I've found an abandoned area that has sunflowers growing.
I've picked & dried some, but they don't look like ones from the suppliers. The petals are drying thin and ray-like (sort of like spider mums), instead of cupped around the center. I've tried hang-drying, and drying face-up on hardware cloth, but they still don't look right. Do you think the growers use different varieties w/ more petals, or is it something I'm doing wrong? I don't have enough silica gel to do them that way. I will be really sad if I can't preserve them-they are so pretty.
The sun flower, zinnias, and Queen Anne's lace used on this wreath were dried by the borax method. It was done a year ago and is still just as attractive as when first done. EP
Thank you for your help. I'll give the borax a try-I've always used silica, but it's too expensive for a lot of large blooms. Your wreaths & arrangements are lovely.
I got some beautiful sunflowers in the yard isnt there some thing in crafts or hardware at store that will keep them just like when they are growing or do I gotta try the borax thanks for your ideas robin
Robin, if you ever find such a product will you please share.. One more thing I am experimenting with today.. sometimes with long stemmed flowers the stems will tend to flop as they start drying out from below. Today I am trying slipping the stems thru the unside drain holes of small plastic flower pots and turning the pots upside down over the drying flowers to help support the stems..Sometimes I check and if the flowers have dried enough to hold their shape I will remove from borax and hang by ends of stems to continue drying.. Have some zinnias and calendula in the drying bin. If successful will share on some future post. EP
Flowers can be completely submerged in a solution of two parts water and one part glycerine (ordinary car antifreeze will work). But I have only heard of this and never done it? Anyone use this method?
