We often surround ourselves with cut flowers, because their charm greatly improves our mood. However, devoid of roots, they are very fragile, so if we want to enjoy them without restrictions, we have to resort to various methods of conservation.Dried flowers , properly prepared and stored, can decorate our interiors for many months. After drying, they are an interesting material from which we can create various compositions and bouquets. Here's theHow to Dry Flowersand CreateDry Bouquets
Dried flowers
Of coursenot all flowers are suitable for dryingand maintenance. Nevertheless, there is a large group that endures such treatments very well, and has even been bred specifically for this purpose. However, for the final effect to be satisfactory, we must carefully prepare the plants.
Methods of drying flowers
Collect flowers for drying on dry days , preferably in the evening. Some of them are cut in full bloom (zinnia, dry scotch, scabby), others slightly developed (hellpless, roses), while the grasses before flowering (bladder, barley).
"There are several conservation methods and they should be adapted to a given species. The first, simplest andmost commonly used method fordried flowers is herbal drying. We dry flowers and other herbaceous plants by hanging them upside down (i.e. with the inflorescences down) under the ceiling or ceiling. It is important that the drying area is dark, airy, dry and relatively warm. Plants dried in such conditions will have stiff stems, raised leaves and will not lose their color. Moisture and lack of air circulation can cause mold growth and exposure to sunlight will fade the colors. "
Drying flowers
Drying flowers with this method is best tolerated : celosia, annual dryflower, yarrow, St. Nicholas (flat leaf and alpine), amaranth, lavender, gypsophila, goldenrod and goldenrod Canadian, Sand Helichrysum (Helichrysum arenarium), heather, poison (various varieties - lobster, Suworowa, Tatar), Helichrysum bracteatum (or immortelle - Helichrysum bracteatum), Irish bells, dryworm (or dry land, confused with the immortelle - Helipterum rose), Black cumin, infructescences of a worm and widow's, one-year-old saplings, a bloated mugwort, safflower. Drying time is approx. 2-3 weeks.
" Some flowers can also be dried standing up(flower heads up) in a container with a little water. The plant then dries slowly without losing its color. The way hydrangeas are dried. But we can also dry all grasses with stiff stems, St. Nicholas&39; Day, Japanese maize, drapper bark, decorative garlic, gypsophila, yarrow or sticks (Typha) standing up."
Dried roses
Rose is one of the most popular dried flowers. It happens that after classic drying, rose petals are wrinkled and often differ from the original color. Absolutelythe best way to obtain dried flowers with an almost unchangedcolor is to use silica gel. It is an excellent moisture absorber (in sachets you will find it in new shoes or bags). The flower is placed in a box, covered with an absorber and tightly closed, wrapped with tape (which protects against external moisture). After 1-2 weeks the flowers should be ready for use.
However, since silica gel is hard to come by (you can try it at chemical stores or good garden centers) and quite expensive, you can replace it with fine sand or semolina.In this case, first roast the sand in the oven and cool it down (it can be additionally combined with borax in a ratio of 3: 1). Sprinkle a layer of sand or porridge on the bottom of the container, then arrange the flowers next to each other and very gently sprinkle the rest of the material, spreading the petals a little. When using this method, we use an open and airy container (e.g. cardboard). After about 2-3 weeks, very gently sprinkle the sand or grits, taking care not to damage the plants. The rest of the loose material can be removed from the petals with a brush, and the delicate parts can be lightly sprinkled with hairspray so that they do not fall apart whenis included in the composition of dried flowers
"Flowers intended for such preservation must not be withered or damp. The stem is dried separately, cut from the flower and hung upside down. After drying, the flower is connected to the stem with a pin, nail or wire. The wire can be inserted into the stem before it is dry, leaving a few centimeters outside. This method is recommended for conservation : roses, zinnia, hydrangeas, daisies and even lilies of the valley. "
If we have radiant lamps, we will be able to obtaindried flowers with a very natural appearance and colorPlants are placed under the lamp on an airy wire or mesh structure, placed horizontally, at a distance from the ground. Drying takes approx. 4-5 hours. at 70-80 ° C. The given method is perfect for delphiniums or thugs.
