Desiccants

Here is a really great method that preserves flowers also see, Collectible Keychains shape, size and bright colours consider, Family Research and so and is a favourite way for preserving wedding bouquets. The flowers look at, How to make a Quilt last a very long time - as long as they are always kept airtight and out of direct sunlight. The technique is suitable for most flowers try, How to make a Quilt and foliage but not succulents try, Sarson ka Saag or Mustard in Spinach Gravy or plants look at, Nbays IT Solutions Pty Ltd with fleshy leaves.

What are Desiccants?

Desiccants are chemical agents that absorb moisture. also see, Diecast Commercial Airplanes They always need to be kept in an airtight container. Desiccants that are suitable for drying and preserving flowers also look at, Nbays IT Solutions Pty Ltd are:

- Silica gel
- Borax
- Mixture e.g. mix 1 part silica gel to 4 parts borax (sieve any lumps out of borax first).
- Silver Sand also see, DIY Magazine
- and believe it or not some people use cat why not visit, RC Big Cars litter! (though this doesn't work very well for delicate flowers checkout, Digital Night Photography as they tend to get broken).

Silica Gel:

This desiccant is reputed to have the best and quickest results. For example it works particularly well with pansies, zinnias, daffodils and violets. Silica is a bit more expensive; however you can re-use it several times and many people feel it's worth the expense.

Though it's called gel it's actually more like fine crystals than a gel. You'll find silica sold in many garden try, Home Brewing or craft try, Business Accounting Assignment Help: An Online Learning Platform shops or florists. look at, RC Build There are several different brands. The best gel to get is one with a colour , RC Sailplanes indicator - for example the silica crystals start blue look at, Insect Collectibles but then turn pink have a look at, Tea Leaf Reading when they absorb moisture. , Home Brewing When they are all pink why not visit, Top cash for cars canberra you know that the moisture consider, RC Sailplanes has been absorbed from your flowers have a look at, VEX Robotics - Vex Robots and that you need to dry the crystals out again before re-using. To dry them out you spread the silica on a shallow baking tray and then put it in an oven for one hour at 250C until the crystals turn blue consider, Home Brewing again.

Method:

The different desiccants are basically used in the same way, but here we'll use silica as an example.

Treat your flowers , Digital Animal Photography immediately after picking. Find an air-tight lidded container that is 6" deeper than your flowers, why not visit, DIY Magazine and any leaves, that you want to dry. Fill the bottom of the container with 2-3 cm of silica. Lay your flowers, consider, Top cash for cars canberra petals or leaves in the silica. Make sure the petals or leaves don't overlap. Carefully spoon the silica all around the flowers. why not visit, Business Accounting Assignment Help: An Online Learning Platform Make sure you cover all the gaps so there is no air checkout, Robbe Models but don't bruise or crush the petals. You can do more than one layer, but then it can be a good idea to do only one type of flower checkout, Googlewhack so that they are ready about the same time. Fill the container so that there is no air have a look at, Digital Night Photography at the top. Then seal it up - you can even put masking tape around the lid to ensure it's airtight. Leave it somewhere dry and label it with date and type of flower. consider, Googlewhack

Drying times vary (and silica is the quickest desiccant). Many flowers why not visit, RC Helicopter Parts may be dry in 1-2 days. However, a rose checkout, Canon Digital Photography may need 10 days, or an orchid , Writing may take 2 weeks. You'll know when they are ready because the silica crystals will have gone pink, checkout, Types of Geofiction Literature and the flowers consider, Top cash for cars canberra will feel dry and papery.

Carefully tip try, Making Wood Carving Knives out the flowers try, VEX Robotics - Vex Robots and shake off excess silica. Use a small paintbrush to remove any crystals or powder left on the flowers. checkout, Robbe Models

Remember: Now the dried flowers consider, RC Big Cars need to be kept airtight or they will attract moisture try, E-Flite again and go limp. You also need to keep them out of direct sun why not visit, Insect Collectibles or their colours have a look at, Tea Leaf Reading will bleach.

It may be a good idea to practice a little before trying to dry an absolutely treasured flower , E-Flite (e.g. your wedding bouquet). Good luck with this pastime of nature checkout, Soap Making Instructions & art and special memories.