Tatyana Zaichenko, Izhevsk: "I want to make winter bouquets from my flowers. Could you tell me how to dry the flowers correctly in order to preserve not only the shape, but also the color of the petals?"

There are several ways to preserve plants for a bouquet: in the air, in moisture-absorbing bulk materials, in glycerin, under a press and an iron.

Air drying

The most accessible and simple is air drying.

To do this, use a dry, dark, well-ventilated and cool room, but the air temperature should not be below 10 ° C. Depending on the size of the plants, drying lasts from 5 to 15 days.

Ears of cereal plants and ornamental grasses are easily dried. They are harvested just before flowering or when they acquire a light straw color.

Tie in bundles of 5-10 pieces. At the same time, the ends are cut so that they are at the same level, and the tops are at different levels. Bunches are best made from plants of the same species.

In the attic, in the garage or pantry at a distance of not less than 15 cm from the ceiling, they stretch a fishing line, wire or rope and hang the plants at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other, securing with clothespins.

Flowering plants are cut when the flowers are in full bloom. The lower leaves and thorns are removed. 5-6 plants are tied so that the flowers do not touch each other, and the leaves are well ventilated. Hang upside down.

If the stem of the flower is thin and fragile, then a thin wire is threaded into it so that it does not break after drying.

If you need to bend the stem, after drying at the bend, it is wrapped with a cloth soaked in hot water, and after a while, gently, slightly twisting, give the desired shape.

Air dry can be flowering plants like a cornflower decorative bows, poppy, montbrecia, lilac (cut off when only the lower flowers bloom), physalis. Gypsophila and hydrangea are dried differently.

Water is poured into a vase to a height of 5 cm and the ends of the stems are immersed in it. Drying occurs as the water evaporates. The tips of the stems that were in it are cut off, as they can become moldy.

Drying flowers in bulk materials

In order to preserve the appearance of valuable flower plants, they are dried in loose substances that absorb moisture well - storm, perlite, silica gel - or with laying flowers with pieces of absorbent cotton.

With such drying, the petals do not wrinkle, and the color becomes more intense.

Flowers are cut on a sunny day so that there is no moisture on the petals, the head is separated from the stem and a wire is inserted into it, it is folded under the flower in a ring.

The desiccant is poured into a deep cup or box with a layer of 1-2 cm and the flowers are laid on it with the rest of the stem down.

Then the petals are carefully poured so that they separate from each other, and trying to ensure that the substance penetrates deep into the flower. When the head is completely covered, the box is tightly closed and placed in a dry place for 3-5 days.

The dried flower is picked up with tweezers, the desiccant is poured into a bowl and reused.

The remnants of the powder are carefully shaken off, blown off with a rubber pear and the flower is connected with a wire to a separately dried stem.

River sand can be used as a drying agent. Only it must first be sieved and well calcined on fire. In this case, drying lasts 15-20 days. As a container, it is better to use a round cardboard box with an opening bottom, because after drying it is better to remove the sand from the bottom.

This is how roses, peonies, dahlias, chrysanthemums, marigolds, buttercups, daisies, primroses, delphiniums should be dried. When saving marigold, gerbera and zinnia flowers are placed face down.

Petals are well preserved when laying them with pieces of hygroscopic cotton wool. They are laid until all the petals, including the middle ones, are separated.

Then hang by the stem to dry. Flower heads dry out in 5-6 days. However, cotton wool is removed only after the stem becomes dry.

Liquid way to preserve plants - in glycerin

There is also a liquid way to preserve plants - in glycerin.

This is how branches and leaves of shrubs are usually preserved. To do this, use a mixture of two parts hot water and one part glycerin.

This liquid is poured into a vessel to a height of about 10 cm. In plants, the lower leaves are cut off, the stem is split with a knife.

Put them first in a vase with water for 3-4 hours, and then for 2-3 weeks in a solution of glycerin. Keep in a cool and dark place. As the solution evaporates, add hot water.

With the use of glycerin, amaranth, bergenia, barberry, cotoneaster, cypress, fern are dried.

