How Do You Preserve Fruit For Flower Arrangements?
Dried fruit adds an earthy natural tone to dry or fresh flower arrangements and is the perfect finishing touch for seasonal wreaths. Dehydrating the fruit is the easiest way to remove the excess moisture and preserve the shape and color of the fruit for decorative purposes. Wash the fruit thoroughly with cold tap water and pat dry with a clean, dry cotton cloth. Starting with fresh, clean fruit ensures your flower wreath or arrangement will have a clean polished look. Discard bruised or damaged fruit. Use a sharp serrated kitchen knife to slice the fruit into thin discs. The actual thickness is a matter of personal choice but will alter overall drying time. Don’t slice the fruit too thinly, as holes could form during the drying process. Remove excess moisture by placing the slices on an absorbent paper towel for an hour. Don’t pat the fruit with the towel, as it may leave shreds of towel residue on the fruit. Arrange the slices of fruit on the trays of the dehydrator. Spread the slices
