- How You Can
Dry Flowers/ Wax Fresh Flowers
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You can enjoy
the freshness of a flower garden throughout the year by cutting
and drying your favorite flowers. The two easiest and least expensive
methods are sand-drying and air-drying.
Sand-drying
can be used to dry a wide variety of flowers, such as roses,
tulips, dahlias, marigolds and snapdragons. Flowers which last
only one day, like day lilies, do not dry well. Do not dry asters,
azaleas, chrysanthemums, geraniums, petunias, phlox, pinks, poppies
or violets. But feel free to do your own experimentation.
To prepare
for sand-drying, cut the flowers at the peak of their show as
any imperfections will be exaggerated by drying. Pick the flowers
after the dew has fully evaporated. Make sure the stems are dry.
Prepare the
flowers by reinforcing the stems and blossoms with florist's
wire or with white glue. For daisy-type flowers and flowering
shrubs, push a 6" piece of wire through the stem and right
through the flower head; bend the end of the wire into a hook
over the flower head and then pull it down, thus securing the
head to the stem.
For flowers
such as roses and tulips which are dried face-up, cut off most
of the stem except an inch or so and insert the wire as above.
For many-petaled
flowers, use glue instead of wire. Diluting the white glue with
a drip of water and using a toothpick, dab a thin coat of glue
at the base of each petal, working the glue into the base of
each flower to attach each petal to the base. Dry completely.
To dry the
flowers, slowly cover them with white sand in deep, open boxes.
Cup-shaped or rose-shaped flowers should be dried face-up. Make
the sand deep enough to hold the flowers in an upright position,
position the flower carefully and slowly pour the sand around
the base of the flower, then around the sides and under and over
the petals. Pour the sand evenly and slowly in order to preserve
the natural shape of the blossom.
Daisy-type
flowers should be dried face down. Make an even base of sand
in the box and make a little dip in the sand the same shape as
the flower.
Hold the flower
steady and carefully build up the sand around the blossom until
it is fully covered.
Snapdragons,
lilac, elongated flowers and flowering branches should be positioned
horizontally in the sand, flowering branches face up. Carefully
pour the sand around and between the flowers and into individual
blooms. A soft artists' brush will help you in lifting the blossoms
slightly as you pour the sand so that they won't be flattened
by its weight.
When all the
flowers are completely covered with sand put the drying box in
your drying area and leave undisturbed for one to three weeks.
Rapid drying in a very warm, dry and brightly-lit place will
produce bright blossoms; slower drying in a more humid spot will
produce more muted colors.
Removing the
sand should be done very carefully, tipping the container slightly,
allowing the sand to flow slowly from one corner of the box.
As each flower is released from the sand, lift it gently out.
If you wish
to store your dried flowers for later use, seal them in airtight
containers such as tins or plastic boxes sealed with masking
tape, or in sealed cardboard boxes enclosed in airtight plastic
bags.
Air-drying
can be very successful with herbs, everlastings and ornamental
grasses. Choose perfect plants with long stems, removing the
lower leaves. Put the flowers in small bunches, fastening them
together with an elastic band; then open each bunch into a fan
shape. Hang the flowers head down from nails in a dry, dark place
for one to three weeks until they are completely dry. The colors
will usually be muted. Display your flowers in the house or store
them as above.
You may want
to experiment with waxing fresh flowers. This too is simple;
just melt some paraffin wax and plunge each individual flower
into the wax. Remove and shake the excess wax off each flower.
Put it into the refrigerator to set and harden.
Having dried,
preserved flowers in your home year-round can really brighten
it up. You may want to give dried flower arrangements as Christmas
gifts. It is a wonderful, satisfying hobby to preserve your own
flowers. You can also make lovely cards by pressing your flowers
and covering them with clear mac-tac on a piece of construction
paper. It's easy to do and looks lovely. |
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