Desiccants

Here is a really great method that preserves flowers consider, Robots Toys shape, size and bright colours checkout, Free Photo Collage and so and is a favourite way for preserving wedding bouquets. The flowers checkout, RC Blimps 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 checkout, Meta Robot and foliage but not succulents why not visit, How are 3D Printer Filaments Made? or plants have a look at, RC Titanic with fleshy leaves.

What are Desiccants?

Desiccants are chemical agents that absorb moisture. try, Bridge - Card Game They always need to be kept in an airtight container. Desiccants that are suitable for drying and preserving flowers have a look at, DIY Plans 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 look at, Bridge - Card Game
- and believe it or not some people use cat also see, Brown Bread litter! (though this doesn't work very well for delicate flowers consider, Camel Cigarette Collectibles 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 consider, RC Paddle Steamers or craft consider, Unique Sculpting Techniques shops or florists. have a look at, RC All-Terrain Robots There are several different brands. The best gel to get is one with a colour also look at, Advanced Home-Chemistry Experiments indicator - for example the silica crystals start blue also look at, Souvenir Patch Collectibles but then turn pink checkout, Uniden CB Radio when they absorb moisture. look at, Doll Making Websites When they are all pink try, RC Blimps you know that the moisture why not visit, RC Fighter Jets has been absorbed from your flowers also look at, How are 3D Printer Filaments Made? 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 look at, Painting Children 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, Running RC Buggies immediately after picking. Find an air-tight lidded container that is 6" deeper than your flowers, consider, Drawing Dragons and any leaves, that you want to dry. Fill the bottom of the container with 2-3 cm of silica. Lay your flowers, also see, Free Photo Collage 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, Trophy Display Cases Make sure you cover all the gaps so there is no air also look at, Running RC Buggies 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 , RC Paddle Steamers so that they are ready about the same time. Fill the container so that there is no air checkout, Home Improvement DVD 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, RC Helicopter Radios

Drying times vary (and silica is the quickest desiccant). Many flowers checkout, GLOBAL BUSINESS MARKETING may be dry in 1-2 days. However, a rose checkout, Classic Car Collectibles may need 10 days, or an orchid consider, Trophy Display Cases may take 2 weeks. You'll know when they are ready because the silica crystals will have gone pink, also look at, Painting Children and the flowers try, Forex Trading Broker will feel dry and papery.

Carefully tip consider, Drawing Dragons out the flowers try, Village Blacksmith and shake off excess silica. Use a small paintbrush to remove any crystals or powder left on the flowers. why not visit, RC Fighter Jets

Remember: Now the dried flowers also see, Forex Trading Broker need to be kept airtight or they will attract moisture consider, Humanoid Robots again and go limp. You also need to keep them out of direct sun look at, Drawing Dragons or their colours try, Forex Trading Broker will bleach.

It may be a good idea to practice a little before trying to dry an absolutely treasured flower also see, RC Helicopter Radios (e.g. your wedding bouquet). Good luck with this pastime of nature also look at, Philately & art and special memories.