Method for producing dried flowers

Abstract

This invention provides a method for producing dried flowers that can maintain their shape, natural color, and texture, which are close to those of fresh flowers, for an extended period of time. [Solution] The present invention relates to a method for producing dried flowers, which includes the steps of immersing the roots of a flowering plant in a container filled with an aqueous polyethylene glycol solution and irradiating it with ultrasound to allow the aqueous polyethylene glycol solution to penetrate the flowering plant.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing dried flowers.

Background Art

[0002] Dried flowers can retain the color of fresh flowers and maintain the color state of fresh flowers for a certain period of time, but there are problems such as shrinking of the petal shape. Even when moisture is replaced with other substances and dried, it is difficult to store both the color and shape of the petals simultaneously. Also, when in a state containing a certain amount of moisture, both the color and shape can only be maintained for about 10 days, and it has been found that they wither while rotting.

[0003] In order to maintain the state of fresh flowers for a long time, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a method of immersing the whole fresh flower in a specific treatment solution and replacing the tissue water contained in the fresh flower with a solution containing a polyhydric alcohol and a pigment. However, these methods require a long time for the replacement of tissue water. Also, since it is necessary to immerse the whole fresh flower in the treatment liquid, a large amount of immersion liquid is required, and after immersion, it is necessary to wash the treatment liquid adhering to the whole fresh flower. Since it replaces the pigment artificially after decoloring the petals with alcohol, it is very difficult to maintain the hue, pattern, and color gradation of the natural color of fresh flowers.

[0004] Patent Document 2 also discloses that in the immersion step, there is a vibration step using ultrasonic waves or other vibrators, but the whole fresh flower is immersed for 24 hours, and only irradiated with vibration for about several hours during that time. Such a method requires a long treatment time.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a method for producing dried flowers that can maintain a shape, natural color, and texture similar to fresh flowers for a long period of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In other words, the present invention (1) is a method for producing dried flowers, which includes the steps of immersing the roots of a flowering plant in a container filled with an aqueous polyethylene glycol solution and irradiating it with ultrasound to allow the aqueous polyethylene glycol solution to penetrate the flowering plant.

[0008] The present invention (2) is a method for producing dried flowers according to the present invention (1), wherein the polyethylene glycol aqueous solution further contains glycerin.

[0009] The present invention (3) is a method for producing dried flowers according to the present invention (1) or (2), wherein the weight-average molecular weight of the polyethylene glycol is 200 to 20000.

[0010] The present invention (4) is a method for producing dried flowers according to any one of the present inventions (1) to (3), wherein the frequency of the ultrasonic waves is 20 kHz to 300 MHz.

[0011] The present invention (5) is a method for producing dried flowers according to any one of the present inventions (1) to (4), wherein the ultrasonic irradiation time is 5 minutes to 24 hours.

[0012] The present invention (6) is a method for producing dried flowers according to any one of the present inventions (1) to (5), which includes a step of fixing the desired shape by deforming the obtained flowering plant into an arbitrary shape after the ultrasonic irradiation step, and then drying and removing the water contained in the flowering plant.

[0013] The present invention (7) is a method for producing dried flowers, comprising the steps of: immersing the roots or cut stems of a flowering plant in a container filled with an aqueous polyethylene glycol solution and irradiating it with ultrasound to allow the aqueous polyethylene glycol solution to penetrate the flowering plant; and immersing the roots or cut stems of the flowering plant obtained in the penetration step in a mixture of essential oil and water and irradiating it with ultrasound to allow the essential oil to penetrate the flowering plant.

[0014] The present invention (8) is a method for producing dried flowers according to the present invention (7), wherein the essential oil comprises bornyl acetate or camphene.

[0015] The present invention (9) is a dried flower characterized in that the leaves of a flowering plant are impregnated with an aqueous polyethylene glycol solution. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, the tissue water contained in flowering plants can be replaced with polyethylene glycol in a very short time, making it possible to produce dried flowers that maintain a shape, natural color, and texture similar to fresh flowers for a long period of time. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus that can be used in the method for producing dried flowers according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] <Method 1 for producing dried flowers> A method for producing dried flowers according to one aspect of the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as "Dried Flower Production Method 1") includes the steps of immersing the root portion of a flowering plant in a container filled with an aqueous polyethylene glycol solution and irradiating it with ultrasonic waves to allow the aqueous polyethylene glycol solution to penetrate the flowering plant.

