Drying flowers is an easy task, once learned, that can lead you to create exciting bouquets, decorations, and scrapbook material. Drying flowers does take a certain attention to detail, so don’t rush into the experience without first learning the basics of keeping your flowers crisp and preserved.
When you receive the flower that you want to dry out, first make certain that there is no dew or condensation on the plant. Leaving the flower out in the open air for a few hours should do the trick if the flower has a bit of morning mist on it. Hanging the flower upside down by means of string is the best method, as it also preserves the flower structure.
The next step is simple- put the flower in a book and close it! This method flattens the flower, and also contributes to drying it over a long time span. To flatten the flower even further, you can apply a few extra pounds of pressure on top of the book. Any paper weight will do- even a few more books placed on top of it should be sufficient.
You might have heard of silica gel before. It is a material used to keep dry areas crips, and to help soak up moisture in areas that have become humid. Silica gel is found commonly in shoes when you first buy them. As you may have read on the label, silica gel is toxic if you consume it. You must exert caution when using it, and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling it to prevent a calamity.
Typically reserved for food, your microwave can do a lot more than make your favorite meals. It can also dry out flowers in just minutes, compared to days or weeks you would otherwise spend. The microwave won’t get the same results as the longer process would. It is recommended that you try it yourself to see what results you get. Professionals won’t depend on the microwave, however, as you will see why.
Insects will quickly turn your experiments into a waste of time if you aren’t careful. Always keep any projects you have going in a place that is in a common area. That way you can monitor the progress, and also ward off any insects that could creep in and consume the flower material. If you are paranoid enough, encase the project in a quarantined area. You would be surprised at how many insects can actually hinder your efforts at making a beautiful flower display.
Final Thoughts
Don’t forget to have fun in your flower drying experiments. The projects you create will look great in scrapbooks, gifts, and other types of presents. They also set a great atmosphere when skillfully placed in a room for decoration. The possibilities are near endless!
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