Drying and preserving flowers was an obsession with the Victorians, who took materials not in only from their gardens but the sea-shores as well. They were experts at drying sea-weeds (washing and pressing it between sheets of paper). Beautiful pictures were made and the colors of different sea-weeds skillfully contrasted.
Some of the methods of drying and preserving plant material are:
GLYCERINE - This is a simple and easy process. Make a solution with 1 part glycerine and 2 parts very hot water directly into the container you plan to use. Mix well with a wooden spoon. A glass bottle or jar is useful as the depth of the solution should be 5cm (2 in.) . You also need a shallow dish or pan to immerse certain flowers and leaves which do not absorb too well from their stem ends.
Immerse the stems into the solution. They absorb the warm solution easily but can take from 3 days to 6 weeks, depending on the species. The progress of the glycerine up into the leaves is visible, so its not difficult to determine when the process is finished. If the tips of the branches have sagged, then hang them upside down for a few days to allow the glycerine to reach the tips.
Glycerine turns leaves brown as it replaces the water they once contained. The feel is almost the same as they did before the treatment and they are glossy and flexible.
The solution can be used and reused. Do not worry if it turns dark in colour. If mildew forms then strain it !
Flowers suitable for this method are:
Beech
Camellia
Ferns
Hydrangea
Iris seedpods
Ivy
Lime flowers
Magnolia
Oak
Rose
Rubber plant
Sea holly flowers
Sweet chestnut
Teasels
AIR DRYING - This is the easiest and most popular way of drying flowers. Instead of replacing water in the plant, the object of air drying is to eliminate all water.
Gather a small bunch of flowers, tie them together and hang them upside down a warm, dry, dark area. For wide-headed flowers a box with a piece of chicken wire on it can hold the flower heads open while they dry.
Flowers suitable for this method are:
Allium (onion & related plants)
Celosia
Chinese lantern
Delphiniums
Globe
Hydrangea
Iris
Lavender
Larkspur
Poppy
Pussy willow
Pampass grass
Queen Anne's Lace
Sea holly
Thistle
PRESSING - This method is chiefly used to prepare plant material for incorporation into pressed flower pictures. First cut off the stems. Have either a flower press (sold in craft shops) or a large book and carefully place the flowers between two sheets of blotting paper. There should be no creasing or over-lapping. Stems and leaves should be dried seperately.
PRESSING WITH DESICCANTS - This means burying the plant material in a substance which will draw all moisture from the plant. This way they retain their natural forms and shapes and their colouring.
SILICA GEL - This material will dry the flower by absorbing up to 40 percent of it weight in water. It can be used in the oven or microwave. Cover the base of a microwave-safe container with silica gel crystals or powder (powder is best for delicate blooms). Layer the flowers face down on the gel, then just as gently cover the blooms with more silica. Don't pile it on or the blooms could be damaged.
Put the uncovered container into the microwave with a cup of water next to it. Microwave on high for 1 to 3 minutes, depending on the delicacy of the flowers. Leave until the flowers are cool then remove and shake off the silica. The results are superb !
Flowers suitable for this method are:
Ageratum
Aster
Bells of Ireland
Candytuft
Calendula
Cosmos
Daisies
Dahlia
Snapdragon
BORAX - Make a mixture of 1 part borax and 1 part cornmeal. Cover the bottom of a box (suit box is a good size) with a thin layer of the mixture and then place the flower face up. Sift on more of the mixture and place the box in a dry dark place until blooms are completely dehydrated.
Flowers suitable for this method are:
Chrysanthemum
Dahlia
Daisy
Marigold
Shasta
Zinnia
SAND - Small hardy flowers can be dried using sand. Sift fine, dry sand through a flour sifter. Strip off all the foliage. Put a couple of inches of dry sand in a box and hold blossoms upside down on sand. Gently pour on sand until the blossoms are covered. Stems need not be covered. Place in the sun to bake. Flowers should be dry in a day or two.
Flowers suitable for this method are:
Zinnias
Marigolds
Pansies
Pompom chrysanthemums
FREEZE DRYING - Freeze drying consists of dehydrating tissue while it is frozen. Depending upon the age and the season of the flower being treated, in most cases satisfactory drying has been obtained.
Research into the process of freeze drying began at the British Museum (Natural History) in the late 1950s. After some setbacks suitable apparatus was developed and at the present time a full service of freeze drying for both plant and animal material is provided.
Malaysian flowers generated RM54 million in earnings for the country in 1994, out of which RM1.6 million came from the sale of dried flowers.
Have fun experimenting !!!