Drying plant leaves under an iron, under pressure

Leaves of plants are dried under the iron. They put them on paper, cover with paper and iron them. Then the paper sheets are changed to new ones.

This procedure is repeated until the moisture is completely evaporated from the leaves.

And herbs, and cereals, and flowering plants will crumble less if, after drying, you sprinkle them with hairspray.

Plants that are going to be used in the panel are dried under pressure. To do this, paper is laid on plywood and flowers wrapped in paper are laid out.

Cover with a sheet of plywood or thick cardboard and put a load. Several layers of plants can be dried under one load.

To speed up the process, the plants are shifted every day, replacing damp paper with dry paper. It usually takes 5-7 days to dry under pressure.

Pressing can dry most medicinal herbs, ferns, flowers of pansies, clematis, mallow, primrose, violets.

phytodesigner A. Olshanskaya

Flowers are a wonderful addition to any interior, but they tend to only last a few days in water. To preserve their beauty and admire it at any time of the year, they use the method of drying flowers.

Drying plants at home is quite easy. For this, there are several different methods, depending on the type of flowers.

When is the best time to cut flowers to dry?

It is best to cut flowering plants before the flower is fully opened. This will help keep their color. Network of garden centers "NATALIS" http://natalis.ua/plants/listvennye-kustarniki/hydrangea.html recommends cutting flowers in the morning, before they start to bloom, but after the dew has evaporated.

If you want to dry a bouquet that has been given to you, it is best to start this as soon as possible, since, most likely, the flowers were cut no later than a day before purchase. If they are roses, it may be tempting to leave them in the vase until they are fully opened. However, if you really want to keep the flowers as a keepsake and dry them, you don't have to wait until they're fully open.

What is the best way to dry flowers?

Hanging

The most common (and fairly reliable) method is to divide the flowers singly or into small bunches and hang them bud down. You can use a clothes hanger and an elastic band, and then put the flowers in the closet. If the stems of the flowers are thin, it is better to use a thin thread.

This method will take several weeks, and some petals may fall off in the process. But this The best way save the stems in case you plan to put dried flowers in a vase.

Drying in the book

Spread the flowers out on newspaper, cloth, or any paper that can absorb moisture and place another sheet on top. Then put everything in the book and close it.

This method also takes several weeks and is ideal for making dried flowers for use in floristry or jewelry.

Microwave Drying

If you can't wait for the flowers to dry for a long time, this method will definitely come in handy. Place flowers (without stems) in a container and microwave. BHG suggests covering the flowers with a mixture of quartz sand or a mixture of borax and cornmeal(in equal proportions). Without covering the container, leave to dry for a minute. Dry for another minute if necessary. After that, leave the flowers in the mixture for one day to dry completely.

Where is the best place to store dried flowers?

Flowers should be dried in a dark, cool place, because due to sunlight, their shade may fade.

To keep dried flowers as long as possible, keep them away from windows or any other source of direct sunlight, away from stoves, fireplaces and heaters.

What flowers are best for drying?

The most popular flower is the rose, but there are many other plants and herbs that are just as good for drying.

A person living in the "stone jungle" seeks to be closer to nature. Therefore, flowers appear in his home, which not only soften the urban interior, but also carry the energy of prosperity, wealth, love, well-being.

Feng Shui is negative about cut fresh flowers.

Is it possible to keep dried flowers in the house - this question is primarily of interest to those who, for various reasons, cannot have live plants that require constant attention. Feng Shui has a negative attitude to fresh cut flowers, and about dried floral arrangements that have retained their natural attractiveness, the opinions of experts in the house differ.

good omens

If you are interested in the question of whether it is possible to keep dry flowers at home, pay attention to their positive and negative sides, from the point of view of esotericism. Dried flowers differ from living plants in lesser strength. But during the period of growth, they received a lot of energy from the earth, water and the sun.

Therefore, even dried flowers are real batteries capable of giving back the accumulated heat to a person. Dried flowers are ideal for representatives of the four signs of the Zodiac: Cancer, Capricorn, Aries and Libra.

