Silica gel can be used to preserve bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, wreaths, floral arraignments, holiday decorations, herbs and seeds. While there are several ways to dry and preserve, silica gel is more efficient as it draws out moisture from the plant material with less discoloration and fading than hang drying or pressing. Most flowers can be dried within 2-7 days.

Desicco's flower drying crystals are comprised of very fine (0.3 - 0.85mm) white non-indicating silica gel and orange indicating silica gel beads. The fine crystals minimize bruising and help maintain the flower’s original shape during the drying process. The orange indicating silica gel turns green when the beads have reached their full adsorption capacity. This allows the user to easily identify when the flower drying crystals need to be reactivated.

As a rough guide; 6 partially opened roses will require approximately 2.5kg of flower drying crystals. Flower drying guide and reactivation instructions are included with the product.

Features

• Fine crystals; ideal for flower drying
• Contains moisture indicator beads
• Most flowers can be dried within 2-7 days
• Microwave can be used to speed up drying process
• Inert and non-toxic
• Odourless and non-corrosive
• Remains dry when saturated with moisture
• Reusable
   

Reactivation Instructions

When the indicating silica gel turns green, reactivate as follows:

Spread flower drying crystals on a tray and place in an oven at 115°C to 125°C for approximately 2-3 hours or until beads turn orange again. Once the crystals have been reactivated, remove from oven and let cool until able to handle. Store in a sealed container until ready to use.