Using silica gel, blooms can be dried quickly and hassle-free before they wilt. But How Long Do Silica Preserved Flowers Last? Stay tuned!
Being a desiccant, silica gel is the best tool to capture flowers’ beauty longer than usual. The granules of silica gel absorb all the moisture from the blooms and thereby gives you well-preserved blossoms. But How Long Do Silica Preserved Flowers Last? Let’s find out below.
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Best Flowers to Preserve with Silica
Always pick fresh, perfectly formed flowers in the perkiest condition for optimal preservation. To cut your hassle, we have compiled a list of some of the best flowers that preserve well with silica gel.
- Peony
- Rose
- Snapdragons
- Larkspur
- Amaranth
- Tulip
- Marigold
- Aster
- Hydrangea
- Lilac
How to Dry Flowers Using Silica Gel?
Despite your best efforts, you can’t keep the flowers for long. But don’t fret; flower drying with silica gel will last longer than usual. Without any further ado, let’s learn how to use silica gel to dry flowers below.
Supplies
- Silica Gel
- Airtight Plastic or Metal Container
- Fresh Flowers
- Scissors or Garden Pruners
- Artificial Stems
- Hair Spray
Directions
- First, grab your favorite fresh flowers and cut them, leaving no more than 1 inch of stem.
- Next, line an empty container with silica about 2 inches deep.
- Place the selected blooms upright on the silica gel bed inside the container at equal distances.
- Then, pour enough silica gel all over the flowers until they are completely covered. Make sure the silica gets into each and every petal evenly.
- Once it’s done, secure the airtight container with a lid, and leave it for 3-7 days. The drying time varies with the thickness of the flowers.
- However, don’t forget to inspect the flowers every two days to check if the blooms are dried or not.
- Once they dry completely, remove the blooms carefully and brush off excess silica using a soft-bristled brush.
Notes:
- If you want to use dried blooms for wreaths or other arrangements, attach artificial stems and spritz a fine coating of hair spray to seal the moisture out.
- To preserve dried flowers as personal collectibles, keep them in sealed plastic or metal container to prevent rehydration.
- Before drying blooms with silica gel, remove any discolored and damaged petals.
- Wear protective gear such as good-quality rubber gloves and a face mask while handling silica gel.
- If you want to preserve long-strand flowers like amaranth, snapdragons, and larkspur, lie them on their side in the silica gel bed.
- Don’t overdry blossoms, as they can become brittle and crumble to the touch.
How Long to Dry Flowers in Silica Gel?
If you want to know How Long to Dry Flowers in Silica Gel? You are at the right place. Flowers take 3-7 days to dry in the silica gel. After the drying period, your favorite blooms will be ready to flaunt their beauty.
How Long Do Silica Preserved Flowers Last? How Long Do Dried Flowers Last?
Flowers preserved through silica gel are not everlasting but can last up to a year. However, with good care and maintenance, they can often survive longer. A number of factors affect your dried flowers’ survival time, such as the condition of blooms before preservation, the method used, and where you store the blossoms after preservation.
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