Vol. 9, Issue 11 (2020)

Author(s):
Raghupathi B and Subhendu S Gantait

Abstract:
Dry flowers are attaining immense popularity as they are natural, eco-friendly, inexpensive, long lasting, bio-degradable and retains their ornamental worth irrespective of the spell. Experiment was conducted with an objective to standardize the press drying techniques for dehydration of ornamental foliages. From the results of experiment, it can be concluded that iron press found excellent technique for press drying of Rosa spp., Swietenia mahagoni and Lagerstroemia speciosa leaves. Tiles pressed in microwave oven for 1 min found finest technique for press drying of Anthocephalus cadamba leaves, 2 min found suitable for Mussaenda erythrophylla leaves, 3 min found appropriate for Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and Areca lutescens leaves, 4 min found ideal for Tagetes spp. leaves. Both iron press drying and tiles pressed in microwave oven for 3 min found appropriate for Acacia auriculiformis leaves and 4 min found ideal for press drying of Phoenix roebeleni leaves. The dried leaves can be utilized for value added products preparations.