Desiccants (Drying Agents)

Embedding the flowers in a granular, desiccating material is probably the most commonly used method and many consider it the best all around method. Several materials are used as drying agents. All the agents used vary in cost and in the results they produce. It is important to use the correct procedure when covering the flowers so that their form is maintained.

The several drying agents are:

Borax
Borax detergent combined with cornmeal or sand is an expensive material for drying flowers. This mixture is used for flowers that are less stiff.

Silica Gel
Silica gel is fairly expensive moisture-absorbing desiccant. It is an excellent product for drying flowers. It is lightweight, dries flowers faster than borax mixtures do, and can be used over and over again if dried properly. It must be kept in airtight containers at all times. Silica gels absorbs moisture and so the crystal in the gel change color.

Oolitic Sand
Oolitic sand is a material found along the Great Salt Lake in Utah. This sand is heavy, which puts steady pressure on the flower while its drying. It is smooth and does not injure the flower. It has relatively high pH, which helps to preserve the flower color.

Common Sand
Clean sand can be treated to produce a product similar to oolitic sand. Builders sand should be washed. Put the sand in a bucket of water with a couple of squirts of liquid dishwashing detergent. Stir it and pour off the water. Continue to add fresh water until the added water remains clear. Then, dry the clean sand.

Method for Covering a Flower

• Put about an inch of desiccating material at the bottom of the container.
• Cut the flower stem to about half an inch and stick this into the center of the material.
• Pour the desiccating material along perimeter of the container.
• Then tap lightly on the container and the material will move to the flower, not altering the form of petals.
• Continue adding the material, tapping on the container until the flower is completely covered.