[0019] The flower plant body is not particularly limited. In January to March, it can be mimosa, ranunculus, carnation, strawberry, august, gerbera. In April to June, it can be cherry blossom, peony, hydrangea, wild flower, rose, safflower, color. In July to September, it can be sunflower, statice, mist flower, campanula. In October to December, it can be dahlia, rose, cyclamen, chrysanthemum, etc.

[0020] As the flower plant body, the whole or a part of the plant body having a flower part, a leaf part, a stem part, a root part, etc. can be used.

[0021] The flower plant body to be used can also be dried in advance before ultrasonic irradiation. Examples of the drying method include natural drying, refrigeration drying, etc.

[0022] The concentration of polyethylene glycol in the polyethylene glycol aqueous solution is not particularly limited, but 0.01 to 30% by mass is preferable, and 1 to 10% by mass is more preferable. If it is less than 0.01% by mass, the shape of the petal shrinks and the color tends to deteriorate. If it exceeds 30% by mass, the conduit of the flower plant body tends not to be sucked up.

[0023] The weight average molecular weight of polyethylene glycol is not particularly limited, but 200 to 20000 is preferable, 3000 to 20000 is more preferable, and 3000 to 6000 is more preferable. If it is less than 200, the color tends to deteriorate. If it exceeds 20000, the conduit of the flower tends not to be sucked up.

[0024] The polyethylene glycol aqueous solution is preferably mixed with glycerin. The concentration of glycerin is preferably 0.01 to 70% by mass, more preferably 10 to 70% by mass, and further preferably 15 to 60% by mass. If it is less than 0.01% by mass, the petal tends to shrink. If it exceeds 70% by mass, the conduit of the flower tends not to be sucked up.

[0025] In addition to water, polyethylene glycol, and glycerin, the aqueous polyethylene glycol solution may also contain ethylene glycol, methanol, ethanol, butanol, isopropanol, cellosolve, and other alcohols, as well as antioxidants, pigments, dyes, titanium dioxide, and the like.

[0026] The container for holding the polyethylene glycol aqueous solution is not particularly limited and can be made of metal, glass, ceramic, etc. The shape is also not particularly limited and can be a tray shape, Erlenmeyer flask shape, round-bottom flask shape, test tube shape, etc.

[0027] It is preferable to indirectly irradiate the polyethylene glycol aqueous solution by placing the container holding the aqueous solution inside a second container that holds a medium through which ultrasound propagates, such as an ultrasonic mediating liquid, and irradiating the second container with ultrasound. Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of one specific example of such a device with two containers. In this device, there are two containers, container 1 and container 2. Container 1 is filled with an ultrasonic mediating liquid (for example, water), and container 2 is filled with the aforementioned polyethylene glycol aqueous solution. The roots of a flowering plant are immersed in the aqueous solution in container 2.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a configuration with one flowering plant 2, but multiple containers 2 can be used to process multiple flowering plants at once. By using a double-layered container as in this apparatus, polyethylene glycol can be efficiently permeated even when using a small amount of polyethylene glycol aqueous solution. It is preferable that the water level in container 1 be higher than the liquid level in container 2. An ultrasonic generator, such as a Langevin-type transducer 1 that generates ultrasonic waves, should be placed in a position where it can irradiate the roots of the flowering plant with ultrasonic waves, and may be placed at the bottom of the container or on the side of the container.

[0029] By irradiating with ultrasound, capillary action is promoted, facilitating the penetration of polyethylene glycol. The frequency of the ultrasound to be irradiated is not particularly limited, but 20kHz to 300MHz is preferred, and 40kHz to 10MHz is more preferred. If the frequency is below 20kHz or above 300MHz, it becomes difficult to generate ultrasound to promote penetration, and the promotion of penetration tends to become difficult.

[0030] The duration of ultrasonic irradiation is not particularly limited, but 5 minutes to 24 hours is preferred, and 30 minutes to 10 hours is more preferred. Less than 5 minutes does not allow sufficient penetration of the polyethylene glycol aqueous solution, and more than 24 hours tends to saturate the effect of ultrasonic irradiation. Ultrasonic irradiation may be continuous or intermittent.

[0031] By irradiating the roots of flowering plants with ultrasound and allowing a polyethylene glycol aqueous solution to penetrate the plants, the color of dried flowers can be enhanced and maintained, thus preserving the fresh appearance of dried flowers for a long period of time.

