5 things you need to know about dried botanicals
by Tina Wilson
With these 5 simple rules your dried and preserved botanicals should last a good few years. If you ever get bored with your dried bouquet feel free to add new things, change the vase or just tuck it away for a while. When you rediscover it you'll be pleased! At the end of its life your bouquet can probably be composted - contact your municipality for details.
1
Keep dried botanicals indoors, away from direct sunlight. Too much light will fade your plants and make them brittle.
2
Washrooms and other high humidity rooms can turn dried plants limp and brown, and cause them to mould in some situations. Keep them away from all moisture. Some plants are preserved in a glycerin solution and may start to drip onto surfaces with too much humidity. If this happens you can try sealing with wax or hot glue. Ideally, keep dried botanicals between 18 - 22 degrees celsius and 55-60% humidity.
4
Store seasonal dried botanicals in cardboard boxes (not plastic) wrapped in tissue paper. Never store in the basement or attic as these places tend to have heat and/or humidity extremes. If you think it's necessary, use cedar chips or a specially prepared nontoxic repellent formula to prevent insects from getting in. Always seal up boxes really well.
3
Dried botanicals will inevitably get dusty over time. Blow off dust with compressed air (the kind to clean keyboards, but be careful as it comes out fast) or a hair dryer on low, no heat.
5
SAFETY: Dried botanicals should be kept away from children and pets at all times - they're not edible and in some cases have been treated with bleaching chemicals and dyes. Avoid dye transfer by keeping away from textiles. They are also very dry = combustible. Keep away from fireplaces, candles and other sources of flame.