i. Dry-flower production Why dry flowers? Techniques in dry flower making Drying Dyeing Commercial...
i.
Dry-flower production
- Dry
flowers have good demand both in Indian and international markets. From
India it is being exported to countries like USA, Japan and Europe.
- India
stands first in dry flower export owing to the availability of variety of
plants.
- Dry
flowers don’t mean only flower parts, but also includes dried shoots,
seeds, barks etc.
- Export
of dried flowers and plants from India is about Rs 100 crore per year. The
industry exports 500 varieties of flowers to 20 countries.
- They
are widely used to make handmade paper, lampshades, candle holders, jute
bags, photo frames, boxes, books, wall quilts, topiary, cards and several
gifts. The use of dry flowers in the making of these products enhances the
appearance and beauty of these products.
Dry flower production involves two imporatant
steps.
- Drying
- Dyeing
1.
Drying
Flowers
should be cut in the morning hours after the dew has evaporated from the
plants. Once cut, group stems into bunch using rubber bands and remove them
from the sunlight as soon as possible.
Sun
drying
Sun drying
is the easy and cheap method. But during rainy days we can’t dry flowers in
this method.
- The
flower bunches are hanged upside down in ropes or in bamboo splits
- No
chemicals are used. Good aeration is must.
- Chances
of fungal attack is very high in this method
Freeze
drying
- The
freeze drying equipments are costlier. But the quality of the dried flower
is very high and fetches good price
- It
is improved method over sun drying
Pressing
- Either
blotting paper or ordinary papers are used.
- The
flowers will become flat and there is chance of higher amount of damage to
the flowers.
Glycerin
method
- Glycerin
is filled after removing the moisture from the flowers
- Very
high quality products are obtained in this method
Polyset
polymer
- By
spraying polyset polymer flowers get dried.
- Drying
time is very less in this method
- It
improves the color of the final product
Silica
driers
- Using
Silica or Silica gel, we can improve the quality of flowers and it makes
the flowers intact.
- Very
delicate flowers and plants are dried in this method
2.
Dyeing
- “Procion”
type colour is best for dry flowers.
- Take
4 kg of dye-powder and mix with 20 litres of water.
- Dilute
this solution in 800 litres of hot water.
- Mix
2 litres of acetic acid.
- For
very soft flowers add Magnesium Chloride to enhance the color.
- Soak
the dried flowers until they absorb the colour .
1.
Flowers
and parts of plants
- Cock’s
comb, jasmine, Amaranthus, Areca and Coconut leaves and cut flowers come
in this category. Also includes dry leaves and shoots used as fillers.
- Past
20 years India is exporting these type of materials
2.
Potpourri
- It
is mixture of scented loose dry flowers kept in a polythene bag.
- Normally
kept in almyrahs, drawers and bathrooms.
- More
than 300 types of plants used in this method.
- Bachelor’s
button, Cock’s comb, jasmine, rose petals, Bougainvillea flowers, neem
leaves and nuts from the fruits are commonly used in India to make
Potpourri.
- Our
main customer is England.
3.
Dry
flower pots
- Dry
stems and shoots are used.
- Though
it has less market demand, the gives good price and mostly preferred by
high income group.
- The
commonly used materials are dried cotton skins, pine flowers, dry
chillies, dry bottle gourd, grass, tree jasmine, everlasting flower,
asparagus leaves, fern leaves, tree barks and twigs.
4.
Dry
flower handicrafts
- The
latest development in dry flower market.
- Framed
dry flower pictures, greeting cards, covers, bouquets, candle stands,
glass bowls are made using different colored dry flower materials.
Source:
Dr. R. Swarnapriya and Dr. M. Jayasekar, HRS
(TNAU), Pechiparai, Tamil
Nadu
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