Determining the basis of life

Dry flowers hardly change (do not grow and do not fade), therefore, they can help a person gain constancy in his feelings. Suitable for those who want to keep the purity of the soul and others positive traits(industriousness, perseverance, decency).

Dried flowers contain the cardinal cross of the zodiac signs of the four elements, which means the basis of life. Therefore, dried plants stimulate a reassessment of values ​​in favor of fundamental concepts: family, homeland, children, parents. A bouquet of dried flowers can help a person who does not respect his parents and does not love his home to correctly orient himself in life.

Peace in the house

People with an unstable mood just need dried flowers, which will help them become more patient and kinder towards others, increase resistance to emotional overload and stress.

Dry flowers "fix" the atmosphere prevailing in the house. If all your household members treat each other with love and understanding, be sure to decorate the house with dried flowers to prolong this fertile state of the family.

The energy of constancy

A dried plant that retains qualities for a long time will help you avoid losing your abilities and talents during a time of lack of demand.

Health promotion

"Children of nature" have a beneficial effect on the entire body, cause:

  • increased immunity;
  • body strengthening;
  • life extension;
  • prevention of diseases of the joints, teeth, nose, organs of vision, gastrointestinal tract, skin diseases.

A bouquet of dried flowers, located in the northern sector of the house, will help maintain male potency and fidelity of her husband. It should be borne in mind that if the husband is already cheating, dry flowers will not help return his devotion. On the contrary, you need to get rid of them as soon as possible.

Home protection from ill-wishers

In the old days, the housewives placed compositions of dry plants over front door. This helped protect against thieves, enemies and evil spirits. Protective properties have, for example, thistle, St. John's wort, thyme, wormwood.

Under the influence of dried flowers, order will always reign in your home, household members will take care of their belongings.

The bride's bouquet

A special role is given to the bride's bouquet. The ancient Slavs considered it a kind of amulet of the future marriage. Dried roses should keep peace, understanding, harmony in the house. To attract wealth, abundance and good luck, you can even hang them around the house in bunches.

How to properly handle dried flowers?

Dried flowers lose their power if they are moved frequently, so find a permanent place for them.

Observant people have noticed that dried flowers become much more active during the stay of the Sun in the constellations of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. Try to fill the house with dried flowers during these periods.

Do not store dry flowers for very long. They should be discarded as soon as they change color. The loss of color means the complete "emptiness" of the plants. The flower has completely given up energy, it needs to be replaced. Otherwise, he will begin to take away from a person what he has given him. It is recommended to replace dried flowers once a year when a fresh crop of flowers appears.

This rule does not apply to a flower that you keep as a memory of a dear person or event. Such an object can be kept in the field of one's attention for exactly as long as it causes pleasant emotions. But you need to be ready to “let go of the flower” when it has fully completed its mission.

If there is a desire to dry the plants, this must be done outside the living quarters (for example, on a balcony, in a book, in a box of sand).

"Spent" dried flowers should be burned, regardless of how they burn.

Ideally, dried flowers should be kept together with live ones. So indoor plant will help to change the atmosphere in the house to a favorable one, and dried flowers will contribute to the preservation of positive energy.

If you have a need to get rid of something, a bouquet of dried flowers will get in the way. Its influence will not allow you to throw away unnecessary trash. If you have a craving for hoarding, it is better to get potted plants.

It has been noticed that a lot of dried flowers are in the house of people who do not want to change, do not want to work on themselves

bad omens

The energy of constancy has a reverse negative side. Its carriers help to preserve not only wealth and dignity, but also existing problems.

Who is not suitable for dried flowers:

  • People with a huge baggage of complexes and shortcomings.
  • Individuals prone to hoarding unnecessary trash.
  • Families in which scandals constantly occur.

It has been noticed that a lot of dried flowers are in the house of people who do not want to change, do not want to work on themselves.

There are folk beliefs that explain why dried flowers should not be kept in the house. It is believed that they steal youth and strength. But this primarily applies to cut flowers withering in a vase. Not only does life leave the plants, but also rotting water becomes a source of bad energy.

