PRESERVED FLOWER SEBAGAI BUNGA ALTERNATIF PERANGKAI BUNGA

Abstract

Originally, cut flowers can only survive in 4-5 days before wilting. To slowdown the wilt rate of cut flowers is to soak the ends of cut flowers in water. Unfortunately, this method is ineffective because decay in parts that are submerged in water gets faster. The method developed in the research conducted at Pasundan University is to soak the cut flowers in glycerin liquid for a certain time depending on the type of the flower to be processed, then the cut flowers are piled up in a mixture of Silica gel and Zanzibar sand. Research for various flowers, the composition of Glycerin, Silica gel and Zanzibar sand has been carried out and produced innovative products in the form of flowers that no longer contain water but remain supple, not brittle when touched and the colors remain natural and can stay fresh for long periods of time. The selling value of the flowers that have been processed or often called preserved flowers is currently quite high because most of the products sold are imported products. Challenges faced by businesses in empowering local flowers to have high selling value, so the method developed at Pasundan University will encourage craftsmen or florists to use processed flowers rather than fresh flowers because resistance to wilt is too high.