Determining Appropriate Drying Methods and Marketability of Native Central Texas Cut Dried Floral Materials

The purpose of this study was to investigate best methods of drying and the marketability of native Central Texas cut dried floral materials.  Eleven native species, including both woody and herbaceous plants, were included in the study.  Each of the species were subjected to four different drying techniques including air drying, submersion of stems in anti-freeze, submersion of stems in glycerin and complete burial in silica gel.  Floral product surveys were distributed to students enrolled in the Floral Design course at Texas State University. The students observed the different floral products dried using different techniques and rated the quality of each cut dried floral material using a Likert scale of 1 through 5 with one being the most appealing and five being the least appealing regarding overall color, sturdiness/intactness, design usability/usefulness, and use for potpourri.  Results demonstrated drying techniques resulting in the best aesthetics for various uses for each species, as well as the overall floral product preferences of the survey respondents.  Results showed the potential for marketing novel native crop products beyond typical nursery and greenhouse crops.