Preserving A Bouquet

Way One:
Supplies Needed:
Silica Gel ( available at craft/art supply stores)
Can Of Clear Acrylic Spray
Hot Glue Gun
Shadow Box ( available at craft/art/framing stores)
Background Mat or Fabric
Soft Bristle Artist Brush
Fresh Dry Flowers, Fillers, Leaves (cut off flower leaving appox. 1-2" stem)
Wedding Announcement/Photo (optional)

Instructions:
Cover the bottom of an airtight container with 1" Silica Gel (Tupperware works)
Place flowers face up so they are not touching
Completely cover flowers with Silica Gel
Seal with lid or Saran wrap. Leave undisturbed for 5-7 days
Gently pour off Silica Gel and using a brush, dust off any remaining Silica
Spray with acrylic to help seal in color and resist breakage. Let dry
Glue mat or fabric to backboard of shadow box
Glue flowers to mat/fabric. Be creative! You can arrange the flowers as you’d like, insert a photo, wedding invitation or announcement, etc.

I got these instructions from Julie, a wedding professional, specializing in preserving fresh flowers.

Way Two
* Remove the lowest leaves from a stems, cut the stems to even lengths and using a rubber band, bind the bottom ends together.

* Whole rosebuds can be hang upside down in bunches of five to six roses with leaves intact in a warm airy place to dry. Strip the lowest leaves from the stalks before you tie them in bunches.

* Stretch a chain across a room just below the ceiling.(Plant materials hooked through a chain link won't slip as they might on a slick wire). Hang the flowers and herbs upside down in an airy, dry, warm and dark place such as well-ventilated attics or large closets.

* To avoid crushing, do not put to much herbs or flowers in a bunch.

* Avoid direct sunlight which will cause the flowers to fade.

This is the one I use when I make potpourri. Good luck!
~L

* It takes between one to three weeks for flowers to dry. The length of the drying period will vary, depending on the temperature and humidity. Herbs need between one to two weeks to dry. Check the plants every few days, because if they remain in drying area to long, they my become too dry for use. Dried materials should feel papery and firm, not limp or damp. Many garden herbs and flowers dry extremely well.

* Store your dried materials in covered boxes, airtight containers or in brown paper bags. Keep flower and herb groups separate and be sure to label these containers. Transfer prepared materials to a cooler location that remains dry and dark.

* To dry plants and flowers of which are heavier than their stems (for example straw flowers, chrysanthemums etc.) use the plastic plant trays found at hardware stores or greenhouses. Position the trays so their bottom surfaces are several inches above the floor and drop the flower stems into the holes. The flower heads, which won't fit through the holes, will dry in an open position.

* To dry flower heads just spread them on sheets of newspaper and leave them in a warm airy place to dry completely.

* Use clothes-drying racks to dry short-stemmed herbs, bundle them and hang them on racks.

* The dried material will have a natural fragrance but this will soon fade if you do not use a fixative. Orris root is one of the best for pot pourri, but you can also use other spices such as cinnamon, mixed spice, nutmeg, cloves, orange peel, lemon peel or sea salt.

* Essential oils are another vital fixative which will add depth and intensity of fragrance to your dried material. Avoid contact with hands because oil has a very strong perfume. Store the oils in the glass bottles, never in plastic bottles. Use one drop at a time because if you use to much it will upset the real fragrance.

* Electric dehydrators are especially handy for drying slices of fruits such as oranges, lemons and apples.

* If you need some dry material instantly you can use your microwave oven for making what you need. To dry herbs or flowers in the microwave oven you will need SILICA GEL. Silica gel is a substance used to dry delicate flowers too, such as roses or calendula, as it preserves their forms and colors well. Silica gel can usually be found in craft stores. It is very simple to dry flowers with a silica crystals, just use one microwave safe container with a 1" (2,5 cm) thick layer of the silica crystals and place your flowers on the top allowing about 1- inch of space around the sides and between each flowers. Put another an inch layer on the top of flowers and then microwave on cca 50 % power for approximately 2-3 minutes, depending on the type of your microwave and flowers. It is better to check the material progress an add some more times if needed. Flowers and leaves often have different drying times, microwave them separately for better result. Never use silica gel containers for preparing food after you use them for drying flowers, because they often absorbs pesticides from plants as they dry.

Laurie - If you decide not to do the preserving yourself, check out the "Floral Preservation" vendors on PartyPop. It might be cheaper than you think to have it done professionally! Good Luck!