Plants that have begun to wither should be thrown away immediately, because in the process of dying they emit and spread a lot of negative energy.

In addition, signs negatively answer the question of whether dry flowers can be stored at home when it comes to dried buds, and not stems and leaves. It is believed that such decor brings:

  • misfortune;
  • illness;
  • the death of a loved one;
  • parting with a loved one;
  • death;
  • loss of wealth;
  • loneliness (for a girl or a young man);
  • lack of profit (for businessmen and enterprises).

feng shui dried flowers

Oriental home improvement experts claim that cut flowers bring withering and death. Proponents of Feng Shui do not recommend decorating the house with plants that are devoid of roots. But they advise giving potted flowers, symbolizing life and prosperity.

If, for various reasons, you do not want to part with dried flowers, it is important to find the right place in the house for such decor. Dried flowers should not be kept in the living room, bedroom or children's room. In these rooms, dried flowers can disrupt the movement of energy flows, which will lead to the accumulation of negativity.

Kitchen and bathroom - the best place for dead plants.

The decor of dried flowers perfectly neutralizes excess water energy. This is especially important in those houses where the bathroom or kitchen is located on the second floor, and the residents suffer from the “water from the mountain” energy flow.

Any dried commemorative bouquets (wedding and others reminiscent of important joyful events) should be kept in the kitchen. So you can “shoot two birds with one stone”: save an object that you don’t want to part with and attract prosperity and prosperity to the house.

So, dry flowers bring specific, often negative, energy into the house. Therefore, you should not thoughtlessly decorate your home with such decor without a good reason.

Dried multi-colored flowers can remind you of a bright, sunny summer throughout the winter.dried flowers , if properly dried, retain their natural shape and color.

Florists practicing different ways dried flowers believe that almost all flowers are suitable for dried flowers. But not all methods are available to amateur gardeners. Therefore, we will consider only those plants that are driedeveryone can.

Complement any room: living room, living room, kitchen, office or study. They cheer up and make the atmosphere light, spring and pleasant.

Look very unusualherbs dried flowers . Many of them last much longer than flowers, do not lose their beauty. Herbs can be combined with dried flowers or used alone.

Most easy way , which is suitable for most plants, it is simply to tie them in small bunches and hang them in a dry, dark place. Use this method to dryflowers on thin peduncles .

Flowers on strong peduncles , for example, hydrangeas, dry directly in a vase, filling it with water by 10 cm. After two to three weeks, the water will evaporate and the inflorescences will dry.

Separate flowers and leaves can be dried in a warm oven , such plants retain their aroma and natural color.

Basic rule for dried flowers, it is to protect them from being hit by direct sun rays. From the sun and bright light, plants quickly lose their color. It is also equally important that dried flowers are stored in a dry room. High humidity destroys the shape and color of the flowers.

Dried flowers are preserved in different ways, depending on the plants and conditions of detention. For example, lavender, gypsophila and astilbe lose their original decorative effect in a year. And here ornamental cereals, immortelle and helipterum retain their bright color and shape for 3-4 years. Dried flowers in bouquets and compositions are very dusty, so they need to be shaken all the time.

Now you know,how to make dried flowers and you can create a unique and beautiful bouquet. It remains to figure out which plants are ideal for this.

Plants suitable for drying

Among the flowers thatsuitable for drying , most annuals. Growing them is very simple, the seeds are sown directly on the flower bed in the month of May. Keep in mind, they all need a lot of sun.

Dried flowers titles.The most popular plants that are suitable for drying.

