The herein-disclosed invention is a liquid, humectant composition comprising about 70%-88% distilled water, about 7%-14% food-grade USP propylene glycol, about 5%-10% ethanol, about 4%-8% raw honey, about 0.15%-0.16% Cascade hop oil, about 0.5%-0.9% citric acid, and about 0.06%-0.4% sodium benzoate. The composition should be prepared with USP, food-grade ingredients at room temperature, atmospheric pressure. Super-critical extraction of the Cascade hop oil ingredient is recommended.

Once prepared, between 88.8 ml and 600 ml of said composition should be dropped onto a vented humidor disc for absorption: said saturated disc should then be placed with desired plant matter into a sealed plastic baggie, optionally inside a sealed humidor box. Said plant matter should reach an equilibrium humidity between 60 and 75% and should receive lasting preservative and aromatic effects.

Compositions comprising complexes of 1-methylcyclopropene and α-cyclodextrin, and articles including the composition, are provided. Methods for using the compositions and articles in delaying the maturation of fruits, vegetables, and plants are also provided.

The present invention describes a method for treating a plant material, said method comprising the following steps: —exposing the plant material to vacuum impregnation in an aqueous solution; —applying a pulsed electrical field (PEF) treatment to the plant material in the aqueous solution before, simultaneously as or after exposing the plant material to vacuum impregnation in an aqueous solution; —applying a drying step to the PEF treated plant material for removing water/moisture from surfaces of the plant material before packing the treated plant material; said method also comprising an active step for preventing microbial contamination of the aqueous solution.

A barrier material is formed of an elastomeric polymer and a drying or volatile oil which may be desirably obtained from the genus or species of the plant being treated. The drying or volatile oil cures from the addition of oxygen to its organic compound to product crosslinking which enhances the rheological attributes of the barrier.

A barrier material is formed of an elastomeric polymer and a drying or volatile oil which may be desirably obtained from the genus or species of the plant being treated. The drying or volatile oil cures from the addition of oxygen to its organic compound to product crosslinking which enhances the rheological attributes of the barrier.

Described are methods of grain production with field conditioned pollen. A method of the present invention includes growing one or more designated female plants that include both female and male components, collecting fresh pollen from designated male plants from a different genetic background, and subjecting the fresh pollen to field conditions, which may regulate pollen moisture content. The field conditioning conditions may include a relative humidity ranging from about 50% to about 100%, a temperature ranging from about −10-10° C., and an air pressure ranging from about 15 kPa to about 150 kPa. These conditions may result in pollen having a moisture content of about 40% to about 58%. The one or more designated female plants are intentionally cross-pollinated with the field conditioned pollen and then grown to maturity such that the grain may be harvested therefrom. Also provided is a method of preventing undesirable pollination in grain production.

Described are methods of grain production with field conditioned pollen. A method of the present invention includes growing one or more designated female plants that include both female and male components, collecting fresh pollen from designated male plants from a different genetic background, and subjecting the fresh pollen to field conditions, which may regulate pollen moisture content. The field conditioning conditions may include a relative humidity ranging from about 50% to about 100%, a temperature ranging from about −10-10° C., and an air pressure ranging from about 15 kPa to about 150 kPa. These conditions may result in pollen having a moisture content of about 40% to about 58%. The one or more designated female plants are intentionally cross-pollinated with the field conditioned pollen and then grown to maturity such that the grain may be harvested therefrom. Also provided is a method of preventing undesirable pollination in grain production.

A method for treating a perishable product including determining a desired product treatment outcome selected from sanitation, protection, preservation, or enhancement of the perishable product; directly applying a substance to the surface of the perishable product after harvesting using a carrier; wet or dry washing the perishable product; and packaging the perishable product. A system for treating a perishable product with a substance treatment including one or more devices for directed substance application to a surface of the perishable products prior to final packaging of the perishable product using a carrier; and wherein the one or more devices is an electrostatically charging device or a nebulizer Embodiments of the invention enhance the efficacy of sanitizers and other functional substances for increasing the quality, safety, and overall shelf life of perishable products through improved coating and distribution of the sanitizers and functional substances on the surface of perishable product.

A method for treating a perishable product including determining a desired product treatment outcome selected from sanitation, protection, preservation, or enhancement of the perishable product; directly applying a substance to the surface of the perishable product after harvesting using a carrier; wet or dry washing the perishable product; and packaging the perishable product. A system for treating a perishable product with a substance treatment including one or more devices for directed substance application to a surface of the perishable products prior to final packaging of the perishable product using a carrier; and wherein the one or more devices is an electrostatically charging device or a nebulizer Embodiments of the invention enhance the efficacy of sanitizers and other functional substances for increasing the quality, safety, and overall shelf life of perishable products through improved coating and distribution of the sanitizers and functional substances on the surface of perishable product.

The invention is a forever stem pen and holder combination, apparatus, method, and a process thereof, and more particularly directed to a stem pen having a means to hold a natural preserved flower at a first end, and having a writing instrument at the second end. The natural preserved flower, such as, for example, a rose, where a natural or glycerin preserved rose or flower in a blooming state could be securely held for a longer period of time, such as, for example, longer than its natural decay or wilting time using the inventive stem. The forever stem pen could also be provided with at least one reservoir to accommodate at least one scented oil, which extends the fragrance capabilities of the natural preserved flower. The forever stem pen could also be provided with at least one slide resistance area or finger gripping area.