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Fresh flowers are like a burst of joy, aren’t they? Whether you’ve received a stunning bouquet from a flower delivery or picked some beauties from your own garden, keeping those blooms fresh for as long as possible is something we all wish for. Well, guess what? It’s totally doable!
Here’s a simple guide on how to turn those lovely fresh flowers into preserved flowers that you can cherish for much longer.
1. Choose the Right Flowers
First things first, not all flowers are created equal when it comes to preservation.
It is important to consider the freshness of the flowers:
- Peak Bloom: Aim for flowers that are in full bloom but not overly mature. Overly ripe flowers may not preserve well and can lose their petals easily.
- Vibrant and Healthy: Choose flowers that look vibrant and healthy. Wilting, browning, or limp flowers are less likely to preserve nicely.
Here are some of the best flowers for preservation:
- Roses: A classic choice, roses dry and preserve beautifully, retaining much of their shape and colour.
- Lavender: Its small size and hardy nature make lavender an excellent choice for drying and preserving.
- Hydrangeas: These lush flowers dry wonderfully, especially when left to partially dry on the plant before cutting.
- Peonies: Known for their full, lush blooms, peonies can preserve well and maintain a good colour.
2. Air Drying: The Classic Method
Air drying flowers is like the old-school cool of flower preservation. It’s easy and works well with most flowers.
How to Do It:
- Hang Them Upside Down: Tie your flowers in a bunch and hang them upside down in a warm, dry place. A closet or a seldom-used corner of a room works great.
- Give Them Time: Patience is key here. It can take a couple of weeks for the flowers to fully dry.
- Spray with Hairspray: Once dry, a light spritz of hairspray can help them maintain their shape.
3. Pressing Flowers: For the Crafty Souls
Pressed flowers are perfect for scrapbooking or creating personalised art.
Here’s How:
- Place Flowers Between Paper: Use non-textured paper like parchment. It absorbs moisture without transferring any pattern onto the delicate petals of the flowers. Arrange your flowers so they don’t overlap.
- Press Under Heavy Books: Place the paper inside a heavy book and stack more books or weights on top. A heavy book like an encyclopaedia, dictionary, or a large textbook is ideal for pressing flowers.
- Wait it Out: It generally takes about 2-4 weeks for flowers to completely dry and press. Leave them for a few weeks, and voila, you have beautifully pressed flowers!
4. Silica Gel: The Fast-Track Method
If you’re a bit impatient and want to preserve your flowers quickly, silica gel is your best friend.
Steps to Follow:
- Get Silica Gel: You can easily find silica gel in craft stores or online. It’s often sold in bulk, which is great if you’re planning to preserve a large bouquet or multiple flowers.
Ensure you get the type of silica gel that’s meant for flower drying. It’s finer and more effective for this purpose than the standard silica gel used for moisture absorption in packaging.
- Bury Your Flowers: Start with a layer of silica gel at the bottom of an airtight container. This base layer should be thick enough to hold the flowers.Then gently place your flowers face up on top of the base layer of silica gel. Be careful not to overcrowd the container; the flowers shouldn’t touch each other. Gently spoon more silica gel over the flowers, making sure to get it in between the petals, but do so carefully to maintain the flower’s shape.
- Microwave or Air Dry: Follow the instructions on the silica gel package. Some require microwaving, while others work with just air drying.
5. Glycerin: For Supple, Lifelike Flowers
Glycerin replaces the water in the flowers, leaving them soft and supple.
How to Do It:
- Mix Glycerin and Water: The typical ratio is one part glycerin to two parts water.
- Submerge Stems: Cut the stems and submerge them in the mixture.
- Wait for the Magic: In a few weeks, the flowers will absorb the glycerin, and you’ll have wonderfully preserved flowers.
6. Caring for Your Preserved Flowers
Once you’ve transformed your fresh blooms into preserved flowers, keep them out of direct sunlight and away from humidity to maintain their beauty.
So, there you have it! Whether you’ve received a special delivery from a flower delivery Sydney service or have a garden full of blooms, preserving flowers is a fantastic way to keep those beautiful memories alive. It’s like bottling up a bit of spring and keeping it with you all year round. Give these methods a try and see how those lovely petals bring a long-lasting smile to your face!
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