Desiccants

Here is a really great method that preserves flowers also see, Baps Cleaning Is To Lead Cleaning Melbourne — Our Mission shape, size and bright colours , Battlebots and so and is a favourite way for preserving wedding bouquets. The flowers checkout, Modern Reenactments 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, Radio Controlled Trucks and foliage but not succulents try, Modern Reenactments or plants consider, Xmods RC Cars with fleshy leaves.

What are Desiccants?

Desiccants are chemical agents that absorb moisture. have a look at, RC Kits They always need to be kept in an airtight container. Desiccants that are suitable for drying and preserving flowers consider, Diecast Police Cars 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, RC Kits
- and believe it or not some people use cat look at, Geofiction and History litter! (though this doesn't work very well for delicate flowers also look at, Radio Controlled Trucks 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 have a look at, RC Kits or craft consider, Brewing Irish Stout Beer at Home shops or florists. try, Poker Video There are several different brands. The best gel to get is one with a colour , RC Electric Speedboats indicator - for example the silica crystals start blue try, Scale Model Houses but then turn pink why not visit, Modern Reenactments when they absorb moisture. try, Aikido When they are all pink have a look at, RC Buggies Competition you know that the moisture checkout, Calligraphy Letters has been absorbed from your flowers consider, Aikido 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, A combination of office fitouts, shop fitouts and restaurant fitouts Canberra again.

Method:

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

Treat your flowers consider, New Bright RC Cars immediately after picking. Find an air-tight lidded container that is 6" deeper than your flowers, look at, Soap Making Instructions and any leaves, that you want to dry. Fill the bottom of the container with 2-3 cm of silica. Lay your flowers, try, Battlebots petals or leaves in the silica. Make sure the petals or leaves don't overlap. Carefully spoon the silica all around the flowers. try, Making Rag Dolls Make sure you cover all the gaps so there is no air , Brewing Irish Stout Beer at Home 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 try, Brown Bread so that they are ready about the same time. Fill the container so that there is no air also see, Brown Bread 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. why not visit, Battlebots

Drying times vary (and silica is the quickest desiccant). Many flowers , Shogi may be dry in 1-2 days. However, a rose try, RC Kits may need 10 days, or an orchid look at, Making Rag Dolls may take 2 weeks. You'll know when they are ready because the silica crystals will have gone pink, try, Poker Video and the flowers also look at, Baps Cleaning Is To Lead Cleaning Melbourne — Our Mission will feel dry and papery.

Carefully tip try, Easy Home-Chemistry Experiments out the flowers checkout, DIY Plumbing and shake off excess silica. Use a small paintbrush to remove any crystals or powder left on the flowers. consider, RC Tyres

Remember: Now the dried flowers have a look at, Professional Digital Camera need to be kept airtight or they will attract moisture look at, Xmods RC Cars again and go limp. You also need to keep them out of direct sun consider, 1/43 Scale Diecast or their colours have a look at, Brewing Irish Stout Beer at Home will bleach.

It may be a good idea to practice a little before trying to dry an absolutely treasured flower , Medieval Blacksmith (e.g. your wedding bouquet). Good luck with this pastime of nature why not visit, Hobby Stores & art and special memories.