There ’s something genuinely magical about preserving flowers . Whether it ’s a bouquet from a peculiar event or a bundle of blooms from your own garden , dried flower allow you to capture and cherish a moment forever .
But the magic trick to create long - lasting , vivacious dried flowers is preserving their color — and doing it tight .
Flowers are , after all , delicate . They can lose their color and flesh rapidly if not handled properly . That ’s why learning how to dry blossom expeditiously while bear on their beautiful hues is an substantive attainment for any DIY partisan .
In this guide , I ’ll walk you through several tried - and - true methods to dry out bloom apace while keeping their color as vibrant as possible .
From traditional methods to advanced proficiency , you ’ll determine everything you call for to produce arresting dried floral arrangements that last .
Why Dry Flowers?
Before we get into the method , let ’s take a moment to appreciate why we might desire to dry flowers in the first place . dry flowers impart a tactile sensation of rustic charm and elegance to home décor .
They ’re also perfect for various craft projects such as wreaths , garlands , and press flower art . Plus , there ’s the sentimental aspect .
Perhaps you need to keep a bridal bouquet , flowers from a birthday , or the first blooms from your garden — dry prime allow you to keep these memory .
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How to Choose Flowers for Drying
Not all flowers dry out evenly well , so it ’s authoritative to pick the veracious ones . Flowers with by nature vibrant colors and strong stem are your best bet . Some bloom that dry out peculiarly well admit :
It ’s beneficial to nibble blossom at their peak — when they ’re just about to to the full open but not yet droop . If you wait too long , the petals may fall or become too fragile during the drying mental process .
Method 1: Air Drying
Air dry is one of the oldest and most traditional method for drying flowers . It ’s simple , does n’t require any special shaft , and if done decently , it can assist conserve both the embodiment and color of your blossom .
Steps for Air Drying Flowers:
1.Pick Your FlowersChoose heyday that are wise and in full bloom . ensure to write out them early in the morning , after any dew has dried .
2.Prepare the FlowersRemove inordinateness leaves from the stems . This will allow the peak to dry faster and forestall moisture from getting trap , which can make mildew .
3.Bundle the FlowersTie the prime together in small megabucks using twine or chain . Make trusted the theme are impregnable but not too tight to avoid crushing them .
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4.Hang Upside DownHang the flower bundles upside down in a dry , dark , and well - ventilated area . dark help to preserve the color , and well air circulation assure that the flowers dry out evenly .
5.WaitAllow the flowers to dry for about two to three weeks . You ’ll know they ’re ready when the flower petal find crisp to the touch and the stems are stiff .
Tips for Preserving Color:
To help the flowers retain their colour , advert them in a dark room with minimal exposure to sunlight . Sunlight causes flowers to melt quickly .
Consider using a rooter to improve air travel circulation and speed up the dry process without compromise the tone of the bloom .
Method 2: Microwave Drying
If you ’re looking for a fast method to dry flowers while save their color , the microwave technique is a fantastic option . Using a microwave oven helps to shut up in vivacious hues and works particularly well for more delicate efflorescence .
Materials Needed:
Steps for Microwave Drying Flowers:
1 . break up and Prepare Your FlowersChoose fresh flowers , and remove any unwanted leafage or extra prow .
2 . replete a Microwave - Safe ContainerFill a shallow , microwave oven - safe container with a layer of silica gel . This helps to conserve the flower ’s vividness and shape during the dry out process .
3 . rank the Flowers in the Silica GelGently place the flower fount - up in the container and shroud them completely with more silica gel . Be careful not to squash the petals as you fill the container .
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4 . MicrowavePlace the container in the microwave oven and set it to medium heat . startle by microwaving the flowers for about 1 to 2 minutes . The time will count on the type of flower and its size , so check them sporadically to control they ’re dry properly without burning .
5 . Cool and FinishAfter microwaving , cautiously remove the container and let the flush sit around in the silica gel for another 24 hours to finish the drying process . Once dry , gently sweep off the silica gel from the petal .
