Pre Drying Flowers

Flowers that dry well are typically colorful, compact, strong-stemmed and relatively low in moisture content. Before the flowers are put into the drying process there are several measures to be taken for successful drying of the flowers.

Growing and Gathering
Flowers to be dried should be picked just before they are at peak maturity and the petals are free of moisture. Select flowers that are free of injury or bruises because these conditions become more evident after the drying process. Natural stems do not give the flower enough support when dry and may be difficult to manipulate and position. So, most of the stem is cut, leaving only about an inch. Stems can be replaced with florist's wire after drying.

There are definite developmental times, which are best for cutting flowers for drying. This can be very specific for different plants or even different cultivators of the same plant.

Flowers should be cut in the morning hours after the dew has evaporated from the plants. Once cut, group stems into bunch using rubber bands and remove them from the sunlight as soon as possible.

Preserving Flowers
Fading of a color pigment is an oxidation chemical reaction, which requires water and light. When the flower is cut, it contains water. During drying, therefore, the light is removed and the reaction is inhibited. After the removal of water, the dried flower is reintroduced into the light.

How to Dry Flowers

• Bunches are hanged upside down in a well-ventilated attic, large closet, or even a dark shed or garage.
• They are hanged upside down to maintain straight stems.
• If they are hanged with right side up, they would bend over and the result will be dried flowers with distorted stems.
• There are some flowers like hydrangea, which do not require hanging.

Duration of drying time depends on many factors including humidity, temperature, airflow, and the type of flower used for drying. A dried flower should be stiff and dry, not limp or damp.

Wiring Flowers
If flowers are mounted on florist wires it has to be done before drying. To wire plants, cut the stem below the calyx of the flower. Using needle nose pliers, form a 'J' with a piece of stiff floral wire. Insert the long leg of J through the center of the cut stem. Using floral tape, fasten the flower to the wire by wrapping the wire and the calyx of the flower together.

Cleaning
After the plants are harvested or gathered, they must be cleaned. Cleaning may involve screening, washing, peeling, or stripping leaves from stems. Any unnecessary parts are removed prior to drying to avoid washing time and energy. Cleaning is often done by hand.

Materials required for the Drying Process
Many materials are used to preserve flowers, some more successfully than others. These include sawdust, washing powder, talcum powder, alcohol, cornstarch, silica gel, cornmeal, borax, sand, antifreeze and even kitty litter. No one material can be considered the best because what may prove best for one flower may be an inferior material for another flower. In addition, it is important to realize that there is certain amount of expertise involved.

Types of Drying Process
There are several methods of drying flowers. One of the easiest means of drying flowers is to air dry them in hanging bunches. But not all-budding blossoms take to this method. The flowers that are fragile or moist, such as pansies and poppies, dry better when covered with a substance like silica or sand that helps draw the water out. The other methods of drying includes pre drying, microwave drying, natural drying, pressing, or by the use of glycerin.

The basic principle of all the methods is the same, to remove moisture slowly while maintaining as much of the original shape and texture as possible.