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DRIED FLOWERS
Although I have dabbled in many crafts, dried
flowers, is not one I have tried. These days, however, many blooms can be dried
using a microwave oven.
Roses, geraniums, marigolds and zinnias are said
to be very successful, however, that is not the case with petunias and impatiens. I
suppose it is really a case of experimenting. Here a few pointers -
The final blooms will appear several shades
darker than the original flowers.
It is best to gather the flowers in the late
morning after the dew has dried off.
Obtain some silica gel crystals which are
available from craft shops.
Line a microwave safe container with these
crystals and heat on High for 3 minutes; this ensures the crystals are as dry as
possible.
Place 1in/25mm of warm crystals into a heavy
glass container making sure it is wide enough for the flowers you are drying.
Cut each flower stem to within 1"/25mm from
the flower head.
Push each flower stem gently into the warm
crystals so that they stand upright.
Gradually pour the remaining warm crystals down
the side of the glass to completely cover the blossoms.
Microwave on High. Rosebuds will need
about 1 minute 45 seconds but large, fleshy blooms will need 4 to 5
minutes. Once
again it is really a case of trial and error in order to find out the optimum time for
each species.
Cool for 20 minutes, then gently pour off the
crystals. Clean the flower petals carefully ( a fine make-up or paintbrush is ideal
for this purpose). Mist lightly with an acrylic spray.
The finished blooms can be taped to florists'
wire to provide a stem for flower arrangements.
Click
here for more information on drying flowers with silica gel
Go on, have a try - what
have you got to lose - you may even surprise yourself.
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