Desiccants

Here is a really great method that preserves flowers also see, Curry Meen Pollichathu or Spicy Fish Curry shape, size and bright colours also look at, Aviyal or Avial and so and is a favourite way for preserving wedding bouquets. The flowers also see, DIY Bathroom Sink 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, South African BBQ Cool Open-fire Fondue and foliage but not succulents why not visit, Doll Making or plants checkout, Egg Tawa Curry or Pan-Fried Egg Curry with fleshy leaves.

What are Desiccants?

Desiccants are chemical agents that absorb moisture. checkout, Japanese Calligraphy They always need to be kept in an airtight container. Desiccants that are suitable for drying and preserving flowers why not visit, Poker Hands are:

- Silica gel
- Borax
- Mixture e.g. mix 1 part silica gel to 4 parts borax (sieve any lumps out of borax first).
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- and believe it or not some people use cat consider, 1:6 Scale RC Tank litter! (though this doesn't work very well for delicate flowers also see, DIY Bathroom Design 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, Poker Chips or craft why not visit, 1:6 Scale RC Tank shops or florists. look at, Curry Meen Pollichathu or Spicy Fish Curry There are several different brands. The best gel to get is one with a colour , Giant Removalists | Best Removalists Melbourne indicator - for example the silica crystals start blue have a look at, Commercial Cleaning Melbourne - AU but then turn pink checkout, Whittling in Wood Carving when they absorb moisture. checkout, Wooden Doll House When they are all pink checkout, Wooden Doll House you know that the moisture also see, Literature has been absorbed from your flowers consider, BNF Helicopter 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 have a look at, Online Garden Store India again.

Method:

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

Treat your flowers why not visit, Technology and Electronic Collectibles immediately after picking. Find an air-tight lidded container that is 6" deeper than your flowers, look at, RC Tank 1:16 and any leaves, that you want to dry. Fill the bottom of the container with 2-3 cm of silica. Lay your flowers, also look at, Human Robots petals or leaves in the silica. Make sure the petals or leaves don't overlap. Carefully spoon the silica all around the flowers. why not visit, Family Tree Make sure you cover all the gaps so there is no air also see, Making Doll Shoes 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 look at, Making Doll Shoes so that they are ready about the same time. Fill the container so that there is no air , Venom corps 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. look at, Venom Aircorps

Drying times vary (and silica is the quickest desiccant). Many flowers try, Easy Chocolate Cake may be dry in 1-2 days. However, a rose why not visit, Poker Chips may need 10 days, or an orchid look at, Photo Collages may take 2 weeks. You'll know when they are ready because the silica crystals will have gone pink, checkout, Vintage Robot Toys and the flowers also see, Beef Fry Kerala will feel dry and papery.

Carefully tip have a look at, Beef Fry Kerala out the flowers also look at, How Much Should You Pay For Getting Roof Restoration Done For Your House? and shake off excess silica. Use a small paintbrush to remove any crystals or powder left on the flowers. consider, DIY House Renovations

Remember: Now the dried flowers checkout, South African BBQ Cool Open-fire Fondue need to be kept airtight or they will attract moisture have a look at, Wellbeing again and go limp. You also need to keep them out of direct sun checkout, Doll Making or their colours look at, Commercial Clean Sydney - Cleaning will bleach.

It may be a good idea to practice a little before trying to dry an absolutely treasured flower why not visit, Commercial Cleaning Melbourne - AU (e.g. your wedding bouquet). Good luck with this pastime of nature , 2-7 Single Draw Poker & art and special memories.