Preliminary investigation of preservation methods to produce dried flowers of rose and statice

Abstract

An experiment was carried out to investigate methods which preserve rose and statice to retain its high quality standards as dried flowers. Air-drying, glycol preservation and use of desiccants were applied as preserving methods. Colour of petals, dryness of petals and overall appearance of the flower at the end of the drying process were evaluated as quality standards. The highest quality standard in rose was shown within 2 weeks by the preservation method using silica gel as a desiccant. Air drying showed better results than glycol when preserving rose. In statice, air drying was the best method which retained quality standards. The highest score was obtained in the 4'h week Statice exposed to glycol preservation did not show high quality standards. This experiment revealed the best preservation methods for rose and statice are silica gel desiccant and air drying respectively