[0032] The process may include a step in which, after the ultrasonic irradiation step, the obtained flowering plant is deformed into a desired shape, and then the desired shape is fixed by drying and removing the water contained in the flowering plant.

[0033] When transforming a flowering plant into an arbitrary shape, the stem of the flowering plant may be bent into the desired shape. When bending the stem, it is preferable to insert a wire into the stem before bending both the stem and the wire. Many conventional dried flowers do not include stems, and even if they do, processing the stem is difficult. In the dried flower manufacturing method of the present invention, the stem is soft before drying, making it possible to insert a wire or process it into an arbitrary shape.

[0034] A hollow pipe may be inserted through the stem of a flowering plant. For example, a diffuser using dried flowers can be manufactured by connecting one end of the pipe that penetrates the stem to a sprayer, allowing a gas or liquid to be sprayed through the pipe. In this case, the sprayed gas or liquid may contain a fragrance.

[0035] After the ultrasonic irradiation step, a step may be performed to dry out and remove the water contained in the flowering plant without altering its shape.

[0036] The method for drying flowering plants is not particularly limited and includes natural drying, vacuum drying, and hot air drying. When drying with heat, the drying temperature is preferably 10 to 60°C, and more preferably 20 to 50°C.

[0037] Dried flowers, obtained through a process of impregnating flowering plants with an aqueous polyethylene glycol solution and, if necessary, a drying process, can be reshaped using ultrasonic misting or coated with silicone-based resin.

[0038] Alternatively, the dried flowers can be heated to produce charcoal. Charcoal is charcoal obtained by carbonizing plants while maintaining their original form.

[0039] When charcoal is produced by heating untreated flowering plants or dried flowers obtained by simply drying flowering plants, the resulting charcoal is brittle and has poor shape reproduction. On the other hand, charcoal obtained by heating dried flowers produced by the dried flower production method of the present invention is relatively hard, black in color, and has excellent coloration.

[0040] The heating temperature for obtaining charcoal is preferably 200°C to 1200°C, and more preferably 250°C to 900°C. The heating time for obtaining charcoal is preferably 1 to 24 hours, and more preferably 2 to 12 hours.

[0041] <Method for producing dried flowers 2> A method for producing dried flowers according to one aspect of the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as "Dried Flower Production Method 2") includes the steps of: immersing the roots or cut stems of a flowering plant in a container filled with an aqueous polyethylene glycol solution and irradiating it with ultrasound to allow the aqueous polyethylene glycol solution to penetrate the flowering plant; and immersing the roots or cut stems of the flowering plant obtained in the penetration step in a mixture of essential oil and water and irradiating it with ultrasound to allow the essential oil to penetrate the flowering plant.

[0042] The process of immersing the roots of the flowering plant in a container filled with polyethylene glycol aqueous solution and irradiating it with ultrasound to allow the polyethylene glycol aqueous solution to penetrate the flowering plant is as described in Method 1 for Manufacturing Dried Flowers.

[0043] To infiltrate a flowering plant with a polyethylene glycol solution through its stem, the plant is cut at the stem. The cut stem is then immersed in a container filled with the polyethylene glycol solution, and ultrasonic waves are used to allow the polyethylene glycol solution to penetrate the plant.

[0044] When a polyethylene glycol aqueous solution is permeated through the stem of a flowering plant, the flowering plant used, the polyethylene glycol aqueous solution, the ultrasonic irradiation step, etc., may be as described in Method 1 for Manufacturing Dried Flowers.

[0045] When infiltrating a polyethylene glycol aqueous solution into the stem of a flowering plant, the container holding the polyethylene glycol aqueous solution should preferably be shaped like a test tube, allowing the stem of the flowering plant to be held as vertically as possible. If vertical holding is not possible, a jig such as a clamp may be used to hold it.

[0046] When infiltrating a polyethylene glycol aqueous solution into the stem of a flowering plant, it is preferable to irradiate the stem side with ultrasound approximately perpendicular to the length of the flowering plant. It does not need to be perfectly perpendicular; it is sufficient to create a laminar flow of the aqueous solution within the container. Specifically, an angle of ±10° from the vertical, i.e., 70 to 110°, is acceptable, but 80 to 100° is preferable. This creates a laminar flow in the polyethylene glycol aqueous solution within the container, allowing the polyethylene glycol aqueous solution to penetrate the flowering plant efficiently.

