How to Dry Flowers

If you've just received some flowers from a flower delivery service or just want to take cuts from your garden, There are many ways to preserve your fresh flowers so that they hold their natural, brilliant colors. Little work or money is needed just follow the steps below for the two easiest and most inexpensive ways to dry your flowers; Sand drying 1) To begin sand-drying, cut flowers when they have reached their peak for best results - otherwise, even the slightest imperfection may be exaggerated by drying. Pick flowers after dew has evaporated to make sure the stems are dry. 2) Prepare your flower delivery by reinforcing the stems and blossoms with florist's wire or with white glue. For daisy-type flowers and flowering shrubs, push a 6" piece of wire through the stem right through the flower head, bend the end of the wire into a hook over the flower head and pull it down, securing the head to the stem. For roses and tulips, dry face-up, cut off most of the stem leaving an inch or so. Insert the wire as above. For many-petaled flowers, use glue instead of wire. Dilute white glue with a drip of water and with a toothpick, dab a thin coat of glue at the base of each petal. Work the glue into the base of each flower to attach each petal to the base. Dry completely. 3. Dry flowers by slowly covering them with white sand in deep, open boxes. delecate and rose-shaped flowers need to be placed face-up. Make sure the sand isdeep enough to hold the flowers in an upright position. Place the flower carefully slowly pour sand around the base of the flower, then fill in around the sides, under and over the petals, pouring evenly and slowly to preserve the natural shape of the blossom. Daisy-shaped flowers need to be dried face down. Make an even base of sand in the box, then make a little dip in the sand the shape of the flower. Hold the flower steady and carefully build the sand around the blossom until it is fully covered.Snapdragons, lilac, elongated Flowers and flowering branches should be positioned horizontally, flowering branches face up. Carefully pour the sand around and between the blooms. A soft artists' brush will help you in lifting the blossoms slightly as you pour the sand so that they won't be flattened by the weight. 4) When flowers are completely covered with sand, place the drying box aside and leave undisturbed for two to three weeks. After this period remove the sand carefully, tip the container slightly and allow sand to flow slowly from one corner of the box. As each flower is released from the sand, gently lift it out. To store dried flowers, seal them in airtight containers or enclosed with airtight plastic bags. *Flowers that do not do well with sand-drying include: Those with only a 1-day shelf-life, e.g. Day lilies, Asters, azaleas, chrysanthemums, geraniums, petunias, phlox, pinks, poppies or violets do well. However, feel free to experiment on your own. Hot Sand Preserving Place flowers in a pan and cover them with dry, hot sand. Let cool, then remove and smooth with a hot iron then dip them in colorless varnish and let them dry. Large leaves can be painted with aluminum or bronze paint. Dip them into a clear plastic paint to set them firmlyAir-drying This method can be very successful with herbs, everlastings and ornamental grasses. Choose plants with long stems and remove their lower leaves. Fasten small bunches of flowers together with an elastic band and open each bunch into a fan shape. Hang flowers head down from nails in a dry, dark place for one to three weeks until they are completely dry. Note: colors will usually be muted. Display your flowers in the house or store them as above. This method works well with roses. Cut the stems off to the very bottom of the rose head, carefully inserting a 6-8" length of wire. Hang upside down by bending the end of the wire over a hanger and place in a dark dry closet where it won't be disturbed. One hanger can handle several flowers; space accordingly. Desiccant drying Another method of drying flowers is to use a desiccant drying mixture like silica gel, borax, cornmeal or alum. The following recipe uses a combination of silica and borax. 1) Mix a combination of four parts borax to one part silica gel. You can make your mixture by hand; the borax should be run through a sieve before mixing with the gel to remove any lumps. 2) Treat all flowers immediately after picking. Cut off stems close to the base. In the bottom of a plastic bag or an air-tight jar place a layer of the preserving powder and lay a blossom face down on the powder. Sprinkle powder over the flower until it is well covered. Then lay another flower face down, cover it and repeat the procedure until the bag or jar is full. Tighten the lid or if using a bag, press down on it lightly to squeeze out all the air. Tie the bag tightly with string as close to the contents as possible to prevent air from coming in. 3)Store flowers with powder mixture away in a dry place for about four weeks without peeking at it, never store it out of doors. At the end of the four weeks, open the container very gently and remove the blossoms one at a time, blowing the powder off them. Enjoy your preserved garden-fresh flowers! This method keeps some Flowers soft and pliable for easier handling and less shedding. Tips from Professionals Handling dried flowers must be done very carefully, as they tend to crumble and fall apart. If possible, think ahead about what you will be doing with the Flowers after they've dried. If you think you'll be using them in a vase, you'll need long "stems". Insert the wire before you dry the Flowers. They are much easier to handle when "live" and pliable. If you decide you don't need "tall" Flowers later, you can always cut the wire to the length you need. Wrap 'em up Unless your flower arrangements are VERY thick, wire "stems" will show through. Hide them by wrapping green or brown florist's tape around the base of the flower, stretching and overlapping as you move down the wire until it's completely covered. You can also attach leaves to the wire as you wrap, making for a very nice "natural" look. Brighten UpFor Brighter ColorsRapid drying in a very warm, dry and brightly-lit place will produce bright blossoms; slower drying in a more humid spot will produce more muted colors. After your Flowers have dried, spray lightly with a fixative. Some craft stores carry products specifically for spraying and "fixing" dried Flowers (try Design Master Super Surface Sealer). You can even paint dried flowers using diluted acrylic paint or an antiquing washDrying your flowers is a fun way to decorate and accessorise, and keeps the memory of your blooms for ever. So get drying today and you'll have cheap, ever everlasting beautiful looking displays.

Comments? Questions? Email Here

© HowtoAdvice.com

How to Advice .com