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CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF DRIED FLOWERS
Maintaining healthy Dried Flowers
Admittedly, dried flowers require much less care
and handling compared to fresh flowers. Nevertheless, dried
flowers still have specific needs to ensure that you and your
customers receive the longest possible life from the
products.
AVOID MOISTURE In general, high humidity damages most
dried and preserved florals. The absorbed moisture in glycerin
preserved floras could ooze out of stems and poresóoften
referred to as weepingóand can drip on rugs, furniture and
clothing. In some cases, you can dip the stems in hot melted
glue or wax to seal the ends. However, this technique doesnít
work on floras that leak from leaf pores. In very humid
climates it might be necessary to seal the surface of these
products by spraying them lightly with a matte-finish sealant
or a non sticky, non film-forming, firm-hold hairspray.
Dried flowers can also absorb moisture causing them to turn
limp and brown or moldy in highly humid conditions,
so keep them dry.
ROTATE INVENTORY As with any good inventory management,
it is wise to rotate your inventory. First in, first out.
SPRAY WITH SEALANT Sealants help deter moisture absorption,
and they also reduce the possibility of breakage or shattering
if dried flowers are carelessly handled or bumped.
KEEP OUT OF BRIGHT LIGHT Natural colors tend to fade with
time, but you can protect and maintain the original colors
longer by storing and displaying them in dry locations out of
bright sunlight or high intensity lights.
When fading does occur and flowers are still in good
condition, you can recycle them into Victorian-style
arrangements, which often have an antiqued, distressed
look.
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