[0047] The ratio of the liquid surface area of ​​the solution in contact with the atmosphere to the area of ​​the vertical cross-section of the stem of the flowering plant is preferably 1 to 60, and more preferably 5 to 50. If the ratio is less than 5, the time required for polyethylene glycol penetration tends to increase, and if it exceeds 50, the reduction in polyethylene glycol penetration due to ultrasonic irradiation tends to decrease. Here, the liquid surface area of ​​the polyethylene glycol aqueous solution in contact with the atmosphere refers to the cross-sectional area of ​​the container when the stem of the flowering plant is not inserted. The vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the stem of the flowering plant refers to the cross-sectional area at the end of the stem that is immersed in the polyethylene glycol solution.

[0048] In the process of infusing essential oils into flowering plants using ultrasound, the roots or cut stems of the flowering plants obtained in the infusion process are immersed in a mixture of essential oils and water.

[0049] Essential oils are oils extracted from plant materials and are a general term for volatile components that have a distinctive aroma. Essential oils are not particularly limited and can be manufactured by conventional methods or are commercially available. Multiple types of essential oils may also be mixed and used. There are no particular limitations on the parts from which essential oils are extracted, and examples include trees, fruit trees, vegetables, and flowers. There are also no particular limitations on the extraction method of essential oils, and examples include steam distillation, solvent extraction, pressing, adsorption / absorption, infusion, and methods of recovering liquid that seeps out after injuring plants.

[0050] There are no particular restrictions on the types of trees, but for example, trees of the genus Chamaecyparis in the family Cupressaceae such as Japanese cypress, Taiwanese cypress, Western cypress, Sawara cypress, Lawson cypress, Chamaecyparis obtusa, Peacock cypress, Golden Chamaecyparis obtusa, Water cypress, Thread cypress, Golden cypress, Davallia cypress, Golden Davallia cypress, and Japanese cedar; trees of the genus Thuja in the family Cupressaceae such as Japanese cypress and Japanese cedar; Japanese cypress, Japanese cedar Trees of the genus Thujopsis in the cypress family, such as Japanese cypress, Japanese cypress, and narrow-leaved Japanese cypress; trees of the genus Juniperus in the cypress family, such as creeping juniper, Japanese juniper, pencil juniper, and Okinawa juniper; trees of the genus Cryptomeria in the cypress family, such as Japanese cedar, Japanese cedar, Japanese cedar, golden cedar, Japanese cedar, and green cedar; fir, barnyard grass, Japanese fir, Japanese apricot, and Japanese cypress. Coniferous trees such as fir trees of the pine family, including Abies genus (fir), balsam fir, Mitsumine fir, white fir, Amabilis fir, Japanese apricot, California red fir, grand fir, and noble fir; trees of the pine family, including Cedrus genus (Himalayan cedar); trees of the pine family, including Picea genus (Sakhalin spruce) and spruce; trees of the pine family, including Pinus genus (Japanese red pine), Pinus parviflora, Pinus sieboldiana; trees of the pine family, including Larch; trees of the pine family, including Tsuga; trees of the pine family, including Sciadopitys genus (Umbrella pine); and trees of the yew family, including Torreya genus (Torreya nucifera). Other examples include paulownia, zelkova, maple, katsura, beech, oak, eucalyptus, sandalwood, Lindera umbellata, Magnolia kobus, Japanese white pine, Prunus serrulata, Yuzu, lemon, and Japanese pepper. Among the above, the Japanese red spruce (Picea jezoensis) is preferred.

[0051] Examples of fruit trees include apples, grapes, oranges, peaches, kiwifruit, and grapefruit. In addition to the fruit and peel, parts such as leaves, roots, and stems can also be used.

[0052] Vegetables include cabbage, komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach), lettuce, bok choy, Chinese cabbage, shiso (perilla), and strawberries. Flowering plants include rushes, jasmine, gardenias, roses, osmanthus, mandarin orange blossoms, and lavender.