Additions to dried flowers
How to spice up dried flower bouquets?
As a complement to our dry bouquets , various types of twigs with decorative leaves, fruit or with interesting shapes will be perfect. These types of plants are best preserved by an aqueous glycerin solution. Dissolve glycerin in warm water in a ratio of 1: 1 or 2: 1, then cool the liquid and put the twigs in the cool water to a depth of approx.5-7 cm. After approx. 3-6 weeks (depending on the species), remove the rest of the liquid and place the plants on paper or newspaper until they are completely dry. Such a plant takes on a delicate, waxy appearance, is quite flexible and does not break. It is also easier to clean it from dust with a damp cloth.
This method has a certain disadvantage, however, glycerin breaks down chlorophyll, so leaves exposed to sunlight will turn dirty yellow. To keep the nice color, we can add a little plant dye (available in good garden centers) or a green ink to the solution.Glycerin is best preserved in stems with leaves or fruit and grasses : ivy, barberry, tibora, boxwood, maple, privet, sea buckthorn, old man, bladder.
The variety of colors of dried flowersdoes not have to be sad, gray-brown and faded. Of course, provided that they are not stored in too sunny and humid places. The colors that we have at our disposal among dry plants are: white (Tartar and lobar poison, monthly, drywort, gypsophila), yellow (meadowsweet, roses, larvae, annual saplings, Canadian goldenrod,) pink (Helichrysum, roses, dryworms) , perturbed,) red and dark pink (celosia, amaranth, roses, pimples, etchings), blue and purple (perturbed, lavender, Echinops, St. ).However, if necessary, they can be additionally colored, spay-dried, fresh - before drying, put in water with a dye (e.g. grass).For fresh plants, it is best to use aniline or alkaline dyes, which are well absorbed. Dyeing takes approx. 15 minutes.
A great addition to any dried flower arrangementsare twigs with fruit such as mountain ash, scarlet fire or wild rose (dried or preserved with glycerin, of course). A similar role is played by the infructescence of medallions, poppies or black cumin, as well as colorful sprigs of dogwood (yellow and red) or interesting shoots of the broom. You should also not forget about the cones, which dry very gracefully and can sometimes be used together with a twig (larch).
Picture of dried flowers
Pictures of dried flowers and scented sachets
Amateurs of original decorations may be tempted tomake a skeleton leaf To do this, boil the selected leaf in water with detergent (e.g. washing powder or dishwashing liquid) for about 10 minutes. Add about 2 tablespoons of the agent to 1 liter of water. When the leaf blade has broken down, remove the remaining nerve mesh and gently remove the remains of tissue with a small brush or brush.The best leaves for skeletonization are obtained from maple trees, oaks or beechesLeaves with a high water content and without well-marked gills, are not suitable for skeletonization. After drying, such a leaf can be placed on a cardboard in a contrasting color, and then the whole thing can be placed in a frame with glass or an anti-frame.
For this type of flat decoration, we can also use other plants and leaves, whichare previously dried using the herbarium methodWe place the selected plants on a flat newspaper, then cover with another newspaper and so we can arrange several layers. At the end, we press everything down with a heavier, flat object, e.g. a book. Regularly check the plants for mold growth and replace the damp paper layers with new ones if necessary. This way pansies, daisies and ferns dry up beautifullyApart from arranging them flat pictures, we can use them to make decoupage, occasional cards or nail decorations.
Some of the plants can also be used to makefragrance sachetsFor this we will need very aromatic plants such as lavender, rose, rosemary, jasmine, mint or geranium. We create the fragrance composition according to to your liking by adding dried fruit or spices such as citrus, vanilla, cinnamon or cloves. The ready mixture is additionally sprinkled with natural vegetable oil with the right aroma and after mixing it is placed in a paper or cotton bag. The oils preserve the smell of plants which evaporates quite quickly. Such a sachet will be perfect in a wardrobe, drawer or small rooms.
Katarzyna Józefowicz
