A method for reducing the weight loss of a postharvest plant matter by providing an artificial coat, comprising the steps of: applying to a surface of said plant matter a composition comprising: i. a gelling hydrocolloid polymer in a weight percent ranging from about 0.5% to about 5% of the total weight of the wet composition; ii. an edible wax in a weight percent ranging from about 0.1% to about 5% of the total weight of the wet composition; iii. a fatty acid; iv. water; and v. an edible alkaline component which is an inorganic salt, in a weight percent ranging from about 0.05% to about 2% of the total weight of the wet composition; wherein the wet composition comprises less than 0.01% (w/w) of morpholine and less than 0.01% (w/w) of any additional emulsifier other than the edible alkaline component, wherein the edible alkaline component enables formation of a homogeneous emulsion without any additional emulsifier; and wherein the plant matter comprises a bulb having leaf scales; allowing the excess composition to drip from the plant matter; applying to the plant matter an additional composition comprising a cross-linking or gelation-inducing agent; and drying the coating of the plant matter; thereby forming a coating layer on the surface of said plant matter. applying to a surface of said plant matter a composition comprising: i. a gelling hydrocolloid polymer in a weight percent ranging from about 0.5% to about 5% of the total weight of the wet composition; ii. an edible wax in a weight percent ranging from about 0.1% to about 5% of the total weight of the wet composition; iii. a fatty acid; iv. water; and v. an edible alkaline component which is an inorganic salt, in a weight percent ranging from about 0.05% to about 2% of the total weight of the wet composition; wherein the wet composition comprises less than 0.01% (w/w) of morpholine and less than 0.01% (w/w) of any additional emulsifier other than the edible alkaline component, wherein the edible alkaline component enables formation of a homogeneous emulsion without any additional emulsifier; and wherein the plant matter comprises a bulb having leaf scales; i. a gelling hydrocolloid polymer in a weight percent ranging from about 0.5% to about 5% of the total weight of the wet composition; ii. an edible wax in a weight percent ranging from about 0.1% to about 5% of the total weight of the wet composition; iii. a fatty acid; iv. water; and v. an edible alkaline component which is an inorganic salt, in a weight percent ranging from about 0.05% to about 2% of the total weight of the wet composition; wherein the wet composition comprises less than 0.01% (w/w) of morpholine and less than 0.01% (w/w) of any additional emulsifier other than the edible alkaline component, wherein the edible alkaline component enables formation of a homogeneous emulsion without any additional emulsifier; and wherein the plant matter comprises a bulb having leaf scales; wherein the wet composition comprises less than 0.01% (w/w) of morpholine and less than 0.01% (w/w) of any additional emulsifier other than the edible alkaline component, wherein the edible alkaline component enables formation of a homogeneous emulsion without any additional emulsifier; and wherein the plant matter comprises a bulb having leaf scales; allowing the excess composition to drip from the plant matter; applying to the plant matter an additional composition comprising a cross-linking or gelation-inducing agent; and drying the coating of the plant matter; thereby forming a coating layer on the surface of said plant matter. <EOS>