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Flower Preservation...the Options and the Results!
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| An article written by
Kathy Reid, Owner of
Heller &
Reid |
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We associate
many important life events with flowers; weddings, births,
anniversaries, and even death. So it is not a surprise that man has been involved in some
form of floral preservation since the beginning of time.
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Air drying and floral
pressing are age-old arts dating back to before Egyptian times.
Silica gel drying came into vogue in the late 1700's.
Ancient Indians in the high Andes Mountains practiced a
form of freeze-drying. William
Hyde Wallaston introduced the first modern freeze-drying method in
1813 to the Royal Society in London.
The freeze dry method used today was perfected during World
War II as a method to assist the storage of human plasma.
Freeze drying is now employed quite extensively by
pharmaceutical manufacturers and food producers.
About 15 years ago the first flowers were successfully
freeze-dried and over the years floral freeze-drying has become a
combination of art and science.
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Which method is the
right for bridal flowers? That
depends on the budget, the look you want to achieve, and the
length of time you want your preserved flowers to last.
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Air-drying is a
method that can be done by anyone.
First divide the flowers into smaller bunches.
Remove leaves and tie stems with twine, wire, or
rubber bands. Hang
bunches upside down in a warm, dry, dark area.
Wait until all flowers are totally dry, two to
three weeks.
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PROS:
It is easy and does not involve any cost.
CONS:
All flowers darken in color and light shades turn to a
dreary brown. Flowers shrivel and lose their
shape. Short life span.
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Silica gel looks
like white sand but is formulated for floral drying.
A few companies offer Silica drying or it can be at
home. If you
elect to do to yourself you can find silica gel at garden
centers or hobby shops.
It takes about three pounds to dry 12 average-sized
flowers. Cover
the bottom of an airtight container, such as a plastic
sweater box with a layer of gel.
Cut stems, remove leaves and place the flowers on
the gel. Cover
with more of the silica and cover.
Tape the lid to make it as air tight as possible.
Check after a week.
If flowers feel papery, they are done.
If not, close them up and check every two days or
so. Remove
the flowers and, if needed, use a blow dryer set on cool
to remove traces of the silica gel.
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PROS:
Quick, most flowers dry in a week to 10 days.
Can be inexpensive if you do it yourself.
Flower shape and color more natural than dried.
CONS:
Flowers become
brittle, colors darken and flowers are fragile.
Results not very natural with roses.
Flowers last a little longer than with the
air-dried method.
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Flowers with flat
faces like pansies, petunias, violas and daisies press
well. Thick
flowers like roses must be pressed petal by petal and then
the look of the flower recreated.
To press your own flowers, place flowers between
sheets of blotting paper and put into a flower press or
make a press with two boards and weights. Flowers take two weeks to totally dry. If you want to reproduce a bouquet, use a company to press
your flowers since it is a real art to recreate you
bouquet.
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PROS:
You can do this
yourself or select a company to do it for you.
Flowers do not always retain the original color but
can be color enhanced with paint.
Flowers can last a lifetime.
CONS:
Flowers lose their
shape and large, thick flowers cannot be recreated to look
natural, which is a problem for roses (the main flower in
most bridal bouquets).
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The method that
results in the most natural looking flower is
freeze-drying. A
blend of science and art, freeze-drying retains the shape
and color of your flowers almost as if they are still
fresh. Expensive
equipment is required and the process cannot be completed
at home. With
this method the bouquet is photographed and then taken
apart. Each
flower is dehydrated and then treated with a special
solution to help it retain its' color.
The flowers are then frozen (10 degrees below zero)
before being put into the actual freeze dryer.
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When the freeze dry cycle starts, the flowers are at 25 degrees below zero and a vacuum is
pulled on the chamber.
The vacuum pulls all the moisture out of the
flowers slowly over a two-week period.
During this period, the chamber warms up slowly to
room temperature. When
the flowers are removed, they are post-treated with a thin
coating that protects them from fading and moisture.
The bride's flowers are then redesigned into the
display of her choice.
The total process will take 8 to 12 weeks.
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PROS: Flowers retain the
shape, color and texture of fresh flowers and last for a
lifetime if cared for properly.
CONS:
Cannot be done at
home, therefore, making it more expensive than
do-it-yourself methods.
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Proper floral freeze-drying doesn't
produce flowers that are brittle and lifeless as traditional
drying methods do. There
are very few experts in this industry because the equipment is
expensive, requires extensive training to operate and knowledge
about flowers and floral design is imperative.
Flowers stay in the freeze dry equipment for about two
weeks and the complete process can take up to 12 weeks.
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There are a few things you should know
prior to selecting a company to preserve your flowers:
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Do
they pre-treat and re-hydrate the flowers before they
freeze-dry them? This
process helps retain the color of your flowers and opens the
cells so they freeze dry with a natural look.
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Are
all bouquets photographed and then disassembled for
freeze-drying? This
is the only way each flower will retain its' color and
shape.
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Are
the flowers post-treated after freeze drying?
This process coats each flower with a thin, transparent
layer that protects them from light and humidity.
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Not all freeze-drying companies
complete each step because of the time and labor required.
Without these steps, however, your flowers may not retain
their natural look or will have a shorter life span.
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Preserved flowers are
attractive accents for any home and appear much more natural than
silk arrangements. There
are hundreds of frames, glass or acrylic domes and beautifully
creative custom wall and tabletop designs available to display
your flowers.
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Consult a
floral preservationist at
least two months prior to your wedding so you can arrange to have
your flowers shipped or delivered while they are still fresh.
Thousands of brides are now preserving their bouquets and
wedding flowers; with so few experts in this industry,
reservations must be made months in advance so you will not be
disappointed.
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Enjoy the sentimental memories for
years to come - make this extraordinary display a key
centerpiece in your new homes' d�or or a gift to someone
special. Just as you
preserve your wedding gown, photographs and other sentimental
wedding memorabilia, you can now preserve your bridal flowers for
a lifetime of enjoyment.
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Heller & Reid provide the very
best in floral preservation and a full selection of contemporary
frames and displays to protect your flowers for a lifetime of
enjoyment. Floral preservation is available from Heller & Reid
anywhere in the United States.
A refrigerated floral preservation shipper will be sent at
no additional charge and allows flowers and bouquets to be sent
overnight express mail, FedEx, or UPS to our design center in
Richardson, Texas. For
more information on freeze drying and floral preservation and
preservation of bridal bouquets, please visit
http://www.hellerandreid.com
or call toll free at
(800) 742-9570.
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