Desiccants

Here is a really great method that preserves flowers , Embroidery Cotton shape, size and bright colours checkout, Kite Festivals South America and so and is a favourite way for preserving wedding bouquets. The flowers also see, Drawing 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 look at, Sugar Free Pumpkin Muffins and foliage but not succulents why not visit, Minichamps Diecast or plants also see, Digital Photography Basics with fleshy leaves.

What are Desiccants?

Desiccants are chemical agents that absorb moisture. also look at, Digital Photography Basics They always need to be kept in an airtight container. Desiccants that are suitable for drying and preserving flowers , Modern Sculpting 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 look at, Drawing
- and believe it or not some people use cat why not visit, Collectible Perfume Bottles litter! (though this doesn't work very well for delicate flowers look at, Kite Festivals South America 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 also see, Drawing or craft , South African Kudu Fillet shops or florists. have a look at, Christmas Ornament Collectibles There are several different brands. The best gel to get is one with a colour also see, Where to find Gold indicator - for example the silica crystals start blue also look at, RC Mini Cars but then turn pink consider, Crochet when they absorb moisture. look at, Tin Toy Robot When they are all pink try, Crochet you know that the moisture why not visit, Collectible Perfume Bottles has been absorbed from your flowers consider, Sugar Free Pumpkin Muffins 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 checkout, Realistic Geofiction again.

Method:

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

Treat your flowers have a look at, Crochet immediately after picking. Find an air-tight lidded container that is 6" deeper than your flowers, , Coin Display Case and any leaves, that you want to dry. Fill the bottom of the container with 2-3 cm of silica. Lay your flowers, checkout, Poker Rules petals or leaves in the silica. Make sure the petals or leaves don't overlap. Carefully spoon the silica all around the flowers. consider, Tin Toy Robot Make sure you cover all the gaps so there is no air , Embroidery Cotton 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 also look at, Collectible Perfume Bottles so that they are ready about the same time. Fill the container so that there is no air try, What is Prospecting? 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. also see, Christmas Ornament Collectibles

Drying times vary (and silica is the quickest desiccant). Many flowers also see, Coin Display Case may be dry in 1-2 days. However, a rose also look at, Home Improvement Financing may need 10 days, or an orchid checkout, Start Wood Carving may take 2 weeks. You'll know when they are ready because the silica crystals will have gone pink, have a look at, Buy Clean Air Mask Australia and the flowers , Use of 3D Printing Technology in Dental Industry will feel dry and papery.

Carefully tip , Minichamps Diecast out the flowers also see, Christmas Ornament Collectibles and shake off excess silica. Use a small paintbrush to remove any crystals or powder left on the flowers. also see, Modern Sculpting

Remember: Now the dried flowers , RC Model Boat Kits need to be kept airtight or they will attract moisture why not visit, Family Research again and go limp. You also need to keep them out of direct sun look at, Family Tree Magazine or their colours also look at, Embroidery Cotton will bleach.

It may be a good idea to practice a little before trying to dry an absolutely treasured flower consider, Candle Making Instructions (e.g. your wedding bouquet). Good luck with this pastime of nature look at, Buy Clean Air Mask Australia & art and special memories.