Method for producing dry flower

Abstract

Provided is a method, for producing a dry flower, by which the shape, natural hue, texture, and the like can be maintained for a long period of time at a level close to those of a fresh flower. The present invention pertains to a method for producing a dry flower, the method comprising a step for immersing the roots of a flowering plant body in a container filled with an aqueous polyethylene glycol solution, and radiating ultrasonic waves onto the roots so as to cause the aqueous polyethylene glycol solution to permeate the flowering plant body.

Description

Method for manufacturing dried flower

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

[0002] Dried flowers can retain the color of fresh flowers and maintain the color state at the time of fresh flowers for a long 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 polyhydric alcohol and pigment. However, these methods require a long time for replacing the 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 is a method of artificially replacing the pigment after decoloring the petals with alcohol, it is very difficult to maintain the shade, 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 vibrating machines, 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 processing time.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-99605 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-203815

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing dried flowers that can maintain a shape, natural shade, texture, etc. similar to fresh flowers for a long time.

[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 aqueous polyethylene glycol 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 20,000.

[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.

[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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] <Method for producing dried flowers 1> A method for producing dried flowers according to one aspect of the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as "Method for producing dried flowers 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] There are no particular restrictions on the types of flowering plants, but examples include mimosa, ranunculus, carnations, strawberries, bird of paradise, and gerberas from January to March; cherry blossoms, peonies, hydrangeas, wildflowers, roses, safflowers, and calla lilies from April to June; sunflowers, statice, baby's breath, and lisianthus from July to September; and dahlias, roses, celosia, and chrysanthemums from October to December.

[0020] As a flowering plant, the whole plant or a part thereof, including the flower, leaf, stem, and root parts, can be used.

[0021] The flowering plants used can be dried beforehand before ultrasonic irradiation. Drying methods include natural drying and refrigeration drying.

[0022] The concentration of polyethylene glycol in the aqueous polyethylene glycol solution is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.01 to 30% by mass, and more preferably 1 to 10% by mass. Below 0.01% by mass, the shape of the petals tends to shrink and the color tends to deteriorate, and above 30% by mass, it tends not to be absorbed up the xylem of the flowering plant.

[0023] The weight-average molecular weight of polyethylene glycol is not particularly limited, but is preferably 200 to 20,000, more preferably 3,000 to 20,000, and even more preferably 3,000 to 6,000. Below 200, the color tends to deteriorate, and above 20,000, it tends not to be absorbed up the flower's xylem.

[0024] The aqueous polyethylene glycol 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 even more preferably 15 to 60% by mass. Below 0.01% by mass, the petals tend to shrink, and above 70% by mass, the glycerin tends not to be absorbed up the flower's xylem.

[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 a device with these two containers. In this device, there are two containers, container 1 and container 2. Container 1 is filled with an ultrasonic-mediating liquid such as 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 installed 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 installed in a position where ultrasonic waves can be irradiated onto the roots of the flowering plant, and may be installed 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 20 kHz to 300 MHz is preferred, and 40 kHz to 10 MHz is more preferred. If the frequency is below 20 kHz or above 300 MHz, 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. If the irradiation time is less than 5 minutes, the polyethylene glycol aqueous solution will not penetrate sufficiently, and if it exceeds 24 hours, the effect of ultrasonic irradiation tends to saturate. 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 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.

[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 a polyethylene glycol aqueous solution and, if necessary, a drying process, can be reshaped using ultrasonic misting or coated with silicone 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] When obtaining the flower charcoal, the heating temperature is preferably 200°C to 1200°C, more preferably 250 to 900°C. Further, the heating time when obtaining the flower charcoal is preferably 1 to 24 hours, more preferably 2 to 12 hours.

[0041] <Method for Producing Dry Flower 2> The method for producing a dry flower according to one aspect of the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as the method for producing a dry flower 2) includes a step of immersing the root or cut stem of a flower plant body in a container filled with an aqueous polyethylene glycol solution and irradiating ultrasonic waves to penetrate the aqueous polyethylene glycol solution into the flower plant body, and a step of immersing the root or cut stem of the flower plant body obtained in the penetration step in a mixed solution of essential oil and water and irradiating ultrasonic waves to penetrate the essential oil into the flower plant body.

[0042] Regarding the step of immersing the root of the flower plant body in a container filled with an aqueous polyethylene glycol solution and irradiating ultrasonic waves to penetrate the aqueous polyethylene glycol solution into the flower plant body, it is as described in the method for producing a dry flower 1.

[0043] When allowing an aqueous polyethylene glycol solution to penetrate from the stem of the flower plant body, the flower plant body is cut at the stem. The cut stem is immersed in a container filled with an aqueous polyethylene glycol solution, and ultrasonic waves are irradiated to penetrate the aqueous polyethylene glycol solution into the flower plant body.

[0044] When allowing an aqueous polyethylene glycol solution to penetrate from the stem of the flower plant body, the flower plant body used, the aqueous polyethylene glycol solution, the ultrasonic wave irradiation step, etc. may be as described in the method for producing a dry flower 1.

[0045] When allowing an aqueous polyethylene glycol solution to penetrate from the stem of the flower plant body, the container for holding the aqueous polyethylene glycol solution preferably has a shape that can hold the stem of the flower plant body as vertically as possible, such as a test tube. In the case where it cannot be held vertically, it may be held with a jig such as a clamp.

