Blossoms are definite mood changers. Flowers can lift up a dull day, brighten up a Monday morning and when offered to someone, they make others feel very special. With that being said, flowers have such mesmerizing beauty, it’s a shame that they can’t last long. Naturally speaking, their life span is shorter and they need constant maintenance. However, humans have found out ways to prolong their essence by extending their life cycle. Yes, you heard me right!
Want to restore flowers for sentimental reasons?
Two of the prominent techniques used for doing so are Drying and Preserving. These may sound similar to you but they definitely are not! Both of these methods have proven to help prolong the lifespan of flowers, allowing people to keep their memories associated with them a bit longer. By doing so, the beauty still remains intact!
This topic gets more interesting going further. So let’s take a note of what exactly are these techniques, what are the significant differences between both of them and which one’s better than the other!
Dried Flowers
Drying is one of the easiest ways to retain blooms for an extended period. Here, you rehydrate them, sucking out all their natural moisture. They slightly shrink in size and their natural color fades a bit, but they still look beautiful in that form. Dried flowers turn vintage looking and are highly reused for decoration purposes. They are put in vases, used as a table runner or as a centerpiece. Dried flowers and ferns are largely utilized in potpourri in a residential setting.
Preserved Flowers
Preservation techniques start by harvesting fresh flowers and injecting them with an organic mixture. This replaces the sap present in them, allowing them to maintain their natural texture for a satisfyingly longer period. By doing so, the flowers still have their flexibility. It is seemingly impossible for the human eye to distinguish preserved flowers from the real ones. They can be cut and arranged exactly in the same way as you would lay out fresh ones.
The major differentiating points between dried and preserved flowers are as follows –
Look and feel
The drying process takes away the appealing beauty of the flowers, damaging their natural appearance. Although, the colour and mounting process slightly enhance it. It definitely looks a lot different than real flowers, the texture is different and flowers turn more delicate to touch. They can crumble and fall off more easily as they turn brittle in the state. The stems become weak and the applied color dye fades off if exposed to sunlight. Drying flowers might extend its lifespan but in turn, it takes away the aesthetic pleasure it once provided.
On the other hand, preserved flowers retain their original value and aesthetics. This method allows the flora to maintain its natural appearance, texture and soft natural touch. Preserved Flowers do not wilt like real fresh flowers; instead, they appear healthy and firm. The color remains the same for a longer period and they continue providing the same aesthetic value they once possessed.
Life Cycle
Although dried flowers last a long time, they come with an expiration date. They don’t last forever. The maximum lifespan of dried flowers with a favourable climate is upto 1 year maximum.
And speaking of Preserved flowers, they carry no expiration date. Their appearance depends highly on weather conditions. Humid environment cut down the lifespan of preserved flowers. They generally have a life lasting upto 3 years. But if weather permits and if they are sealed in a casing, they can live for 10 years.
Cost
Preserved flowers are more costly than Dried Flowers, the reason being, they are chemically processed and only the highest quality of flowers are chosen. On an average rate, only 30 to 50% of the flowers meet the strict quality standards. They might sometimes sound expensive, but they are super economical in terms of a one time investment.
Dried flowers don’t carry such fancy and stringent considerations. They are cost effective, budget friendly and re-usable in terms of preservation. All one needs is a 3-4 week of clear patience. And that’s about it!
Maintenance
Unlike fresh flowers, there are no allergies associated with preserved flowers. Close to zero maintenance is asked by preserved flowers. They just sit there on your kitchen top or center table adding a sense of decor to it. Whereas with dried flowers, they need to be handled with care as they turn super delicate after drying out. The leaves and stems of the flowers get brittle
and therefore, one must be extra careful while arranging them.
Process
If we talk about the overall process, the drying technique is simple and conventional whereas preservation technique is modern, complex and scientific concept.
With this, we have reached the end of our topic. I hope this article helped you by giving a clear idea about the differences in both types. Lastly, it’s a matter of personal preference.
Some adore the ‘rustic, vintage’ look dried flowers offer while others might be completely awed by preserved flowers. I say, have them your way!