Silica gel work wonders for keeping flowers vivacious , as it absorbs wet while keep the bodily structure and color of the flower petal .
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Be conservative not to overheat the bloom , as they can lose their color and shape if nuke for too long .
Method 3: Pressing Flowers
bid flowers is a simple method acting that ’s sodding for save color , especially with flat flowers like pansies , daisy , and violets . Pressed flowers are bully for fine art projects , bookmarker , or even framed as keepsake .
Steps for Pressing Flowers:
1 . Pick Fresh FlowersChoose flowers that are n’t too thick , as flatter blooms press better . If you ’re pressing duncical blossom , you might require to remove some petals or leaves .
2 . space in Between PaperLay the flower between two piece of paper of parchment or blotting paper . This help engulf moisture and prevents the prime from sticking to the books .
3 . PressPlace the flowers and paper in between the page of a leaden rule book . heap additional books or weights on top to apply pressure .
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4 . WaitLeave the heyday to press for 1 to 2 workweek . Check on them periodically to ensure they ’re drying right .
5 . FinishOnce fully dried and flat , carefully remove the flower and utilize them in craft projects , framed art , or as a ornamental dialect in your home .
To heighten the color saving , you’re able to put the flowers in a cool , dark distance while press . loose photo can dull the colors over metre .
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Be sure to use absorbent material paper to help the flowers dry out faster and sustain their reverberance .
Method 4: Oven Drying
For a straightaway and good drying method , seem no further than your kitchen oven . This method acting wreak well for sturdier flowers , such as roses or hydrangea , and the low heat facilitate preserve the color .
Steps for Oven Drying Flowers:
1.Preheat Your OvenSet your oven to its low temperature , ideally around 100 - 150 ° F ( 38 - 65 ° C ) .
2 . devise the FlowersPlace the flowers on a telegram wheel or a baking tray describe with parchment newspaper . Make certain the flowers are evenly spaced to grant sound air circulation .
3 . juiceless in the OvenPlace the tray in the oven , leaving the door somewhat assailable to allow moisture to elude . get the blossom dry out for about 2 to 3 hours , checking on them sporadically to ensure they do n’t over - dry or lose their color .
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4 . Cool and FinishOnce dry out , dispatch the flowers from the oven and allow them to cool down . They should finger crisp to the feeling and wield their shape .
The samara to bear on color in the oven is to keep the temperature depressed and avoid verbatim sunlight . This minimizes the risk of fading .
Sturdier flowers forge best for this method , as delicate efflorescence may become too brittle in the oven .
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Method 5: Using a Dehydrator
A nutrient dehydrator is n’t just for preserving fruits and veggie — it can be a fantastic tool for drying flowers as well . This method is firm and effective , locking in color while polish off moisture .
Steps for Dehydrating Flowers:
1 . Pick and Prepare FlowersSelect fresh heyday and remove any excess foliage . Place the flowers equally on the dehydrator trays .
2 . Set the TemperatureSet the dehydrator to its lowest setting , usually around 100 - 110 ° F ( 37 - 43 ° cytosine ) , and have the flowers dry for several hours .
3 . Check PeriodicallyKeep an eye on the flowers as they dry , ensuring they do n’t become too unannealed or recede their colour .
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4 . FinishOnce the efflorescence are crisp and dry , remove them from the dehydrator and entrepot or expose them as want .
Using a dehydrator allows for a slow and steady drying mental process , which helps maintain the flower ’s natural colors .
Like the oven method , it ’s important to ward off over - dry out the blossom , as this can tone down their plangency .
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Drying flowers is an enjoyable and rewarding summons that lets you bask the beauty of your blooms long after they ’ve been pick .
Whether you ’re create a keepsake redolence , make pressed flower art , or simply preserving your garden ’s treasures , these drying methods will aid you do so quickly and efficaciously while preserve the beautiful colors of your flowers .
Choose the method that works best for you , and before you acknowledge it , you ’ll have stunning dried efflorescence that are ready to display in your menage .
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