The language of flowers is complex and a single flower can take on multiple meanings, although most are connected to beauty. The only downside to flowers is that it is not possible to keep them for long after they have been transferred to a vase of water as wilting cannot be avoided. Fortunately, there is at least one answer to this: drying.
People dry flowers for a lot of special events. Receiving Valentines day flowers, mothers day flowers and birthday bouquets can spark the creation of dried flower arrangements. Gathering wildflowers at the onset of spring is another occasion for starting craft projects.
The simplest method of floral preservation is by air drying. You have to cut off all the leaves before you start, though, so that it is tidier. Tie the bunched-up flowers with a cord and hang them with the flowers pointing to the floor.
You want the air to work as much surface area on the flowers as possible, so do not cram them all together. A good way of maintaining the uprightness of flower stems is to hang them with the flowers pointing downwards. Hanging the bunches upright will result to the stems bending over and looking wilted.
If you have a shadowy, dry space in your home, this is the best place for drying flowers. Sunlight is the enemy of dried flowers because it fades their petals. They also need to be kept in a warm and dry place to avoid rotting.
If you do settle on the simplest method, you shall need a month or so. If you dry them in a more humid environment, it takes longer for the flowers to be dried properly. You may choose to just go back to the hanging bundles after some weeks, but you may also want to give them a peek every now and then to see if everything is going well.
You can go to a crafts shop and get some desiccants if you have to dry flowers that shall take too long with the air-dry technique. A lot of people prefer to flatten their flowers for preservation, storing them between leaves of heavy tomes and putting them away to dry. Silica gel drying is the fastest technique at less than a week, while pressing may take as long as or even longer than air drying.
Immediately upon completion of the process, one may use one's preserved flowers. Wreaths, bouquets, topiaries and potpourri can be made using dried blooms. Even those who have limited time and creativity can simply place dried bunches in a decorative vase or basket, which can be used to adorn any table or wall.
As with other decorative items, dried floral arrangements have a tendency to accumulate dirt and dust. Dust your preserved blooms regularly to keep them looking great. If you are worried about unwanted "houseguests" damaging the flowers, put a mothball or two near them.
Those who dry flowers often do it so that they have blooms in their house at all times. The process of transforming fresh blossoms into dried floral creations will surely be worth the time and effort needed to make them. If you do not want to have to throw out the flowers you value so much after they wilt, drying is a great procedure to learn.
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