Saima Rashid Mi and Vilas Arjun Patil
Abstract
Present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the comparative efficacy of eight distinct drying methods on the morphological integrity, color stability, and overall aesthetic attributes of two commercially significant rose types: Miniature and Floribunda. The methods investigated include air drying (T1), water drying (T2), embedding in sand (T3), embedding in borax (T4), embedding in silica gel (T5), embedding in a combination of sand and silica gel (T6), microwave oven drying (T7), and hot air oven drying (T8). Freshly harvested blooms were subjected to these treatments, and post-drying, parameters such as fresh and dry weight, shape retention, petal integrity, color change (quantified by CIELAB values), and overall aesthetic appeal were meticulously assessed. Results indicate that for Floribunda roses, hot air oven drying at 45 °C for 24-36 hours delivered the best overall quality, followed by microwave oven drying (showing least petal damage) and silica gel drying. For Miniature roses, silica gel drying proved most effective, followed by hot air oven and microwave drying. Embedding in sand and borax yielded below-satisfactory results, while air drying and water drying consistently produced poor-quality preserved blooms across both rose types. This study provides crucial, comparative insights for selecting optimal drying techniques to maximize the aesthetic and commercial value of preserved roses based on cultivar type.