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.