Q	What is a Freeze-dried Flower
A	Floral Preservation by means of freeze-drying is accomplished by a scientific process called "sublimination" in which the flowers are frozen at 25 degrees below zero. The moisture is then removed from the flowers by undergoing an intense vacuum in the chamber of a freeze-drying machine This process may take up to 14 days, while slowly warming the temperature within the floral chamber. The flowers maintain their color and shape during this process because of their pre-frozen state. The final product is a beautiful "life like" flower for you to treasure for years.
Q	Can I do this in my freezer at home?
A	Not exactly. Flowers will dry out in your freezer after several years. However, your flowers will get freezer burn, as with any product left in the freezer too long.
Q	What are the benefits of freeze-drying over air-drying?
A	Air-drying is a natural drying process which exposes your flowers to the environmental elements of aging, which cause discoloration and shriveling. Most flowers will not air-dry gracefully and some will become rotten before they are completely dry. Free-drying stops the aging process and preserves the flower in its natural fresh looking state.
Q	How long will it take to freeze-dry my flowers?
A	The process of freeze-drying a flower will take approximately two (2) weeks. The actual completion of your freeze-dried order may take several weeks, due to the available space in the freeze-dryer and its running cycle.
Q	Will the flowers keep their color?
A	There will be some color changes that will occur during the freeze-drying process, such as reds going to "deeper reds", pinks turning to "mauvy pinks" and whites can become "vanilla". However, our chemists are continually developing new pre and post treatments to combat these changes. The Designery is continually testing new products to give you the highest quality freeze-dried service and product. If needed, color enhancing has always been a free service at The Designery, even 10 years later as we love to stay in contact with our customers.
Q	How soon after the event do we need to deliver the flowers to The Designery?
A	Next day delivery is the best, however, flowers can last 2 to 3 days if they are kept in a cool place and watered frequently. The fresher the flowers are the better the results will be. Freeze-drying will not revive wilted flowers. Planning ahead is the key to success.
Q	Should I freeze my flowers before I deliver them to The Designery?
A	NO! As with any frozen product, the flowers will begin to thaw immediately upon being removed from the freezer. The flowers will turn brown and begin to turn to a mushy consistency. In other words, they will be destroyed. Keep your flowers cool, NOT frozen.
Q	What flowers freeze-dry the best?
A	Most flowers freeze-dry beautifully. Refer to our "Simple Suggestion Guide" about "Meeting with your Florist".
Q	How long will my freeze-dried flowers last?
A	A freeze-dried flower exposed to environmental elements such as humidity, sun, smoke, bugs, etc. will give you approximately 6 to 12 months of enjoyment. We suggest all freeze-dried flowers be enclosed in a UV protected enclosure to guarantee years of enjoyment. The Designery carries a complete line of framed domes, shadow boxes, and  display cases all with 87% UV block. Flowers are a product of nature that we can preserve to create a quality keepsake. The Designery does not claim to archive botanicals as this is impossible. Your flowers may or may not  become your grandchildren's heirloom, but they will certainly become your most cherished keepsake.