Harvesting

Successful drying depends not only upon the preserving process, but also upon picking the fresh plants at the right time. Cut the flowers in the early morning or late evening. At these times the flowers are fully saturated with water. Enjoy cut roses as they open. Just before they reach full bloom, remove them from the water and hang them up to dry. Delphiniums, larkspur, foxglove and lupin should be gathered when the lower buds are flowering, but the very top ones are still closed. Select flowers and leaves that are perfect specimens. Visible pollen seeds and wilting or missing florets on flower spikes indicate an over-mature flower. Drying flowers that have tears, holes in the petals or foliage is a waste of time, because the drying process will only emphasize imperfections. Cut flowers when the heads feel firm, just before they come into full bloom. When preserving in a solution of water and glycerin, collect foliage in the summer when the leaves are at peak maturity. Young green leaves will not absorb the glycerin solution, and autumn leaves have stopped drinking water and sap. So, both are unsuitable for absorbing glycerin.

Back to Top