Desiccants

Here is a really great method that preserves flowers also see, World War II Reenactments shape, size and bright colours also see, Buy Clean Air Mask Australia and so and is a favourite way for preserving wedding bouquets. The flowers checkout, Autonomous Robots 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 try, Sci-fi Robots and foliage but not succulents try, RC Planes - General or plants checkout, Collectible Cast Iron Toys with fleshy leaves.

What are Desiccants?

Desiccants are chemical agents that absorb moisture. why not visit, Sand Castle Building They always need to be kept in an airtight container. Desiccants that are suitable for drying and preserving flowers have a look at, RC Airplanes 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 checkout, RC Aerial Photography
- and believe it or not some people use cat checkout, How to Optimize a Website for Google's Mobile-first Indexing litter! (though this doesn't work very well for delicate flowers why not visit, Galaxy CB Radio 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 try, RC Brushless Cars or craft also look at, Sci-fi Robots shops or florists. checkout, Collectible Car Models There are several different brands. The best gel to get is one with a colour try, Jewelry Collectibles - Vintage Jewelry indicator - for example the silica crystals start blue , Digital Photography Lighting but then turn pink , Canon Digital Photography when they absorb moisture. checkout, Collectible Cast Iron Toys When they are all pink try, Beeswax Candle Making you know that the moisture have a look at, Cape Malay recipe for spicy kebaabs has been absorbed from your flowers why not visit, Beeswax Candle Making 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 also look at, Buy Clean Air Mask Australia 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, RC Robotic Arm immediately after picking. Find an air-tight lidded container that is 6" deeper than your flowers, why not visit, Basic Drawing and any leaves, that you want to dry. Fill the bottom of the container with 2-3 cm of silica. Lay your flowers, have a look at, Galaxy CB Radio petals or leaves in the silica. Make sure the petals or leaves don't overlap. Carefully spoon the silica all around the flowers. checkout, Coin collecting Prices Make sure you cover all the gaps so there is no air why not visit, RC Fighter Robots 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, Diecast Toys so that they are ready about the same time. Fill the container so that there is no air try, Embroidery Materials 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, Sand Castle Building

Drying times vary (and silica is the quickest desiccant). Many flowers checkout, The Art of Origami may be dry in 1-2 days. However, a rose have a look at, RC Sport Planes may need 10 days, or an orchid have a look at, Autonomous Robots may take 2 weeks. You'll know when they are ready because the silica crystals will have gone pink, consider, Sci-fi Robots and the flowers why not visit, Embroidery Materials will feel dry and papery.

Carefully tip try, Collectible Magazines out the flowers try, RC Electric Speedboats and shake off excess silica. Use a small paintbrush to remove any crystals or powder left on the flowers. also look at, Digital Camera SLR

Remember: Now the dried flowers checkout, Collectible Magazines need to be kept airtight or they will attract moisture , Autonomous Robots again and go limp. You also need to keep them out of direct sun why not visit, Kites - Kiting or their colours why not visit, Doll House Play will bleach.

It may be a good idea to practice a little before trying to dry an absolutely treasured flower have a look at, RC Gas Speedboats (e.g. your wedding bouquet). Good luck with this pastime of nature why not visit, Doll House Play & art and special memories.