WHAT IS FREEZE- DRYING??

    Scientifically, freeze-drying has been known for about 160 years. Freeze-drying has been widely used in the pharmacology industry and taxidermy (antlers in velvet, fish, turkey heads, etc.) but only recently has been developed for commercial floral preservation. Freeze-drying is the removal of water from an object while the water is in its solid state (ice crystals), otherwise known as sublimation.

    Sublimation is the vaporization or distillation of water directly from its solid state to its vapor state, without passing through its liquid state. Sublimation takes place when the vapor pressure of the ice on the surface of the specimen exceeds the vapor pressure surrounding the specimen. A vacuum of 100 millitorres, less than the vacuum of space, is created in the chamber holding the flowers. The condensation chamber's temperature is then lowered to approx. -40 degrees Fahrenheit, for 24-48 hrs. This allows the water to sublimate and be drawn into this seperate chamber away from the flowers. Afterwards the product chambers temperature is raised approximately 5 degrees per day during which time the chemically bound water is released. The whole process trakes approximately 2 weeks and results in the finished product being closer to the feel, look, and durability of a fresh flower, than either air or silica gel drying methods.

WHAT STEPS ARE TAKEN TO PRESERVE YOUR SPECIAL FLOWERS AT MPE?

1. Pictures will be taken, followed by your arrangement being taken apart so that each flower can be treated individually.

2. Flower stems are shortened and picked while the blossom is examined and possibly rehydrated. Generally greens do not freeze-dry well & will need to be replaced with glycerin preserved natural greens, that have been freeze-dried, or in a few cases silk.

3. Each flower is individually treated chemically to help preserve its color and durability.

4. The blooms are then checked to insure proper shaping (petals may be supported or held open) and then frozen

5. Next, they are are transferred to our Botanique freez-drier where the 2 week process described above begins.

6.Flowers are removed, inspected and steamed if necessary.

7. Flowers are now treated with a thin liquid plastic, not visible, to help keep moisture out.

Your flowers are now finished. We can  recreate your bouquet using preserved natural greens or silk, or design you r own personal enclosure. Our wide variety of enclosures allows for a truly one-of -a-kind treasure designed with your flowers alone, or in combination with other memorabilia (pictures, announcements, candles, glasses, toys, etc.) of YOUR SPECIAL EVENT.

note Some information from DRIED FLOWERS: From antiquity to the Present.