- What are ?
Koch & Co Silica Gel Flower Drying Preserving Crystals (flower drying crystals) are an Eco-friendly, nontoxic, thirsty, granular compound that offers the best method of preserving the natural beauty of fresh flowers and bouquets.
- How does Silica Gel work?
When you cover fresh cut flowers with the Silica Gel Crystals, the crystals absorb all the moisture from the flowers with little damage to the petals and without large amounts of mess.
- What is Silica Gel?
Silica, or silicon dioxide (SiO2), is the same material found in quartz sand. The gel form contains millions of tiny pores that can absorb and hold moisture. Silica gel is essentially very porous sand but in the form of manufactured beads. Silica gel can absorb about 40% of its weight in moisture and can take the relative humidity in a closed container down to around 40%.
- Is Silica Gel toxic?
No. It is a non-toxic, non-flammable, and a non-reactive product.
- Can you eat Silica Gel?
No. Although it is nontoxic, you cannot digest Silica Gel Crystals. The small crystals can also cause choking in children and pets. To be safe, always keep the product out of reach of children and pets.
- Should I wear gloves when using Silica Gel?
Although it is nontoxic, to be safe you should always wear gloves before you start using Silica Gel.
- What type of container should I use to dry flowers with Silica Gel?
A clear, plastic container with an airtight lid is best. Make sure that the container is airtight, and no other elements can enter during the drying process.
- How is it packaged?
Our Koch & Co Silica Gel comes in a 1kg resealable bag that can be recycled in a REDcycle program at your local supermarket.
- How many bags of Silica Gel will I need to dry out my flowers?
Depending on the size of your flowers and the container, more than one bag of Silica Gel may be required to complete this process. Our Koch & Co Silica Gel is available in 1kg bags. You can purchase this in bulk if necessary.
- What kinds of flowers can you dry with Silica Gel?
You can dry all flower types with Silica Gel. You can dry the whole flower including the stem, or you can remove the stem 1cm below the flower head and dry the flower heads.
- Can you dry a whole flower bouquet using Silica Gel?
Yes, you can. To do this you will need to take apart the bouquet and separate each flower so that they can lay flat in your container and be fully covered with Silica Gel. If you are hesitant to separate your bouquet, we encourage you to seek the guidance and help of your local florist.
- How long does it take to dry flowers with Silica Gel?
36 - 48 hours. This timeframe can vary depending on the thickness and size of the flowers.
- What if the flowers aren’t completely dry after 48 hours?
If the inner petals of the flowers still feel like they have moister in them, place the flower back in the box for another 24 hours and then review again.
- How do I get rid of excess Silica Gel and dust off my flowers after drying them?
To remove the excess Silica Gel inside the flower, hold the flower upside down and lightly tap the flower head to release the Silica Gel Crystals caught inside. To remove the outer dust coating, get a soft brush and lightly brush the flower petals until the dust is removed.
- Can I wet the flowers after they are dry?
No. Do not try to wash the flowers or add water to them as this will ruin the dried flower.
- What will the flowers be like after they are dried with Silica Gel?
After the process is complete the flowers will be delicate and may become brittle. When working with your dried flowers, you should handle them with care, do not press, bend, or squash the petals. The natural oils in your hands can also damage the flowers and shorten their shelf-life.
- How do I store my dried flowers after the drying process is complete?
If you're not ready to use your dried flowers, store them in an airtight cardboard container that will allow for the flowers to be placed horizontally without being crushed. Do not store them in a plastic container or plastic bags.
- Is Silica Gel reusable?
Our Silica Gel is reusable. You can easily re-activate the orange indicating beads by heating the silica gel in an open container in your oven or microwave, at a temperature of between 115 and 125°c. When the indicating beads return to their original orange colour, you will need to let the Silica Gel cool and then store.
- How do I store Silica Gel after use?
After you have reactivated the orange indication beads, let it cool and store it in either the green bag it came in or a sealed container until you are ready to use it again.
- How many times can you reuse Silica Gel?
3 to 5 times. If used more than this, ultimate results cannot be guaranteed.
- Is Silica Gel Eco-friendly?
Yes, Silica Gel is made of the same material found in quartz sand. Silica Gel and orange indicating Silica Gel is non-toxic, pollution-free, and meets all international environmental requirements.
- How do you dispose of Silica Gel?
You can dispose of the Silica Gel in the general waste disposal bin and recycle the bag in a REDcycle program at your local supermarket.
