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Orchids/Drying fresh Orchids for shadowbox

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Expert: Jim Kawasaki - 1/21/2008


Question
Orchids were on daddy's casket arrangement and my mother wants to create a shadowbox with the dried flowers.  What is the best method of drying white and purple orchids?

Answer
Hello Karen,

I'm sorry to hear that your father passed away.  

As for preserving the orchid flowers in a shadowbox, I'm not quite sure how it is done as I've never done this.  But, long ago they used to press flowers to preserve them.  If memory serves me, they placed the flower in between paper sheets, arranged the petals so the flower was open before placing the top paper down on it and placing a weight to press it down.  After a few months, they lifted the dried pressed flower out.  

There probably are other methods but I do not know what they are.  Sorry I cannot be of more help.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.  

Orchids

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Jim Kawasaki

Expertise

Orchids, primarily cymbidiums (including Chinese cymbidiums) with limited knowledge about phalaenopsis, dendrobiums, cattleyas, paphiopedilums, phragmepediums plus some other miscellaneous orchids. Have been growing cymbidium orchids for 30+ years with only the past 15 years being a serious hobby grower.

Experience

Member of 3 orchid clubs and 2 international orchid societies (AOS, CSA). Greatest accomplishment is not having killed all my orchids, but given time I may still succeed. That they are still alive is living testimony to their hardiness and toughness.

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