[0053] Essential oils may contain components extracted from the above-mentioned plants. The constituent components of essential oils include α-terpinene, camphene, α-farnesene, α-humulene, α-bergamotene, γ-cadinene, germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene, β-selinene, β-volvonene, α-cobaene, δ-cadinene, cis-β-ocimene, α-phellandrene, terpinolene, tricyclene, β-phellandrene + 1,8-cineole, and other terpene hydrocarbons, as well as perilla alcohol, t-cadinol, nerolidol, nerol, and citronellol. Examples include terpene alcohols such as ol, phenols such as carvacrol, isoeugenol, eugenol, and methyleugenol, esters such as bornyl acetate, octyl acetate, esters, and linalyl acetate, ethers such as esteragol, oxides such as cis-linalool oxide and trans-linalool oxide, ketones such as methylheptenone and camphor, and aldehydes such as citral, perillaldehyde, benzalcohol, and citronellal. Among the above, it is preferable that the essential oil contains bornyl acetate or camphene. If the essential oil contains bornyl acetate or camphene, the decay of dried flowers can be suppressed.

[0054] A mixture of essential oil and water is obtained by mixing the essential oil described above with water. The concentration of the essential oil in the mixture is preferably 0.1 to 1000 ppm, and more preferably 1 to 100 ppm.

[0055] The mixture of essential oil and water may also contain, in addition to water and essential oil, alcohols such as propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, methanol, ethanol, butanol, isopropanol, and cellosolve, carboxylic acids such as formic acid, acetic acid, and propionic acid, antioxidants, pigments, dyes, and titanium dioxide.

[0056] When mixing essential oils and water, it is preferable to irradiate the mixture with ultrasound to emulsify the essential oils. The frequency of the ultrasound to be irradiated is not particularly limited, but 20kHz to 300MHz is preferred, and 20kHz to 1MHz is more preferred. The irradiation time of the ultrasound is also not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of productivity, 5 minutes to 24 hours is preferred, and 30 minutes to 10 hours is more preferred.

[0057] In the process of immersing the roots or cut stems of flowering plants in a mixture of essential oil and water, ultrasound is used to help the essential oil penetrate the plant. Ultrasound promotes capillary action, facilitating the penetration of the essential oil. By allowing the essential oil to penetrate the plant, the growth of fungi in dried flowers can be suppressed, thus preserving the fresh appearance of the dried flowers for a longer period. Furthermore, the fragrance of the essential oil can impart a pleasant scent to the dried flowers.

[0058] The frequency of the ultrasound is not particularly limited, but is preferably 20kHz to 300MHz, and more preferably 20kHz to 1MHz. The duration of the ultrasound irradiation is also not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 minutes to 24 hours, and more preferably 30 minutes to 10 hours.

[0059] <Dried Flowers> The dried flowers of the present invention are characterized in that the leaves of a flowering plant are impregnated with an aqueous polyethylene glycol solution. The dried flowers of the present invention can be produced by the dried flower production method 1 or the dried flower production method 2.

[0060] When the leaves of a flowering plant are impregnated with a polyethylene glycol solution, dried flowers can retain their fresh appearance for a long time.

[0061] Whether or not polyethylene glycol aqueous solution has impregnated the leaves of a flowering plant can be confirmed by detecting polyethylene glycol in the leaves. Detection of polyethylene glycol in leaves can be performed by appropriate methods known to those skilled in the art. For example, polyethylene glycol in leaves can be detected by locally irradiating the leaf veins with a laser of a predetermined wavelength and performing ICP mass spectrometry on the evaporated components.

[0062] It is preferable that the polyethylene glycol aqueous solution is impregnated not only in the leaves of the flowering plant but also in the flowers. When the polyethylene glycol aqueous solution is impregnated in the flowers of the flowering plant, the dried flowers can retain their fresh appearance for an even longer period of time.

[0063] Whether or not polyethylene glycol aqueous solution is impregnated into the flowering part of an ornamental plant can be confirmed by detecting polyethylene glycol in the flowering part. Detection of polyethylene glycol in the flowering part can be performed by appropriate methods known to those skilled in the art. For example, polyethylene glycol in the leaves can be detected by locally irradiating a part of the flowering part with a laser of a predetermined wavelength and performing ICP mass spectrometry on the evaporated components. [Examples]

[0064] The present invention will be described below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0065] Example 1 A 500 mL beaker (container) was placed in an ultrasonic cleaner (PHENIX, manufactured by Kaijo Co., Ltd.). 100 mL of polyethylene glycol aqueous solution (a mixture of 360 mL of tap water, 40 mL of polyethylene glycol (weight-average molecular weight: 400-4000), and 100 mL of glycerin, with a polyethylene glycol concentration of 8.5% by mass and a glycerin concentration of 23.7% by mass) was poured into the container. The hydrangea, including its roots, was held in the container, and the roots of the hydrangea were immersed in the polyethylene glycol aqueous solution. Then, a 300 W power supply was connected to the ultrasonic cleaner, and 40 kHz ultrasound was irradiated for 180 minutes.

