What is how to preserve flowers?

Preserving Flowers: A Guide

Preserving flowers allows you to enjoy their beauty long after they've bloomed. Here are several popular methods:

• Air Drying: This is one of the simplest methods.

  • Hang flowers upside down in a dark, dry, and well-ventilated area. Bundle stems together with twine or rubber bands. Darkness helps retain color. Check out this link for more information about air drying.
  • Remove leaves from the stems.
  • Drying time usually takes 2-4 weeks, depending on the flower type and humidity.

• Pressing: Ideal for flat flowers like pansies and violets.

  • Place flowers between sheets of absorbent paper (like blotting paper or newspaper) inside a heavy book.
  • Add weight on top of the book.
  • Replace the paper every few days until the flowers are completely dry. This information is related to pressing flowers.

• Silica Gel: This method preserves the flower's shape and color very well.

  • Bury the flowers in silica gel in an airtight container.
  • Follow the instructions on the silica gel packaging. Some silica gel products can be microwaved to speed up the process. To gain further information please follow this link: silica gel.

• Microwaving: A faster alternative to air drying, but it can make flowers brittle.

  • Place flowers in a microwave-safe container covered with silica gel or cat litter.
  • Microwave in short intervals (30-60 seconds) on low power, checking frequently, until dry. Read more information from here: microwaving flowers.

• Epoxy Resin: Encapsulating flowers in resin creates a lasting keepsake.

  • Pour resin into a mold.
  • Arrange the flowers within the resin.
  • Let the resin cure completely. You can read more details from epoxy resin.

• Glycerin: Best used for foliage, it preserves the flexibility of leaves.

  • Mix glycerin with water.
  • Place the stem of the foliage in the solution. The plant will absorb the glycerin, replacing the water in its cells. Check this page for glycerin.

Tips for Success:

• Harvest flowers at their peak bloom for the best results.
• Remove any damaged or discolored petals.
• Handle flowers gently to avoid bruising.
• Store preserved flowers away from direct sunlight and moisture.