Drying Flowers - Horticulture - Lecture Slides, Slides of Botany and Agronomy

Download Drying Flowers - Horticulture - Lecture Slides and more Slides Botany and Agronomy in PDF only on Docsity! Drying Flowers Docsity.com Dried Flowers • Often sold to customers desiring a permanent arrangement Docsity.com Hanging Method • Flowers should be picked for drying just before they reach their prime • Overly mature flowers do not dry well Docsity.com Hanging Method • Strip off all leaves and tie flowers in small bunches • Suspend flowers upside down in a warm dry place without light Docsity.com Hanging Method • Darkness preserves the color • Drying time varies according to the type of flower and the conditions of the drying location Docsity.com Desiccant Drying • Most flowers can be dried without a loss of color or shape when the petals are supported by the drying agent Docsity.com Desiccant Drying • Support medium should provide even drying throughout the flower and keep petals from curling Docsity.com Desiccant Drying • All spaces between petals should be completely filled • Remove stems from the flowers about one half inch below the calyx Docsity.com Desiccant Drying • Gently support the petals while working the substance into and between the folds or the flowers Docsity.com Desiccant Drying • Seal container to prevent the drying agent from absorbing moisture from the air Docsity.com Desiccant Drying • Cardboard boxes work well • Holes can be punched in the bottom to remove the desiccant without damaging the flowers Docsity.com Desiccant Drying • Spray flowers with a dried flower preservative to protect and strengthen them Docsity.com Desiccant Drying • Attach floral wires to the flowers for stems • Original stems may be dried and reattached with hot glue Docsity.com Desiccant Drying • If wires are attached, use floral tape to secure the flower to the wire and to give the stem a more natural look. Docsity.com Sand and Borax • Borax can be purchased in the laundry section of any grocery store • Drying time is one to two weeks Docsity.com Cornmeal & Borax • White cornmeal and borax mixture is light and works well with delicate flowers • Mix ten parts white cornmeal with three parts borax Docsity.com Cornmeal & Borax • Sift thoroughly to mix • Borax is used to protect the petals from mold and weevils during drying • This method takes three to seven days Docsity.com Silica Gel • Industrial compound that can be purchased for drying • More expensive than other drying agents Docsity.com Silica Gel • Can be reused almost indefinitely • Best drying agent for preserving flowers Docsity.com Silica Gel • Dries quickly and flowers retain more of their natural colors • May be purchased at a hobby or discount store that carries crafts Docsity.com Silica Gel • After drying, sift silica gel to remove flower debris • Dry in an oven at 250 degrees for 30 minutes Docsity.com Silica Gel • The Tell-Tale crystals will return to their blue color when dry Docsity.com Microwave drying • Quick method • Superior quality • Colors are brighter Docsity.com Microwave • Arrange one flower blossom face up in each bowl of silica gel Docsity.com Microwave • Sprinkle additional silica gel between petals until the flowers are completely covered • Use a toothpick or small brush to separate petals Docsity.com Microwave • Place one or two flowers in the microwave oven at a time • Place a cup of water in the corner of the microwave to provide moisture Docsity.com Microwave • Shake gently to remove silica gel • Use a small paintbrush to remove any remaining gel Docsity.com Microwave • Spray with preservative spray and attach a 16 or 18 gauge wire to the stem with floral tape Docsity.com Glycerin • Colorless liquid made from fats and oils which can be used to preserve foliage Docsity.com Glycerin • Pour mixture into a container at the depth of 4 to 5 inches • Stems of fresh foliage should be given a fresh slanting cut at the base Docsity.com Glycerin • Place stems of foliages in the glycerin solution for four days to two weeks • Replenish solution as needed during preservation process Docsity.com Glycerin • Foliage will darken to an olive or bronze color as the leaves absorb the solution Docsity.com Glycerin • Place weights on the leaves to keep them below the surface • Ivy leaves and stems may be preserved by this method Docsity.com Glycerin • Leave ivy submerged for four days • Rinse glycerin off with cool water when foliage is removed from the solution Docsity.com Bleaching &Drying • Items to be bleached must first be dried • Place dried plant material in a solution of one cup bleach and two gallons water Docsity.com Bleaching &Drying • Leave material in a water bath for a day or two • Hang outside to dry and whiten Docsity.com Bleaching &Drying • To dye bleached materials, dip for 5 minutes in a boiling RIT solution • Mix dye according to package directions Docsity.com