[0066] The plant bodies were dried after ultrasonic treatment, and then the roots and lower stems of the plants were immersed in an emulsified solution derived from pine essential oil adjusted to a concentration of 10 ppm. 40 kHz ultrasound was irradiated for 120 minutes using a 300 W power supply to obtain the dried flowers of Example 1.

[0067] Example 2 A 500 mL beaker (container) was placed in an ultrasonic cleaner (PHENIX, manufactured by Kaijo Co., Ltd.). 100 mL of polyethylene glycol aqueous solution (a mixture of 360 mL of tap water, 40 mL of polyethylene glycol (weight-average molecular weight: 400-4000), and 100 mL of glycerin, with a polyethylene glycol concentration of 8.5% by mass and a glycerin concentration of 23.7% by mass) was poured into the container. Cut hydrangea flowers were placed in the container, and the cut stems of the hydrangea flowers were immersed in the polyethylene glycol aqueous solution. Then, a 300 W power supply was connected to the ultrasonic cleaner, and 40 kHz ultrasound was irradiated for 30 minutes.

[0068] After ultrasonic treatment, the plant bodies were dried, and then the stems were immersed in an emulsified solution derived from pine essential oil adjusted to a concentration of 10 ppm. 40 kHz ultrasound was then irradiated for 120 minutes using a 300 W power supply to obtain the dried flowers of Example 2.

[0069] Comparative Example 1 A dried flower for Comparative Example 1 was obtained in the same manner as the dried flower for Example 1, except that ultrasonic waves were not irradiated during immersion in the polyethylene glycol solution.

[0070] [Confirmation of polyethylene glycol penetration into leaves and flowers] By locally irradiating parts of the leaves and flowers with a laser of a predetermined wavelength and performing ICP mass spectrometry on the evaporated components, polyethylene glycol in the leaves and flowers was detected. As a result, the penetration of polyethylene glycol into the leaves and flowers was confirmed in the dried flowers of the example.

[0071] [Confirmation of shape, etc.] In the example, the dried flowers maintained a shape, natural color, and texture close to that of fresh flowers even after three months in a space with humidity between 60% and 70%. On the other hand, in the comparative example, the dried flowers were unable to maintain a shape, natural color, and texture close to that of fresh flowers even after one month in a space with humidity above 60%. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] 1: Langevin type oscillator 2: Flower plant body 3: Container 1 4: Container 2

Claims

1. A method for producing dried flowers, comprising the steps of immersing the roots of a flowering plant in a container filled with an aqueous polyethylene glycol solution and irradiating it with ultrasound to allow the aqueous polyethylene glycol solution to penetrate the flowering plant.

2. The method for producing dried flowers according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous polyethylene glycol solution further contains glycerin.

3. The method for producing dried flowers according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the weight-average molecular weight of the polyethylene glycol is 200 to 20,000.

4. The method for producing dried flowers according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the frequency of the ultrasonic waves is 20 kHz to 300 MHz.

5. The method for producing dried flowers according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the irradiation time of the ultrasonic waves is 5 minutes to 24 hours.

6. A method for producing dried flowers according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the steps of: after the ultrasonic irradiation step, deforming the obtained flowering plant into an arbitrary shape, and then fixing the arbitrary shape by drying and removing the water contained in the flowering plant.

7. A step of immersing the roots or cut stems of a flowering plant in a container filled with an aqueous polyethylene glycol solution, and irradiating it with ultrasound to allow the aqueous polyethylene glycol solution to penetrate the flowering plant, and A process in which the roots or cut stems of the flowering plant obtained in the penetration process are immersed in a mixture of essential oil and water, and ultrasonic waves are irradiated to allow the essential oil to penetrate the flowering plant. A method for producing dried flowers, including those containing dried flowers.

8. The method for producing dried flowers according to claim 7, wherein the essential oil comprises bornyl acetate or camphene.

9. A dried flower characterized by having the leaves of a flowering plant impregnated with an aqueous polyethylene glycol solution.

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