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Answers to your gardening questions |
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Complimentary Copy of "Keys to the Garden Gate" Five-part article series on flower-drying starts here Eight-part article series on vegetable gardening starts here Asian
Lily Beetles Japanese
Beetles An
effective Deer Fence! |
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The
Drying Game - Part 3 of 5
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Welcome through Fred's Garden Gate! In the last two articles, we learned that by simply hanging some types of flowers up or embedding them for a time in clean, fine, dry sand, we could extend their "life" far beyond their appointed time. By far the least complicated method is air-drying, but that limits us to a relatively short list of possibilities. Carefully surrounding more delicate and intricate flowers with sand (or silica gel) extends the list considerably and opens the door to much more elaborate and lovely floral displays that can last for months. Just the other day someone said to me "Sure, dry all kinds of flowers! But where can I get flowers this time of year?" A reasonable question, and one that’s easy to answer. Here’s where you’ll find plenty of material. From a thoughtful spouse or friend who sends or brings you a nice bouquet or potted flowering plant from a local florist or supermarket.Weddings are happening all around us. In my earlier days as a wedding photographer I’ve attended hundreds of weddings and many had attractive little fresh arrangements at each reception table. There are almost as many funerals as there are weddings (hmmmm). While I don’t recommend you go to a funeral just for the flowers, very often those large arrangements, loaded with a wide variety of suitable blossoms and greenery, end up in the rubbish after the service. Most funeral homes would be happy to see them "recycled." The local florist or flower shop. One or two single daisies or mums shouldn’t cost too much. They might even let you have a few of their "rejects." Tiny flaws which make a flower unsuitable for a fresh arrangement are perfectly acceptable for drying. Ask. And of course there’s your own garden—next year. The list could go on but I think you get the picture. Just keep your eyes open and don't be bashful. The Sand Process By now you’ve probably run down a supply of suitable sand and a shoe box, so let’s dry just one flower to start with, and see how it turns out. A daisy, zinnia, carnation or small, compact chrysanthemum is safe for us beginners. (Later on you’ll likely want to try other types, and perhaps dry several flowers in the same box). Put an inch or so of sand in the bottom of a small box. Make a support for the flower head out of a piece of cardboard about the size of a recipe card folded in half the long way, with a half-inch "v" notch at the center of the fold. Place this folded card on the sand so it looks like a little army "pup" tent with its notch up. Select a flower that is fresh, with short, tight petals and a stem that’ll fit in the box without bending. Lay the flower head on your notched card "tent" high enough so the bottom petals just clear the surface of the sand. Now, with a paper cup, begin slowly and gently pouring sand all around the flower until it begins to be covered. No tamping. No shaking. And do it slowly so you don’t end up with a sand-squashed finished product. Continue pouring in sand gently, surrounding and covering the entire flower, stem and all. You might need to use the wooden end of a small artist’s paintbrush to gently coax the petals into just the right natural position. So much for the tricky part. Don’t put the cover on the box. Do carefully set it up on a closet shelf out of the way—especially if you have cats. (Cat owners know exactly what I mean.) Mark the box where the end of the stem is. Drying time is usually between two and three weeks. It’s not wise to "peek" or otherwise disturb it during that time. Have you noticed that I continue to emphasize slowly and gently and carefully? Pouring out the sand after drying is a very delicate operation, because your flower has now lost all of its flexibility and has become quite fragile. Slowly tip the box away from the flower-end and pour the sand back into a clean pail. Gradually, the flower itself will be exposed and you may have to support it gently until it is completely free of the sand. Lightly tap away all the sand around the petals, and voilá, a perfect specimen! Well, maybe. If it didn’t come out as well as you’d like, remember that the world is full of flowers, and we all get better with time and patience. So keep trying! The rewards are a beautifully preserved flower or arrangement that’s sure to please. Part 4 discusses the use of glycerin for drying certain flowers and foliage. |
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