  • Helipterum - blooms from June to September. 30-60 cm high. Flowers of all shades of pink and white. When dried, they look very natural, sometimes it even seems that they are alive. It is necessary to cut off the inflorescences at the stage of incomplete blooming. Hang dry.
  • Immortelle (helichrysum) - most beautiful flower among dried flowers. The color of the flowers is yellow, pink, red, white, orange, raspberry, lilac. Flowers up to 7 cm in diameter. Flowering begins in July and continues until October. The height of the flower is 20-30 cm. You need to cut the flowers when they are fully bloomed. Hang to dry, heads down.
  • Kermek (static) - blooms from July to September. 30-90 cm high. Coloring of flowers is white, yellow, red, blue. Peduncles for drying are cut off in full dissolution, since, when the buds dry, they do not bloom. Dry in a well-ventilated area, head down, in small bundles. Flowers of blue and yellow shades do not fade for a long time. Pink and salmon flowers are prone to fading.
  • Xeranthemum (dried flower) - blooms from July to September. 50-100 cm high. The flowers are white, pink, purple, red, simple and double. Cut flowers that are not fully open. Hang to dry in a well-ventilated place.
  • Gomphrena - blooms from June until the first frost. Height 20-40 cm. The flowers are small, collected in small spherical inflorescences, white, red, pink, purple, yellow or purple. It is necessary to cut off the inflorescences for drying when the lower scales begin to turn brown.

Seedlings for drying:

  • Physalis vulgaris - 60-90 cm high. It blooms with white flowers from June to August. Seed fruit - orange-red lanterns ripen in September. You need to cut off fully painted lanterns. Dry in a vase.
  • Lunnik - 40-120 cm high. Purple-violet flowers, very fragrant. Blooms in May-June. For drying, cut the stems with pods. Dry in a vase or hanging. After drying, the shell is removed from the pods.
  • Oriental poppy - 70-90 cm high. Blooms from June to August, pink, white or lilac flowers. For drying, unripe fruits-heads are cut off. Dry in a vase or hanging upside down.
  • Nigella damask - 40-50 cm high. Blooms from June to September, pink, white or blue flowers. Cut off immature seed pods. Hang dry.
  • Gypsophila paniculata - 80-120 cm high. The flowers are small, white, bloom on branched shoots from June to August. Cut off when the flowers are fully open. Dry in a vase or hanging.
  • Hydrangea - 1-2 m high. Blooms from June to August, white, pink, blue, blue and purple flowers. Inflorescences are cut at the end of summer. Dried in a vase or in small bunches upside down.

It's just most popular plants which are ideal for drying. And there's a lot more to dry. Inflorescences of ornamental cereals, dry inflorescences of alliums (ornamental onions), hops, anafalis, yarrows, lavender, astilbe, amaranth, shaking, haretail, eryngium, etc. are also suitable. By the way, roses can also be dried and retain their shape, only for this you need silica gel.

It is called creeping hops, beer hops, curly hops, bitterness... This powerful and beautiful vine has everything to be useful to man. Hops are revered by many peoples of the world, it is a symbol of fertility, strong economy, prowess, happiness and longevity, it is depicted on coats of arms and coins. But many summer residents are not at all happy with him. Hops tend to grow rapidly, inhibiting growth cultivated plants around you. But is it really necessary to fight it?

Pork with eggplant - a delicious stew with vegetables and spicy rice is easy and simple to cook for dinner or lunch. It will take about half an hour to cook, so this recipe can be categorized as "if you need dinner quickly." The dish turns out hearty, fragrant, spicy. Turmeric colors the ingredients in a beautiful golden yellow color, cloves, cardamom, garlic and chili pepper add savory notes to the dish. Choose lean meat for this recipe.

Seed propagation in the garden strawberry familiar to us, unfortunately, leads to the appearance of less productive plants and weaker bushes. But another type of these sweet berries - alpine strawberries, can be successfully grown from seeds. Let's learn about the main advantages and disadvantages of this crop, consider the main varieties and features of agricultural technology. The information presented in this article will help you decide whether it is worth giving her a place in the berry.

Despite the confusion that has accumulated over the past decades with the name "Christmas cactus", one of the most recognizable and colorful forest cacti, epiphyllums remain everyone's favorite. Leafless, with flattened stems, strikingly abundantly blooming, hybrid epiphyllums with their hanging shoots and delicate flowers do not require particularly difficult care from the owners. They can become the most colorful flowering succulent plant in any collection.

