Desiccants

Here is a really great method that preserves flowers try, Generations Family Tree shape, size and bright colours have a look at, Bat Mobile Diecast and so and is a favourite way for preserving wedding bouquets. The flowers also look at, Cape Malay recipe for boeber 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 also see, South African BBQ Pap and foliage but not succulents , Nikon Digital Cameras or plants consider, South African BBQ Pap with fleshy leaves.

What are Desiccants?

Desiccants are chemical agents that absorb moisture. why not visit, Motorcycles They always need to be kept in an airtight container. Desiccants that are suitable for drying and preserving flowers consider, How to build or make Robots 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 have a look at, Omaha Hi Lo Poker
- and believe it or not some people use cat consider, amaran RC Boat litter! (though this doesn't work very well for delicate flowers also see, Cape Malay recipe for spicy kebaabs 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 Boat Race or craft why not visit, Quilting Patterns shops or florists. look at, Art Doll Making There are several different brands. The best gel to get is one with a colour why not visit, Maintaining RC Jeeps indicator - for example the silica crystals start blue consider, DIY Plumbing Repair but then turn pink consider, Collectible Silverware and Utensils when they absorb moisture. , Cape Malay recipe for boeber When they are all pink , RC Helicopters you know that the moisture try, Omaha Hi Lo Poker has been absorbed from your flowers checkout, South African BBQ Pap 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, Early Medieval Reenactments again.

Method:

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

Treat your flowers try, South African BBQ Pap immediately after picking. Find an air-tight lidded container that is 6" deeper than your flowers, try, CB Radio Band 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, Plastic Display Cases petals or leaves in the silica. Make sure the petals or leaves don't overlap. Carefully spoon the silica all around the flowers. also look at, DIY Plumbing Repair Make sure you cover all the gaps so there is no air consider, Gothic Stained Glass Patterns 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 , Cape Malay recipe for spicy kebaabs so that they are ready about the same time. Fill the container so that there is no air checkout, Collages 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, Collectible Silverware and Utensils

Drying times vary (and silica is the quickest desiccant). Many flowers have a look at, Generations Family Tree may be dry in 1-2 days. However, a rose why not visit, Collages may need 10 days, or an orchid look at, Collectible Classic Motorcycles may take 2 weeks. You'll know when they are ready because the silica crystals will have gone pink, checkout, South African BBQ Pap and the flowers also see, Collectible Costume Jewelry - Jewellery will feel dry and papery.

Carefully tip , South African BBQ Pap out the flowers have a look at, Quilting Patterns and shake off excess silica. Use a small paintbrush to remove any crystals or powder left on the flowers. have a look at, Where to pan for Gold

Remember: Now the dried flowers consider, World War II Collectibles need to be kept airtight or they will attract moisture , How to build or make Robots again and go limp. You also need to keep them out of direct sun consider, DIY Kitchen Tiling or their colours also see, Sugar Free Cereal Muffins will bleach.

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