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Drying Flowers With Desiccants
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Drying
with desiccants is probably the second most commonly used method for
drying
flowers. Although this method can be the least predictable way to
preserve
flowers and foliage, the results can be dazzling and lifelike.
Different
materials may be used and they vary in cost and the results that they
produce.
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 FLOWER TIPS |
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For
best results flowers dried with desiccants should be in bud or just
prior
to full bloom when they are at their peak of color. It is also very
important
to use the correct procedure when covering the flowers so that their
form
will be maintained.
Other
Methods To Preserve Plants:
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| DRYING WITH DESICCANTS METHOD |
Standard
Procedure For Drying Flowers With Desiccant:
 Extremely
Important: Refrain from using any anti-desiccant spray or any
type
of preservative that would be sprayed onto a fresh flower.This can
destroy
the preservation process.
Dry
only one type of flower at a time, because some flowers take longer to
dry than others.
Use
only plastic containers with tightly fitting lids.
Put
about an inch of desiccant mixture on the bottom of plastic container.
Important:
the desiccant must be completely dry before you begin.
Dry
flat faced flowers and radial shapes should be dryed face down on
pre-formed
mounds of desiccant. Carefully add desiccant until flowers are
completely
covered, being sure not to disrupt the natural form.
Most
compact flowers dry best with their heads facing up when using
desiccants.
Cut
the flower stem to about a half an inch and stick this into the center
of the desiccants at the bottom of the container to hold the flower.
Build
up the desiccant mixture around the edges of the flowers. Sprinkle a
light
layer on top of each flower and carefully separate the petals as you
sprinkle.
Continue adding the layer around until the flower is completely covered
(about one inch above the top of the flower).
Cover
the container with a tight fitting lid (or seal it if lid is not very
tight)
if using silica gel and other desiccants. You can leave the container
just
covered if using sand.
Label
the container with contents and date, and store in a dry place.
When
drying with desiccants check frequently because the flowers can be
burned
if embedded too long.
With
a soft brush remove any desiccant that tends to cling.
If
you want to add color to your dried flowers you can use artist pastels.
Finely grate the pastels into a dust and mix dust from various colors
to
achieve a color similar to the natural flower color. Place the dust mix
in a plastic bag and insert the flower, holding on to the stem. Dust
the
flower with the pastel mixture, remove it from the bag and shake off
all
excess dust.
On
the end of drying process, white or clear glue may be placed at the
base
of some flower petals to prevent shattering.
Sand
Method:
Sand is
the cheapest desiccant on the market. You can used washed fine sand or
use white silver sand or floral sand. It is available at garden or pet
centers and hardware stores.You can re-use the sand by sifting
out
any particles that might have contaminated it. Check in 10 to 20
days to see if the flowers are papery and dry. If not, re-cover and
check
again in a couple of days
Tip:
The sand must be completely dry before you begin. You can warm it in
the
oven at 100 degrees for a half-hour before using.
Silica Gel
Method:
Silica
gel is the best drying agent for retaining a flower's form and color.
Silica
gel may be oven-dried (at 300 ° F) and reused. Find
Out More About Drying With Silica Gel
Borax
and Cornmeal Method:
Prepare
an equal mixture of borax and white cornmeal (1:1), add 3 tablespoons
of
uniodized
salt
for each quart of mixture and use our standard procedure.
Check
in five to six days to see if the flowers are papery and dry. If not,
re-cover
and check again in a couple of days.
Tip: Delicate
flowers with high water content
such as rose buds are to difficult
to dry in borax mixtures.
Borax
and Sand Method:
Prepare
mixture of borax and sand (2:1) and use standard procedure. Check in 10
to 12 days to see if the flowers are papery and dry. If not, re-cover
and
check again in a couple of days.
Important:
Do not use borax alone, as it may cause bleaching.
Tip:
Avoid sand with rough edges because if that sand is used it may produce
small holes in the petals.
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