Things Needed
Sunflowers come in more shade than the just the vulgar yellow . mystifying red , pale Orange River and dark orange sunflowers are also available . Some sunflowers are only a few inch across while others have large blossom and double sets of petal , or rays . Preserving these summer flush for year - troll use is potential by cautiously dry out and preserve them . The dried bloom can be used in flower arrangements , alone or commingle with other dry out flowers and foliation .
Step 1
Choose a freshly open , healthy looking helianthus that does n’t have any damaged petal . Cut off the stem so only 1/4 inch remains attached to the back .
Step 2
disregard a 2 - column inch duration of wire . Bend the top 1/2 inch of the wire into a hook . campaign the long end of the wire into the center of the helianthus until it protrude from the back and the hook is buried in the center of the sunflower , no longer seeable from the front . This hook allows you to sequester flowered conducting wire stem to the sunflower after drying so you could place it in musical arrangement .
Step 3
Place a 1 - in level of silica gel , uncommitted from florists , in a plastic container . habituate a container that has a tight - meet hat , such as a solid food storage container .
Step 4
Lay the helianthus on top the silica gel , with the flower facing upwards . promote the flower gently into the silicon oxide .
Step 5
Sprinkle silicon oxide crystal on top the helianthus , working them under and between petals with a toothpick so that the sunflower contain its innate frame . Add silica gel until the helianthus is completely cover .
Step 6
aim the lid on the container and seal it close . Leave the helianthus in the mixture for two Clarence Day .
Step 7
transfer the hat and sweep the silica carefully by to reveal the nub of the bloom . If the center is juiceless , the sunflower is ready . If not , leave it in the mixture for an additional day .
Step 8
Brush the silica gel off the top of the sunflower . Slide your finger under the flower and carefully lift it out of the silicon oxide . Turn the flush upside down and rap the back so any supererogatory silica falls out of the flower petal . hive away the dried helianthus in a sealed bag until you are ready to employ .
Tip
If you are drying more than one helianthus , will a 1- to 2 - inch distance between them in the container . A mix of one part borax and one part sand or oatmeal can be interchange for silica gel , but do not use a cover up container with this mixture .
Warning
If melodic phrase can get in the container during drying , the silica will absorb the moisture from the air rather of from the peak , leading to improper drying .
References
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