Protection from sunlight, moisture, wind and dust is
necessary when drying and working with dry materials.
Adequate ventilation will increase the drying process and
prevent any molds and mildews from being active. An ideal
drying temperature is between 50-120 degree Fahrenheit.
Optimum humidity levels are 20-60%. Direct sunlight will
fade or bleach color. Preservatives such as glycerin are
used to maintain flexibility of eucalyptus and baby's
breath.
When collecting flowers to dry, cut and form into
small bunches. Re-cutting the ends helps to even them up
when bundling. Rubber bands work best to hold the
bouquets together. However, string and wire can also be
used. Be sure to make your bunches small enough to keep
the air circulating. Hang the bunches upside down from a
coat hanger, drying rack or a wire line hung in the attic
or basement. String or wire can be used to connect the
bunch to the wire. Marking the date next to the freshly
hung material will give you a good idea of the duration
material took to dry. Drying time may take three days to
three weeks.
Dried flowers hold up best if they contain a
relatively low moisture content. Preserved fruits, pods
and stems add contrast and texture to flower
arrangements. Experimenting with drying different types
of material is always fun. Drying rose hips and berries
add festivity to holiday arrangements.
Drying Flowers and Foliage
for Arrangements http://muextension.missouri.edu/xplor/agguides/hort/g06540.htm
The site includes: Why dry flowers? Collecting
flowers for drying, Methods for drying flowers, Drying
mixtures for burying flowers, Burying flowers for drying,
Microwave oven drying, Storing dried material, Preserving
foliage with glycerin.
Herbal ID's http://www.wholeherb.com/ID/index.html
The site is a plant list of herbs, including; photos,
growing, propagation,cultivars, harvesting and using and
related herbs.
