observed in flowers of ‘Ravel’ dried without embedding.
Flowers of ‘Lambada’ dried by embedding in silica gel
scored the maximum rating of 2.96 points for appearance,
while least score (0.96) was observed in flowers of ‘Ravel’
dried without embedding. Maximum score (2.71) was
recorded by the flowers of ‘Lambada’ which were dried
by embedding in silica gel for retention of texture. ‘Ravel’
dried without embedding scored only 0.96 points for
texture. Better appearance, texture and colour was retained
in the cv. ‘Lambada’ owing to its characteristic feature.
All the cultivars desiccated by embedding in silica gel
scored higher points than those dried without any desiccant
for all the quality parameters. Quick action of silica
gel for dehydration coupled with its smooth texture and
light weight might have better supported the petal
arrangement and prevented loss of pigments. Embedded
drying retains good colour and form. The phenomenon of
embedded drying is that during desiccation, the water
content of the flower is completely absorbed by the surrounding
desiccant material. Silica gel in powder form is
the quickest acting desiccant. Bhutani [11] reported that
embedding in silica gel was perhaps the easiest and the
best method of embedded drying of flowers.