Geetha, C KPriyesh, SKAU2020-11-182020-11-182003172132https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810155225MScInvestigations on developing technology for production of dry flowers were carried out during 2001-2003 at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara. The objectives were to assess the suitability of selected commercial flowers, namely, celosia, china aster and gerbera for dry flower production and to develop techniques to dry, bleach and dye flowers for commercial exploitation. Four stages of harvest, namely, tight bud, half bloom, full bloom and over bloom stage Were assessed under each flower to standardise the optimum stage at which drying was perfect to retain, colour, shape and visual quality at its best. Full bloom stage recorded highest cumulative score for all visual and aesthetic qualities, closely followed by half bloom stage in all the three flowers. Celosia and aster flowers took 2 days and 5 days, respectively, for shade \ drying and proved to be cost effective with maximum cumulative score for visual and aesthetic qualities. This was followed by microwave oven drying and hot air oven drying. The time taken for perfect drying of gerbera varied from 6 minutes (microwave oven drying) to 4 days (shade drying). Among the drying methods, highest cumulative score was recorded in microwave oven drying, followed by hot air oven drying and shade drying. Among the desiccants, aster and gerbera flowers embedded in fine clean white sand recorded maximum cumulative score for all quality parameters, viz., brightness, brittleness and colour fading when dried in shade/microwave oven. The flowers retained colour and shape on drying. The dried flowers retained only the colour in borax and had a dull appearance when silica gel powder was used. Celosia flowers immersed in hydrogen peroxide 30 per cent solution for 6 hours was found to be the best bleaching chemical and recorded maximum score for aesthetic and visual qualities. Sodium hypochlorite (15 %) took 14 hours for effective bleaching and recorded as the second best bleaching agent. Calcium hypochlorite recorded low visual and aesthetic qualities for bleached celosia flowers. Hypochlorite bleaching resulted in cellulose damage and yellowing. Vat colour group of dyes was found good for celosia. Under the Vat group, Basic Rhodamine, Methylene Blue and Auromine Yellow were suitable. Dyes at 0.2 and 0.3 per cent concentration gave high score for visual aesthetic qualities. Immersion of celosia flowers in dye solution for 10 and 15 minutes recorded similar visual qualities. Colour fading on storage was mimmum in Vat colour group and fast among Base group. The dyed celosia flowers had to be stored in dry cardboard boxes sprinkled with silica gel crystals at the bottom. Lining materials reduced, the level of colour fading on storage in celosia flowers dyed with pro cion colours. Level of colour fading on storage was highin dehydrated aster flowers. Gerbera recorded low colour fading on storage when packed in air tight containers after sprinkling silica gel crystals at the bottom. The floral crafts prepared can be made cost effective by using locally available materials and increasing the volume of production. Along with dry flower industry, there is ample scope for development of a number of subsidiary industries like preparation of baskets, paper, ribbon, metal and packaging for dry flowers and floral crafts. Thus this industry as a whole can contribute immensely to area development which in turn lead to the overall development of the nation.EnglishThesis