Handbook | Caring for Dried Flowers sticks

Envisioning a dried flower arrangement, uncertain about how to preserve it, or simply wishing to rejuvenate your vase arrangement, this handbook is tailored for you.

Prior to crafting an arrangement or tucking away your seasonal stems, adhere to a few tips to maintain the allure of your blooms.

- Avoid Humidity and Don’t Place in Water

While the allure of placing these dried flowers in water might be strong, it's advisable to keep them away from any form of moisture. Dried flowers undergo a process to eliminate all moisture, while preserved flowers are treated to retain a certain level of moisture, ensuring they remain flexible. It's best to display your dried or preserved stems in an empty vase with ample space around them to breathe. Avoid placing them in water or storing in humid areas. If you notice your dyed or preserved florals starting to weep or leak color, place them in a cool, dry area to rectify the issue.

- Keep Out of Direct Sunlight

To preserve the color of your dried floral arrangement, position it in a spot away from direct sunlight. Exposure to bright light and direct UV rays can be damaging to the fragile blossoms. For added protection, apply an aerosol UV protectant spray, available at your nearby art supply store.

- Be Gentle and Avoid High Traffic Spaces 

Dried and preserved flowers are fragile. Ensure these beautiful stems are placed away from the reach of little hands and furry tails. Our preferred spots to display them? Side tables and shelves, for a gentle touch of elegance.

- Store Away from Humidity

To maintain the dryness and pristine condition of your florals, keep them in a breathable, sealed container distanced from any humid environment. In tropical climates, it's advisable to store them near a dehumidifier or alongside dehumidifying bags. Should your preserved florals start to "weep" or exhibit color dripping from their stems, a dab of hot glue can be used to seal them. For added freshness, consider storing them with a cedar closet block.

- Right way to clean your dried flowers

For a swift solution, lightly mist your dried flowers with a couple of bursts from a canned air duster (typically used for cleaning electronics). For more robust arrangements, a hair dryer on a low, cool setting is another simple cleaning alternative. If dust remains, delicately wipe the florals with a cloth or a feather duster.

- Prevent dried flowers from fading

Dried florals will eventually fade (it adds to their charm!) but can maintain their color for several seasons if kept out of direct sunlight. Try placing your design on a low-light coffee table or a shady shelf. For extra protection, spray with an aerosol UV protectant.

- Correct storing your dried flowers

The optimal method for storing dried flowers or grasses is to place them in a container that is sealed yet allows for air circulation, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures or humidity. To deter moths or other insects, include a cedar block in the storage. If residing in a humid environment, it's advisable to store them near a dehumidifier or alongside dehumidifying bags for added protection. Moisture can lead to color alteration, shape loss, and potential mold development in dried florals.

- Age of your dried flowers

You might be curious whether dried flowers can endure indefinitely - well, nearly! With the right care, storage, and a low humidity environment, dried and preserved florals can retain their form and hue for many years. To achieve the best outcomes, adhere to these suggestions + feel free to contact us for any inquiries.

- Decorating with Dried Flowers

Dried flowers serve as a durable, eco-friendly substitute for fresh flowers. Instead of buying fresh flowers on a weekly basis, a single bundle of dried flowers can offer joy and retain its aesthetic appeal for many years! Typically, dried flowers are available either as single-stem bundles or pre-arranged bouquets. For uncomplicated dried flower arrangements, simply place a single-stem bundle in a vase. For a more minimalist appeal, consider arranging just a handful of stems in a vase. This style resonates well with Ikebana style arrangements or with large, eye-catching florals like dried fan palms.

For a more intricate dried flower arrangement, begin by selecting a color scheme and the vase you wish to use. Then, choose at least three different floral styles, encompassing one large statement floral, a medium-sized bloom, and a smaller filler flower. Opting for flowers with diverse bloom sizes lends depth and texture to your dried flower arrangement. Subsequently, determine the desired shape of your arrangement and trim the stems accordingly to align with your chosen style.

Dried flowers also present a timeless alternative to fresh flower bouquets. To craft a dried flower bouquet, adhere to the aforementioned steps for selecting your florals. Once you've picked out your florals, initiate your bouquet with the largest stems. Progress by incorporating medium blooms, and conclude with delicate filler flowers. Examine your bouquet from various perspectives before finalizing the arrangement. Bind your bouquet with stem tape and a ribbon, and voila, your bouquet is ready!

- Difference between dried and preserved flowers

Both dried and preserved flowers can endure for many years, yet upon comparison, they exhibit notable differences. Dried flowers are subjected to a drying procedure that eliminates all moisture. This process can sometimes diminish or alter their natural hue as the drying eradicates the proteins responsible for coloration. Due to the absence of moisture and limited flexibility, dried flowers tend to be more fragile compared to preserved ones. Our eco-friendly dried flower suppliers utilize either air drying or natural techniques to dry each flower or grass.

On the other hand, preserved flowers and grasses experience a rehydration procedure. Initially, the plant's stem is immersed in a concoction of vegetable-based glycerin along with other plant substances. This solution ascends the stem, gradually replacing the plant’s natural sap with the introduced plant-based preservative. Once fully hydrated, the plant attains stability, retaining a flexible and realistic appearance for numerous years.

Both dried and preserved flowers are amenable to dyeing. Typically, dyed dried flowers are either painted or dehydrated, followed by rehydration using a minimal quantity of vegetable-based dye. Conversely, dyed preserved flowers are rehydrated with a mixture of dye and glycerin.
Given the porous nature of plants, occasionally the vegetable-based dye or preservative might bleed or rub off, a phenomenon that is considered normal but can be exacerbated in humid conditions. To achieve optimal preservation, it's advisable to store your dyed and preserved flowers and plants in a dry, cool spot away from direct sunlight.

We collaborate with eco-conscious vendors employing water and vegetable-based preservatives and dyes. In an effort to minimize the environmental footprint associated with dyeing and preserving flowers, each of our dried flower farms also manages and disposes of any wastewater on-site through a certified procedure. All dried or preserved products can be categorized as follows:

• Bleached: Processed to eliminate natural coloring with all wastewater being managed on-site in certified facilities.
• Dyed: Processed utilizing water-based dyes with all wastewater being managed on-site in certified facilities.
• Preserved: Processed with a vegetable-based glycerin formula to retain flexibility. Some preserved items are dyed using water-based dyes to preserve color, with all wastewater being managed on-site in certified facilities.
• Natural Dried: Dried without the use of chemical processes or dyes.
• Natural Accessories: Dried and preserved accessories for floral design.

                           

About Sticks2gather

For numerous years, we have been transitioning away from commercial agriculture, fostering connections with small-scale, family-run flower farms, and making strides to reduce our carbon emissions. Consequently, the majority of our dried florals are cultivated locally in India.

From the initial planting phase to the final processing stage, our reliable farmers are committed to minimizing their environmental footprint at every juncture. Our collaborators maintain the natural essence of dried flowers through eco-friendly harvesting methods, organic drying techniques, solar-powered infrastructures, and certified on-site wastewater management systems.

At Sticks2gather, we are on a continuous journey of improvement. Our attention is now geared towards embracing more natural stems (reducing dye use and streamlining processes) and opting for vegetable-based or food-grade dyes whenever feasible. Moreover, we are transitioning from plastic sleeves to biodegradable Kraft paper for packaging dried bundles, and gradually eliminating our recyclable plastic packaging. Every product page will provide information regarding the country of origin and the environmental practices employed for all our dried florals.