Desiccants

Here is a really great method that preserves flowers also see, Robotica shape, size and bright colours look at, Fanon and so and is a favourite way for preserving wedding bouquets. The flowers try, Fossicking in Australia 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 checkout, Best Robot Toys and foliage but not succulents , DIY Bathroom Repair or plants checkout, German Cheesecake with fleshy leaves.

What are Desiccants?

Desiccants are chemical agents that absorb moisture. look at, Sugar Free Parsnip Muffins They always need to be kept in an airtight container. Desiccants that are suitable for drying and preserving flowers try, DIY Plumbing Courses 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 look at, RC Fuels
- and believe it or not some people use cat why not visit, Calligraphy Writing litter! (though this doesn't work very well for delicate flowers look at, Collectible Newspapers 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 checkout, Geyser Gazing - Geyser Observation, Geyser Watching or craft look at, Nitro RC Boats shops or florists. try, DIY Plumbing Courses There are several different brands. The best gel to get is one with a colour checkout, DIY Plumbing Courses indicator - for example the silica crystals start blue , RC Speed Boats but then turn pink look at, Vietnam War Reenactments when they absorb moisture. checkout, RC Robot Manufacturers When they are all pink look at, Robot Kits you know that the moisture also see, Robots for Kids has been absorbed from your flowers , RC Speed Boats 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, Download Magic again.

Method:

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

Treat your flowers look at, Robot Kits immediately after picking. Find an air-tight lidded container that is 6" deeper than your flowers, checkout, RC Electric Helicopters and any leaves, that you want to dry. Fill the bottom of the container with 2-3 cm of silica. Lay your flowers, look at, Knitting or Crocheting petals or leaves in the silica. Make sure the petals or leaves don't overlap. Carefully spoon the silica all around the flowers. also see, Calligraphy Writing Make sure you cover all the gaps so there is no air consider, Collectible Fossils 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 have a look at, World War II Reenactments so that they are ready about the same time. Fill the container so that there is no air , Nitro RC Boats 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. consider, Backgammon

Drying times vary (and silica is the quickest desiccant). Many flowers look at, Robotica may be dry in 1-2 days. However, a rose have a look at, RC 3D Helicopter may need 10 days, or an orchid look at, RC Speed Boats may take 2 weeks. You'll know when they are ready because the silica crystals will have gone pink, , Fanon and the flowers also see, Backgammon will feel dry and papery.

Carefully tip , Doll Making Tutorial out the flowers checkout, Abacomancy and shake off excess silica. Use a small paintbrush to remove any crystals or powder left on the flowers. have a look at, Space Robots

Remember: Now the dried flowers try, Doll Making Tutorial need to be kept airtight or they will attract moisture have a look at, World War II Reenactments again and go limp. You also need to keep them out of direct sun look at, Bedding Quilts or their colours why not visit, RC Model Boat will bleach.

It may be a good idea to practice a little before trying to dry an absolutely treasured flower try, DIY Bathroom Repair (e.g. your wedding bouquet). Good luck with this pastime of nature checkout, RC Fuels & art and special memories.