The low-temperature vacuum drying processes for different kinds of floral agriculture products have been researched both theoretically and experimentally. Infrared ceramic radiators were used in experiments. The analytic dependences were obtained on the basis of experimental results for determination of efficient radiator power to provide optimal drying conditions such as drying duration, energy consumption and final product quality. The results facilitate the optimization of the technological approaches and the low temperature drying technology itself. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.