Things You'll Need
Flowers
Borax
Cornmeal
Non-iodized salt
Bowl
Container large enough to hold flowers horizontally
Whether drying flowers for craft projects or purely sentimental reasons, maintaining the color of the blooms is key. Many flower preservation methods include salt because salt maintains flowers' vibrant colors throughout the drying process. With some salt and just a few other basic ingredients, you can make flowers pop well past their prime.
Step 1
Inspect your flowers for any damaged leaves and gently remove them.
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Step 2
Determine how much of a drying agent (desiccant) you need to mix to completely cover the quantity of flowers you are drying. The amount of salt you add is dependent on the number of quarts of desiccant that you make.
Step 3
Mix equal parts of borax and cornmeal in a bowl and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of non-iodized salt per quart of mix.
Step 4
Use a container that is large enough to hold all of the flowers and pour 1/2 to 1 inch of the salt mix on the bottom. Position the flowers horizontally on top of the mix face up. Blossoms that have spikes, such as snapdragons, must be laid in a horizontal position on their sides. Make sure that the flowers do not touch each other.
Step 5
Cover the tops and sides of the flowers until they are completely encased in the salt mixture, and leave this container in a dry, warm place. Continue to check your flowers every couple of days and watch for the blossoms to become crisp and dry. Depending on the variety of blossoms being preserved, drying times can take anywhere from five days to three weeks. Be sure to remove the flowers when ready so as not to allow them to become too brittle.
Tip
Remaining salt mix residue can be removed using a soft-bristled paint brush.
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