PRESERVATION OF PLANT MATERIAL

摘要

This invention relates to a method for the preservation and/or dyeing of plant material including cut flowers. According to the invention, the treated plant material has the colour and texture of fresh plant material and is substantially free from curling or distortion. The method may comprise five steps including a first step of substantially removing the protective wax coating from flowers and other plant material without adversely affecting the strength of the plant material; a second step comprising a mild oxidative bleach to remove excess colour from the plant material; a third step comprising a mild reductive bleach to neutralize any residual oxidative bleach and to stabilize the colour; a fourth step comprising the simultaneous preservation and dyeing of the plant material, and a fifth and last step comprising the rinsing and drying of the preserved and dyed material. This may be followed by a 2nd preservation and dyeing step and a rinsing and drying. The product can then be rewaxed and stored.