How To Preserve Flowers

Learning how to preserve flowers is no longer reserved for older generations. It has become a popular hobby for many people who want to enjoy the beauty of their flowers for many years to come. The air drying or hanging method are both easy ways to learn which provide great results. The preserved flowers will look great in either a bouquet or vase.

To preserve flowers you will need:

• Flowers
• Nails
• Twine

1. Locate a place to hang the flowers. A closet, pantry, or attic will work well. Any place that is warm, dark, and dry.
2. Divide the flowers. Try to place each flower separately to get optimal drying. If this is not possible, you can preserve the flowers by dividing them into smaller bunches, so they are not crowding each other. 
3. Tie the stems. Use twine, pipe cleaners, or rubber bands to tie the stems of the small bunches together. 
4. Hang the flowers. Drive small nails into the closet or pantry wall, or use the rafters in an attic. Hang the flowers on the nails.
5. Let the flowers dry. It will take one to two weeks for the flowers to dry. The time frame will depend on the amount of moisture in the flower and the level of humidity in the room.

The air drying method to preserve flowers works best if the flowers are picked in the bud stage or are only partially open, as the flowers will continue to  open up during the first few days of drying. Remember that certain types of flowers preserve better with this method than others.

http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/landscap/h1037w.htm