Many flowers from your spring, summer, and fall gardens can be dried for permanent use in the home. Dried and preserved plant materials make excellent floral decorations for area in your home which cannot support living plants.

WHEN TO COLLECT:

•  Spring:

•  Summer:

•  Fall:

SOME TIPS FOR COLLECTING:

•  Collect flowers and grasses at their peak of color and shape.

•  Look for bright colors, as some fading will occur.

•  Pick plan material when it is very ___________

HANGING METHOD

This works best for flowers that wilt very little or not at all.

1. Remove all unnecessary foliage to hasten drying process.
2. Group stems into _______________ with a rubber band, and hang ___________.
3. Store in:

Examples include:

COVERING METHOD

This method of drying retains the color and desired shape of the flower. However, flowers treated in this way are not everlasting and cannot be exposed to wet environments. Use silica sand or gel as the drying agents to cover your flowers or foliages. Craft stores or supply stores will carry this product. You need to completely cover the materials that you wish to preserve. The sand holds the flower in its original shape and collects the water as the flower dries. 

•  Put ____ inch of sand in container.

•  Add plant material and cover completely.

•  MUST leave flower in sand ________________.

Two Covering Techniques

1. Face-down:

1. Face-up:

Air-drying vs. Microwave

Air-drying: 1 week-10 days

Any container

Microwave: 2-3 minutes, Leave overnight to cool

Non-metal or glass container

GLYCERINIZING

This method works well for foliage, sugar maple or oak leaves, and fillers such as goldenrod. The glycerin replaces water in xylem.

•  Mix 1 part glycerin to 2 parts warm water. Make sure level is maintained throughout process.

•  Remove damaged leaves.

•  Submerge material or _____________________________________________.

•  Wait 1-3 weeks. The material is done when oiliness is felt on the leaf surface.

•  Remove and ________ upside down.

PRESSING

Can use a variety of materials including:

POTPOURRI

Provides another use for plant parts that may have fallen out during designing or pressing. Materials can be dried specifically for potpourri.

Ingredient examples:

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4.

5.

Always remember…you must store your preserved or dried plant material in a dry area away from high humidity and direct sunlight.