Effect of Pre-drying Treatment on Carnation Dried Flower Quality

Dehydration of flowers is an ancient practice. In India, commercial boost for dried flowers was gained only a decade old. Dried flowers demand in the domestic as well as in the international flowers is increasing at the annual rate of 15 per cent presently raw materials for the dried flower industry is dependent on 60 per cent of raw materials from wild and 40 per cent of the raw material is obtained from cultivation. Dried flower quality greatly depends on flowers structure, moisture content, stage of harvest, time of harvest and drying methods. Hence, the present study was taken with the objective to know the effect of variety, harvest stage and drying methods on dried flower qualities. Carnation cultivation has increased in the country. Carnation flowers are gaining importance among the cut flowers for their brightness, when fresh as well as dried. Pre?treatment with glycerol influenced quality of dried flowers of carnation var. Dona. 1.1 glycerol : water and 1:3 glycerol : water pre drying treatment for 24 hours yielded better quality dried carnation flowers with respect to colour (4.2) texture, (4.52), appearance (4,17) and shape (3.96).