GLYCERIN/DYE SOLUTION UPTAKE IN PRESERVED DECORATIVE FOLIAGE

Abstract

The commercial production of preserved plant materials for decorative purposes is expanding. The industry, once dominated by a relatively small number of large wholesale firms, marketing through traditional retail florists, is undergoing change. A large retail craft supply industry, country accent retail stores and home-based businesses selling at craft fairs have greatly expanded the market for preserved plant materials. Glycerin has often been used to maintain flexibility and reduce breakage of preserved foliages. Dyes are added to the glycerin to add color to the tissue as the chlorophyll fades. Competition in the marketplace places constant pressure on controlling costs. Technical grade dyes of lower dye purity and higher salt concentrations have a lower cost per gram of material than food grade dyes. The effect of the two grades of dye on uptake of glycerin/dye solutions into Eucalyptus cinerea were measured. Under both growth chamber and laboratory room environments glycerin solution alone was systemically absorbed at a greater rate and in larger quantity than either grade of dye. A variation in systemic absorption between grades of dye was also indicated.