Commercial Floriculture

Method of drying

• Rate of moisture loss and quality of produce also depends on method of drying.

Drying methods
1. Sun drying
   
2. Air drying/Drying under shade
   
3. Polyset drying
   
4. Press drying
   
5. Embedded drying

   a) in room
   b) in sun
6. Hot air oven drying
   
7. Microwave oven drying
8. Vacuum drying
   
9. Freeze drying
   
10. Skeletonizing
    
11. Drying through treatment with glycerin
    
12. Dyeing

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1. Sun drying- Most common method
Procedure: After bunching, flowers are hung upside down tied to the thread and dried in sun.
Advantage: Cheapest method since no cost on energy is involved.
Disadvantage:
1. Season bound resulting in supply uncertainties.
   
2. Requires large open space.
   
3. Time consuming
   
4. Shrinkage of petals
   
5. Loss of natural colour induced by over exposure to sun
6. Lack of uniform quality.

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