Abstract
An investigation was carried out to explore and evaluate the weed flora to obtain dried ornamentals for making of dry flower products. Nine species of weeds viz., Dinebra arabica, Argyreia speciosa, Setaria verticillata, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Cyperus rotundus, Celosia argentea, Digitaria sanguinalis, Echinochloa colonum and Eragrostis pilosa growing locally in the south Gujarat region were evaluated for the study. Either inflorescence or leaves of the weeds employing press drying method were evaluated for their dried ornamental value in the year 2015-2017. Among different weeds, maximum percent loss in weight after drying was observed in the leaves of Argyreia speciosa followed by the inflorescence of Echinochloa colonum after drying. No shattering was observed in the dried leaves of Argyreia speciosa and dried inflorescence of Celosia argentea and Cyperus rotundus while maximum shattering in the inflorescence was observed in the dried inflorescence of Echinochloa colonum. Maximum time taken for drying (5.87-6.1 days) was required in Argyreia speciosa (leaves) followed by inflorescence of Celosia argentea (4.3- 4.41 days) and Setaria verticillata (4.3-4.37 days) in both the years and pooled data. Maximum shelf life after drying (more than 170 days) was observed in the dried leaves of Argyreia speciosa which was at par with dried inflorescence of Celosia argentea. Ornamental value was found to be the best in the dried leaves of Argyreia speciosa and dried inflorescence of Celosia argentea and Setaria verticillata with highest visual score of (5), followed by Echinochloa colonum and Eragrostis pilosa with 4 as visual score as observed in both the years.
Highlights
Dry flowers and foliage have a great potential as a substitute of fresh flowers owing to their natural appearance with added benefit of long lasting nature as well as for a variety of other aesthetic and commercial uses
Treatment consisted of nine weed species viz., Dinebra arabica, Argyreia speciosa, Setaria verticillata, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Cyperus rotundus, Celosia argentea, Digitaria sanguinalis, Echinochloa colonum and Eragrostis pilosa
Leaf or inflorescence of all the species as per the suitability were subjected to press drying and observations on percent loss in fresh weight, shattering percentage and shelf life in days were recorded and the data of both the years as well as pooled data was subjected to analysis as per the statistical method6 (Table 1 and 2)
Summary
Dry flowers and foliage have a great potential as a substitute of fresh flowers owing to their natural appearance with added benefit of long lasting nature as well as for a variety of other aesthetic and commercial uses. Dry flower products are vivid such as long lasting pictures, frames, festive decorations, candles, bouquets and wreaths, sweetsmelling potpourris etc. The Netherlands ranks first in export of dried flowers to the American market followed by Columbia, Mexico, India and Israel. Foliage and their products constitute more than half of the total floricultural exports from the India. The demand for dry flowers is increasing at an impressive rate of 8-10% and there is a great scope for the Indian entrepreneurs. Around 70 to 75% export in floriculture has been through dry flowers and dry plant parts
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