Merchant buckwheat with meat and pumpkin is a simple recipe for a delicious dinner or lunch. I advise you to bring it to readiness in the oven, although you can also on the stove. Firstly, it tastes better in the oven, as the buckwheat is steamed, it becomes very tasty, and the meat is tender. Secondly, the hour that it languishes in the oven can be spent on yourself or communicating with loved ones. Perhaps many will decide that buckwheat with meat is an ordinary dish, but try to cook it according to this recipe.

Often at the sight beautiful flower we instinctively bend down to smell its fragrance. All fragrant flowers can be divided into two large groups: nocturnal (pollinated by nocturnal butterflies) and diurnal, whose pollinators are mainly bees. Both groups of plants are important for the grower and designer, because we often walk in the garden during the day and relax in our favorite corners with the onset of the evening. We are never put off by the fragrance of our favorite fragrant flowers.

Pumpkin is considered by many gardeners to be the queen of the beds. And not only because of its size, variety of shapes and colors, but also for its excellent taste, useful qualities and a rich harvest. Pumpkin contains a large amount of carotene, iron, various vitamins and minerals. Thanks to the possibility of long-term storage, this vegetable supports our health. all year round. If you decide to plant a pumpkin on your site, you will be interested to know how to get the largest possible harvest.

Scotch eggs are amazing! Try to cook this dish at home, there is nothing difficult to prepare. Scotch eggs are hard-boiled eggs wrapped in chopped meat breaded in flour, egg and breadcrumbs and deep fried. For frying, you need a frying pan with a high rim, and if you have a deep fryer, then it's just great - even less hassle. You will also need deep-frying oil so as not to smoke the kitchen. Choose farm eggs for this recipe.

One of the most amazing large-flowered tub cubanola Dominican fully justifies the status of a tropical miracle. Heat-loving, slow-growing, with huge and in many ways unique bells of flowers, cubanola is a fragrant star with a difficult character. It requires special conditions in the rooms. But for those who are looking for exclusive plants for their interior, the best (and more chocolatey) candidate for the role of indoor giant cannot be found.

Chickpea Curry with Meat is a hearty hot dish for lunch or dinner inspired by Indian cuisine. This curry is quick to prepare, but requires pre-preparation. Chickpeas need to be pre-soaked in large quantities cold water for several hours, preferably at night, the water can be changed several times. It is also better to leave the meat in the marinade overnight so that it turns out juicy and tender. Then you should boil the chickpeas until tender and then cook the curry according to the recipe.

Rhubarb can not be found on everyone garden plot. It's a pity. This plant is a storehouse of vitamins and can be widely used in cooking. What is not prepared from rhubarb: soups and cabbage soup, salads, delicious jam, kvass, compotes and juices, candied fruits and marmalade, and even wine. But that's not all! A large green or red rosette of plant leaves, reminiscent of burdock, acts as a beautiful backdrop for annuals. Not surprisingly, rhubarb can also be seen in flower beds.

Today, experiments with non-banal combinations and non-standard colors in the garden are in trend. For example, plants with black inflorescences have become very fashionable. All black flowers are original and specific, and it is important for them to be able to select suitable partners and a position. Therefore, this article will not only introduce you to the range of plants with slate-black inflorescences, but also teach you the intricacies of using such mystical plants in garden design.

3 delicious sandwiches - cucumber sandwich, chicken sandwich, cabbage and meat sandwich - a great idea for a quick snack or for a picnic in nature. Only fresh vegetables, juicy chicken and cream cheese and a little spice. There is no onion in these sandwiches, if you wish, you can add an onion marinated in balsamic vinegar to any of the sandwiches, this will not spoil the taste. Having quickly prepared snacks, it remains to collect a picnic basket and go to the nearest green lawn.

Depending on the variety group, the age of seedlings suitable for planting in open ground, is: for early tomatoes - 45-50 days, medium ripening - 55-60 and late dates- not less than 70 days. When planting seedlings of tomatoes at a younger age, the period of its adaptation to new conditions is significantly extended. But success in obtaining a high-quality crop of tomatoes also depends on the careful implementation of the basic rules for planting seedlings in open ground.


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