How to Preserve Fresh Flowers
- 1). Hang the flowers and allow them to air dry. This works well for a bouquet. Take the flowers and separate them into small bunches. Gently wrap string around the stems and tie a small knot. You don't want the knot to be too tight and cut off the stems but it should be secure enough to hold the flowers. Hang the piece of string from something on the wall or ceiling. Allow to dry for a couple weeks.
- 2). Pour two parts of water and one part of glycerine into a container large enough to hold your flowers. A household glycerine product you can use is any typical car antifreeze solution. Place the flowers in the solution and fully immerse them in the solution. It will take anywhere from three days to two weeks to dry depending on the size and number of flowers.
- 3). Find some good unglazed paper such as newspaper. Spread the flowers out across the newspaper spread so that no flowers or leaves overlap. Place another piece of newspaper over the flowers. Lay a large, heavy item over the papers to "press" them down like a paper weight. Try to make sure the weight distribution is even and all flowers are pressed. Allow to remain pressed for a few days to a couple weeks.
- 4). Sift sand through a sifting device to remove large debris items. Wash the sand in a sink and rinse the sand a few times. Pour the sand into a large baking pan. Dry the sand in a an oven for twenty to thirty minutes or until completely dried. Separate the flowers so they are all individual stems if possible. Put the head of the flower into the sand. Gently sprinkle sand between each layer of the flowers then sprinkle some on top of the flower (the bottom of the flower head). Allow to sit for a week or two.
- 5). Put some silica gel into a small spray bottle. Separate the flowers and petals with silica gel. Make sure to get deep inside the petals and spray under the base of the flowers. Place the freshly sprayed flowers in a baking pan. Put in a microwave oven and cook. Times and temperatures vary so just watch your flowers and take them out to check them frequently.
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