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There are a number of simple drying techniques that will make your blooms last and last indefinitely. The experts say the secret is to choose the relevant technique that will best suit your flowers. There are five common methods, so if you're a beginner, read on to find out the best one for you...
Drying flowers in the air
Air-drying flowers is one of the easiest ways to preserve a bouquet. If you're looking for a way of saving your wedding bouquet for posterity, this is likely to be the best method of doing so.
Hang the bouquet upside down and allow the moisture to evaporate into the air. It works best with robust flowers like roses and long-lasting blooms, such as lavender.
First, strip away the excess foliage. Then, tie the stems securely with an elastic band and hang the bouquet in a shady, dry spot away from direct sunlight. Once it has completely dried out, spray with hairspray for protection.
Drying flowers in a microwave
You might have thought a microwave oven was just for food, but you can also pop fresh flowers in if you want them to dry fast! Perhaps one of the oddest ways of drying flowers; this technique is great for preserving a single flower, such as chrysanthemum or gerbera daisy.
Put some clean cat litter in the bottom of a microwavable container. Place the flowers, with the blossom facing up, on the cat litter. Pour a little more cat litter over the flowers. Heat in the microwave on half-power for between two and five minutes. Remove the flower and dust off the traces of cat litter.
Drying flowers with silica gel
The little sachets packaged with new handbags and shoes are filled with silica gel to absorb moisture. It is a drying agent that you can buy from a craft shop. Dry out your flowers by gently placing them in an airtight container with silica gel.
You'll need to put about one inch of gel in the bottom of the container, which needs to be long enough to fit your flower stems lying flat. Then, using a cup, sprinkle a little more silica gel over the flowers. Seal the container with the lid. Leave them to dry in the container for between three and six days. Remove them when you're sure they are dry and gently brush the gel off each flower with a soft, clean paintbrush.
Drying your flowers in a vase
This technique is only really suitable for the more robust flowers, such as hydrangea. Leave them in a vase of water, and over a period of time, the water will evaporate if you do nothing. The flowers will dry gradually.
It is a similar process to the air-drying technique, but often, the flowers will retain a more vibrant colour than if you dry them in only air. This method isn't suitable for more delicate blooms.
Drying flowers in a press
Ideal for flat-headed flowers like pansies, violets and daisies; pressing flowers is a well-known and popular technique, as you can use them in many craft projects.
Before pressing the flowers, you should first condition them: submerge the stems in water as soon as possible after picking the flowers. Once underwater, the tips of the stems should be cut at an angle so they absorb the water well. Then, put the flowers in a clean vase of water containing plant food to get them in optimum condition.
Press the flowers between the pages of a heavy book, such as a phone directory. You can place them between two pieces of absorbent paper, such as blotting paper, first. Then, put them between the pages of the book and place a pile of other books on top for extra weight. The paper will absorb the water and the flowers should be dried in seven to ten days.
When you have dried a special flower arrangement, such as your wedding bouquet, or a much-loved floral gift with sentimental value, you can display it in a beautiful vase, as you would fresh flowers.
If you have pressed flowers, there are many wonderful ways to display them. Arrange them in simple white frames and hang them on your walls to add a personal touch to your home. Alternatively, you can use them as part of a larger picture; mix all kinds of flowers to give the appearance of a wild garden.
Why not arrange them in a large glass jar using bendy wire and a little ribbon to attach them; or you could make natural looking decorations by adding dried flowers to varnished wood plaques to hang on your wall? All it takes is a little imagination to come up with some unique craft designs that will transform your home.