A flowering preservation method that retains color?

Question

I want to dry some of my spring flowers, but I'm looking for a method that will help retain the colors. Pressing won't work, and neither will just air drying them. Does anyone have a technique that they have used? I want to do it at home, so don't tell me freeze drying!

Answer 1

I don't think you're going to be able to preserve the color completely.  When flowers dry their color will change slightly no matter what you do.   Even freeze drying leaves a slight change in color.

My recommendation would be to dry them with any method you want (see http://extension.missouri.edu/xplor/aggu... for directions), then spray the flowers with a fixative (from the craft store) and then paint the flowers to a bright color again.  I know it's cheating, but at least you'll have the colors you want.  You'll have to be VERY careful that you don't damage the dried flowers when you paint them.