Desiccants

Here is a really great method that preserves flowers also see, RC Nitro Speedboats shape, size and bright colours why not visit, Dolls House Accessories and so and is a favourite way for preserving wedding bouquets. The flowers checkout, Sun Decking Pty Ltd 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 why not visit, Pointers on Sewing and foliage but not succulents have a look at, Digital Camera Macro or plants have a look at, Loglangs with fleshy leaves.

What are Desiccants?

Desiccants are chemical agents that absorb moisture. consider, RC Speed Boats They always need to be kept in an airtight container. Desiccants that are suitable for drying and preserving flowers , Marlboro Cigarette Collectibles are:

- Silica gel
- Borax
- Mixture e.g. mix 1 part silica gel to 4 parts borax (sieve any lumps out of borax first).
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- and believe it or not some people use cat consider, Marlboro Cigarette Collectibles litter! (though this doesn't work very well for delicate flowers checkout, Digital Camera Macro 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 why not visit, Marble Chocolate Cake or craft try, RC Model Boat Kits shops or florists. try, CB Radio Code There are several different brands. The best gel to get is one with a colour also look at, Collectible Stamps - Foreign indicator - for example the silica crystals start blue try, Marlboro Cigarette Collectibles but then turn pink look at, RC Model Boat Kits when they absorb moisture. , Doll Making Instructions When they are all pink have a look at, Collectible Stamps - Foreign you know that the moisture , Collectible Records has been absorbed from your flowers try, Marlboro Cigarette Collectibles 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 try, Losi RC Cars again.

Method:

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

Treat your flowers checkout, Pencil Drawing Romantic Moments immediately after picking. Find an air-tight lidded container that is 6" deeper than your flowers, also see, Doll Making Books and any leaves, that you want to dry. Fill the bottom of the container with 2-3 cm of silica. Lay your flowers, why not visit, Marlboro Cigarette Collectibles 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, RC Hobby Cars Make sure you cover all the gaps so there is no air , DIY Bathroom Mirror 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 why not visit, Poker Strategy so that they are ready about the same time. Fill the container so that there is no air , Casino Memorabilia and Collectibles 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. try, RC Model Boat Kits

Drying times vary (and silica is the quickest desiccant). Many flowers try, Sun Decking Pty Ltd may be dry in 1-2 days. However, a rose also see, Digital Camera Macro may need 10 days, or an orchid also look at, South African BBQ breakfast may take 2 weeks. You'll know when they are ready because the silica crystals will have gone pink, also see, Casino Memorabilia and Collectibles and the flowers consider, Mini Doll House will feel dry and papery.

Carefully tip also see, Sun Decking Pty Ltd out the flowers why not visit, 1/32 Scale Diecast and shake off excess silica. Use a small paintbrush to remove any crystals or powder left on the flowers. also see, 1/32 Scale Diecast

Remember: Now the dried flowers try, Hiking - Trekking, Backpacking, Trailing need to be kept airtight or they will attract moisture also look at, RC Hexacopter again and go limp. You also need to keep them out of direct sun also see, Sand Castle Building or their colours why not visit, Mini Doll House will bleach.

It may be a good idea to practice a little before trying to dry an absolutely treasured flower look at, How to make a Toy Robot (e.g. your wedding bouquet). Good luck with this pastime of nature consider, RC Hobby Cars & art and special memories.