Flower Preservation
Secrets
There are
many methods used for preserving flowers. None
of the below methods are an exact science, though
freeze-drying flowers comes the closest. White
flowers often turn out ivory or tan, and the
color will also vary depending on the flower
itself.
More fragile
flowers (such as the daisy, the petals are fragile)
are more difficult to dry, but can be pressed.
Drying times can vary depending upon a large
number of factors including humidity, air circulation,
method and storage.
Air
dried flowers
This method involves drying flowers with the
use of air. Where bouquets are concerned, the
bouquet is taken apart, and each flower is dried
separately. The way I do it is to simply tie
a string around the stem of the flower/s and
hang from the ceiling. This process can be done
at home, but putting the bouquet back together
is certainly the most difficult part.
Most flowers
will darken, and some flowers do turn brown.
I generally coat with a finishing spray (such
as Krylon) as these flowers will be brittle
otherwise. As a result of the brittle nature
of air-dried flowers, creating the bouquet is
a tedious task. If you prefer, you can also
hang your entire bouquet. There are a few disadvantages
though. It takes a very long time to dry, though
if you wait long enough it will eventually happen.
The outer flowers may dry while the inner flowers
stay moist.
The brightly
colored flowers can stain the lighter colored
flowers. In high humidity areas, mold can grow
on the flowers. Finally, flowers may start to
de-compose. One way of taking advantage of drying
bunches is to separate the bouquet into smaller
bunches. If possible, form loose bunches as
it will aid in air circulation.
Dehydrated
Flowers
This method uses air circulation in the form
of a dehydrator to dry your flowers. I've used
the method with some success. It's quicker than
air-drying, retains a better color and is slightly
less brittle. The main drawback is that most
dehydrators are too "skinny" to hold
flowers such as a plump rose. My solution is
a piece of stencil plastic cut into a long rectangle.
The height
will depend on the flowers, but as most dehydrators
have grooves, you simply circle the piece of
plastic in the grooves, and very carefully place
the lid on top. The other drawback is that you
must keep careful watch, and flip the flowers
often. If you do not, they will be flat on one
side. Fine for framing, but not so great if
you actually want to re-create a bouquet.
Drying
Agents
This method can use a variety of agents to dry
the flowers. Some of these include; silica gel,
cornmeal, alum and borax. I have also read that
dry sand can be used. They draw out the moisture
of the flowers. With this method, you spread
the agent in a container, and place the flowers
on the agent. You then cover the flowers with
more agent, and store in a dark and cool location.
The drying
times vary depending on the agent, but are generally
at least a week in length. Because the agent
keeps drawing out moisture, it's important to
check every few days. You don't want them so
dry that they crumble when you touch them. This
happened to me last year when I discovered some
flowers that I had hidden quite well...for about
three months!
Freeze-dried
flowers
Flowers are flash frozen in a machine that draws
moisture from the flowers. This process provides
minimal shrinkage, and takes approximately 12
days to finish. Colors will be slightly muted
as they age. A sealant is usually applied to
increase the longevity of the flowers. I have
not yet found a method to do this successfully
at home.
Many companies
provide this service, and you can find some
of them listed under my Flower Preservation
Services net links section. The service is generally
not inexpensive, but is the best choice if you
want the most faithful reproduction of your
bouquet.
Glycerine
While this does not work well with most flowers,
this preserving method works wonderfully for
baby's breath and leaves. It is one method where
the material does not become brittle. You add
glycerine to hot tap water in a vase or other
container. 1 part to 2 parts respectively, smash
stem of whatever you are drying and place into
the mixture. The mixture can be used again,
and the material can be stored in a cool and
dry place.
Microwave
Drying
This method uses silica gel and produces quick
results. Simply place a layer of silica gel
in a glass (microwave safe of course) dish,
and microwave for one minute. The silica gel
will turn blue. Add flowers on top, then another
layer of silica gel. Be sure to cover flowers
completely.
Microwave
for one to three minutes (varies with microwave).
Take out, and let sit for 20 to 30 minutes.
Less time for thin flowers, more time for thick
flowers. The flowers should be dry. If not,
re-cover flowers with silica gel and let sit
for 5 to 10 additional minutes. Flowers will
be brittle. Silica gel can be found in most
craft stores.
Potpourri
While this won't preserve your bouquet in it's
bouquet state, it will preserve the flowers.
For this method, I simply use the dehydrator
to dry the leaves and petals of the flowers.
Add a few drops of essential (or potpourri)
oil, and mix. It's simple and it's smells nice.
It also takes care of the problem of not knowing
what to do with "all of the wedding stuff
after the wedding", as it greatly reduces
the size of your bouquet.
Pressed
flowers
A flower press will give you the best results
with this particular method. In it's most basic
form, a flower press consists of two sheets
of wood with a screw and bolt at each corner.
As far as tools go, all you need is something
(pliers, etc) to tighten and loosen the bolt.
When you lay out the flowers, try to make sure
that flowers on each sheet (of paper) do not
touch the flowers above or below.
While flowers
are essentially flattened, they will retain
some shape, and occasionally retain the impression
of the flower that is being pressed above or
below it. It is important that you use paper
between the layers of flowers. The papers retain
moisture, and also the stains that the flowers
themselves produce. Blotting paper works well,
but I've found success using simple typing paper.
Most flowers will be darkened, muted or browned
in nature.
Some people
do use large books to press their flowers, but
I have never had this method work as well as
a flower press. There is more possibility of
movement as someone might actually need to use
that huge dictionary of yours. This is especially
true if you have children in the house. A lock
might work though...or a really great hiding
place.
Waxed
Flowers
This is one method that I have yet to try, but
it's a simple method nonetheless. You simply
dip flowers into melted paraffin wax and shake
off excess wax. Refrigerate on wax paper. While
it sounds easy to do, it also sounds messy.
Be sure to work in an area that is easy to clean
up or where it doesn't matter if a mess is made.
One other
caution is to be careful working with hot wax.
Where waxes are concerned, you need to melt
the wax in a double broiler. You can set a slightly
smaller saucepan inside of a slighter larger
one to create a double broiler. Water goes into
the lower pot, and you will melt the wax in
the upper pot. Do not attempt to melt wax in
a pan that is set directly on the stovetop.
You will receive burns if you do not use some
type of double broiler to melt the wax.
The look
of waxed flowers is unique, but they may be
mistaken for plastic flowers from a distance.
They retain a slight sheen, and the exact way
they look is very hard to describe. It almost
looks as if the flowers have been pearlized.
The wax isn't perfectly clear, and you will
find it to be slightly opaque. This method will
also have people wondering "what in the
world" you did to those flowers once they
get a closer look. It's both the most interesting
preservation look and the most unique.
