Posted: Sunday, June 9, 2013 12:00 am
Tips for drying hydrangeas
Volunteers Bay Seale and Darlene Hinman have dried thousands of
flowers over the years for Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s botanical
arrangements and holiday decorations. They offer these tips for preserving the mophead hydrangea.
• Cut unblemished flowerheads in the morning (after dew has dried) when bracts are in full flower but slightly before peak bloom, leaving a 1-inch stem.
• Pour a 1-inch layer of silica gel (available at craft stores) into a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid.
• Insert stems into the silica, keeping blooms upright, and slowly sprinkle additional silica on the flowerheads. Gently shake the container occasionally to distribute silica to all flower parts. Repeat until completely covered.
• Close the lid tightly and leave for one week, away from sunlight and humidity.
• Remove flowers by slowly pouring off the silica until blossoms are uncovered.
Hydrangea botanicals can last one or two years when properly dried and stored. Additional tips, including air drying, are posted at http://bit.ly/DryingTips.
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Sunday, June 9, 2013 12:00 am.
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