Effect of different media and cabinet hot air oven drying on production of quality dry flowers in carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus)

Investigations were carried out to standardize the suitable drying temperature, media and drying duration in Cabinet hot air oven with Carnation flowers (Dianthus caryophyllus) cv. Master. Fully opened flowers with 20 cm long pedicel were embedded in three drying media (quartz sand, silica gel and borax) which were kept at three drying temperatures (40°C, 50°C and 60°C) for three drying durations (12 hours, 24 hours and 36 hours) in hot air oven. Data recorded for different parameters were subjected to statistical analysis with factorial CRD. Minimum flower diameter and maximum anthocyanin content were obtained when flowers were embedded in silica gel for 36 hours duration at 60°C. Maximum dry flower weight (4.86 g) was recorded with quartz sand as media. The highest dry flower diameter was recorded with quartz sand (3.66 cm), followed by borax (3.56 cm) and silica gel (3.43 cm). The total sugars in dry flowers significantly increased with quartz sand from 40°C (4.31 mg) to 60°C (5.06 mg).