zingiber officinale rhizomes. The experiments were conducted on cut lotus flower buds at 25±1°C and 80±5%RH. The results showed that the treatment with 100 mL L^-1 coconut water combined with 200 mg L^-1 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate (HQS) was the most effective in delaying petal blackening, resulting in a vase life of 4.9 days. In contrast, the treatment with 20 mg L^-1 gibberellic acid (GA3) combined with 200 mg L^-1 HQS and the control (reverse osmosis water) had a vase life of 2.7, and 2.2 days, respectively. It can be concluded that coconut water can be practically used as a component in holding solutions to extend the vase life and provide advantages for the lotus flower trade.Agricultural and Biological SciencesConference PaperSCOPUS10.17660/ActaHortic.2026.1455.342-s2.0-10503981395024066168