[0046] When allowing an aqueous polyethylene glycol solution to penetrate from the stem part of a flower plant body, it is preferable to irradiate ultrasonic waves from the side of the stem substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flower plant body. It does not need to be completely perpendicular, and it is sufficient as long as a laminar flow of the aqueous solution is generated in the container. Specifically, it may be ±10° with respect to the vertical state, that is, 70 to 110°, but 80 to 100° is more preferable. Thereby, a laminar flow is generated in the aqueous polyethylene glycol solution in the container, and the aqueous polyethylene glycol solution can be efficiently penetrated into the flower plant body.

[0047] The ratio of the liquid surface area of the solution in contact with the atmosphere to the cross-sectional area of the vertical cross-section of the stem part of the flower plant body is preferably 1 to 60, and more preferably 5 to 50. If it is less than 5, the time required for the penetration of polyethylene glycol tends to be long, and if it exceeds 50, the reduction in the penetration of polyethylene glycol due to the irradiation of ultrasonic waves tends to decrease. Here, the liquid surface area of the aqueous polyethylene glycol solution in contact with the atmosphere means the cross-sectional area of the container in a state where the stem part of the flower plant body is not inserted. Further, the vertical cross-sectional area of the stem part of the flower plant body means the cross-sectional area at the end of the stem part immersed in the polyethylene glycol solution.

[0048] In the step of irradiating ultrasonic waves to allow essential oil to penetrate into the flower plant body, the root part or the cut stem part of the flower plant body obtained in the penetration step is immersed in a mixed solution of essential oil and water.

[0049] Essential oil is an oil component extracted from a plant body as a raw material, and means a general term for volatile components having a specific aroma. The essential oil is not particularly limited, and those produced by a conventional method or commercially available ones can be used. Further, a plurality of types of essential oils may be mixed and used. The collection site of the essential oil is not particularly limited, and examples include trees, fruit trees, vegetables, flowers, etc. Further, the extraction method of the essential oil is not particularly limited, and examples include steam distillation method, solvent extraction method, pressing method, adsorption / absorption method, leaching method, and a method of collecting a liquid exuded by damaging a plant.

[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 (Hinoki), Taiwanese cypress (Hinoki), Western cypress (Hinoki), Sawara cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa), Lawson cypress (Hinoki), Chamaecyparis obtusa (Hinoki), Golden Chamaecyparis obtusa (Hinoki), Water cypress (Hinoki), Thread cypress (Hinoki), Golden cypress (Hinoki), Japanese cypress (Hinoki), and Japanese cedar (Hinoki); trees of the genus Thuja in the family Cupressaceae, such as Japanese cypress (Thuja occidentalis) and Japanese cedar (Thuja japonica); Japanese cypress (Hinoki), Japanese cedar (Asunaro). 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 (e.g., lave, balsam fir, fir tree, white fir, amabilis fir, fir tree, California red fir, grand fir, noble fir); trees of the pine family, including Cedrus genus (e.g., Himalayan cedar); trees of the pine family, including Picea genus (e.g., Sakhalin spruce, spruce); trees of the pine family, including Pinus genus (e.g., Japanese red pine, longleaf pine, white pine, dwarf pine); trees of the pine family, including Larix genus (larch); trees of the pine family, including Hemlock; trees of the pine family, including Sciadopitys genus (Sciadopitys verticillata); trees of the yew family, including Torreya genus (Torreya nucifera); and other trees such as 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 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, terpene hydrocarbons such as β-phellandrene + 1,8-cineole, 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 20 kHz to 300 MHz is preferred, and 20 kHz to 1 MHz 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 20 kHz to 300 MHz, and more preferably 20 kHz to 1 MHz. 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.

[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. A 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] After ultrasonic treatment, the plant bodies were dried, and then the roots and lower stems of the plants were immersed in an emulsified solution derived from Sakhalin fir essential oil adjusted to a concentration of 10 ppm. A 300W power supply was used to irradiate the plants with 40 kHz ultrasound for 120 minutes 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. A cut hydrangea flower was placed in the container, and the cut stem of the hydrangea flower was 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 body was dried, and then the stem portion of the plant body was immersed in an emulsified solution derived from Sakhalin fir essential oil adjusted to a concentration of 10 ppm. Ultrasound at 40 kHz was then irradiated for 120 minutes using a 300 W power supply to obtain the dried flower of Example 2.

[0069] Comparative Example 1 A dried flower of Comparative Example 1 was obtained in the same manner as the dried flower of 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, 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 close to that of fresh flowers, natural color, and texture even after three months in a space with humidity between 60% and 70%. On the other hand, in the comparative example, the dried flowers could not maintain a shape close to that of fresh flowers, natural color, and texture even after one month in a space with humidity above 60%.

[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 any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the frequency of the ultrasonic waves is 20 kHz to 300 MHz.

5. The method for producing dried flowers according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ultrasonic irradiation time is 5 minutes to 24 hours.

6. A method for producing dried flowers according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising the 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.

7. 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.

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

9. Dried flowers characterized by having the leaves of a flowering plant impregnated with an aqueous polyethylene glycol solution.

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