Flowers can be preserved in many ways. There are many factors that can lead you to choose the preservation method. Depending on the type of flower, the capacity of the preserving agents and its appearance, you can choose the best way to store them.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Make Flowers Last as Long as Possible
There are various techniques to help the flowers last longer after picking them.
Step 1. Put an aspirin in the water of the jar
Pulverize an aspirin and add it to the water of freshly picked or freshly cut flowers and mix gently to let the powder dissolve. This will help the flowers last longer.
Step 2. Add some copper
If you have copper coins or small pieces of copper, add them to the water of freshly picked or freshly cut flowers. Also add a cup of sugar. The flowers will last longer and you will inhibit the proliferation of bacteria.
Step 3. Add some bleach
Mix a teaspoon of bleach in a liter of water and add it to the water of the freshly picked flowers. You can also add a little sugar if you wish.
Step 4. Add a carbonated soda
Pour a quarter of a glass of degassed drink into the vase of freshly cut flowers, along with normal water. Use a clear drink, otherwise you will have a colored water like cola!
Step 5. Add some vinegar
Mix two tablespoons of vinegar with two tablespoons of sugar. Pour the mixture into the water of the freshly cut flowers. The water must be changed every two to three days, then the mixture must be poured again.
Step 6. Add alcohol
Pour drops of white spirits, such as vodka or gin, into the water of the freshly cut flowers. Also add a teaspoon of sugar. This mixture inhibits bacterial proliferation which leads to flower decay. The water must be changed every two days and the mixture must be reinserted again.
Step 7. Spray the flowers
This method serves to preserve the flower petals. Point the can of lacquer 5 cm from the flowers and spray both the petals and the leaves. You can combine this method with one of those listed above.
Method 2 of 5: Dry the Flowers
Drying flowers is one of the oldest and most effective methods of preserving and preserving flowers for the long term.
Step 1. Hang the flowers to dry them
Choose the flowers. Stick them upside down in a large setting. The place you have chosen must be dry. A warm environment is also fine, as long as it is not too humid. Let the flowers dry like this for two to three weeks. This way they will be totally dried and won't hang down.
- The knot on the stems could widen due to the loss of water, check if it is tightened every 5-7 days.
- Collect them when they are dried. Use them for artistic compositions or to make potpourri.
Step 2. Use a flower press
The use of the flower press is a traditional method for flattening flowers, petals and leaves during drying. This method is only good if you need pressed flowers for artistic compositions or to make an album.
Step 3. Ask a florist to dry the flowers for you
Florists use modern techniques, such as silica gel, hot air, cold drying or molecular sieves. The end result is much more professional and can be suitable for storing the wedding bouquet or other flowers related to important memories.
Step 4. In this article you will find other methods for drying flowers
Method 3 of 5: Using Silica Gel
This method is for preserving large flowers or buds.
Step 1. Cover the bottom of a microwave safe container with a bed of silica gel (available at home improvement stores)
Heat them for three minutes in the microwave on high temperature to dry the crystals as much as possible.
Step 2. Pour 2.5cm of heated crystals into a thick glass beaker
The glass must be large enough to fit the flower you want to dry.
Step 3. Cut the stem
Cut enough stem so that only 2.5cm remain attached to the flower. Insert the stem into the crystals so that the bud stands upright.
Step 4. Gradually pour the remaining crystals to the sides of the glass
Keep pouring until the flower is completely covered.
Step 5. Microwave on high for 1 minute and 45 seconds if they are rosebuds, more than 4-5 minutes if they are larger buds
Step 6. Allow the buds to cool for 20 minutes
When it has cooled, pour in the crystals. Gently clean the flower petals with a soft-bristled brush, then spray it lightly with acrylic spray. The flowers are ready to be displayed or used for artistic compositions.
Method 4 of 5: Using Sand
If you can't find silica gel or if you don't intend to spend any money on it, you can use fine white sand to preserve the flowers for a long time.
Step 1. Find the sand
If you find it in nature, remember to wash it first and dry it in the oven. You can also buy sand from home improvement stores.
Sand can usually be found at construction supplies and even hardware stores. Try asking if it's possible to buy a small amount at an affordable price
Step 2. Get a cardboard box suitable for the purpose
A shoe box can also work. Drill holes along the base of the box with a pen, screwdriver, or something similar.
Step 3. Cover the base of the box with newspaper or paper towels
The sheets must cover the walls, to facilitate extraction after drying.
Step 4. Pour the sand on the newspaper, fill about 1, 5 cm
Step 5. Arrange the flowers upside down on the sand
Add more sand to cover.
Step 6. Let the flowers dry
It can take 7 to 10 days. Check that they have dried well before removing them.
Step 7. Remove the newspaper carefully
Let the sand come out of the holes you made at the beginning. If you use a container to collect the sand, you can reuse it.
Don't try to get dried flowers out of the sand, you could destroy them. They are very fragile
Method 5 of 5: Using Shellac
Step 1. If you need to keep very large buds, berries or pods you can use shellac to make them solid
Shellac can be found in home improvement stores and hardware stores.
Step 2. Dilute the shellac
Add a little denatured alcohol to shellac before using it. You can also use it pure, but diluted is better.
Step 3. Brush the mixture onto the large buds, berries and pods
Dry them upside down on a string if possible.
If you wish, you can spray shellac instead of brushing it. It can be useful for more delicate flowers
Advice
- A good way to dry the leaves is to use glycerin
- Many absorbent materials can be used to dry and preserve flowers. You can use cat litter, paper towels, cornmeal, borax, etc.
