Preserving Flowers
As evidenced by the discovery of preserved flowers in ancient
Egyptian tombs, people have for centuries engaged in the art of preserving
flowers. Today, a large variety of annuals, biennials and perennials are
successfully preserved. Because properly dried flowers can persist for
years after harvesting, they are often referred to as everlastings or
immortelles.
To ascertain the optimum growing conditions and harvesting time for
a particular species, one should not rely solely on books or articles.
Experienced growers will frequently be the best sources of information. In
general, flowering plants require ample sunlight, good drainage and a
growing season with a minimum of 80 days. ...
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Ideally, the drying area should have a temperature between
60 and 80 F and a humidity rate less than 60%. Another method is
to place the flowers in a container and to cover them with clean, fine sand,
or a mixture of borax and cornmeal, or a nonchlorophyll kitty litter. These
inexpensive substances provide the flowers with support, enabling them to
maintain their shape while they dry naturally.
A more costly method is to use an airtight container and to cover
the flowers with silica gel, a desiccant, which not only provides support
to the flowers but also removes moisture from them. Overall, the more
rapidly flowers dry, the less likely they are to become moldy and the more
vivid their colors remain. The drying process can be further accelerated by
placing the container in a microwave oven or by applying heat. Depending on
the method chosen and the particular plant material being preserved, drying
time may take between one and four weeks.
The uses of preserved ...
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110.SU7
Petersons, Hedviga V. 1981. "Drying and preserving flowers."
FACTSHEET. ONTARIO MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD. No.
81-016. NAL Call No.: S155.A105
Proulx, E. A. 1984. "Dried and true." HORTICULTURE. 62(8):
24-28, 30. NAL Call No.: 80.H787
Reilly, Ann. 1984. "Plan/plant now for your dried flowers."
FLOWER AND GARDEN. 28(2): 26-28. NAL Call No.: SB403.F5
Russell, A. Brooke. 1987. "How-to hints for July gardeners:
dried florals capture summer's glory." AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST.
66(7): 8, 10-11. NAL Call No.: 80.N216
Sheffield, Richard R. 1980. "Plant everlastings ...
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"Preserving Flowers." Essayworld.com. June 22, 2007. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Preserving-Flowers/66834.
"Preserving Flowers." Essayworld.com. June 22, 2007. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Preserving-Flowers/66834.
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