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Instructions for Preserving Flowers

Techniques for Drying Blossoms Explored, Featuring Benefits and Drawbacks of Various Methods. Expert Insights Provided by BBC Gardeners' World Magazine.

DIY Guide for Preserving Blossoms: A Step-by-Step Process on Drying Flowers at Home
DIY Guide for Preserving Blossoms: A Step-by-Step Process on Drying Flowers at Home

Instructions for Preserving Flowers

Drying flowers at home is a delightful way to preserve the beauty of your garden for future use. Whether you're making Christmas wreaths, garlands, or home-made gifts, or simply wanting to keep your blooms alive for a little longer, there are several methods available to you.

One popular method is air drying. Suitable flowers for this technique include hydrangea, lavender, celosia, and tanacetum. To air dry, cut your flowers in their prime, just as they're coming into full bloom. Dry weather is ideal for harvesting, as it reduces the risk of mould growth. After cutting, stand the stems in a vase with a little water in the base, and leave for several weeks until the water has all gone and the flowers start to dry out. Then, hang the stems upside down to air dry completely.

Another method is drying flowers in an oven. This process takes 12-24 hours. Preheat your oven to its lowest setting and place the trays inside, leaving the oven door slightly open to allow moisture to escape. When drying roses, it's best to use silicone resin to maintain their color and prevent damage. For other flowers, separating out the petals can help ensure even drying.

For those seeking a quicker method, drying flowers in the microwave is an option, although it does require more care and attention. Small flowers such as marigolds, daisy-type flowers, florets of hydrangeas, and the petals of roses are suitable for microwave drying.

Lastly, using silica gel is a great method for preserving entire blooms, including roses, and keeping their color. To do this, pour a thin layer of gel crystals into a wide plastic tub with a lid, place the flowers on the crystals in a single layer, and cover the flowers completely with gel crystals. This process takes 3-4 weeks.

Regardless of the method you choose, it's important to store your dried flowers in airy rooms with a dry atmosphere, keeping them out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources. With these tips, you'll be able to enjoy your flowers year-round!

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