DATE:    8/7/97
WRITERS: Bob Polomski, (864) 656-2604
         Dr. Al Pertuit, (864) 656-4968

Air-Drying Garden Flowers

     Q:  I would like to air-dry some garden flowers, but I'm not 
sure which ones will air dry best. Can you give me some suggestions
and tell me how to go about this?
     A:  Not all plants can be successfully air-dried, but a 
great many can. To air-dry flowers, collect fresh materials and cut
at various lengths from 12 to 16 inches.
     Strip away most or all of the foliage if it is not of 
primary interest. Tie flowers into small bunches of about five
stems, and hang them upside down in a dark room to preserve 
their colors. The humidity in the room should be kept under 50 
percent, and there should be good air circulation. Large fleshy
materials should be dried separately. 
     Collect the flowers to be dried in early morning, before they
begin to wilt.
     Remember that the positions of stems prior to drying will 
remain permanent upon drying.
     If curved lines are desired, bend stems prior to drying. Try 
drying some plants right-side-up for variety and more graceful
lines. Florist wire can be wrapped carefully around thick or woody
stems to aid in holding curves while drying.
     Drying time varies, but 10 to 14 days generally is 
sufficient. When material becomes stiff to the touch and stems
snap, the material is ready. Flowers will often shrink after being
dried.
     Cones, pods, twigs, and certain grasses can be dried without 
hanging. Some materials dry naturally outdoors in fall and can be
collected for use; however, these are generally of poorer 
quality than those dried from fresh material.
     Avoid drying plant materials in direct sun because the 
colors will fade. Good air circulation is the key to successful
drying. Store dried material in roomy boxes or dust-free
containers (airtight, if possible) until ready to use.
     Some plants commonly recommended for air drying include: 
Amaranth, Baby's Breath, Bachelor's Button, Bells of Ireland,
Cattail Celosia, Chinese Lantern, Cones, Corn, Eucalyptus,
Ferns, Globe Thistle, Goldenrod, Grains, Grasses, Hydrangea, 
Lavender, Lotus, Magnolia, Mullein, Okra pods, Queen Anne's Lace,
Salvia, Statice, Strawflower, Sumac, Thistle and Yarrow.
     Some herbs also dry well. For instance, Basil, Dill, Fennel 
(seed heads), Garlic, Geranium, Lamb's Ear, Lavender and Rosemary.  
                    ***********************
     If you have gardening questions or comments, write to 
Agricultural News & Publications, A-101 Poole Agricultural Center,
Box 340311, Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29634-0311.
                               END