General Discussion & Chat: Best/ worse/ ? did you learn today #63 visit with friends..., 1 by Gitagal

Gitagal wrote:
Ruby,

I have been doing it for eons......

No all flowers dry and keep their color. Few leaves do--but you find that out when you experiment....

You need a large, shallow wicker tray of some kind. Sallow cardboard boxes work also.

Starting in Spring, pull the petals off of flowers that are past their prime, but not yet browning--such as Roses, Peonies, and others. I also pull off all the blooms from mini Daffodils and on my red Camellia. If you grow lavender--you have it made!!!

Flowers that do not dry well, or just turn into translucent, nothings are--impatiens, Begonias, Geraniums, lilies, etc. In other words--flowers that have a "water content" in them.

In warm, but not overly humid, weather--keep the tray outside in a semi shaded place. In warm weather, the petals will dry in about 3 days. Inside--like right noe, it will take much longer.

At this time of year what I cur/pull apart are Hydrangia blooms--which have now turned a beautiful maroon, I pull small flowers off of Zinnias and small marigolds, any remaining Roses in bloom, and such. Also--you can cut up the smaller top leaves on a Dusty Miller and dry them. The possibilities are endless.....Any remaining herbs still growing--but not harvestable would also add a nice scent....

If you live near some fields--you can go looking for interesting seed pods, mini, mini pine cones (Like on Hemlocks-1/2" long), and whatever you find that is suitable as a "filler".

Get a roomy tote or a humongous wicker basket and start saving all the dried stuff in it.
Keep tossing it around to mix. In no time at all--you will have gobs!

What have I done with it? Geez! I have posted all this somewhere.....probably on "Best and Worst", but who can find anything on THAT lengthy Thread? Do you remember seeing pictures of my lace Potpourri balls?

If not--let me know--I will dig up the pictures and post some for you.

here is what I have already dries this Fall and what is still drying.....
These tray are are about 3' in diameter..

OK! I just took these pictures to show you.

Here are my neighbors Hydrangea blooms--now a deep maroon (no showing good on this picture)....I cut the little bloom clusters in tiny bunches. These really dry thin....