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Dried flowers are a beautiful and long-lasting way to enjoy blooms from your garden. Here are some tips on how to make your dried flowers last even longer.
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Introduction
Dried flowers are a beautiful and long-lasting way to enjoy your favorite blooms. But even dried flowers will eventually fade and lose their color and shape. To keep your dried flowers looking their best, there are a few things you can do.
First, keep them out of direct sunlight. Sunlight will cause the colors to fade and the petals to become brittle. If you want to display your dried flowers in a sunny window, rotate them every few weeks so they all get a chance to stay out of the direct sun.
Second, keep them away from drafts. Drafts can cause the flowers to dry out too quickly, leading to fading and crumbling. If you live in a particularly dry climate, you may need to mist your dried flowers periodically to keep them from getting too dry.
Third, don’t store them in an airtight container. Dried flowers need to breathe in order to stay fresh, so an airtight container is not ideal. A vase or other open container is best. If you must store them in an airtight container, be sure to check on them periodically and remove any that show signs of fading or crumbling.
Following these simple tips will help your dried flowers look beautiful for months to come!
What You’ll Need
To make your dried flowers last as long as possible, you’ll need a few materials:
-Airtight containers: Jars, Tupperware, or Ziploc bags will work great.
-Silica gel or desiccant packs: These are available at most craft stores.
-Paper towels or coffee filters: These will help absorb moisture.
-Dried flowers: Make sure they’re completely dry before storing them.
Step 1: Clean your containers thoroughly with soap and water. This will help ensure that your flowers stay fresh and free of mold.
Step 2: Place silica gel or desiccant packs in the bottom of the container. These will help absorb any moisture in the air and keep your flowers dry.
Step 3: Place a layer of paper towels or coffee filters over the desiccant packs. This will help protect your flowers from the direct contact with the desiccant material.
Step 4: Add your dried flowers to the container, making sure not to pack them too tightly. You want them to be able to breathe, so don’t crush them.
Step 5: Close the container tightly and store it in a cool, dark place. Check on your flowers every few weeks to make sure they’re staying dry and mold-free.
Step One: Choose the Right Flowers
The key to successful dried flowers is to start with blooms that have a low moisture content. This means avoiding delicate petals, such as those found on tulips, lilies, and impatiens. Instead, focus on sturdier blooms like roses, mums, daisies, and baby’s breath.
Once you’ve selected your blooms, cut them early in the morning when they are fully hydrated. Flowers will continue to release water as they dry, so it’s important to start with fresh blooms that haven’t already begun to wilt.
##Step Two: Prep Your Flowers
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To prep your flowers for drying, strip off any leaves or greenery that will fall below the water line in your vase. This will prevent the leaves from rotting and contaminating the water.
Next, cut the stems at an angle about an inch from the base of the bloom. This will help them absorb water more easily.
Step Two: Prepare the Flowers
Choose your favorite flowers and trim off any excess leaves or stems. If your flowers have been in a bouquet, give them a fresh cut and remove any basal leaves that will be below the water line. These leaves will decompose quickly and can cause your arrangement to rot.
Next, it’s time to remove any pollen that may be present on the flower. Many people are allergic to pollen, so it’s best to remove it before adding the flowers to your home.
There are a few ways to remove pollen from your flowers. The first is to use a cotton swab or cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol. Gently dab the cotton over the flower until you see the yellow pollen transfer onto the cotton. You can also use a soft-bristled brush to brush off the pollen. Finally, you can place the flowers in a bowl of cool water and let them soak for about 10 minutes. The pollen will sink to the bottom of the bowl and you can pour it off before adding your flowers to the vase.
Step Three: Hang the Flowers
After you have gathered your flowers and removed any excess leaves or stems, it’s time to hang them upside down to dry. You can do this by tying the stems together with string or rubber bands and then attaching the bundle to a hanger. Alternatively, you can also lay the flowers out on a drying rack.
If you are hanging your flowers, make sure that they are not touching one another so that they have good air circulation. Also, be sure to hang them in a dark, dry place such as a closet or attic so that they do not fade in sunlight.
Allow the flowers to hang for two to three weeks until they are completely dried. Once they are dry, you can remove the petals and leaves and store them in an airtight container.
Step Four: Store the Flowers
Once your flowers are dry, it’s time to store them. Depending on the type of flower, there are different ways to go about this.
For fragile flowers like baby’s breath, it’s best to store them in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. You can put them in a box lined with tissue paper, or you can hang them upside down from a coat hanger.
Other varieties like roses can be stored in a vase filled with water. To keep the water from getting murky, add a couple of drops of bleach for each gallon of water. You can also add a pinch of salt to help preserve the color of your flowers.
You can also store dried flowers in an airtight container filled with desiccant packets. Desiccant packets are small bags that contain silica gel beads that absorb moisture. This is a good option for long-term storage or if you live in a humid climate.
Conclusion
To extend the life of your dried flowers, start by picking fresh blooms that haven’t begun to wilt. Cut the stems at an angle and immediately place them in a vase of cool water. Change the water every other day, and recut the stems if they start to become blocked. You can also try using a floral preservative to keep your flowers looking fresh for even longer. Hang your flowers upside down in a cool, dark place to dry them, or use a food dehydrator if you’re in a hurry. Once they’re dried, store them in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. With proper care, your dried flowers should last for several months.
