Can I keep and store chinese lantern branches?

December 21, 2013 2:48 PM

I've had some chinese lantern branches in a vase for about a month now, no water, and they're still in great shape--bright, intact "lanterns." I want to replace them with something a little more wintery, but I hate to just throw away the chinese lanterns. Can I wrap them in paper or something and store them away until next fall? Or will they just disintegrate into dust?
posted by primate moon to Home & Garden (6 answers total)

They won't disintegrate, but they may fade in color somewhat, so keep them out of direct sunlight. I have some that I've had for a few years.
posted by wens at 3:40 PM on December 21, 2013 [1 favorite]

Won't new ones grow next season?
posted by zadcat at 4:48 PM on December 21, 2013

Response by poster: Yeah, I could buy new ones next year--they're not expensive. But it seems a shame to throw out something when it can be saved. No biggie, though, if that doesn't work out.
posted by primate moon at 5:08 PM on December 21, 2013

You can wrap them in paper and stored them in a box in a cool, dry, dark location. If you're storing them in a basement, you may want to include something that will draw moisture away from them. Silicone beads work well - you get small packs for free in things, like shoe boxes - they're the little packets that say DO NOT EAT. If you're worried about kids or pets, an envelope with some baking soda will also work well.
posted by RogueTech at 5:41 PM on December 21, 2013

If you have the room to store them, why not give it a try? If, upon unwrapping next year, they're looking less than fantastic, chuck 'em on the compost pile and lesson learned.
posted by mollymayhem at 5:54 PM on December 21, 2013

Do you have an out of the way place where you could hang them up? I've had good success by tying the bottom of the stems together and hanging them upside down in a corner of the laundry room.
posted by PlantGoddess at 5:47 AM on December 22, 2013